USS Barb ( SS - 220 ) , a " Gato " - class submarine , was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the barbus . The craft compiled one of the outstanding submarine records of World War II . During the seven war patrols she conducted in the Pacific between March 1944 - August 1945 , " Barb " is officially credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96 , 628 tons , including the Japanese aircraft carrier . In recognition of one outstanding patrol , Commander Fluckey was awarded the Medal of Honor and " Barb " received the Presidential Unit Citation . On the sub ' s 12th and final patrol of the war , " Barb " landed a party of carefully selected crew members who blew up a railroad train . This is notable as the only ground combat operation that took place on the Japanese home islands . Service history . United States Navy . World War II . Her keel was laid down on 7 June 1941 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton , Connecticut . She was launched on 2 April 1942 ( sponsored by Mrs . Charles A . Dunn , wife of Rear Admiral Dunn ) , and commissioned on 8 July 1942 , Lieutenant Commander John R . Waterman in command . " Barb " s war operations spanned the period from 20 October 1942 – 2 August 1945 , during which time she completed 12 war patrols . During her first patrol she carried out reconnaissance duties prior to , and during , the invasion of North Africa . Operating out of Roseneath , Scotland until July 1943 , she conducted her next four patrols against the Axis blockade runners in European waters . " Barb " s fifth patrol terminated 1 July and she proceeded to the Submarine Base , New London , Connecticut , arriving on 24 July . Following a brief overhaul period at New London , " Barb " departed for Pearl Harbor where she arrived in September . It was in the Pacific waters that " Barb " found lucrative hunting and went on to compile one of the outstanding submarine records of World War II . During the seven war patrols she conducted in the Pacific between March 1944 - August 1945 , " Barb " is officially credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96 , 628 tons , including , sunk on 16 September 1944 . The last two war patrols conducted by " Barb " deserve mention . Under Commander Eugene B . Fluckey , her 11th patrol lasted from 19 December 1944 – 15 February 1945 , in the Formosa Straits and East China Sea off the east coast of China , from Shanghai to Kam Kit . During this patrol , " Barb " sank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft . On 22 – 23 January " Barb " penetrated Namkwan Harbor on the China coast and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor . Maneuvering in dangerously shallow waters , " Barb " launched her torpedoes into the enemy group and then retired at high speed on the surface in a full hour ’ s run through uncharted , heavily mined , and rock - obstructed waters . In recognition of this outstanding patrol , Commander Fluckey was awarded the Medal of Honor and " Barb " received the Presidential Unit Citation . Upon completion of her 11th patrol , " Barb " was sent to the U . S . for a yard overhaul and alterations , which included the installation of rocket launchers at the Captain ' s request . Returning to the Pacific , she commenced her 12th and final patrol on 8 June . This patrol was conducted along the coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk . For the first time in U . S . submarine warfare , " Barb " successfully employed rockets , against the towns of Shari , Hokkaido ; Shikuka , Kashiho ; and Shiritoru on Karafuto . She also bombarded the town of Kaihyo To with her regular armament , destroying 60 percent of the town . She next landed a party of carefully selected crew members who blew up a railroad train . During the night of 22 – 23 July 1945 these men went ashore at Karafuto , Japan , and planted an explosive charge that subsequently wrecked a train . They were : Chief Gunners Mate Paul G . Saunders , USN ; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R . Hatfield , USNR ; Signalman 2nd Class Francis Neal Sever , USNR ; Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W . Newland , USN ; Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class Edward W . Klingesmith , USNR ; Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E . Richard , USN ; Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson , USN ; and Lieutenant William M . Walker , USNR . This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag . Post - War . Returning to the United States after the cessation of hostilities , " Barb " was placed in commission in reserve on 9 March 1946 and out of commission in reserve on 12 February 1947 at New London , Connecticut . On 3 December 1951 , she was recommissioned and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet , operating out of Key West , Florida . She was placed out of commission on 5 February 1954 and underwent the Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program ( GUPPY ) conversion . Recommissioned on 3 August 1954 , she served with the Atlantic Fleet until 13 December 1954 , when she was decommissioned and loaned to Italy under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program . Italian Navy . The submarine was renamed " Enrico Tazzoli " ( S - 511 ) by the Italian Navy , after Enrico Tazzoli . The submarine was eventually sold for scrap in 1972 for approximately $ 100 , 000 ( currently $ ) . Admiral Fluckey noted that had the crew known of this , they would have bought the sub and brought her back to the United States to serve as a museum ship . Awards . " Barb " received the Presidential Unit Citation , Navy Unit Commendation , and eight battle star s for her World War II service .