This episode of the popular 1950s TV show NAVY LOG “The USS Enrico Tazzoli” tells the story of the USS Barb and its famous 11th patrol mission. 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 most outstanding US-submarine records of World War II. Under Commander Eugene B. Fluckey, her 11th patrol (as shown in this episode) 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, opposite the Matsu Islands, 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.
As the episode shows, Barb was given to the Italian Navy in 1954 under the mutual assistance program. The submarine was renamed Enrico Tazzoli (S511) by the Italian Navy, after Enrico Tazzoli. It was eventually sold for scrap in 1972 for approximately $100,000 (currently $573,000). Admiral Fluckey once sadly noted that, had the crew known of the sub’s availability, they would have bought the sub and brought her back to the United States to serve as a museum ship.
The episode was directed by Jean Yarbrough, produced by Sam Gallu, and had its screenplay written by famed submarine Capt. Edward L. Beach (Run Silent, Run Deep). This episode stars Paul Richards, Edward Kemmer, Bing Russel, Peter Walker and Robert Chapman.
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