Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A United States of America Second War Silver Star group of eight awarded to Commander J. F. Walling, United States Navy, who was posted Missing in Action, presumed killed, when his Submarine the U.S.S. Snook failed to return from a War patrol in the South China Sea, May 1945

United States of America, Silver Star, two-piece construction, with silver star placed upon a silver gilt star-shaped base, unnamed as issued; Purple Heart, two-piece construction, bronze gilt and enamel, reverse officially named ‘Comdr. Jon F. Walling USN’; China Service Medal, bronze; American Defense Service Medal, 1 clasp, Fleet, bronze; American Campaign Medal 1941-45, bronze; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 1941-45, bronze; with two bronze star emblems on riband; World War II Victory Medal, bronze; United States Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, bronze, all with original ribands with brooch pinback mounting); together with the recipient’s Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia with three stars, silver; and a Submarine Service Badge, bronze, nearly extremely fine (8) £1,000-£1,400

Silver Star awarded 30 January 1943.
The Citation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the line of his profession as Diving Officer of the U.S.S. Flying Fish (SS-229), during successful attacks against one enemy Kongo Class battleship and one enemy patrol vessel. One attack against a patrol vessel was followed by a severe enemy counter-attack during which the Flying Fish was severely damaged. With a badly leaking after trim tank, with an up angle of eighteen degrees and with depth charges exploding very close aboard, it was only by his skill and calm courage that proper depth was maintained and the boat was capable of returning to port. His courage and skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.’

Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia awarded posthumously.
The Citation states: ‘The U.S.S. Snook, on an offensive war patrol in confined and heavily patrolled enemy waters, failed to return as scheduled. Although there is no information as to the number of successful attacks delivered against the enemy during during this patrol, this vessel has continuously distinguished herself since her first appearance in enemy waters by her successful and relentless attacks against the enemy and it is believed the Snook undoubtedly was pursuing just such bold and aggressive tactics up until the time she was declared missing.
As Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Snook, Commander John Franklin Walling’s skill, daring, courageous leadership and unfailing devotion to duty contributed directly to his ship's many successful attacks against the enemy. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, forwards this commendation in recognition of the splendid performance of duty, which was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.’

John Franklin Walling was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on 2 February 1912, his hometown listed as Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was appointed a Midshipman on 15 June 1931, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis as an Ensign, U.S. Navy, on 6 June 1935. After service in the cruiser U.S.S. Tuscaloosa from 28 June 1935 to 1 June 1937, he transferred to the Submarines, and was assigned to U.S.S. S-37 on 12 November 1937. Advanced Lieutenant (Junior Grade) on 6 June 1938, and qualified for command of submarines on 21 August 1940.

Walling served initially during the Second World War in the U.S. Submarine Flying Fish from 10 December 1941, and received a Commendation on 19 October 1942 for his efforts while Engineering Officer of the Flying Fish:
‘The U.S.S. Flying Fish sank a 450 ton patrol vessel and seriously damaged a 29,300 ton enemy battleship, during the second patrol conducted by that submarine in enemy waters. This thirty-four day war patrol was made in an area adjacent to a strongly fortified, major enemy island base in the Pacific area, where antisubmarine measures were persistent and effective. After each submarine attack, aggressively, courageously and effectively consummated by the commanding officer, enemy depth charge and bombing attacks were made on the submarine. Although the Flying Fish was damaged by these attacks, the commanding officer dauntlessly patrolled his station until forced to effect jury repairs and return to a friendly base. As the Engineering Officer of the U.S.S. Flying Fish, your performance of duty was an important and material contribution to the success of this mission. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, is pleased to commend you on your splendid performance of duty.’

Advanced Lieutenant, Walling would earn a further Commendation, and the Silver Star, for the first attack on a Japanese Kongo class battleship on 28 August 1942, his Commendation, dated 12 January 1943 stating:
‘On the third war patrol conducted by the U.S.S. Flying Fish, she attacked and sank two Japanese destroyers of 1,368 tons each, both of these attacks being aggressively, courageously, and effectively conducted. As Executive Officer of the U.S.S. Flying Fish, your performance of duty was an important and material contribution to the success of this mission. The Commander Task Force Forty-two is pleased to commend you on you splendid performance of duty.’

Appointed Lieutenant-Commander on 1 May 1943, Walling was given the command of the U.S.S. Marlin from this date, and was advanced Commander on 1 March 1944. On 5 December 1944 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Snook and commanded her during her eight War patrol in the Pacific, 25 December 1944 to 17 February 1945. Departing for her ninth War patrol on 25 March 1945, she left Guam with orders to patrol Luzon Strait, the South China Coast, and waters along the east coast of Hainan. Her last radio message was near the Luzon Strait on 8 April 1945, and the submarine was never heard from again, the circumstances of her loss never determined. Japanese records of anti-submarine attacks do not account for her sinking and she had been fully informed of the location of minefields in the Sakeshima Gunto area. It is possible that she was the victim of a Japanese submarine. Five Japanese submarines were lost in waters of the Nansei Shoto during April and May of 1945, therefore, one of these may have sunk the Snook before its own sinking by United States warships. The official statement from the United States Navy states: ‘Presumptive 6 May 1946 - Officially determined to Missing in Action as of 5 May 1945, having served aboard the U.S.S. Snook when that submarine failed to return from a war patrol in the South China Sea. In compliance with Section 5 of Public Law 430, as amended, death is presumed to have occurred on the 6th day of May 1946.’ In all, 84 of the crew perished. Walling has no known grave and is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Philippines.

Sold together with a Commendation Letter for the Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia; the recipient’s rank insignia shoulder boards; three embroidered Commemorative Patches (’Fish’; ‘U.S.S. Flying Fish’; and ‘U.S.S. Snook’); a copy of the book ‘Final Dive - The Gallant and Tragic Career of the WWII Submarine, USS Snook’, by Rick Cline; and copied research.