Ext. Rare & Important WWII USN Roll of Honor 10K Submarine Badge of USS Tinosa Cdr. Latham

ARTIFACT: Extremely rare and important WWII United States Navy Roll of Honor 10K gold Submariner Badge of U.S.S. Tinosa SS-283 Commander Richard Clark Latham. Latham was previously stationed as Commander on both the USS S-15 (120) in 1941 and then the USS O-7 (68) from 1942 - 1944 before taking over the USS Tinosa (283) on September 13, 1944 and remained in Command until August 16, 1945. The USS Tinosa arrived at Pearl Harbor in April, 1943 after completing preliminary operations and departed in December 1944 for Ryukyu Islands, the vessel's 8th war patrol. It was her 11th war patrol that ordered her and Commander Latham to the Sea of Japan and there in June of 1945 she sank the Wakatama Maru, Keito Maru, Wakae Maru, Taito Maru, and Kaisei Maru with either torpedoes or gunfire, all were Japanese cargo ships, both merchant and army. She ended her 11th patrol on July 4th, 1945 and returned to Pearl Harbor for refitting, but Japan lost the war prior the start of her 12th patrol. The USS Tinosa completed a total of twelve war patrols in the Pacific and was credited with sinking 16 enemy ships, totaling 64,655 tons.

Commander Latham was awarded the Navy Cross by the President on September 11, 1945 for his actions during the USS Tinosa's Eleventh War Patrol where he showed "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding OfficerÉCommander Latham directed his vessel deep into shallow water to launch gun and torpedo attacks which resulted in the sinking of three hostile freighters and a sea truck, for a total of 12,100 tons, and in the damaging of a 4,000-ton enemy freighter. Skillfully evading strong Japanese countermeasures, he withdrew from the danger area and brought his vessel safe to port. His courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Commander Latham and the United States Naval Service."

The engraving on the reverse of the badge makes this example a special piece of history. The reverse engraving reads: "ROLL OF HONOR", "R. LATHAM U.S.S. TINOSA" and at this time, there were only 85 Submariners on the Roll of Honor. The types of engraving on the badges varies widely, appearing more jeweler-done early on during the war, and later examples like Latham's appear to be router-engraved, in this case, probably right at the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard. The 'unofficial' recognition of the Roll of Honor was a private award given by Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood Commander of the US Submarine Fleet in the Pacific Theater during WWII. The Roll of Honor badges were the standard "deep wave" pattern made by H-H in 10K gold and were presented as boxed sets consisting of both sizes.
Photo and award document are shown for reference purposes only and are not included.

VINTAGE: Circa WWII

SIZE: Approximately 2-3/4" x 1"

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: 10K gold

ATTACHMENT: Horizontal pin with drop in locking swivel catch

MARKINGS: "ROLL OF HONOR", "H-H", "10K", "R. LATHAM", "U.S.S. TINOSA"

ITEM NOTES: This is from a USN collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MBJJJV16 LHGEJX3/16 SGFJJX11/16

CONDITION: 9- (Excellent+): The badge shows little to no wear, overall excellent condition.