CDR David R. Connole Commanding Officer U.S.S. Trigger

• To honor a commanding officer of a submarine that was lost in battle during World War 2
• To honor all that served and were lost with him on board USS Trigger (SS-237)
  
• To recognize the accomplishments of those who served onboard the USS Trigger during her short but illustrious career from 1942-1945.

Who was David Gonnole and what is the story of the submarine U.S.S. Trigger?

1. DAVID RICKART CONNOLE

The Connole family name is Irish with David Connole's grandfather, Anthony, immigrating from County Clare, Ireland in the mid-1800's LO Carroilton, Illinois. David R. Connole was born on September 8, 1912 in Madison, ILas the first son of Henry Connole and Mary Rickart Connole. He did well in school and also became an Eagle Scout. After attending llinois College for two years, he gained entrance to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1932 and graduated in 1936. For the next three years, he served aboard the cruiser USS Boise then entered Submarine School.

From December 1939 to August 1943, Commander Connole served aboard the submarine USS Pompano which was involved in numerous war patrols in the Pacific. He then became executive officer of the USS Cuttlefish. In 1944, he took command of the USS Sennet and in 1945, he became the commanding officer of the USS Trigger. The U.S.S. Trigger was lost in battle off the coast of Japan in March, 1945.

Commander Connole was awarded two Silver Star medals, the Bronze Star medal and the U.S.S. Trigger earned the Presidential Unit Citation for three war patrols.

Vida Wimbrow was born on June 8, 1917 and raised in Annapolis, Maryland. She and David met in 1935 and were married in 1938. This young Navy couple lived in New London, Connecticut, San Francisco, California and Honolulu, Hawaii. During the war years, Vida lived in Annapolis. Their only son, Rickart Alan Connole, was born in September, 1944. David last saw his son at Rick's christening in November, 1944.

In 1949, Vida married Captain Roy S. Benson who, by coincidence, commanded the U.S.S. Trigger in 1942 and was an instructor of navigation to David Connole at the Naval Academy.

In honor of the U.S.S. Trigger and David Connole, Vida Connole Benson christened the second USS Trigger in 1951. Mary Rickart Connole, David's mother, christened the USS Connole on July 20, 1968 The US Navy and a number of associations have further honored David Connole and the USS Trigger with the establishment of memorials that specifically identify their names. Some of these memorials, which the author has visited, are listed below:

a. The David R. Connole Alpine Village Mall, Madison, IL
b. Submarine Museum and Memorial, Nautilus Park, New London, CT
c. Submarine Veterans of World War II, continuing memorial in monthly newsletter and at annual conventions where USS Trigger veterans gather
d. Submarine Veteran's Memorial, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
e. US Naval Academy Graduate's Memorial - Lost at Sea or in Battle, Annapolis, MD affairs
f. Battle Flag (original) of the USS Trigger, US Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, MD
g. US Naval History Museum, Naval Yard, Washington D.C.
h. Director of Naval History and Archives, Naval Yard, Washington D.C. - on file are the original logs of the USS Trigger, except for its final patrol.
i. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
j. US Naval Base, San Diego, CA
k. Submarine Museum and Memorial, Pearl Harbor, HI
l. Punchbowl National Cemetery, Honolulu, HI
m. Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL

A Personal Statement By Rickart A. Connole:

The USS Connole is a sea going vessel .... engineered steel, sophisticated weapons, highly trained crew designed to he a naval fighting vessel to protect its homeland. It's impressive.

To be associated with this particular vessel has been special for me in my life time. First, the ship was named for my father. She was christened by my grandmother and I had the distinct thrill of riding her down the ways (the first of many memorable rides). Second, it carries the name of my family. One cannot keep from being overwhelmed when faced with two hundred sixty sailors all of whom are wearing baseball caps with my name on it!

Third, and foremost, was the opportunity to get to know the crew. It is great to see your name on the side of the ship, but, of course, a ship is inanimate. The relationship with the ship came "alive" when I got to know the commanding officers, ward room officers, chiefs and sailors over the years.

The significance of this relationship with the USS Connole crew centers on two factors of my upbringing:

I never had the opportunity to know my father. He was a Naval officer and commanded ships. What was it like to be at sea, among a ship community, in command?

I am a Navy junior and continue to have a high interest in the Navy.

Each Commanding Officer that I have had the opportunity to know has been very generous to include my family and me into many USS Connole activities. We have been very appreciative of the relationship with the ship and have had a sincere interest in its accomplishments.

Sure I'm proud of this ship; it carries my father's name. But what's really significant is the great job done by all and the tradition of excellence that was established. Each successive Commanding Officer and his crew built on their predecessors platform of achievements and set off for new goals. Each one was a success as was the total twenty-three year career go look at that ship you'll see the name Connole, and look at all those E's.