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| Torpedoman's Mate 3/c Theodore Felock served on the USS Pickerel until it was sunk by the Japanese. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26401987/theodore-gustav-feiock https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Pickerel_(SS-177)#World_War_II |
Theodore was born January 18, 1919 in Naper, Nebraska. His father Christian was born in Russia, his mother Johanna was born in Nebraska to Russian immigrants. He had four older sisters, three older brothers, three younger brothers, and two younger sisters. At some point prior to the 1920 census, the family relocated to Bowdle, South Dakota, where his father worked as a farmer. In 1940, Theodore was living at home with his parents and younger siblings.
Theodore enlisted in the US Navy in February 1941, and following basic training, was assigned to submarine school. After completion of sub school, he went to sea aboard the USS Pickerel (SS-177) as a Torpedoman’s Mate Third Class. Pickerel initially was based at San Diego, but after Pearl Harbor was relocated to Manila Bay in the Philippines. Between December 1941 and February 1943, Pickerel completed six war patrols in the Pacific theater and sank five enemy ships totaling 16,100 tons, and damaged another ten, totaling 9,100 tons. On March 22, 1943 Pickerel departed Midway Island on her seventh war patrol, headed for the eastern coast of northern Japan, and was never heard from again. The Pickerel was reported lost at sea on May 12, 1943, with all hands officially declared dead on August 10, 1945.
After the war, captured Japanese documents provided insight to the Pickerel’s likely fate. The documents noted that a submarine was attacked and damaged by depth charges launched from aircraft and ships off Shiramuka Lighthouse in northern Honshu on April 3, 1943. Although damaged, the sub managed to carry on with her combat operations, sinking a 440-ton submarine chaser on April 3 and a 1,113-ton cargo ship on April 7. The submarine described in the Japanese reports was most likely the Pickerel, since she was the only Allied submarine operating in that area at the time. She was likely sunk shortly after April 7.
Theodore Gustave Feiock is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. There is also a memorial stone for him at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota.
Thank you Theodore for your sacrifice. Let's Earn It for Theodore.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Wesley Bales of the USS Pensacola. You can read about Wesley here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
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Thank you for taking the time to research and publish this information. As a veteran of the Nuclear Submarine force in the 70s, I appreciate your efforts and dedication to remembering those who sacrificed themselves for their country.
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