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Charles
Otto
Triebel
November 17, 1907

–

March 10, 1996

Charles Triebel graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1929. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Snook (SS-279)

    Action Date:

    April 11 – May 23, 1943
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01623 (July 11, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Charles Otto Triebel, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS-279), during the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 11 April to 23 May 1943, in waters in the area of the East China Sea. By his courage and skill Lieutenant Commander Triebel delivered torpedo and gun attacks against enemy vessels resulting in sinking and damaging an important amount of enemy shipping. Despite enemy gun fire and particularly hazardous navigational conditions while laying amine field, he brought his ship home without damage. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Snook (SS-279)

    Action Date:

    January 6 – March 6, 1944
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 02038 (May 23, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Charles Otto Triebel (NSN: 0-62577), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS-279), on the FIFTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 6 January 1944 to 6 March 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the East China Sea. With exceptional skill, Commander Triebel succeeded in penetrating strong escort screens and by a series of six aggressive and well-executed torpedo attacks, he succeeded in sinking five enemy ships totaling over 26,500 tons and damaging one other freighter of over 6,000 tons. Despite enemy counterattacks, he skillfully evaded serious damage by depth-charging and brought his ship to port safely. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Snook (SS-279)

    Action Date:

    June 9 – July 18, 1942
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 40

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Charles Otto Triebel (NSN: 0-62577), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS-279), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine from 9 June to 18 July 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific War Area. Commander Triebel, with courage, skill and determined action succeeded in sinking and damaging a large amount of enemy shipping. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Triebel brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Snook (SS-279)

    Action Date:

    August 18 – October 8, 1943
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 02903 (November 24, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Charles Otto Triebel (NSN: 0-62577), United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the enemy in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS-279), during the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters from 18 August to 8 October 1943. On one occasion, in extremely shallow water, Commander Triebel skillfully attacked a heavily escorted convoy which resulted in sinking a large enemy transport. By his courage, skill, and aggressiveness on this patrol, over 12,000 tons of enemy shipping were sunk and a motor driven cargo vessel of 300 tons damaged. Through his experience and sound judgment Commander Triebel brought his ship safely back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Snook (SS-279)

    Action Date:

    October 31 – December 7, 1943
    Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 0573 (February 18, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander Charles Otto Triebel (NSN: 0-62577), United States Navy, for gallantry in action against the enemy in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS-279), during the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters from 31 October to 7 December 1943. On one occasion Commander Triebel contacted an enemy convoy which consisted of six freighters with at least two escorts. He coolly and courageously attacked at close range on the surface at night. When the escorts attempted chase he daringly attacked them with torpedo fire and discouraged their further pursuit. He then closed the convoy and made another night surface attack at close range. He again forced withdrawal of the escorts by firing torpedoes at them. Observing a freighter attempting to flee, he closed and damaged the ship by torpedo fire. He then submerged to further attack the vessel at close range and sank it. In this series of actions, lasting less than eight hours, he sank two enemy freighters totaling over 14,000 tons and damaged three freighters totaling over 13,000 tons. His courage and persistence in this action was outstanding and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    September 1960 – August 1962
    All Hands (December 1962)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Charles Otto Triebel (NSN: 0-62577), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Logistic Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics) from September 1960 to August 1962. Responsible for providing logistic support to the rapidly expanding Fleet Ballistic Missile Weapon System, Rear Admiral Triebel anticipated and met the requirements for this vital new weapon system. As Chairman of a Secretary of Defense Budget Review Committee on Bases and Installations, he exercised organizational, planning, and administrative abilities of a high order, resulting in the achievement of great savings to the government without sacrificing the military posture of the Navy or incurring adverse publicity.