The Navy Log ? USS E-2 (SS-25)

After Two Accidents, Navy Orders All Submarines to Stand Down The ONE MC Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2007 By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes January 13, 2007 WARDROOM OUR CREED: Base Commander “To perpetuate the Ray Stone memory of our shipmates (703) 913-9843 who gave their lives in [email protected] pursuit of their duties while serving their country, that their Vice Commander dedication, deeds, and Tom Perrault supreme sacrifice be a (703) 217-6894 constant source of [email protected] motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge Secretary loyalty and patriotism to Alan C. Brodie the United States (703) 468-4844 Government.” [email protected] Treasurer Steve Jaeger (703) 696-5354 [email protected] COMMANDER’S LOG Chaplain Tom Phythian Greetings, fellow shipmates, definitely be an event you won’t want (703) 448-1725 [email protected] I hope all had a great holiday and to miss. It’ll take place immediately as we start off this year with a new following our February base meeting. Storekeeper/ wardroom, a special welcome goes The location and cost per person Veterans Affairs out to Alan Brodie, who is our new depends on how many sign up, but a Lou Maruzo fair estimate would be $24 to $30 per (540) 727-7610 base secretary. I know he’ll do a [email protected] great job for the base. Thanks person. Debbie and Alan are http://www.subshipstore.com also to Mark Riethmeier, who coordinating this, so if you plan to served as your base secretary for attend, let them know soonest if you Chief of the Boat haven’t already. More information will Tim Shannon the last couple of years. [email protected] Kudos shipmate, for your tireless be provided via email and also on our effort and all your hard work! website as the details get firmed up. On the Web at: http://www.ussvinova.org 2006 has certainly been a banner Hope to see you all at the February year for our base. We’ve had meeting! great guest speakers and have MEETINGS enjoyed participation in parades, Cheers, Mates! fun picnics, a super chili cook-off, Ray and hosted probably the finest The second Holland Club Dinner on record! Saturday of each Membership numbers and the month at 1100 turnout for base meetings continue to grow. All in all, it has been a at great year and I expect this trend American Legion to continue throughout this year, Post 162 as well. 8210 Legion Drive Our Valentine’s Day ‘Sweetheart Lorton, Virginia Luncheon’ is on track and will

Volume 12, Issue 1 ● The One MC ● USSVI, Northern Virginia Base ● January 2007 The Navy has ordered an Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas operational “stand-down” for all Higgins, 45, and Petty Officer 2nd of Bahrain, resulting in minor submarines following two recent Class Michael Holtz, 30, were damage. accidents, charging commanders killed, and two other sailors were to “focus energy and intellect injured. The investigation is · On January 8, 2005, the USS back onto the basics of ongoing, said LT Chris Servello, a San Francisco struck an submarine operations,” according spokesman with 6th Fleet. undersea mountain near Guam, to the Submarine Force’s leader. killing one crewman and In a separate incident, the fast injuring 24. Vice Admiral Chuck Munns, U.S. attack submarine USS Newport Submarine Force commander, News collided with a Japanese oil · On November 2, 2002, the lamented that the two incidents tanker Monday as the tanker USS Oklahoma City struck a — one which resulted in the passed over the submerged sub in Norwegian merchant ship in the death of two sailors — happened the narrow Strait of Hormuz. western Mediterranean Sea, under standard operations. resulting in minor damage. A preliminary rundown of the “It is clear that a common thread investigation indicates that the oil · On February 9, 2001, the USS through recent problems has tanker’s high speed created a Greeneville rammed into and been errors conducting normal sucking flow, known as the sank the Japanese fishing routine operations,” Munns said “Venturi effect,” that made the sub trawler Ehime Maru off Hawaii, in a statement. “We are going rise and collide with the ship, said killing nine people and sparking back to basics, back to practice.” Loundermon, refuting media tension and protests. The reports that the sub was on the submarine surfaced beneath The stand-down order does not surface or trying to surface. the trawler while demonstrating mean submarines stop sailing, an emergency surfacing said LCDR Chris Loundermon, a No one was injured aboard either maneuver for civilian guests Submarine Force spokesman. vessel, and both sustained minor aboard during a day trip. “Those deployed just can’t stop damage. That investigation is midway and sit in the ocean for a ongoing and is led by 5th Fleet. couple of days. But a focus will have to be on this stand-down.” The Navy has 70 submarines in its force: 52 fast attack submarines, Normal operations will continue 14 ballistic missile submarines and while commanders “review four cruise missile submarines. recently completed operations and future planned evolutions, The deaths of the Minneapolis-St. and evaluate areas of risk and Paul sailors are the first such risk mitigation,” according to fatalities in six years. During that Munns’ statement. same period, four other sailors who had fallen overboard were They have a week to do it — successfully rescued from the reviews are due January 19th. water.

The two incidents that sparked According to Loundermon, in the Thursday’s order involved four past five years, there have been sailors swept from the top of the four submarine collisions: submarine USS Minneapolis-St. Paul as it pulled out of port · On September 5, 2005, the USS SSN-688 class submarine underway during bad weather on December Philadelphia and a Turkish 29 in Plymouth Harbor, England. merchant ship collided off the coast Have YOU Enrolled in Historian’s Corner: the Navy Log…? USS E-2 (SS-25)

The Navy Log records naval STURGEON (SS-25) was the E-2 was commended by the service information of present 13th of 51 submarines built Chief of Naval Operations and former members of all the by the Fore River for two of these sea services, living or deceased. Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, antisubmarine patrols, With an enrollment of more than Massachusetts. On 17 which were exceptionally a half million names (and tens of November 1911, she was long for a submarine of her thousands of photographs), the renamed E-2, and size (135 feet, 3 inches). Navy Log is on continuous commissioned 14 February display in the Navy Log room of 1912, Ensign C. N. Hinkamp Returning to New London, the U.S. Navy Memorial as well in command. 31 August 1918, E-2 made as being accessible on the two more patrols before the internet through the U.S. Navy Serving in the Atlantic end of the war, and then Memorial Website. Submarine Flotilla, E-2 sailed returned to training student from Newport, RI for officers and qualifying men Through the Navy Log the United developmental exercises and for duty in submarines. She States Navy Memorial honors training. Between 5 January sailed from New London on the individual. Enrollment in the and 21 April 1914, she 19 April 1920 for Norfolk, Navy Log is free of charge and cruised to Guantanamo Bay arriving two days later. without obligation. Making and the Gulf of Mexico. She Then, on 17 September, changes, updating information then returned to Newport, 27 she began her final voyage or adding a photograph is also July, for training operations to the Philadelphia Navy free of charge. for the remainder of the Yard where she was summer and from February decommissioned on 20 By logging in on this site you can to May 1915 off Florida. October 1921 and sold on enter the person’s photograph, 19 April 1922. service dates, duty stations, On 19 June 1915, E-2 entered awards and service memories. New Once enrolled in the Navy Log, York Navy Yard for overhaul. your family, friends and While there, she suffered a shipmates can view your Log on violent explosion and fire on the Internet at anytime from this 15 January 1916 when site, www.navymemorial.org, or hydrogen gas was ignited by during visits to the U.S. Navy a spark. Four men were killed and seven injured. On 13 March, E-2 was placed out of commission for use as a laboratory, for exhaustive Note: The primary source tests of the Edison Storage of this material, the Battery Company (1901- Dictionary of Naval Fighting 1932, later Thomas A. Edison, Inc).

With the United States entering World War I, E-2 was recommissioned 25 March 1918. She served in training and experimental work at New London, CT until MILLIONS RECEIVE COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES FOR VA BENEFITS

WASHINGTON – Millions of veterans and eligible Under each benefit program, additional allowances may be family members will see their disability payable for helpless, minor or school age children. compensation, pension, and survivors' benefits increased as the Department of Veterans Affairs For more information about VA benefits and services, go (VA) provides an annual cost-of-living increase for to VA’s website at www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. key benefits.

"We want all veterans with disabilities related to the defense of our country to receive the benefits they have earned," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. "With this increase, we ensure their “We want all veterans with payments keep pace with the cost of living." disabilities related to the A recent law signed by President Bush provides a defense of our country to 3.3 percent increase in disability compensation and survivors' benefits. Eligible veterans and family receive the benefits they have members will see this increase starting in their earned.” January 2007 checks. JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Under the veterans disability compensation program, tax-free payments will generally range from $115 to Dan Arquette Bruce Miller $2,471 per month depending on the degree of disability. Special payments up to $7,070 per month apply to the most severely injured veterans. David Cecchett Einer Nielson Pension disability benefits will also be increased by the same percentage and effective on the same date. The maximum annual rate for permanently Henry & Katy Chiles John Pendola and totally disabled veterans can range from $10,929 to $18,234. Payments under this program are based on household income. Sam Dunlap John Prisley This increase also applies to survivors of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability. Dependency and Indemnity Joseph Fitzgerald Monica Bryant Compensation (DIC) survivors’ benefit payments can range from $1,067 to $2,443 per month. Paula Friedrich Sabrina Wiles Survivors of wartime veterans receiving death pension are also entitled to an increase. The maximum annual payment rate for a surviving spouse can range from $7,329 to $11, 715. Bob & Susan Glover Linda Clement

Benefits under this program are intended to bring an eligible spouse’s income to a level established by Judith Perrault Rich McSpadden law. CLAIMING SOCIAL SECURITY CHAPLAIN’S CREDIT FOR MILITARY SERVICE CORNER Question: How do I get social security credit for my military You cannot receive these special service? RECIPE FOR A credits if you are receiving a federal Answer: Earnings for active duty benefit based on the same years of HAPPY NEW military service or active duty service, unless you were on active training have been covered under duty after 1956. If you were on YEAR Social Security since 1957. active duty after 1956, you can get Social Security has covered inactive the special credit for 1951 through 1. Take twelve whole 1956, even if you are receiving a duty service in the armed forces months. Clean thoroughly reserves (such as weekend drills) military retirement based on since 1988. service during that period. of all bitterness, hate, and If you served in the military before If you served in the military in 1957 jealousy. Make them just 1957, you did not pay Social through 1977, you are credited with as fresh and clean as Security taxes, but we gave you $300 in additional earnings for each possible. special credit for some of your calendar quarter in which you service. received active duty basic pay. If you served in the military in 1978 2. Now cut each month into Your Social Security benefit twenty-eight, thirty, or depends on your earnings, through 2001, you are credited with averaged over your working an additional $100 in earnings, up thirty-one different parts, lifetime. Generally, the higher your to a maximum of $1,200 a year, for but don't make up the every $300 in active duty basic earnings, the higher your Social whole batch at once. Security benefit. Under certain pay. After 2001, additional earnings circumstances, special earnings can are no longer credited. Prepare it one day at a time be credited to your military pay If you began your service after out of these ingredients. record for Social Security purposes. September 7, 1980, and did not Mix well into each day one The extra earnings are for periods complete at least 24 months of part faith, one part of active duty or active duty for active duty or your full tour, you training. These extra earnings may may not be able to receive the patience, one part courage, help you qualify for Social Security additional earnings. Check with us and one part work. Add to or increase the amount of your for more information. each day one part hope, Social Security benefit. NOTE: In all cases, the additional faithfulness, generosity, and NOTE: Social Security will add earnings are credited to the kindness. Blend with one these extra earnings to your earnings that Social Security earnings record when you file averages over your working part prayer, one part for retirement or disability lifetime, not directly to your meditation, and one good benefits. You may be asked to monthly benefit amount. deed. provide proof of military For questions or additional service at that time. You do information, visit the Social Security not need to take any action 3. Season the whole with a Administration’s website at prior to applying for your Social http://ssa.gov or call toll-free 1-800- dash of good spirits, a Security benefits. 772-1213 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, sprinkle of fun, a pinch of If you served in the military from Mondays through Fridays. If you play, and a cup full of good 1940 through 1956, including humor. Pour all of this into attendance at a service academy, you did not pay Social Security a vessel of love. taxes. However, we will credit you with $160 a month in earnings for 4. Cook thoroughly over military service from September 16, 1940, through December 31, 1956, if: · You were honorably discharged after 90 or more days of service, or you were released because of a MINUTES OF THE USSVI, NORTHERN VIRGINIA BASE MEETING HELD ON SATURDAY, 13 JANUARY 2007

The Base Commander, Ray Stone, called the meeting to order at 1100, 13 January 2007 at American Legion Post 162, Lorton, Virginia.

The Base Chaplain, Tom Phythian, delivered the Invocation and offered a prayer to honor the memory of our shipmates lost on board USS MINNEAPOLIS-St. PAUL (SSN 708) on December 29, 2006.

The Base Commander read the names of the boats lost in the month of January. These were:

USS S-36 SS-141 20 January 1942 USS S-26 SS-131 24 January 1942 USS ARGONAUT SS-166 10 January 1943 USS SCORPION SS-278 05 January 1944 USS SWORDFISH SS-193 12 January 1945

The Chief of the Boat, Tim Shannon, led all hands in the Pledge of the Allegiance.

The Vice Commander, Tom Perrault, read a passage on USS E-2 (SS-25) provided by the Base Historian, Mark Riethmeier.

A Swearing In ceremony was conducted for the new slate of Base officers for 2007. Tim Shannon, former Base Commander, issued the oath of office to re-elected Base Commander, Ray Stone. The Base Commander then issued the oath of office to the following 2007 Base Officers:

Vice-Commander Tom Perrault Secretary Alan Brodie Treasurer Steve Jaeger MEMBERS AND GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE

Stephen Bishop; Art Bivens; Alan Brodie; Howard Chatham; William Clement; Jeff Daue; Leticia Daue; Deborah Davis, Mickey Garverick; Roger Hall; Sue Heflin; Chris Herst; Sherry Herst; Darlene Jaeger; Steve Jaeger; Richard Laulor; Lou Maruzo; Richard McSpadden; Mike Murphy; Paul Nelson; Benny Parker; Tom Perrault; Pete Petruy; Joe Phoenix; Tom Phythian; Kevin Rolan; Tim Shannon; Rob Smallbrock; Ray Stone; Mike Varone; Reb Wootten; and Ruri Wootten (note:  = Holland Club Member;  = New Member;  = Guest)

MEETING MINUTES

The December 2006 newsletter containing the minutes from the December 2006 base meeting has been posted on the Base web site (http://www.ussvi.nova). A motion was made to accept the December minutes as written. The motion was seconded and carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Base Treasurer, Steve Jaeger, provided the most recent Treasurer’s Report (dated 13 January 2007).

Account Cash Savings Account (12/15/06) $ 7.29 CD (12/31/06) $ 1,065.39 Total Cash in Savings $ 1,072.68 Checking Balance on 09 Dec 2006 $ 720.68 Receipts Dues 2A 2007 Annual Dues $ 170.00 2l Base Life Dues $ - Sub-Total Dues: $ 170.00 Interest/Dividends 4 Nov 2006 Bank Statement $ 0.37 Sub-Total Interest/Dividends: $ 0.37 Fund Raising 6R Raffles (50/50) $ 44.00 Sub-Total of Fund Raising $ 44.00 Other 30 Donation, Other $ 5.00 6I Fund Raising, Sale of Items $ - Sub-Total Other $ 5.00 Total Receipts $ 219.37 Disbursements 10D Dues to National $ 60.00 2A Dues-Annual $ - 11 Donations Made $ - 15 Base-Other $ 7.02 Total Disbursements $ 67.02

Ending Balance in Checking (09 Dec 06) $ 873.03

A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report as written. The motion was seconded and carried.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

The Base currently has 92 active members; of these, 54 are Life members; 15 are members of the Holland Club; and 13 are Associate members. Seven members still have outstanding National membership dues to be paid, and nine still have not paid their Base membership dues. Four members have been formally nominated for induction into the Holland Club in 2007.

STOREKEEPER’S & VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICER REPORT

The Veterans Affairs Officer, Lou Maruzo, indicated that honorably discharged veterans may be eligible for additional Social Security credit in retirement; see related article in the January 2007 issue of The One MC.

WEBMASTER’S REPORT

The Base Webmaster, Rob Smallbrock, had nothing new to report.

NAVAL SUBMARINE LEAGUE REPORT

The Naval Historical Foundation and the Naval Submarine League will co- sponsor a historical symposium entitled, “Cold War Under the Sea: How Submarine Intelligence Collection Made a Difference – Lessons from the Past” on April 11, 2007 at the U. S. Navy Memorial in Washington, DC. Participants will include VADM Roger Bacon, USN (Retired), Former Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare and Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet; RADM Thomas Brooks, USN (Retired), Former Director of Naval Intelligence and Officer in Charge, Fleet Operational Surveillance Information Center, Atlantic; and Mr. Richard Haver, Former Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence and Director of the Intelligence Community Management Staff.

OLD BUSINESS Deborah Davis provided an update on plans for the Sweetheart Luncheon to be held following the Base meeting on Saturday, February 10, 2007. Although location and cost have yet to be finalized, approximately 30 members and guests have signed up to participate. Final details will be promulgated on the Base website and by group e-mail as soon as they are known.

As is customary during the first meeting of each year, the Base Commander requested that all hands introduce themselves and provide information on their submarine service. It was with great pleasure that the Base welcomed two new members of the Northern Virginia Base: Mike Murphy and Jeff Daue. NEW BUSINESS

Paul Nelson has volunteered to serve as the Parade Committee Chairman for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade scheduled for March 3, 2007. A show of hands indicated that approximately 20 members intend to participate. This event will be advertised both on the Base website and via group e-mail; in addition, Paul will provide updated information as the event continues to draw near.

BINNACLE LIST

Bruce Miller and Rod Puffer are recovering from surgery. All hands are asked to keep these shipmates in your prayers.

50/50 RAFFLE

The 50/50 raffle was conducted, with $60 going to the winner, Joe Phoenix. Joe donated his winnings back to the Base.

The Base Chaplain, Tom Phythian, delivered the Benediction.

The Base Commander made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded and carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 1208.

Respectfully Submitted,

Alan C. Brodie Secretary USSVI Northern Virginia Base