Midwatch November 2000 Arizona SUb Vets. Perch Base Officers

Base Commander & Chaplain Koger J. Cousin For The Sake Of The Republic••• 13754 W. Via Montoya Sun City West, AZ 85375·2053 623· 546·9980 l'ax: 623·546·1152 [email protected] Base Vice Commander Donald Wannamaker I 7827 N. Conestoga Drive Sun City, Arizona 85373 623-875.0545 [email protected] Base Secretary Co·Chiairs Carl Scott & Jim Strassels 6955 E. Monte Ave. Mesa, AZ 85208 480-654·1856 [email protected]

Base Treasurer Memorial Committee Chair Robert E. May 1902 E. Karen Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85022 602-867-1445 Membership Committee Co-Chairs Ramon Samson 9324 W. Briarwood Circle Sun City, AZ 85351 623-815-9247 rsamson®azwest.net Gary "Pat" Patterson November Eternal Patrol Days 1399 Kelly Drive Prescott. AZ 86305 520-445-1249 USS ALBACORE (SS218) 7 86MenLost [email protected] USS GROWLER (SS215) 8 November 1944 84MenLost Base Storekeeper Dave Hamish uss seAMY (SS277) 9 November 1944 83MenLost 6509 W. Denoshire 82MenLost Phoenix, AZ 85033 USS CORVINA (SS226) 16 November 1943 623-846-9245 USS SCULPIN (SS 191) 19 November 1943 40MenLost [email protected] SS 66 (012)/(S-73) 20 November 1931 OMen Lost Public Relations Chair John Redding 13031 South 44th Way Phoenix, AZ 85044 602·893·0 I 36 Fax 602-893-6744 [email protected] Lesf vVe Fot

2 Dues A Reminder ~ A Reminder ~ A Reminder: New Membership List Available: Base and National Dues are due Januruy 1, 2001. A new Perch Base Membership Ust is now available Please Mail to Perch Base Treasurer, Bob May. Address through our Membership Co-Chairman, Ray Samson. on front cover. Base dues, and National Dues: $10.00 His phone number is: 623-815-924 7, e-mail: each: $.20 total, for renewal. New membeiS to pay 20.00 [email protected] for first year dues for National. Make out only one check payable to "AZ Perch Base USSVI" for total amount. - Indicate "200 1" dues. New Members who joined after October I, 2000 are paid up for year .200 1. See USSVI Constitution, article VIII, and section 5. ·

I Perch Base Booster Club for 2000: Arizona Submarine Veterans Centennial Christmas/Hanukkah Holiday Party: Another reminder, asking for money: The Perch Base Booster Club also resets itself on January 1st. For By now all Perch Base members and those of .those not privy of what the "Booster Club" is, it's made the Arizona WWII Sub Vets should have received a flier up of concerned members, like you, who give extra with instructions and directions to our Holiday Party, generous financial support toward keeping this Club afloat but to be on the safe side, here they are again. This for the year. Why beat around the bush? We're dealing year's party is being held at the Luke Air Force Base with intelligent former U S submariners here. Who digs NCO aub on December 1• 2000, from 17:30 (cocktails deeper than them when they see a needy cause? Here's - no host bar) till whatever, and is going to be a true the facts. Your $10 yearly Base dues, do not even come Submarine Centennial Affair to close out the year. close to paying for the costs associated with running Guests are invited. The dress code for men will be this Base. It doesn't even cover the costs of printing and jacket and tie (or uniform) and ladies dress accordingly. mailing of the monthly newsletters. Not even with those The cost is very reasonable at only $25/couple and who freely give the use of their own personal computers, $12.50/single. We must guarantee a seating of 50 (Max · paying for repairs out of pocket, giving reams of free 90). Checks are to be made out to ·ussVI Perch Base computer paper and purchasing their own expensive for the full amount, indicate "Parcy-, and send to Don printing cartridges do we come close. _ Wannamaker, 17827 N. Conestoga Drive, Sun City, AZ Additional funds are necessary to enable.us to 85373. Checks must be received no later than 14 pay for postage, materials, and assist in giving toward November 2000. A buffet dinner wm be served the needy. A token gift to the American Legion for consisting of Steamship Round Hand-Carved Beef and allowing us to meet at their Post, paying something toward Boneless Breast of Chicken, and all the works. Dancing seasOnal holiday parties or picnics, funeral or get well and Social to follow. flowers, get well cards and a slew of other Base Directions: For those living locally, get to Luke expenditures. That's it! No set amount is ever asked AFB Main Gate on Litchfield Road any way that's for and regardless of the size of your donation, $50 or convenient. From the North, you may head south on I­ $10, the amount you give will be confidential. In return, _ I 7 and exit onto Loop 10 1 South to Glendale Avenue. as a mere Token of supporter appreciation, your name Head West and go to the end (litchfield Road), turn right will be listed monthly in Midwatch as a Perch Base (north) and left at the first light. This is the Main Gate. Booster. We're not stupid... we know that there are some The Desert Star (NCO Club) is inside the gate on the of you who would love to give but can simply not afford right about 500 feet. From points East (Phoenix area to. We understand that, and sympathize with you. Most and Tucson), take Rt. HO West toRt. 101, go North to of us have been there, have no fear, you're still our Glendale Avenue, head west and follow same directions brothers. In true submarine fashion, there will probably as above. be one of us that will pick up the slack. In 2000, 49 JYote: The auard at the gate will check you in from a contributed, which is greatly appreciated. We now have Jist provided by 1he Party Chairman. 1oo members and growingl We thank you for this excellent support. Make checks payable to "USSVI Perch Insights: BaseR and indicate "Booster" and send to our Base At age 4, success is not peeing in your pants. Treasurer Bob May, (see front cover). At age 13, success is having friends. At age 16, success is having a drivers license. At age 20, success is having sex. At age 35, success is making money. At age 50, success is having money. At age 60, success is having sex. At age 70, success is having friends. At age 75, success is having a drivers license At age 80, success is not peeing in your pants. Perch Base Booster Club Think about it I 1 wish to thank the following members for their

3 above and beyond financial assistance to our base active in it's pursuit. The Associate Member must be during 2000: Jeny Allston.. Ken Anderson.. Joe sponsored by a Regular Member, voted in by the Bernard, Jerry Be<:ker, Wayne Braastad, Mike Membership, be at least 16 years of age, and must Brietner. Tom Burke, Jim ClewelL Roger Cousin, display a legitimate interest in . The annual Earl Crowley, Steve Day, Jefi'Dun<:an.. Doug Eddy, dues for an Associate is the same as a Regular Member. Tom Fooshee, Billy Grieves, Lee GraybeaL Warren That is, $20 for the National Organization (for the first Grossetta, Dave Harnish, Glenn Herold, Steve year - - $10 after that) and $10 for Base membership. Hough. Jim John's. Davy Jones. John Lang. Hubie An Associate is required to live up to the Maxey. Bob May. Jim Mi<:baud. Roger R. Miller. Bob responsibilities of both by laws. The Associate has Base Mit<:heiL Bob Moore. Joe Mullins. Jim Nelson, Jim voting rights, may hold an office, is entitled to monthly Newman. Joe Otreba. Tom Fatterson.. Roy<:e FetUt. Midwatch Newsletters, and bi-monthly issues of Ray Ferron, S<:ott Frotero. Ray samson.. Frank American Submariner Magazine. He is also encouraged Rumbaugh, Joe Sdlwarb: (deceased). Tyler Sndth.. to join us for meeting lunches, all Base functions Adrian Stuke. Lou Tejera (de<:eased). Don (picnics, holiday parties, etc.), be permitted to purchase Wannamaker. John Wilson, Don Wbitehead. Bob submarine items at storekeeper prices from our Wonsley, George Woods, Jerry Yowell. stores and would be welcomed as one of "the creww. Thanks to all of you who realize the fmancial Most of us have a family member, friend, neighbor, or burden of running this Base and for giving the extra business associate who fits these requirements. Why fmancial support that is necessary to help make it not approach them with the idea? successful. Interesting Dates in November: SmaJJ Stores for the Holiday Gift Giving: (4th) 1980, Ronald Reagan elected 40U' President; Our Storekeeper Dave Harnish, has a (8th) 1805, Lewis and Qark reach the Pacific; comprehensive array of Submarine Small Stores, (11th), Veterans Dayobsetved; consisting of hats, shirts, sweatshirts, belt buckles, beer (19th) 1863, Uncoln delivers his famous Gettysburg mugs, cocktail glasses, coffee mugs, Dolphin stickers, Address; and a slew of other memorabilia. Great gifts for the (22ed) 1963, JFKAssassinated; Holidaysl With Winter, (finally) coming on, look at the (23rd) Thanksgiving; Jackets Dave Harnish is offering. The price is right, (29th) 1890, lsrArmyjNavyFootballGame­ and they look sharp. Also one ofthe best looking Vest's Navy 24, A.-n1y o. is offered. Come to a meeting and check things out. New 2001 Perch Base Su bvet Calendars Korean War Metal: Available. Great Christmas Gift Item: In a May 13, 2000 letter to Defense Secretary The new 200 1 Arizona Perch Base Submarine William S. Cohen, Republic of Korea Defense Minister calendar is now available through our Vice Commander. Seong Tae Cho formally announced that his government Don Wannamaker (address on front cover). In my would provide the Republic of Korea War Service Medal opinion, it's even better than last year's • if that's (ROKWSM) to eligible U. S. Veterans of that conflict, or possible. Don bas come up with a fme mix of various to their sutviving next of kin. The medal will be submarine photos including Fleet, Guppy and Nuke, provided at no cost to U.S. veterans. The U.S. Air Force which will spike everyone's imagination. Great for has been designated the lead agency to receive and Holiday gift giving and priced to sell ... $8.00 each distribute the medals. To apply, veterans must provide plus $2.00 each for postage. 10 or more, $7.00 each a copy of their discharge paper, commonly known as a plus $6.00 total for postage. Make checks payable to DD-214 or a corrected version of that document, aDD- ·Arizona Perch Base" and send to Don Wannamaker. 215. .Additional information on how to apply for, or Lost Boats and Crews for November: request the medal can be found by contacting the Air Force Personnel Center. Monday- Friday, 0730 - 1630 USSGRO'III'IER(SSZl.5); Launched22 Nov. 1941, SUnk (CST) at (800) 558-1404, or the Awards and Decorations 8 Nov. 1944, 84 Men Lost. Section (210) 565-2432/2520/2516, or by writing to HQ USS GROWLER'S famous career began in June AFPC/DPPPRA, 550 C Street est, Suite 12, Randolph Air 1942, with the sinking of one and damaging Force Base, Texas78150-4714. Theorganization'sFAX of two others in Aleutian waters. Her 200 patrol was off number is (210) 565-3118. Formosa, where she succeeded in sinking five enemy . It was USS GROWLER'S 4 01 patrol, however, that Associate Membership: set the stage for one of the most legendary acts of Both the USSVI By Laws and the Perch Base By heroism in the history of U.S. Submarine warfare. USS Laws (as revised 2000), clearly endorse Associate GROWLER had rammed an enemy patrol ship which Membership. I believe it is an avenue Perch Base has then opened fire on her, killing two of her crewmen on hardly broached in the past but should become more deck. Commander Howard w. Gilmore, lying

4 ,. wounded on the bridge, saw that the USS GROWLER's USS SCAMP's vicinity. Warnings were issued to all only hope for survival was to submerge immediately, submarines opemting in the area but for USS SCAMP,""' knowing that he would not have enough time to go the warning came too late. She never returned from below deck, he still gave the order to dive. As USS her lifeguard mission. Records released after the war GROWLER dove to safety, Commander Oilmore was revealed that several anti-submarine attacks had swept away. He was posthumously awarded the occurred in USS SCAMP's area between 11 and 16 Congressional Medal of Honor. USS GROWLER November. She may have been the target of any or all returned to battle with a vengence, wreaking havoc of these attacks, or she may have fallen victim to a on Japanese shipping throughout the Pacific. In mine or midget sub. No one will ever know for certain, October of 1944, USS GROWLER set out on her but one thing we do know is that she took 7 Battle eleventh patrol, forming a wolf-pack with two other Stars with her to the bottom. submarines. On 8 November, this search-and-attack group fired upon an enemy convoy in the Sulu Sea. USS COKVJriiA (SS226); Launched 9 May 1943; Sunk When the depth charging ceased and the remnants of 16 November 1943; 82 Men Lost. the enemy convoy passed, USS GROWLER was never American forces were engaged in major heard from again. surface operations in the when USS COKVINA set sail from Pearl on 4 November 1943 on USS ALBACORE (SS218); Launched 17 Feb.; Sunk her first war patrol. She was ordered to an area south 7 Nov. 1944; 86 Men Lost. of Truk on a special mission. By whatever means USS ALBACORE distinguished herself by necessary, she was to restrain Japanese demonstrating an uncanny ability to prevail in reinforcements from leaving Truk bound for the encounters with huge Japanese men-of-war. Her Gilberts. USS CORVINA patrolled as close to Truk as record of enemy combat ships destroyed was the best Japanese anti-submarine measures would allow. of any U.S. Submarine. Her crowning achievement Then, on 30 November, a dispatch was sent to USS was the destruction of the enemy's newest and largest CORVINA ordering her to pass to a new command in , Taiho. In addition, she was responsible an eastern Australian port. There was no reply. Again, for the sinking of at least one light , two in a despemte attempt to contact her, a message was , a sub chaser, and two additional gunboats. sent ordering USS COKVINA to rendezvous with a During ten successful war patrols between August 1942 surface escort at Talagi. There was no reply. As fate and October 1944, USS ALBACORE sank 13 enemy woulcl have it, USS COKVINA slipped to the surface ships for a total of 74,100 tons and damaged five as she was patrolling just south of Truk late in the others. She earned nine battle stars and was awarded evening of 16 November. In the distance lurked the the Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism Japanese submarine 1-176. The enemy sub, sighting during four patrols. On 28 October 1944, USS the unsuspecting USS COKVINA, fired three ALBACORE left Midway on her 11m patrol. She was torpedoes, ripping through USS CORVINA'S hull. bound for the dangerous waters off northeast Honshu Within minutes, the 6 month old USS COKVINA and where four American ships had already disappeared. her crew were gone. On 7 November, she slipped beneath the surface of the mine-filled waters south of Hokkaido. Moments SS66 0·12/S73; Launched Sept. 9, 191 7; Scuttled, later a Japanese patrol craft witnessed an underwater Norway 20 Nov. 1931; 0 Men Lost. explosion. This was USS ALBACORE'S last dive as thick oil, air bubbles and debris rose to the surface. USSSCI.JLPIN (SSI91); Launched27 July 1938; Sunk 19 November 1943; 63 Men Lost. USSSCAMP (SS277); Launched20July 1942, Sunk The full story of the USS SCULPIN can only 9 November 1944; 83 Men Lost. be told in two parts, and even those are minuscule to USS SCAMP proved to be a bold undersea the actual events. You know me, I have a flair for the raider. In less than two years of service, she sank dramatics, so here's part 1, ofthe Sculpin saga, hope 49,000 tons of enemy shipping. USS SCAMP was you enjoy it. severely damaged in an attack by Japanese aircraft USS SCULPIN departed Cavite on 8 December during her seventh patrol. In true Hollywood fashion, 1941, one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl releasing a deceptive cover of oil and air bubbles to Harbor, to begin her flTSt patrol. During her two-year give the appearance of sinking, she was able to escape career, USS SCULPIN would earn eight battle stars. undetected and headed for safety and repairs. On Renowned for her fearless determination, she was her 81ll patrol, USS SCAMP was assigned to the waters credited with destroying or crippling over 105,000 tons south of Tokyo. Early in November 1944, she of enemy shipping. USS SCULPIN'S assignment late acknowledged an order to change her patrol area in in 1943, was to harass 's lifeline to her base of anticipation of B-29 raids on Tokyo. Five days later, opemtions at Truk. Aboard her was Commodore John USS SCAMP was sent to rescue downed aviators east P. Crumble, Commander of Submarine Division 43, of Tokyo Bay. On 29 November, information was who was to take tactical command of a wolf pack, received that an enemy minefield had been laid in which was to be formed if the situation warranted it. Ill.. ~ 5 Crumble possessed vital information concerning the room and damaged her steering. By 12:30, strategy and tactics of submarine warfare, and of the Forward Torpedo Room was also springing leaks. pending fleet movements and large-scale amphibious Besides the cracks forward and aft around the torpedo operations in the Central Pacific - information which tubes. the sound heads were now driven up into the was not normally known to submarine commanding boat, shearing the hold down clamps. The boat was officers or even to group commanders. tie knew the now without Hears". It required about 170 turns to outline of the general plan of the Battle of Taro, which maintain depth. The battery was about exhausted, the was to begin November 20, 1943. Approaching Truk crew hardly able to breathe, and it was six hours till on November 18, USS SCVLI'IN started searching for sundown. Connaway decided to bring the sub up again the enemy in earnest. About midnight, she spotted a and fight it out with the destroyer on the surface. If convoy but it was going away from USS SCULPIN. unsuccessful, the crew could at least then abandon Speeding up, USS SCULPIN succeeded in getting ship with an even chance of survival. Word was passed ahead of the convoy as dawn broke, about 0500 of through the stricken sub by intercom, "stand by.... the 19tb. USS SCULPIN dove to periscope depth and battle surface!" "Surface... Surface .. . Surface!" prepared for a torpedo attack. About 0600, the convoy Breaking water. the guncrew dashed out on deck came over the horizon. Everything was proceeding quickly to man the deck guns. The destroyer was about according to plan. The SCULPIN was in proper 3,000 yards off. lmmediatelythe crew began to fire at position, and the range closed to 2,500 yards. The him. The first shot went over him. The second fell outer doors opened, targets selected. The tracking short. Returning fire with his 5-inch-70, a shot went was perfect. Connaway, who commanded the through the and came out the other side, USS SCULPIN, was on the scope and gave the order killing a number of men inside, and also men who to stand by to fire. Then, "tlold it, the convoy's were out on the deck, hiding from the gunfire. Men changing course. It's coming directly toward us. "'This were also being killed from machine gun fire as they last-minute tum placed a destroyer almost on top of came out of the hatches. Next the Japs made a direct USS SCULPIN and saved a large Jap freighter from hit on USS SCULPIN'S gun. USS SCULPIN lost her being sunk. t1eading down to 200 feet in hopes of captain and XO in the surface battle and the boat was avoiding a run, the negative tank was uninhabitable. It was time to scuttle her. The word quickly flooded; however. to maintain trim it also had was spread "abandon ship". Commodore Cromwell to be blown. The noise of air, blowing the water out was afraid that the information he possessed might of the tank was detected by the Jap destroyer. be injurious to the war effort, if the Japanese made Cromwell believed that the extraordinarily heavy him reveal it by torture. He. according to later reports escort indicated this convoy was of sufficient of survivors therefore, coolly decided to ride the boat importance to justify a daylight surface "end-around" down, thereby robbing the Japanese of a valuable war and place the USS SCULPIN again in a position to trophy. The mortally wounded USS SCUPLIN went attack. Reluctantly agreeing, Connaway ordered the down quickly in a whirlpool of white foam, carrying USS SCULPIN to periscope depth, at 65 feet, it with it Cromwell and other officers and men. In nine appeared clear, and they surfaced. Wrong move! USS hours of blasting by the Yokohama, the USS SCULPIN SClJPLIN broke water, and the conning tower bridge had been rocked by an estimated 52 heavy depth crew hurried up into their wet perch only to see a charges. But for the survivors, their hell had just begun. destroyer 6,000 yards away and bearing down on them. "Dive, Dive!" shouted Connaway. "Take her down to Part II OF uss SCULPIN'S story. "The Imprisonment 200 feet.... Rig for depth charge attack..... aose water of her Crew". tight doors.· The depth charge alarm was sounded, In the Apn1 issue of Midwatch, I wrote an watertight doors secured, and the boat rigged for silent account of the deprivations the crew of the USS running. The Japanese destroyer dropped eighteen ORENADIEK (SS210) received at the hands of the depth charges on her first run over USS SCULPIN. Japanese as Prisoners of War after their boat was Initial damage cracked one of the after-engine room's scuttled on April 2. 1943. Unfortunately. USS exhaust valves, damaged depth and pressure gauges GRENADIER'S crew were not the only submariners to around the diving station, broke lights and caused suffer the same fate. On November 19, 1943, just valves to back off their seats. The second string of seven months after USS GRENADIER'S epic, it was charges knocked the lighting system out and worsened USS SCULPIN'S tum. This is their story. First tland existing leaks. It was also found that the after engine Account, by USS SCULPIN Survivor, Fireman Joseph room had flooded making it unwise to attempt to place Baker. a bubble in No. 4 Main Ballast Tank, which would have The wet, oil-grimed survivors were hauled aided the trim considerably...... the vulnerable aboard the destroyer Yokohama. One was tossed back Submarine had no choice but to surface. When she into the sea after his captors decided he was too badly stuck her nose out, the destroyer saw it, and came wounded to live. Another. bleeding. fought free from over again, dropping a third string of depth charges similar attempts. Two of the USS SCULPIN'S crew which severely damaged outboard vents in her After underwent immediate amputations of their arms.

6 -Baker: 'That night, as the destroyer carried Our Father very fast, and shoot. the three surviving officers and 38 men of VSS ··Baker: -rhe Jap Captain gave us a speech SCULPIN toward the island of Truk, we were all left following our canier's anchoring in Tokyo Harbor, telling on the deck, with our hands and feet tied, with only us that we were about to enter a strange life in a strange a piece of tarpaulin stretched over all 41 of us for country and we would eat many strange things, but we protection against a rainstorm, against a raging sea must get used to the Japanese ways as we would have ... many of the men were in terrible agony, because to learn to like and do them until the day the war was of the wounds, and were losing blood.· *They had over, and we were returned to our country. The weather their hands tied and were blindfolded when they was pretty damned cold and here we were barefooted were taken off the ship onto Truk and this is where and nothing but old third-hand Navy blues covering our some of us received our frrst punishments because bodies. We were marched through the streets to an we tried to see from beneath our blindfolds. The 41 electric tram system ... We got off at the village of SlliVivors were placed in three 8 x 7 cells which Ofuna and marched another half hour over a cinder included a small head in one comer. We were kept road in bare feet which were already sore, cold and there for 12 days - a living hell for everyone bloody. ·we came to a place with a high wooden fence concerned ... at frrst they didn't feed us or give us around it, and in the front gate we marched, believing any water to drink. We were questioned about our that we would become registered POW's, but were sadly sub and other military information. Many of us took mistaken, it was a secret questioning and intimidation some hard beatings.,. *H. J. Thomas, Torpedoman camp run by the Japanese Navy for nothing else but to 1st, resorted to the ruse of warding off beatings by pump or beat military information out of the prisoners. giving the Japanese erroneous information. He said, We stayed in our rooms and were ordered not to even for example, that American submarines were talk to one another or we would be beaten. The refueling at a secret island between the Gilberts and following dawn the USS ~crew was awakened Truk. Their inquisitors produced charts, but could at 05:30, lined up in the compound facing the Emperor's find no such island. His buddies solemnly repeated palace and made to bow to the Emperor. This was the fable.· "The men were subjected to constant done every morning, rain or shine . . . The guards questioning, during which they were stimulated by were sadistic and beat us for any minor infraction.· frequent beating with clubs and fists. It appeared NOTE: The USS SCULPIN'S only surviving officer, that the officers received the worst treatment, with George E. Brown, was kept in solitary confinement the men being next in line. • when not being interrogated, put on reduced rations, ·-Roger: Eventually the 41 Americans were given frequent beatings, and threatened with death if evacuated from Truk and placed on two aircraft he refused to answer questions. He divulged only carriers- 21 on one Carrier, 20 on another ) information which was contained in ·Jane's Fighting ·.flaker: ·we weren't out of the harbor very Ships, • to which he was given free access. He was long before they were dropping depth charges and able to convince his tormentors that, being the we really began to sweat, expecting to get hit with Engineer Officer, he knew nothing concerning matters an American torpedo at any moment. We were three of policy, fleet organization, plans or logistics. The next decks below, just about even with the waterline. We year the harassed, half-sick submariners were sent to had been told that, should the carrier be torpedoed Ashio to work in the copper mines, with the back­ and sunk, we would go down with it. Every day, all breaking hours and noxious sulphur fumes. The death the way to Japan, they manned their battle stations rate was appalling. at least twice because of lurking American subs.,. -Baker: •our Navy men resorted to every ruse *Finally, on the night before we reached Tokyo, we in the book, and invented a few new ones. They hid heard three loud explosions which scared the hell out behind boilers and took full advantage of air raid out of all of us. At first we thought we had been hit alarms to dive into storehouses, out of which they up forward, but then we decided that there would would steal all sorts of plunder, from rice to clothing. have been more of ajar if it had been us. One thing Here the average weight loss was 35-45 pounds per we did know was that something had been hit. As it man. Sleeping quarters were old barracks with lice­ turned out, the carrier Chuyo, carrying 21 of our infested straw for bedding. The "bum treatment'", submarine shipmates had been torpedoed by the consisted of placing a small piece of dried swamp punk USS SAILFISH (SSI92) ex USS SQUALUS, which on a man's leg or back and lighting it off, it was used as had no way of knowing that their own countrymen a "cure· for almost every *ailment". *Burned. beaten, were on board. All but one of the American POW's starved, brutally overworked, forced to exist with perished in this great tragedy of the . • vermin as bedfellows, humiliation their unfailing daily --Roger: I doubt if it would have made a fare, the SUIVivors ofVSS SCULPIN proved to be tough. difference even if USS SAJLf1SII had known, 21 Twenty one had entered POW camps. Twenty one American lives for one heavily manned and loaded started for home after YJ Day.,. Carrier is hardly reason for rolling the dice in this Commanders Comments: And the memories remain. situation ....you make the sign of the Cross, say one Let us not forget Let us inform those, who don't know. 7. Hold on to stocks that quickly rise 20%. A On the Lighter Side Part 1: stock that goes up that much in just a few days or""' Once upon a time there lived a submarine weeks is a good choice to hold for months or years. captain named captain Bravo. He was a man's man, Selling too quickly locks in a profit but may eliminate who showed no fear when facing his enemies. One the chance for a much bigger gain over time. Even day, while sailing the seven seas, his lookout spotted the strongest stocks do not rise every day during big an enemy ship and the crew became frantic. captain advances. Temporary pull-backs may be an Bravo bellowed, *Bring me my red shirt!* The XO opportunity to buy more shares. New IRS Ruling, can quickly retrieved the captain's red shirt and while help surviving spouses. The IRS says if a spouse wearing the brightly colored frock, the Captain led his designates his/her estate as IRA beneficiary, the crew into battle and defeated his enemy's swift ship. surviving spouse can roll over the account into a new That evening many of the men sat around topside IRA without tax or penalty-as long as he is the ultimate recounting the day's triumph. One of them asked the beneficiary of the estate. Importance: In the past, if Captain, *Sir, why did you call for your red shirt before the estate was the IRA beneficiary, money taken out battle?* The captain replied, *If I am wounded in the of the IRA was subject to accelerated income taxes attack. the shirt will not show my blood. Thus, you men and potential estate taxes. The new IRS ruling softens will continue to fight, unafraid.· All of the men sat and this big tax blow. Speak to you tax person. marveled at the courage of such a manly man's man. As dawn came the next morning, the lookout on the bridge Chaplain's Corner: spotted not one, not two, but ten, enemy ships It's another month, and we still have those approaching at flank speed. The crew stared in that have their problems. Gary Patterson, Manny worshipful silence at the captain and waited for his usual Burrell and Bobby Moore could still use some orders. captain Bravo gazed with steely eyes upon the cheering up and a few prayers. Jim Nelson and Phil vast armada arrayed against his sub and without fear, Wagner, thank God, are improving and gaining turned and calmly shouted, *Get me my brown pants!" strength every day. New this month is Kenny Wayne who is all broken up inside from his rodeo days and For Your Health: is feeling the effects as he becomes ancient (as some Silent Killer Stalking Millions, Diabetes Avoidance of us have already become). He's got very painful Essentials: vettebrae neck and back problems and his arm, which I read recently that the number of adult-onset had been badly broken in those rodeo days, often diabetes cases is rising at an unprecedented rate. Ten becomes numb. He's really giving the docs at the VA years ago, diabetes typically started after age 50 .. now a run for their money. His gal friend, Nancy. is also it regularly strikes people in their 30s and 40s. The having her problems with stomach pain and an consequences are serious. inflamed duadularn to go along with her arm and elbow Diabetes triples the risk of heart attack and problems. I'm telling you, we're falling apart. Our stroke. It is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure. sympathy is also with Billy (Sally) Hatcher and his And it is the leading cause of blindness in people ages family on the loss of his 86 year old Mother on 20 to 65. (I have diabetes and have been fighting September 24th. Please, men, let your Chaplain know blindness for years.) An estimated five million of deaths, family illness or other problems. Thank You. Americans have diabetes and don't know it. *The best defense," says Yale's Robert Sherwin, MD, President of On the Lighter Side Part II: the American Diabetes Association, *is a blood glucose , Officers, and Chief ... This one comes test every three years starting at age 45, and maintaining from shipmate Edgar Brooks. A young Navy officer a healthful lifestyle and appropriate body weight.* Some was in a serious car accident but the only visible people should take this test earlier - ask your doctor. permanent injury was to his ears, which were Good News: You can significantly reduce your risk, says amputated. Since he wasn't physically impaired, he Dr. Sherwin. An important new Harvard study found that remained in the Navy and eventually became an people who walk briskly for one half hour a day have Admiral. He was, however, very sensitive about his nearly half the diabetes risk of those more sedentary. appearance. One day the new Admiral was Biggest Dietary Waste: Liquid calories. Sugary soft interviewing three young Naval personnel for the drinks, shakes or fruit juices cause a huge release of position of becoming his personal aide. The first insulin into the bloodstream. In those predisposed, officer was a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) and it was this can eventually lead to diabetes. Choose whole fruit a great interview. At the end, the Admiral asked him, overjuice. For thirst quenching, choose water. If caught *Do you notice anything different about me?" The early, diabetes can often by treated through lifestyle young SWO answered, *Why, yes, sir. I couldn't help changes exercise and diet - rather than troubleSome but notice that you do not have ears.· At that, the medication. (Please heed this advice. I'm a diabetic Admiral got very pissed at this lack of tact and threw Roger.) him out of his office. The second interview was with a female Fleet Support Officer, who wanted to become Your Money and You. Strictly a recommendation: "' 8 r the first woman submariner. She did even better than 130 men, similar. . to our own Los Angeles. Class. We"' the first officer. The admiral asked her the same can therefore assume that like the LA, KURSK normally question, ·oo you notice anything different about mer' carried an officer compliment of about 14. Not the day She replied, "'WeD, sir you don't have ears.· The Adrnirnl she made her fmal dive. According to all reports I've threw her out also. The third interview was with a Navy read, there were 118 men onboard (which some Submarine Yoeman Chief Petty Officer. He was accounts erroneously mention as being her ·crew*) .. articulate, looked extremely sharp and seemed to know . 50 of these were officers. Therefore, about 36 of more than the two officers together. The Admiral wanted these officers were either visiting, training, or there this guy, and went ahead with the same question. •oo for some other reason. One thing is certain, these you notice anything different about me?· To his officers were not part of the KURSK'S ·crew· as surprise, the Chief said, "Yes sir: you wear contact casually reported. If there were only 118 men aboard, lenses.· The Adrnirnl was impressed and thought, what which we probably won't know for certain until, or if, an incredibly observant CPO and he didn't mention my they ever bring her up, then that means KURSK was ears. ·And how do you know that I wear contacts?" the operating at sea for an unspecified time with an actual Admiral asked. The sharp-witted Chief replied, ·well, working qualified crew of only 68 enlisted men, sir, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with no f-king ears. • including chiefs, plus her normal 14 officers, at least 48 men short, or about only 60% efficiency. Could New Submarine Tapes now Available: things have been different had a fully qualified crew John Clear (SS3 HI), 180 Robin Lane, Port been onboard checking things over two or three times Ludlow, WA. 98365 Phone 360-437-1143; E-mail: as American crews do? Who knows? We don't even [email protected],, has now made available the third know if the Russians know for sure what happened tape, with 3 Silent Service stories and a Navy training that day or what caused the disaster, no less if it could film for your pleasure. This new film is only $1 7.50 have been avoided. But what's more frightening is that (includingS & H). The second film is still available, with this may very well be the "standard" for the Russian four viewable - not grainy, *Silent Service· episodes Submarine Navy today. Large, scary nuclear submarines that weren't on our 1• run of the 13 grainy ones (last with scary nuclear capabilities, secretly deployed in year). These stories are of the USS TAUI'OG, USS oceans around the world, rapidly deteriorating inside BFROAIL, USS mosA and USS ASPR.O. Also included and out from lack of adequate Government funding and is a tape that was made for the Navy in 1940, titled repairs, and manned by far less than sufficient crew ·submarines at Sea*. This one has terrific footage members who are routinely underpaid or unpaid, many including several boats that were later lost in WW2 .. with questionable qualifications. The horrible state that unbelievable scenes. Russia is in today makes it one of the poorest monitory The cost of this 2 1h hour VHS tape is only $20.00 and corrupt countries in the world and no turnaround (including shipping), which is the actual cost to produce is in sight. Every day sees a worse decline in its the tape. These tapes are part of our submarine heritage economy and both the government and its military are and therefore are only being offered within the sub stealing anything possible to sell on the black market community. So if you want to take advantage of this in order to provide for their families. I heard of one price, send John Clear your payment in full for the case where a Captain of one of their nuclear quantity you wish. submarines was actually stealing plutonium from his (Commander's Comments: John Clear is a good guy ship to sell. Russia is in a deadly down hill spiral and who thinks and dreams submarines. Take it from me, what scares me most is if the free world cannot help it he is very trustworthy.) turn itself around quickly, China, which has benefited greatly from the sale of Russian arms and know-how, Russia. My View: by R~er Cousin: is poised right there on her borders, waiting. Better The recent loss of the Russian submarine the world go into hock helping solve Russia's and our KURSK was felt greatly by aU submariners throughout problems now, than fight a frightening war of self the world. For losing a sub and its entire inhabitants in destruction in the not too distant future. That is if it peacetime, regardless of its count:Iy of origin, is like isn't already too late. Last month, two excellent stories losing one of our own. Yes, the American submarine appeared in Midwatch about the recent loss of Russian community mourns the death of these brave men Submarine KURSK. Their views were poignant and alongside the families of our Russian friends. But, there most enlightening. But now, I'd like to go even deeper are still so many questions to be answered, and into the core of the problem, Russia itself. This one knowing the Russian hierarchy, many, if not most will comes out of Moscow by Vladimar lsachenkov, AP, never be answered with any degree of accuracy or truth. dated August 18,2000: '"ThelossofaRussiannuclear First, it is my belief that with upwards of 50 officers submarine is just one more catastrophe in a nation supposedly onboard as reported, this boat with a total that has been transformed by years of decline and of I 18 men, was heavily and dangerously under­ stagnation from a superpower into a technological manned by an experienced crew and before sailing was junkyard. already in jeopardy. This type of submarine normally Disasters ranging from crashing airplanes to industrial accidents have become commonplace ~ ~mploys a working crew, including officers, of about 9 Russia, an increasingly poor country that can't afford still a world power, the navy refuses to scrap to purchase new equipment or maintain aging Soviet­ hundreds of rusting Soviet-era ships and submarines era machinery. In industry and the military, the even though there is no money for maintenance. problem has been compounded by carelessness, Navy officials admit that 70 percent of their ships lack of training and pilfering. need major repairs, and scores of vessels simply President Vladimir Putin describes the sank because their hulls rusted out. ·why should increasingly worn-out equipment as one of the main we keep a huge and expensive nuclear fleet if we obstacles to economic growth. ·only 5 percent of are short of funds to send it to sea for even three our enterprises are actively using modern days?" the daily newspaper Nezavisirnaya Gazeta technologies," Putin said at a recent meeting with asked Friday. "We must live in accordance with our scientists. means and not tum the seamen into kamikaze when ~ Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu they go on an exercise." Low military wages have has repeatedly warned that Russia faces disaster as contributed to a steady decline of skill and morale. everything from airplanes to elevators go without the Officers who earn the equivalent of $100 a month maintenance vital to keep aging machinery running when they get paid, have to moonlight as cabdrivers safely. In their annual forecast released in January­ or security guards to feed their families. Theft is one which drew quick comparisons to Nostradamus' endemic in the military, with servicemen stripping darkest prophecies- Shoigu's experts predicted that ships and planes of parts and metal to sell for food the country could face a steady string of technological and other necessities.* disasters starting from fires, collapsing buildings and Commanders Comments: For years I've been breaking pipelines and ending with leaks of radiation writing articles on just this situation occurring in and poisonous chemicals. Experts have warned that Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. None if the shortage of funds for new equipment and of my articles have ever expressed the depth of maintenance goes on, most of Russia's industrial decomposition of this once-feared world super power equipment could be unusable by 2007. Companies as well as this one by Mr. Isachenko. Nothing in my struggling to stay afloat and workers desperate to opinion is more scary to the safety of the entire world get any kind of pay continue to use aging equipment than what is taking place in Russia today. And worst thatshould have been junked years ago, experts say. of all, I don't know if there is any viable solution to "This danger is augmented by the popular neglect of_ the problem. It only gets worse. And that's even safety rules in the run for profit, N said Marina Ryklina, scarier. When are the leaders of the world going to a · spokeswoman for the Emergency Situations realize this potential Armageddon and band together Ministry. Unlike in Soviet times, when discipline and to at least try to do something concrete about it. fear of punishment were stronger, safety rules are Roger. commonly ignored in modem Russia. A string of plane crashes was blamed on overloading after pilots Dolphin Tales with a dash of salt: accepted bribes to take extra cargo, weighing down It was our third attempt to reach the North their aircraft. Natural gas explosions have become Pole. The date was August 3, 1958. After giving a commonplace in apartment buildings because of a count down over the 1MC to mark the event, I went lack of maintenance. In rural areas, people hack forward to the Crew's Mess to join in a North Pole holes into oil pipelines to siphon fuel, often causing cake-cutting and to ship over the first man ever to fires or explosions. Hundreds of people are reenlist at the North Pole ... James Sordelet. One of electrocuted every year while trying to pilfer the crew walked into the compartment from aft and commUnication wires, electric cable and train and remarked, UI was caught in the shower, What about plane parts to sell as scrap metal. Large areas are that?* Following just behind, another commented, left without electricity after power lines are looted. *WelL I was washing dungarees . . you tell your Compounding the problem, many Russians say, is a grandchildren you were the first guy to take a bath tendency to minimize or dismiss danger- a trait that at the North Pole, and I'll tell mine I was the first to is sometimes boasted of as a national characteristic. wash my clothes there.* Just then, one of the Thousands of people drown in Russia every summer, youngest seamen aboard, who had overheard the mostly men who swim when drunk. Drowning's in comments, had just come into the compartment from Russia and other former Soviet republics are up to the forward torpedo room with grease all over his 500 percent higher than in Western nations according dungarees, hands, and face. With a big grin, he said, to officials. The Russian military is a glaring example ·neiL you guys wern't to clever. Where do you think of the breakdown, experts say. Even though the I was when the skipper counted down? I was up KURSK was one of the most modem vessels in the between the torpedo tubes, as far forward as a guy navy, its safety systems apparently failed to work. can get. I'll tell my grand babies I was the first guy to "Not a single rescue system functioned on this top­ get there .... and he was. Capt. W.R. Anderson USN of-the-range submarine, so what can be said about (Ret.) the older ones?" said Alexander Golts, a military analyst-for the weekly magazine ltogi. Insisting it is

10 21APR19 then undenvent overhaul at the navy yard. All yard work completed on 1 ONOV 19. Then K·8 transited to Key West and arrived there on 3 DEC19 beginning seven months of operations in the Caribbean. AfteF returning to The City of Brotherly Love on 8JUN20, K-8 underwent restricted availability work at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. On 19JAN21, K-8 commenced a transit to Annapolis, MD. Upon arrival at the United States Naval Academy the submarine commenced training operations for Naval Academy personnel. On 15FEB (USS K-1 representative of Class) 21, K·8 commenced a transit to tlampton Roads, VA. SS K-8 (SS-39) From that large naval base area, K-8 continued with development operations along the Atlantic coast of Displacement- 392 tons (Surf); 521 tons (Subm) the United States, from Norfolk, VA, to Cape Cod, Length- 53'; Beam 16.7' MA. Speed- 4k (Surf); 10.5k (Subm.) The submarine visited the U. S. Naval Test- Depth 200' Academy during the period 4 through 14 April, 1921 Armament- 4 18' TT (fwd) and visited the United States Military Academy at Compliment- 2 Officers, 26 Enlisted Men West Point NY, from 24 through 30 May 1921. K-8 Class- 'K' conduCted experimental maneuvers in the Chesapeake Bay from 4DEC21 to l6MAY22. Keel laid down by Union Iron Works, San The submarine was the "school boat" for the Francisco, CA, lOMAYl2; Launched: llJUL14; Submarine School at the United States Naval Sponsored by Mrs. John W. Lewis; Commissioned: Submarine Base at New London/Groton, CT, during 1DEC14 with Lt John W. Lewis in command; the period 20 May to 5 September 1922 then Decommissioned: 24FEB23; Sold for scrapping returned to Hampton Roads on 7 September 1922 to 25JUN31. resume operations in the lower portion of the USS K-8 (SS39) departed on Chesapeake Bay. 26 December 1914, with USS K-7 (SS-38), for K-8 decommissioned at Norfolk, VA, on 24 training operations along the coast of southern February 1923 then was moored there in an inactive California. Returning to the Nare Island Navy Yard status. On 2 September 1924, K·8 was towed to the on 4 June 1915, the submarine underwent a period Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was moored in of restricted availability. She sailed on 3 October the Back Channel with other inactive ships. On 25 1915 for duty in the liawaiian Islands arriving at Pearl June 1931, the submarine was sold for scrapping. harboron 140CT15. Compiled by SUBI"fET from 'Dictionary of American tYaval fighting Ships·. For more than two years, K-8 operated with 1Yavy Department; and "UI"fJTED STATES J't-1VAL SUBHARJI'flS FOKCE IliFOKHAT!OI"f BOOK' - J. Christley USS K-3 (SS34), USS K-4 (SS35), and USS K-7 (SS38) developing and perfecting submarine techniques in diving, torpedo firin9r and underwater tactics. The United States became an active participant in the First World War in 191 7. Ordered to return to the west coast of the United States on 31 October 191 7, K-8 transited to San Pedro, CA, arriving there on 12 November 191 7. On 27 November 1917, K-8 commenced a transit to the United States Naval Station at Key West, FL, where she was to conduct war patrols out of that port. Arriving at the southernmost city in the continental United States on 8 January 1918, K-8 commenced conducting patro_ls from Key West to Galveston, TX, during the remaining months of the First World War · the shooting part of which concluded with the implementation of the terms of the Armistice on l1NOV18. Departing Galveston on 21 NOV 18, K·8 transited to Key West to continue experimental operations along the Florida coast until she sailed for the Philadelphia Navy Yard at Philadelphia, PA, on 14 April 1919. K-8 arrived at Philadelphia on

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