February 2019 Volume 20, Issue 2

Lest We Forget — Inside This Issue: Meeting minutes 2 “The USSVI Submariner’s Creed” Lost Boats 3

To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who Undersea Warfare Hist 3 gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while Cobia working party 4 serving their country. That their dedication, deeds, Chicago Auto Show 5 and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of USO at O’Hare visit 7 motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of Contact information 9 America and its Constitution. Application form 10

News Brief 1. Next Meeting: At 1100, third Saturday of each month at the Knollwood Sportsman’s Club. Mark your calendars for these upcoming dates: a. FEBRUARY 16 b. MARCH 16 c. APRIL 20 2. Duty Cook Roster: a. FEBRUARY – MAURICE YOUNG b. MARCH – BRET ZACHER’S SUPERB CORNED BEEF c. APRIL – SEE YOUR NAME HERE! 3. February Birthdays: Leon Lemma 6th; Eric Hansknecht 11th; Larry Heckelsmiller 12th; Scott Jaklin 17th. Happy Birthday, Shipmates! 4. Shop for USS ILLINOIS-themed items and help the FRG raise money here: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/uss-illinois-786-frg/. 5. Become part of the ‘Lifetime Alliance Between Crew and Citizens” of the USS ILLINOIS by joining the 786 Club. Annual dues are modest. The only requirement for membership is a desire to support the crew. Our efforts are greatly appreciated. You can become part of the ILLINOIS Family today. Contact Chris Gaines or go to www.786Club.org. Crash Dive Meeting Minutes Will repeat next year on January 26, 2019 December 7, 2019. Postponed from January 19, 2019 d. Community Outreach – No news. e. Hospitality – No news. 1. Attendees: f. Webmaster – If you have a. Clay Hill something to post on the b. Greg Miller Website, send it to Frank Voznak. c. Frank Voznak, Jr. g. Storekeeper – Calendars are d. Maurice Young sold out. e. Frank Walter h. Procedures – No news. f. Ted Rotzoll i. Eagle Scout – No news. g. Larry Warnke j. Memorial – h. Herman Mueller i. Parking is very tight; Glenn and i. Glenn Barts, Sr. Frank Voznak suggest some j. Chris Gaines buses to meet at Oak Brook or k. Bret Zacher similar and transport to the site. Chris Gaines ACTION: ASK 2. Meeting was called to order by Clay Michelle about buses. Hill at 1120 followed by the Pledge of ii. 2FM has started construction Allegiance. with clearing trees and 3. Secretary’s Report was given by Chris excavation. Gaines. Minutes are published in the iii. Ready to refine our Lagarto picture prior to etching onto the newsletter that is posted on the bulkhead. Website. iv. Frank has samples of the actual 4. Treasurer’s Report given by Glenn stones. Barts. Savings $1,173.69; Checking v. Upgrading to granite stone to $3,773.13; Sub Memorial Checking acknowledge major donors. $110,444.14, Savings $5.00 and held vi. Have sold about 30 pavers out by national $64,252.08. of a possible 300. vii. Still accepting orders for pavers 5. Committee Reports but no longer promoting them. a. Newsletter – Posted on

Webpage. 6. Old (Unfinished) Business b. Membership – Send dues to a. Holland Club Class 2018 – Clay Chris Gaines, 513 W. Downer will mail the materials. Place, Aurora, IL 60506. 7. New Business c. Charitable Service – Thoughtful a. None. thank you letter from WMM for 8. Good of the Order item: $500 donation to Operation a. Duty Cook Santa. Greatly appreciated. An i. Thanks to our chili donors Frank excerpt is posted on the Website. Walter, Clay Hill, Glenn Barts, Page 2 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

Bret Zacher, Frank Voznak, Larry Undersea Warfare History Warnke, and Ted Rotzoll for a  January 21, 1943 | USS USS Trout (SS terrific Ninth Annual Chili 202) fired two torpedoes at a cargo ship Dump. from 700 yards and watch as the ii. February – Maurice Young. unidentified ship sank immediately. iii. March – Brett Zacher’s Superb  January 22, 1943 | USS Tinosa (SS Corned Beef. 283) sank the Koshin Maru and Seinan Maru and damaged a third ship in a b. 786 Club – running attack on a convoy off Viper i. Next meeting will be February Shoal. 12, 2019. Speaker will be  January 23, 1945 | USS Guardfish (SS recently-retired ADM Cecil 217) sinks the Japanese destroyer Haney. Hakaze off New Ireland. ii. Chris Gaines is likely to attend  January 24, 1942 | USS Blackfin (SS COMSUBPAC CoC. 322) sank the Japanese destroyer c. Make Some Noise – Will discuss Shigure in the Gulf of Siam.  January 25, 1945 | USS Silversides at a staff meeting. (SS 236), despite the presence of d. Cobia working party February 4-6, auxiliary submarine chasers, sank the 2019; contact Greg for info. Japanese army cargo ship Malay Maru WMM is on winter hours and is off Kuro Jima. closed to the public.  January 29, 1941 | USS O-4 (SS 65) 9. Adjourn. Glenn Barts moved to was recommissioned and trained adjourn; Bret Zacher seconded. students at the sub school until the end of WWII. Meeting adjourned at 12:47.  January 29, 1944 | USS Tambor (SS 198) attacked a Japanese convoy in the Support the Cobia Nansei Shoto and sank the freighter Shuntai Maru north of Okinawa.  January 30, 1919 | USS S-3 (SS 107) Crash Dive is committed to keeping the was commissioned Cmdr. John W. Cobia healthy. You can help too, even Lewis in command. from afar. Join the WI Maritime  January 31, 1945 | USS Boarfish (SS Museum; www.wisconsinmaritime.org. 327) attacked the Japanese HI 88 convoy and sank the freighter Enki Maru and damaged another cargo ship Lost Boats which ran aground.  February 1, 1902 | USS Plunger (SS 2), the lead ship of the Plunger-class USS Barbel (SS-316) 2/4/45 submarine, was launched. She was USS Shark I (SS-174) 2/11/42 commissioned Sept. 19, 1903, at the Holland Company yard at New Suffolk, USS Amberjack(SS-219) 2/16/43 Long Island, N.Y. Ensign Chester W. USS Grayback (SS-208) 2/27/44 Nimitz is the submarines final commander when Plunger is USS Trout (SS-202) 2/29/44 decommissioned Nov. 6, 1909 at the Charleston Navy Shipyard. Page 3 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

 February 4, 1941 | USS O-6 (SS 67) The engine rooms are in serious need of was recommissioned at Philadelphia, attention. They are also some of the PA. and then returned to New London, coldest spaces on the boat so dress CT. to train students at the sub school. warm--sweatshirts, coveralls and  February 5, 1944 | USS Pogy (SS 266) stocking caps. For tools, we will be departed Midway on her 5th war patrol needing brushes, scrapers, wire for an anit-shipping sweep of the brushes, drop cloths, and sandpaper (60 Formosa area. grit) as well as eye protection and rags.  February 6, 1945 | U.S. Navy Breakfast and lunch will be supplied by submarine USS Pampanito (SS 383) the museum and we expect a good time attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks to be had by all. merchant tanker Engen Maru about 200 miles northeast of Singapore. Also on If you need further information, just give this date, USS Spadefish (SS 411) sinks me a shout, 630-543-7855 home or 331- Japanese merchant passenger-cargo 307-9497 cell. ship Shohei Maru off Port Arthur, Korea. DBF  February 7, 1945 | USS Parche (SS 371) sighted and sank the 984-ton Greg Miller Okinoyarna Maru. Vice Commander  February 8, 1946 | Seadragon was Crash Dive Base recommissioned to assist in the inactivation and preservation of Chicago Auto Show submarines, including U-boats, at Hingham, MA. Again this year, Crash Dive Shipmate Pete Almeroth kindly invites us to the Greetings Submarine Lovers Chicago Auto Show. Submitted by: Greg Miller The auto show will be available for our NOTE: The dates were changed to February shipmate's & family. Just give them my 25-28 due to cold weather. number to meet at the show 630 464- 1163. I'll be their for the whole show. Wisconsin winters are once again taking their toll on Cobia and a working party is The Chicago Auto Show, starts Sat Feb being planned for February 4-7. The 9th thru Monday the 18th. 10 - 10 daily plan is to arrive at the Wisconsin and 10 - 8 on the 18th. Maritime Museum by 1600 Monday, February 4, for those staying at the www.chicagoshow.com for more details museum. Tuesday and Wednesday, or just Google. February 5 and 6, are to be work days, departing either late Wednesday, Take care, February 5, or February 6 morning. Berthing accommodations are available Pete both on the boat or, if you prefer, inside the museum. Bring your sleeping bag.

Page 4 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

The Truth Behind Just how large? Initially Poseidon was described as having a yield of 100 Russia’s 'Apocalypse megatons, even bigger than the Soviet’s Torpedo' record-breaking air-dropped bomb, Tsar David Hambling, Popular Mechanics Online, Jan. 20 Bomba. The idea is that this explosion could produce a giant tsunami far Poseidon is a Putin’s showpiece. offshore, meaning the Poseidon would First revealed in 2015, this nuclear- not even need to get close to the target powered underwater drone—one of and could destroy coastal cities from Russia's next-generation nuclear long range. weapons—is nicknamed the "tsunami Poseidon’s size makes the 100- apocalypse torpedo" for its multi- megaton capacity just about possible, megaton warhead that could create city- though it’s a squeeze. In the 1950s, the smashing waves. Soviets planned a similarly giant nuclear A succession of news reports have torpedo, known as the T-15, to carry a carried wildly disparate accounts of warhead in the Tsar Bomba-class, Poseidon’s capabilities. So this another mainly because there was no other example of overblown Russian military means of delivering it. However, in May vaporware or is there something more to 2018 a military source told the Russian it? TASS news agency that Poseidon’s Here's what we can say: At more warhead would actually be "up to two than six feet in diameter and 65 feet megatons." That’s far more realistic, but long, weighing perhaps a hundred tons, not enough to create an effective Poseidon is the largest torpedo every tsunami—if it could create a tsunami at developed, coming in at thirty times the all. size of a heavy torpedo. In fact, the The U.S. military carried out studies torpedo is so big it can be carried only on this area in the 1950s and 60s and by specially-modified submarines. found that waves generated out at sea, Powered by a miniature nuclear whether by a nuclear blast or a meteor reactor, the apocalypse torpedo also impact, were not efficient weapons. has effectively unlimited range. Unlike "Most wave energy is dissipated by an ICBM or one of Putin's new breaking on the continental shelf before hypersonic missiles, it would take reaching shore,” concluded lead Poseidon hours to reach its target. On scientist WG Van Dorn’s in his final the other hand, it would bypass current report on “Explosion Generated Water missile defenses. Because of this, Waves” for the Office of Naval Poseidon—at least according to the Research. The phenomenon of giant Russians— is unstoppable. waves breaking while still far out at sea Making Waves has since become known as the Van As is the case with all hyped Russian Dorn effect and has been validated by military hardware, the big question later studies using advanced computer comes down to how much of it is real. techniques. Well, such a weapon is certainly The threat then is less likely to be possible, at least in theory. from long-distance waves, but from a “People were exploring the idea of a more orthodox type of nuclear blast. large nuclear torpedo back in the Cold Super-Speedy Supercavitation War,” Justin Bronk of British military Poseidon’s supposed speed is also think tank RUSI told Popular Mechanics. another unknown. Initially, Russia Page 5 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL tossed out estimates of speeds up to contradictory information, it would be 115 mph, but this is incredibly fast for an easy to doubt whether Poseidon even underwater vehicle—about twice the exists. speed of any U.S. torpedo—and barely Certainly, many people have credible even with nuclear propulsion. A questioned that fact. Its first appearance later leak, again to the TASS news was in a Russian news report in 2015, agency, downgraded the speed claim to when a military commander talking to a more credible (but still swift) 68 to 81 Putin could be seen holding what mph. appeared to be plans for the top-secret However, the latest leak to TASS weapon, then called Status-6. This was pushes the speed up to over 124 mph. such a clumsy "leak" that is looked like a The information, from an unnamed case of obvious disinformation. military source, says that Poseidon uses However, a 2016 Pentagon report the same supercavitating technology as appeared to confirm that the weapon Russia’s current high-speed torpedoes, was real. In 2018, the Russian Ministry Shkval and Khishchnik. These are of Defense held a public vote and propelled by underwater ramjets rather Status-6 was renamed Poseidon, than propellers and travel inside a making it one of the most high-profile bubble of gas to reduce friction, secret weapons ever. achieving speeds in excess of 200 mph. Then there are all those leaked But the claim that Poseidon uses stories to TASS from "military sources." supercavitation is unconvincing, Now, TASS isn't an independent news according to sub expert HI Sutton, who organization, but a state media outlet runs the Covert Shores website wholly owned by the Russian exploring submarine technology. Sutton government. What they print is what told Popular Mechanics that several Putin’s people want—and what they features, including the size of the want the West to read. “There’s no steering fins, the shape of the nose, and reason to believe these Poseidon Poseidon’s length make supercavitation reports wouldn’t be information ops by unlikely with this design. Russian intelligence,” says Bronk. Also, Sutton notes that a previous Russian military theory places great video released of Poseidon being tested emphasis on what they call Maskirovka, shows that it is driven by a pump jet, deceiving the enemy. As we have seen which is a form of propulsion which before, many hyped Russian weapons would not work within the gas cavity were never actually built. “Such a around a supercavitating torpedo. And it weapon system is needed only for would make a lot of noise. nuclear deterrence,” notes the Russian “A supercavitating nuclear weapon defense website MilitaryRussia.Ru. “But would be very loud, sacrificing the here is a seditious thought–it is not stealth which is its main advantage,” obligatory for the system to exist, just for says Bronk. “It doesn’t make any sense there to be some chance that it does on tactical level. “ exist.” Steel Beneath the Vaporware That said, Sutton doubts the entire Other questions linger. Why is Poseidon project is a scam to get the Poseidon always called a drone rather West to waste money on defending than a torpedo? Are its real targets against a non-existent threat. “Basically, cities, naval bases, or carrier groups as the verified elements are too expensive shown in the video? Given so much and too long term to be fake,” says Page 6 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

Sutton. “Mainly the submarine Sarov, Dive base have been gathering hotel-size which was built specifically to test the toiletries from across the country so that weapon. It cannot be explained by any service members can freshen up while other project or plausible other traveling. These are just a couple of purpose.” services that USO provides for our military The Sarov is a one-off nuclear- personnel and their families, and it's an powered submarine, with no missiles or honor to support them. torpedo tubes. Instead it has an underwater hangar door where tubes Columbia Program News would normally be. It looks to be a purpose-built carrier for Poseidon. Navy’s stealthy Columbia subs set to launch “Think about how expensive building first patrol in 2031, with a new missile and running Sarov is," Sutton says. "It's variant. not a ruse."

Impressing the Neighbors Read more here: Russia is now building two more nuclear submarines , Khabarovsk and https://www.foxnews.com/tech/navys- the Belgorod, which look like Poseidon stealthy-columbia-subs-set-to-launch-first- carriers. If it’s a fake, it is costing as patrol-in-2031-with-a-new-missile-variant much as the real thing. Bronk says Putin might be trying to reassure Russians that they are still a great power and Senator: Chinese buildup in partly to remind the rest of the world as South China Sea like well. ‘preparing for World War III’ “Putin needs to keep raising the Geoff Ziezulewicz, Navy Times, Jan 30 profile of Russian nuclear weapons on the world stage, because they are WASHINGTON – China’s ongoing literally the only thing that Russia has military buildup on islands in the that puts it in the same class as the South China Sea is akin to “preparing U.S.,” says Bronk. “Otherwise it’s just for World War III,” the chair of the another backward and corrupt middling Senate Armed Services Committee power.” declared on Tuesday. In other words, Poseidon is less a doomsday torpedo, more a vanity The comment by Republican Sen. project to impress the neighbors. James Inhofe of Oklahoma came

during a hearing to discuss the Visit to USO at O’Hare challenges posed by rising military Submitted by: Greg Miller powers China and Russia, a discussion that included ideas on how the people On Friday, February 8, 2019, members of can better understand the threats to Crash Dive Base and the Needles Nest the world order that America built Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of and has benefited from for decades. America, visited USO O'Hare with donations of custom pillowcases (101) and toiletries for the benefit of our service men While the U.S. military has a presence and women. The Needles Nest stitchers in and around the South China Sea have made and donated about 300 and the larger western Pacific Ocean, pillowcases since 2014. Members of Crash Inhofe said America largely watched Page 7 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

China lay claim to its rocks and islets that somehow we have the best of before turning other reefs into everything,” Inhofe said. fortifications, brimming with arms and stockpiled with materiel. But Elbridge Colby, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Beijing’s ongoing expansion into the strategy and force development and Spratly archipelago agitates now a director at the Washington- neighboring nations and continues to based Center for a New American challenge international law, an Security think tank, told lawmakers assertiveness the U.S. Navy attempts Tuesday that America also has to check through routine freedom of “immense reservoirs” of national navigation operations, or FONOPs. power.

A Chinese warship nearly rammed the A fellow hand at CNAS, Ely Ratner, guided-missile destroyer Decatur last added that it’s important for Senators fall near contested reefs that are and all other Americans to know that occupied by Beijing’s troops but also Washington’s rocky relationship with claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan and the China is neither "an episodic Philippines. downturn” nor a problem that began with President Donald Trump and his “It’s like you’re preparing for World administration’s policies. War III,” Inhofe said. “You’re talking to our allies over there and you Saying that the American people wonder whose side they’re going to "should be preparing for long-term be on.” competition with China,” Ratner also warned Beijing’s support for Inhofe and other senators, as well as embattled Venezuelan strongman experts who testified before the Nicholas Maduro should be viewed as committee, noted that the urgency of a sign of things to come. the Chinese threat against America and today’s world order may not be “I think it’s a harbinger of what a fully appreciated by U.S. citizens. China-led order would look like…in terms of protecting and defending “I’m concerned our message is not non-democratic regimes and impeding getting across,” said Inhofe, who took the ability of the international over the committee this month. community to galvanize and respond,” said Ratner, a former The days of indisputable American deputy national security advisor to military dominance in the Pacific Vice President Joe Biden. following the defeat of Japan in 1945 and the collapse of the Soviet Union “If we don’t get our act together in in 1991 has ended, he warned. Asia, we’re going to see this movie over and over and over again “There’s this euphoric attitude throughout the developing world.” people have had since World War II

Page 8 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

Inhofe alluded to studies showing that technology sneaking into the U.S. or NATO forces could potentially American military supply chain. lose a war with Russia. Colby said companies like Huawei give The Chinese and Russians already Beijing economic leverage against know that, Colby said. countries unsure of whether to side with America or China. “I’m more concerned that the American people understand that and “This dissolves or corrodes the resolve have the urgency to stay ahead of this of countries to potentially stand up to threat,” he said. Chinese coercion,” he said.

Sen. Roger Wicker pointed to the At the same time, Colby testified, announcement Monday of indictments alliances and partnerships with against the Chinese Pacific Rim countries can forestall the telecommunications giant Huawei, a belief that a Chinese world order is company with ties to Beijing’s inevitable, which is why Washington military and security services. should value and strengthen the ties.

The Pentagon banned sales of their “These alliances are enlightened self- products on base stores last year and interest, and not charity,” he said. Navy Secretary Richard Spencer has sounded the alarm about Huawei’s

Crash Dive Base Contact Information

Commander – Clayton Hill, 195 Clover Lane, Cedarburg, WI 53012; 262-377-5332 (work number) or [email protected] Vice-Commander – Greg Miller, 964 Fischer Drive, Addison, IL; (630)543-7855 or [email protected] Secretary (POC) – Chris Gaines, 513 West Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506; 630-892- 5718 or [email protected] Treasurer – Glenn C. Barts, Sr., 2000 Jamestown Drive, Palatine, IL 60074; 847-934- 7418; [email protected] COB – Larry Warnke, [email protected] Chaplain – Cris Pascual; [email protected]; 285 Southridge, Gurnee, IL 60031; 847-855-0772 Membership – Tom Polzin, 1305 Winslow Circle, Woodstock, IL 60098; 847-867-8668; [email protected] Storekeeper – Herman Mueller, 503 Lynn Terrace, Waukegan, IL 60085; 847-445- 5034; [email protected] Newsletter Editor – Chris Gaines Base Historian – Frank Voznak, Jr. 9 South 255 Madison, Burr Ridge, IL. 60527; 630 986-0175 [email protected]

Page 9 Crash Dive Base Rondout - Lake Bluff, IL

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Regular  Life  Associate  OUR CREED: “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America & its Constitution.”

With my signature below I affirm that I subscribe to the Creed of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., and agree to abide by the Constitution, all Bylaws, Regulations and Procedures governing the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc., so long as they do not conflict with my military or civil obligations. I will furnish proof of my eligibility for Regular membership, including my discharge under honorable conditions, and proof of my U.S. Navy (SS) Designation, if required by the Base or the national Membership Chairman. If I am not discharged, the discharge requirement is waived. If I am not U.S. N. submarine qualified, I am applying as an Associate and my sponsor is indicated below.

□ I certify that I was designated qualified in USN Submarines aboard ______in ______(Yr) (Honorary designations regardless of source do not apply under any circumstances.) □ I certify that I received a discharge under Honorable Conditions (if not currently in military service) in ______(Yr)

Name: (Print /Type)______Address: ______

City: ______State: ____ Zip Code: ______-______Tel: (______) ______-______

Signature: ______Date: ______/______/______

Your E-Mail Address ______Base/Chapter Desired: ______

The Member Dues year runs from Jan 1st thru Dec 31st. Please indicate your term preference: ______Nat’l Dues: 5 Yr term: $ 90.00; 3 Yr term: $ 55.00; 1 yr term (Jan thru Sep) $ 20.00; (Oct thru Dec adds the next yr): $ 25.00 Nat’l Life: 76+ yrs = $100.00; 66 thru 75 yrs = $200; 56 thru 65 yrs = $ 300.00; 46 thru 55 = $400.00; Thru 45 yrs = $ 500.00 Local Base/chapter dues are separate and additional. Crash Dive Base dues are $15 annually.

How did you find USSVI? □ Friend, □ Boat Assn, □ Local Event/News, □ Internet, □ Other (______)

Who is your sponsoring USSVI Regular Member?: (Mandatory for Assoc Mbrs) ______Associate Applicant is:  Veteran  Spouse of Veteran  Other (specify) ______

YOUR U.S. NAVY BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Date Of Birth (MM/DD/YY) ____/____/____ If other military service, What Branch? ______

Highest Rate & Rank Attained: ______Mil Retired (Y/N): _____ On Active Duty? (Y/N): ____

YR entered Mil Service: ______YR left Mil Service _____ (Active/Inactive reserve time also counts.)

Submarines and ships served aboard as ship’s company (Use back if you need more space.)

1. ______Hull#______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

2. ______Hull#______From Yr._____ to Yr. _____

3. ______Hull#______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

4. ______Hull#______From Yr._____ to Yr. _____

5. ______Hull#______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

Next of Kin: Name: ______Relationship: ______(Spouse, Partner, Son, Dau, Parent, Other)

Addr:______City: ______State: ___ Zip: ______Tel: ______(Leave this address line blank if the same as your home address)

Applicants on active duty are requested to provide a permanent home address.

Upon completion, give this form, including your National and Base membership dues to the appropriate base officer, or mail to: Crash Dive Secretary, Chris Gaines, 513 W. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506; 630-892-5718 February 17, 2010 Rev. F