January 2017

Publication for members of USS Illinois Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.

Road map for Planning your vacation trip for USS Cobia adventure in 2017 2017? Here is your handy “must see” Wisconsin guide of Submarine Museums as you travel throughout the U.S.A. Most are decommissioned, retired sub- marines, and others saved from the scrap pile after being deemed unfi t Michigan for further military service. USS Silversides Two of the museums are general submarine museums, two are Rus- sian subs, and one a German sub.

If you visit any of these locations, Chicago take a photo and share it with your U-505 Did You Know? fellow USS Illinois Base members Under the leadership of Admiral through this newsletter. Send your Charles “Swede” Momsen (inven- editor an electronic copy or bring tor of the Momsen Lung), the a photo to a base meeting. The list USS Albacore was conceived to USS Marlin inaugurate a radical change below shows the museums from the in submarine design. East Coast to Western shores of U.S. World War II experience had Nebraska shown that speed, endurance 1. USS Albacore (SS-569), located in Ports- and maneuverability were mouth, NH key requirements for subma- rines. Albacore’s hull was to be 2. USS Lionfi sh (SS-298), located in designed with underwater speed Fall River, MA as the prime requirement. 3. USS Nautilus (SS-571), located in Groton, CT Ohio (Continued on page 4)

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 sacrifi ce be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishment. We pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.”

www.ussillinoisbase.org

Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 1 www.ussvi.org December 3, 2016 -- Minutes of the USS Illinois Base

Meeting called to order at 11:32 a.m. by Illinois Base dues in order to maintain Phil Owens, Base CDR; recited Submari- their dual Base status. With the addi- ner’s creed; Pledge of Allegiance. tion of Dave, Mike and Dave the current membership stands at 25. We will need to 14 members present: Phil Owens, Terry verify all members have paid their dues Elmeier, Bruce Weigel, Tom Ramsay, Kate and pass out stickers for the membership Ramsay, Bruce Pickering, John Stines, cards. We will need more of those as we Connie Stines, Dick Martin, Renee Mar- only have 15. tin, Jim Helsell, Joe Jones, Kep Preble & Bob Fleck. Old Business: Guests present: Susan Sherwood, Dave • Holiday party – Due to the high cost Spencer, Mike Barney, Dave Miller. of renting a hall and hiring a caterer, the membership agreed that going to a Invocation by Chaplain Connie Stines. restaurant and paying individually made Tolling of Bells by Kep Preble. the most sense. Bruce Weigel had sug- gested Vito’s Ristorante in Roscoe next Introductions: Bruce Weigel introduced to Schnuck’s would be a good venue. his wife Susan. New member candidates— The cost is $30/person for an Italian Dave Spencer, Mike Barney & Dave Miller Style buff et Dinner. The membership introduced themselves. agreed to a date of January 7, 2017 if it Secretary’s Report: Minutes of Nov. 5, was available. The notion of exchang- 2016 meeting were read by Bruce Weigel. ing “Gag gifts” (no more than $10 each) Motion to accept by Phil Owen and sec- “White Elephant Style.” Bruce Weigel onded by Terry Elmeier. Motion carried. will nail down the date and the venue Base Contacts and report back to the base via email. Treasurer’s Report: Tom Ramsay stated the beginning account balance on The following Base Members indicated Commander 10/23/2016 was $877.52 and the ending bal- how many would be attending the Phil Owens ance on 11/23/16 was $544.77. Discussion Holiday Party: Phil Owen – 2; Bob Fleck [email protected] held on cleaning up our cash/dues han- – 3 to 5, Tom & Kate Ramsay – 2; Terry dling policies for both Base and National Elmeier-2; Dave Miller – 2; Bruce Picker- Vice Commander Dues. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s ing – 1; Dave Spencer – 2; Dick & Renee & Chaplain report as read, seconded and accepted. Martin – 2; Joe Jones – 2; Jim Helsell – 2; Chuck Mongan John & Connie Stines) – 3 . (Total 25 to 27) [email protected] Storekeepers Report: Terry Elmeier said he still has Ships Patches, Lapel Pins and • Bob Fleck brought in engraved Base name tags and distributed them to Treasurer Calendars available for sale. members. Cost is $15 each with proceeds Tom Ramsay Chaplains Report: Phil Owens an- passed on to Treasurer Tom Ramsay. tram688@jcwifi .com nounced that Connie Stines requested New Business: someone else volunteer to assume her Secretary & duties as Chaplain. Dick Martin has a new • Kate Ramsay shared the White House Membership member prospect who is a member of response to the petition to restore Bruce Weigel the clergy and would be a natural for the traditional Navy Rating Specialty Titles. [email protected] position. Stay tuned. Discussion ensued. Storekeeper Membership Report: Base membership • Phil opened a discussion asking the Terry Elmeier stands at 22. Dave Spencer, Mike Barney membership to “brainstorm” some ideas [email protected] and Dave Miller completed Member- for Community Activity Support. Some ship Applications and paid one-year base of the ideas that were discussed: dues of $10. Mike is already a National Editor/Webmaster —Dick Martin, who is an active member Member, both Dave’s paid $25 in National Kate Ramsay of Viet Now, mentioned that Dave Davis, dues. Brief discussion about reaching out kateram@jcwifi .com head of the VAC in downtown Rockford to dual members, whose primary base is elsewhere, to remind them to pay their (continued on page 6)

Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 2 Tidbits of Knowledge from January 1, 1962 - around the world The Navy SEAL teams were established with Teams One and Two, formed with personnel from Underwater Demolition Teams. A bit of History on right

Sign up for USSVI USSVI encourages its more than Many members have multi-year Boat Sponsorship 13,000 members to sponsor the Boat sponsorships and this arrangement Program Sponsorship Program (BSP) to help is always welcomed. This year’s get the word out about our organiza- national BSP chairman is none other tion. Sponsorships also help support than our USSVI Central District 2 the American Submariner Magazine. Commander Vic Van Horn. What is the BSP? Your contribution, The USS Illinois Base is a proud or sponsorship, pays to send three sponsor, and it welcomes sponsor- copies of each issue of American Sub- ships by its members. Base member mariner magazine for the year to the Tom Ramsay, a long-time sponsor, at- command, boat or other place of your tests to the value of the BSP program, choosing. The cost is $30 per year or which places copies of the magazine a total of 12 magazines (three each of into the hands of active duty and the four annual volumes.) prospective sailors.

Midshipman (NNS/ANNAPOLIS, MD)—A U.S. When Dennler couldn’t contact earns award for Naval Academy midshipman re- anyone on the radio for help, he heroic actions ceived the Navy and Marine Corps canoed more than 1.5 miles at night Medal for Heroism on Jan. 10, 2017 in 60 mph winds to a ranger station in front of the entire Brigade to bring back help and medical of Midshipmen assembled in supplies. Alumni Hall. The Navy and Marine Corps Midshipman 3rd Class Medal falls in order of prece- Jonathan Dennler received the dence just below the Distin- medal, the highest non-com- guished Flying Cross and above bat decoration awarded for the Bronze Star. It was fi rst heroism by the U.S. Depart- bestowed during World War II, ment of the Navy, for heroic to then Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy. actions while leading a Boy Scout Only 3,000 have received the award troop in July 2016. since. To win this award, there must be evidence the act of heroism in- While camping in Quetico Pro- volved very specifi c life-threatening vincial Park in Ontario, Canada, the risk to the awardee. troop experienced a major storm with up to 80 mph gusts and lightning The award came as a surprise to strikes. Two trees fell on the campsite, both Dennler and his classmates, killing a scout and an adult volunteer who listened in silence while acad- and severely injuring others. emy Superintendent Vice Adm. Ted Carter read the award citation.

Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 3 Museums (Continued from page 1) 17. USS Razorback (SS-394), located in worth seeing North Little Rock AR 4. USS Growler (SS-577), located in 18. USS Cavalla (SS-244), located in New York, NY Galveston, TX 5. USS Croaker (SS-246), located in 19. USS Batfi sh (SS-310), located in Buff alo, NY Muskogee, OK 6. USS Ling (SS-297), located in 20. USS Marlin (SST-2), located in Hackensack, NJ Omaha, NE 21. Naval Underseas Museum, located in Keyport, WA 22. USS Blueback (SS-581), located in The USS Albacore Portland, OR Museum in Portsmouth, 23. USS Pampanito (SS-383), located in Massachusetts, is the San Francisco, CA easternmost submarine museum 24. B-427 (Russian), located in Long in the United States. Beach, CA The western most 25. USS Dolphin (AGSS-555), located museum is the USS Bowfi n in Pearl in San Diego, CA Harbor, Hawaii. 26. B-39 (Russian), located in San Diego, CA 27. USS Bowfi n (SS-287), located in 7. USS Becuna (SS-319), located in Honolulu, HI Philadelphia, PA For more information about these 8. USS Requin (SS-481), located in museum boats, click here to see a Pittsburgh, PA Google map to see a map with the locations, plus driving directions for 9. USS Torsk (SS-423), located in Bal- each boat. timore, MD 10. USS Clamagore (SS-343), located in Mount Pleasant, SC 11. St. Marys Submarine Mu- seum, located in St. Marys, GA 12. USS Cod (SS-224), located in Cleveland, OH 13. USS Cobia (SS-245), located in Manitowoc, WI 14. U-505 (German), located in Chicago, IL

15. USS Silversides (SS-236), In 1989 the Pacifi c Submarine Museum that was located in Muskegon, MI located on Pearl Harbor’s Sub Base closed down and transferred the entire collection to USS Bowfi n Sub- 16. USS Drum (SS-228), located in marine Museum & Park at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Today Mobile, AL the museum houses thousands of artifacts, many from the Pacifi c Submarine Museum.

Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 4 Tolling of the Bells USS F-1 [ex-CARP] (SS-20) lost on to home waters when Philippines for Lost Boats December 17, 1917 when it was sunk surrendered. Scuttled on December after collision with USS F-3 off San 25. Loss of 4 crew. Chief Machinist’s Clemente, Calif. Loss of 19 crew. Mate Howard Firth was captured by USS S-4 (SS-109) lost on December the Japanese after they occupied the 17, 1927 when sunk after ramming facility the following month; he died by USCG Paulding off Provincetown, in a POW camp. Mass. Loss of 40 crew. All but 4 men USS Sealion at Cavite Navy Yard. died within hours in engine room 1st submarine victim of WWII. and motor room due to asphyxia- tion. Four trapped in torpedo room survived for possibly 60 hours. Hull raised and used for study in subma- January rine escape. Scuttled off Hawaii. USS Sealion (SS-195) lost on De- cember 10, 1941 when it was scuttled USS Capelin (SS-289) lost on or in Manila Bay after damage at Cavite after December 3, 1943 on her 1st war Navy Yard during bombing. Damage patrol, sunk in the Celebes Sea in was suffi cient to preclude removal western Pacifi c. Cause of loss un- known. Loss of 76 crew.

Base Minutes (Continued from page 2) Insurance that covers bodily injury and Continued would be available to address the Illinois property damage where USSVI is at fault. Base to discuss ideas for developing He also noted an article in our recent synergies for Community Activity. base newsletter from the Chairman of —USSVI initiatives “Kaps for Kids” and the USSVI Charitable Fund Scholarship USSVI Boat Sponsorships suggested. Program for members’ children who are college bound or currently in college. —Sponsor a trip to the VA in Rockford. Scholarship Applications are available Bob Fleck suggested that we take a step on the USSVI website. back and look at the “Big Picture” and 50/50 Raffl e: $60 won by Bruce Weigel – develop an overall agenda before delving Proceeds donated back to the base. into specifi c ideas. Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m. Follow- Commander’s Report : ing a closing prayer by the Chaplain, the Phil shared a USS Illinois Base Green Board Commander asked for a Motion to adjourn Newsletter article from National discuss- the meeting, Motion made. Motion Sec- ing the Limited Liability Policy from Rust onded. Motion carried.

Mark your calendar for the next USS Illinois Base, USSVI, meeting. We meet monthly on the 1st Saturday of the month. Next USSVI Illinois Base Meeting Date: Saturday, February 4, 2017 Time: 11:30 a.m. (lunch available during or after meeting) Location: Mustangs Bar & Grill 482 Gardner St. • South Beloit, Illinois www.ussillinoisbase.org

Green Board - USS Illinois Base, USSVI — Page 5 Share this application with a fellow submariner!

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: ______

Nat’l Member Dues year runs from Jan 1st thru Dec 31st. Please indicate your term preference: ______Nat’l Dues: 5 Yr term: $ 115.00; 3 Yr term: $ 70.00; 1 yr term (Jan thru Sep) $ 25.00; (Oct thru Dec adds the next yr): $ 30.00 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. Consult the local base for those figures.

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.)

Check if your Military Service falls within any of these time periods: Dec 7, 1941, thru Dec 31, 1946; June 27, 1950, thru Jan 31, 1955; Aug 5, 1964, thru May 7, 1975; and from August 2, 1990 to date.

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

1. ______Hull#______Rank/Rate______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

2. ______Hull#______Rank/Rate______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

3. ______Hull#______Rank/Rate______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

4. ______Hull#______Rank/Rate______From Yr.____ to Yr. _____

5. ______Hull#______Rank/Rate______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)

Upon completion, please deliver to: Your Base Chapter Secretary, or if you do not know of a base location near you, Rev 7/22/2009 PH Mail to: USSVI National Office, P.O. Box 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383-3870 Questions: Call 1-877-542-DIVE or email [email protected]

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