The Beacon

Snug Harbor Base’s Newsletter

Website: “http://www.decklog.com/snugharbor” Issue #31 May 2003

The creed of the USSVI is: "To perpetuate the memory of our departed shipmates who gave their lives in 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 Government".

NEW MEMBERS: Since the last newsletter, the following Shipmates have joined Snug Harbor. We would like to give them and their Ladies a big “Welcome Aboard”. We now ETERNAL PATROL: have 166 Regular Members, 26 Associate Members, 112 Life The following submarines were lost during May - June and are Members and 50 Holland Club Members. My goal for 2003 is to still on “ETERNAL PATROL” get our membership to 200. If each one of you will get just one new member, we can surpass that goal. “Sailors, Rest Your Oars”

- Joseph Murdoch – Melbourne, Fl. May 3, 1945 USS Lagarto (SS-371) Qualified on USS Sea Poacher (SS-406) 1963 May 22,1968 USS Scorpion (SSN-589) - Gary Hogeland – Viera, Fl. May 28, 1943 USS Runner (SS-275) Qualified on USS Blackfin (SS-322) 1961 - James Stout – Palm Bay, Fl. June 1, 1944 USS Herring (SS-233) Qualified on USS Swordfish (SSN-579) 1976 June 7, 1944 USS Gudgeon (SS-211) - William Irvine - Port St. Lucie, FL. June 12, 1943 USS R-12 (SS-89) Qualified on USS James Monroe (SSBN-622) 1969 June 14, 1944 USS Golet (SS-361) - Robert Channell (Life Member) - Vero Beach, FL. June 18, 1945 USS Bonefish (SS-223) Qualified on the USS Segundo (SS-398) in 1953 June 19, 1942 USS S-27 (SS-132) - Barbara Olsson (Associate Member) - Viera, FL. Lady of John Olsson - Stella Murdoch (Associate Member) - Melbourne, FL. Lady of Joseph Murdoch

Base Officers: The following are the Base Officers that serve you for the year 2003.

Base Commander – Gil Shaddock Vice Commander – George Nault Treasurer – Ray Coons Secretary/Veteran’s Affairs – Shawn Brown Chaplain/Base Historian – Bob Chasse COB/Ways and Means – Ray Goodwin Storekeeper – Gil Shaddock Lost Boat - USS Bonefish (SS-223) The Beacon Writers/Editors – Gil Shaddock, Shawn Brown Snug Harbor Web – Tim VeArd, Gil Shaddock

United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Snug Harbor Base 125 Elm Ave. Satellite Beach, Fl. 32937-3370

2 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

LOST MEMBERSHIP The following people have been dropped from the Snug Harbor rolls for the reasons as indicated: Joe Most – failed to renew 2003 dues E.W. “Skip” Glover – health problems Ernest Tilley – moved out of the area Benita Tilley – moved out of the area Charles Kuenneke – moved, whereabouts unknown John Graham – moved, whereabouts unknown

USSVI EASTERN REGIONAL DIRECTOR District 4 Base Commanders and shipmates. BASE COMMANDER’S CORNER By Gil Shaddock With 17 of 20 bases in district four balloting, current District Commander Dennis Blado has been reelected by an unopposed DISTRICT 4 CONVENTION A SUCCESS vote count of 336-0-4. The D4 Convention was a really enjoyable event. “Bravo Zulu” This is the largest voting turn out in D4 to date including both to Seawolf Base for putting it on. We had a real nice Dinner base participation and vote count. cruise on the “Lady Anderson”, a very touching Memorial Please pass on my heartiest well done to the base members who Service by the pool and a wonderful banquet. Dennis Blado was took the time to show their appreciation to Dennis for all the sworn in as the D4 District Commander to serve for another year. effort he puts in D4 to visit and share information and grow the The following Bases volunteered to host the 2004 D4 district. Convention: First Coast Base in Jacksonville, Ponce de BZ Dennis, your usual increase is in the mail. I am sure you would be the first to comment on the support you Leon Base in New Smyrna Beach and Snug Harbor Base in get from the Base Commanders as well. You and I know while Melbourne. Snug Harbor was represented by myself and Olga, we may at times direct the traffic, the Base Commander drives Joe and Charlotte Brown and George and Angie Nault. Olga and the train. I were interviewed by a reporter from the Panama Beach News Fraternally, Herald. The following article appeared in the Saturday May 2, Pat Ulmen - plank owner USS Trout SS566 - USSV So. Tier NY 2003 edition. (See Newspaper article on page 10) & Parche 1000 Isl Bases Assoc WWII - Eastern Regional Director USSVI - "Holland Club" – PRIDE RUNS DEEP

DISTRICT COMMANDER’S LETTER Gentlemen, I wish to thank all of the Base Commanders that attended the D-4 Conference or had a representative there. I believe there was 9 Base Commanders there. That is the most we have ever had at any Conference. I thank you for taking the time to be there. (I also know there are many reasons why some could not be there) I would like all of you to put the word out to your members that the Conference was a big success due to the number of members Dennis Blado being sworn in as D4 Commander present. We had 17 of 20 Bases represented. That is the best we have ever had. I hope that in the future we will have more (Late breaking news: Good Morning Everyone. First Coast Base members present. has decided to hoist the 2004 District 4 Conference in I wish to also to thank you for taking the time for getting your Jacksonville, Florida. It will be scheduled for the 29 April thru 1 members to vote on the District Commander ballots. We had 17 May. Starting on Thursday April 29th and finishing on 2 May. of 20 Bases send in their votes to the ERD. That is the most we (Sunday). More info to follow as is becomes available. have ever had as well. Let’s keep up the good work on voting Later, Dennis D-4 Commander) and do as well if not better on the National Level for voting. Pat Ulman (ERD) was very pleased as to how many Bases voted NATHANAEL GREENE SAIL DEDICATION as well as how many Bases were represented at D-4. He and I The dedication of the USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636) sail talked and he said we were going in the right directions and for will take place at 1000 on June 4th at the Navy Port Area at Cape everyone to keep up the good work. He always enjoys coming to Canaveral, Florida. If any of you would like to attend the D-4 as he has a good time and we really have one of the BEST dedication, send an E-mail or give a phone call to Gil Shaddock DISTRICTS for CAMARADERIE. (we know how to enjoy at [email protected] or 321-777-2453 and give him the names of ourselves and have fun , that's what it is all about ) who will be attending so that you can be put on an entry list that As soon as I have a positive location on the next D-4 Conference will allow you to attend the dedication. I need the names by 1200 I will put the word out. on 30 May. Again Thanks Shipmates. Dennis Blado, D-4 Commander 3 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

SECRETARY’S REPORT Base minutes for 3 May 2003: By Shawn Brown ETCS(SS) Retired The base secretary was not able to make the meeting (this is the second picnic that I have missed)(I was moving into my house in Port St. Johns). Ken Kettering volunteered to take the minutes. I The YN is assimilating the ET thank him very much for covering for me. As always, the picnic was excellent. Base minutes for 5 April 2003: 1. Called meeting to Order (approx. 1330) VOTING FOR DISTRICT 4 COMMANDER: The Base 2. Moment of Silence Commander took votes for the up-coming election for a District 4 3. Invocation Commander. As everyone remembers, Dennis Blado (our present 4. Pledge of Allegiance District 4 Commander) was running unopposed. Gil asked if 5. Read names of Boats lost in May there were any other nominations. None were presented. A vote 6. Read USSVI Creed was taken. 40 members voted for Dennis Blado and none 7. Introduced new member Joe Murdoch against. One vote was received by Email, it was also a vote for 8. Treasurer's Report - Accepted as read Dennis Blado. Thanks to everyone that participated in this very 9. Ways and Means report important process. 10. Presented Holland Club award to Joe Baker 11. Read letter from Groton Base thanking everyone for COMBINED MEETING: Dennis Blado has presented an donations to the Fredrickson Fund. So far the Fund has raised interesting suggestion. He has asked if Snug Harbor, Pelican $20,000. Harbor and South Florida Bases would like to have a meeting 12. 2004 D4 convention will be hosted by First Coast Base in together. There was no one adverse to this idea at the meeting. Jacksonville. This is still being researched. More information to follow. If 13. June meeting will be on June 7th and July meeting will be on anyone thinks that this is not a good idea, they need to contact the July 5th. Both meetings will start at 1400 and be held at the VFW Base Commander (Gil) ASAP. Post on S. Dairy Rd. in Melbourne. 14. Nat Greene sail dedication will be at 1000 on June 4th at Port A CHANGE IN NEWSLETTER POSTINGS: The Newsletter Canaveral. will not be sent to each individual member of Snug Harbor. This 15. Various subjects were discussed under "Good of the Order". has been a time intensive task for Gil and the team. It has also 16. Benediction been very expensive. Out of the 193 members that we now have, 17. 50/50 Drawing 147 of you are on the Internet. Currently we are mailing 175 copies of the Newsletter which cost $64.75 just for the postage (that doesn't include the cost of the paper, labels etc, etc.). Starting with the May issue, the Newsletter will ONLY be mailed to those members who are not on the Internet. This would cut the postage cost down to about $12 an issue. Those members that are on the Internet can print out their own "Hard Copy" from the website. Instead of having to mail 175 copies, I will only have to mail about 30 copies. Those members that have problems printing out the Newsletter need to contact Gil Shaddock, Shawn Brown or Tim VeArd and they will help you get a Newsletter. If a member has to have a mailed copy, they need to contact Gil Shaddock and he will make arrangements. Snug Harbor website: http://www.decklog.com/snugharbor.

NATIONAL CONVENTION IN RENO: The hotel that was advertised as taking reservations for the convention is full. Other hotels in the area are taking up the slack. So, there is a place to stay if you are thinking about going to the convention. You may Snug Harbor Picnic need to call soon, for these hotels will also fill up fast. This promises to be an eventful time. SECRETARY’S REPORT COMPLETED

BLOOD BANKS ARE LOW IN BLOOD: Doc Edsel talked to us about the war in Iraq and how this has been a major draw on MEMBERS LADY PASSES the United States blood bank due to the wounded. The blood The members of Snug Harbor express their sincere condolences bank is extremely low and it needs everyone to help it regain a to Carl McInnis on the "passing" of his Lady Cheryl on 12 May safety level. Give if you can. Don’t forget that Snug Harbor has due to complications from Pneumonia.. Our thoughts and prayers a blood bank number. are with you. (No picture available)

4 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

IT WAS A SHINING TIME I couldn't do it... I couldn't crawl into an iron monster and spend a by Bob 'Dex' Armstrong couple of months watching lights, computer screens and my toenails grow. I can't imagine going to sea and never getting to bounce around in 'surface turbulence'. Just going out, going deep and staying Riding boats today must be like being a kid raised in a safe there. Must get boring. deposit box. What would it be like to be riding a boat that never came in with patches of missing paint... Decking gone... Line Loved it when the old girl got to kick up her heels in heavy locker lids left somewhere on the ocean floor... Dished in limber weather... loved the roll and pitch of a round bottom smoke holes and no stern light? No wild stories to tell over a couple of boat... Loved the creak and groan as she wallowed around in the cold ones... No "Jeezus, you should have been out there with us" swells. Loved the cussing of the lads who rode her as they tried to lies. make their way fore and aft, getting slammed in all directions... Loved riding heavy seas. It made you feel great to be a sailor. Gringo said it best...

I think I would have loved riding cans except for the horseshit "It was a shining time." regulation of the surface craft Navy... That bosun pipe, uniform of the day and clean white hat crap. It was.

Don't understand what nukes see in that coal mine life of just SUBMARINE ALLIGATOR going down for a couple of months of cracker box living... Just Copy of a posting by Jim Christley from the LIB/BBS out and down and then up and in again. How can you call that 'going to sea'? That 's gerbil cage life... No feeling a rolling On this Memorial Day Sunday allow me to introduce you to some deck... No salt spray in the face... No watching your plate do the shipmates who over 140 years ago were assigned to the USS North Atlantic waltz across the mess table... No shit falling out of Alligator as she was moored at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Why the overhead... No sound of tons of water sloshing through the are they important? superstructure and no lying in your rack being rocked to sleep. Well, they comprise the first Navy crew of the first submarine owned and operated by the U.S. Navy. Therefore they are the Wouldn't like riding an ocean-going giant elevator. oldest of the U.S. Navy's submarine sailors; our fore-shipmates.

They say you don't miss what you never had which is one of the Samuel Eakins, John Lambert, Alexander Rode (or Rhode), reasons I don't miss sex with Princess Diana. But riding a Cooper Woodington, William Ross, Phillip C. McCarron, saltwater subway isn't my idea of a good thing. No damn diesel Amos W. Austin, Joseph Bates, Benjamin Claypool, Charles P. smoke... Jeezus, no damn any kind of smoke. What kind of Miller and Frank Snow submarine duty is it without looking aft and seeing that smoke? We know little of them as yet, but as our research continues into No lookout duty... No laughing when you take one up the this early submarine that may change. fairwater and over the bridge with the better part of a gallon of Samuel Eakins was appointed 'Acting Master' of Alligator. He water running down the neck of your foul weather jacket and was a salvage diver and had worked on the salvage of ships in soaking your skivvies. No foul weather gear spread over Sevastapol Harbor, Russia in 1858. He took over the testing and Fairbanks covers to dry. No sea birds... Oh, you gotta have sea operation of Alligator in 1862 and was her commander when she birds. Watching soaring seabirds was the extra bonus God gave was officially taken into Naval Service on 13 June 1862. He may young men who chose a life at sea. have been a native of New Jersey. Cooper Woodington may have been from New Jersey also. A No porpoise jumping in your bow wave... No watching bow Cooper Woodington appears on the internet as Cooper buoyancy going over one and under one... No ships passing in the Woodington b. 0 Jan 1839 [NJ] d. 4 Feb 1923 Beverly Twp., NJ night... No late night signal light exchange of lighthearted m. Mary Elizabeth Dewson m. 15 Mar 1862 Burlington County, bullshit... No high line transfers. What kind of life is it without all NJ b. 0 Dec 1839 Philadelphia, PA d. 26 Nov 1906 Willingboro, of that? NJ. If these are the same Cooper Woodingtons, I don't know. As for the rest, nothing yet. I think I know why the Navy invented the boomer pin. They However, they are our shipmates. Rates, you ask? Well, Eakins wanted to compensate sailors for all of the good stuff they stole was a diver. At least a couple of the others were also. Most oar from the poor bastards. operators. Yes, boys and girls, early nucs! Engineers all! Oh by the way. Holland was commissioned in the US Navy. "Here's a trinket for all the really good stuff you don't know Alligator was not. So the Holland crew are still the crew of the you're missing." first of the unbroken line of commissioned submarines in the US Navy. They never sent me my Princess Diana pin.

5 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

VETERAN’S AFFAIRS Because many of the candidates seeking assistance may not own computers, Powell and Kull recommended they go online at DRUG MFGS DISCOUNT ARTICLE libraries, senior centers, retirement communities or college Submitted by Bob Hurley campuses, in addition to their doctors' offices. [email protected] Kull said going to a library to use a computer is worth the effort. 'I wouldn't have a life without my drugs,' he said. "It [the Web SUBVETS, site] will change lives." The below article, passed to me by SUBVET John Dudas from Sandra Mathers can be reached at [email protected] the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, might be of interest or (407) 420-5507. to some of our older SubVets living on a limited income. Drug industry goes online to reduce costs for uninsured. TRICARE ENHANCES DENTAL BENEFITS FOR A new Web site will show consumers which manufacturers offer UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES substantial discounts. Dental benefits for uniformed services retirees and family ARTICLE members enrolled in the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program By SANDRA MATHERS SENTINEL STAFF WRITER (TRDP) have been enhanced. Beginning May 1, 2003, the Nelson Kull was 28 before he drove a car and in his 30s before he mandatory enrollment period is reduced from 24 to 12 months. finished college. A productive life came late for the disabled The annual maximum benefit per enrollee and lifetime maximum Orlando man diagnosed as a schizophrenic in his teens. benefit for orthodontic care has been increased from $1000 to Now 47, he says he owes his success to two prescription drugs he $1200. couldn't afford without financial help. After the mandatory enrollment period ends, eligible enrollees At a news conference Wednesday, he endorsed a new computer which include uniformed services retirees and their family Web site that makes similar help more accessible through 300 members; Medal of Honor recipients and their family members; patient-assistance programs offering a total of 1,400 low-or no- and survivors and family members of deceased retirees or active cost medications to the uninsured. duty sponsors who served on active duty for more than 30 Kull, founder and director of Orlando's Pathways Drop-In Center consecutive days, may continue their enrollment in the TRDP on for the mentally ill, pays just $10 each month for medications that a month-to-month basis. normally cost about $800. He does so through two drug- During the mandatory 12-month enrollment period, TRDP company patient-assistance programs. enrollees are covered for basic restorative services, periodontics, The free Web site -- http://helpingpatients.org -- is being endodontics, oral surgery and dental emergencies. introduced by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of After 12 months of continuous enrollment, TRDP enrollees are America, an industry trade organization. covered for cast crowns, cast restorations, full and partial It is designed for limited-income patients, especially seniors, dentures and orthodontics for adults and children. A directory of struggling to pay the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, participating Delta Dental providers is available online at said Marjorie Powell, a PhRMA spokeswoman who spoke along http://www.ddpdelta.org. Retirees and family members may also with Kull at Orlando Regional Medical Center's M.D. Anderson request a provider directory by calling the Delta Dental Customer Cancer Center. "Anyone can go online and put in six pieces of Service number at (888) 838-8737. Additional information on information and get information on all the [patient-assistance] TRDP is available at programs available," http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourceFileView?file=retir Powell said: "This will help more and more people." The ees_health_tricaredental.htm (Source: Military Report, May 12, pharmaceutical industry last year gave free medications worth 2003). $1.5 billion wholesale to 5.5 million people nationwide - 230,000 in Florida, she said. Patients browsing the site are asked to provide personal information that includes age, annual family income, household size and medications taken. Consumers also can enroll for email updates on new drugs. Generic drugs, however, are not included, Powell said. And she stressed that costs vary. Discounts offered specifically to seniors by some drug companies, for example, range from 25 percent off wholesale prices to 40 percent off retail prices, according to information provided by PhRMA. And each drug company sets its own eligibility criteria for its assistance program, Powell said. Common qualifiers include a limited income, lack of insurance and few or no financial assets, she said.

6 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

REFLECTIONS OF A BLACKSHOE I like the surge of adventure in my heart when the word is passed by VAdm Harold Koenig, USN (Ret) "Now station the special sea and anchor detail - all hands to quarters for leaving port", and I like the infectious thrill of sighting home again, with the waving hands of welcome from family and friends waiting pier side. The work is hard and dangerous, the going rough at times, the parting from loved ones painful, but the companionship of robust Navy laughter, the 'all for one and one for all' philosophy of the sea is ever present.

I like the serenity of the sea after a day of hard ship's work, as flying fish flit across the wave tops and sunset gives way to night. I like the feel of the Navy in darkness - the masthead lights, the red and green navigation lights and stern light, the pulsating phosphorescence of radar repeaters - they cut through the dusk and join with the mirror of stars overhead. And I like drifting off to sleep lulled by the myriad noises large and small that tell me that my ship is alive and well, and that my shipmates on watch I like the Navy. will keep me safe.

I like standing on the bridge wing at sunrise with salt spray in I like quiet mid-watches with the aroma of strong coffee - my face and clean ocean winds whipping in from the four the Lifeblood of the Navy - permeating everywhere. And I like quarters of the globe - the ship beneath me feeling like a living hectic watches when the exacting minuet of haze-gray shapes thing as her engines drive her through the sea. racing at flank speed keeps all hands on a razor edge of alertness. I like the sudden electricity of "General quarters, general I like the sounds of the Navy - the piercing trill of the boatswain’s quarters, all hands man your battle stations" followed by the pipe, the syncopated clangor of the ship's bell on the quarterdeck, hurried clamor of running feet on ladders and the resounding the harsh squawk of the 1MC and the strong language thump of watertight doors as the ship transforms herself in a few and laughter of sailors at work. brief seconds from a peaceful workplace to a weapon of war - ready for anything. And I like the sight of space-age equipment I like the vessels of the Navy - nervous darting destroyers, manned by youngsters clad in dungarees and sound-powered plodding fleet auxiliaries, sleek submarines and steady solid phones that their grandfathers would still recognize. carriers. I like the proud sonorous names of Navy capital ships: Midway, Lexington, Saratoga, Coral Sea - memorials of great I like the traditions of the Navy and the men and women who battles won. I like the lean angular names of Navy 'tin-cans': made them. I like the proud names of Navy heroes: Halsey, Barney, Dahlgren, Mullinix, McCloy - mementos of heroes who Nimitz, Perry, Farragut, John Paul Jones. A sailor can find much went before us. in the Navy: comrades-in-arms, pride in self and country, mastery of the seaman's trade. An adolescent can find adulthood. I like the tempo of a Navy band blaring through the topside speakers as we pull away from the oiler after refueling at sea. I In years to come, when sailors are home from the sea, they will like liberty call and the spicy scent of a foreign port. I even like still remember with fondness and respect the ocean in all its all hands working parties as my ship fills herself with the moods - the impossible shimmering mirror calm and the storm- multitude of supplies both mundane and exotic which she needs tossed green water surging over the bow. And then there will to cut her ties to the land and carry out her mission anywhere on come again a faint whiff of stack gas, a faint echo of engine and the globe where there is water to float her. rudder orders, a vision of the bright bunting of signal flags snapping at the yardarm, a refrain of hearty laughter in the I like sailors, men from all parts of the land, farms of the wardroom and chief's quarters and mess decks. Gone ashore for Midwest, small towns of New England, from the cities, the good they will grow wistful about their Navy days, when the seas mountains and the prairies, from all walks of life. I trust and belonged to them and a new port of call was ever over the depend on them as they trust and depend on me - for professional horizon. competence, for comradeship, for courage. In a word, they are "shipmates." Remembering this, they will stand taller and say,

"I WAS A SAILOR ONCE. I WAS PART OF THE NAVY & THE NAVY WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME."

7 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

HERO OF THE PAST A total of five people survived the sinking. They were picked up by a Japanese destroyer escort that was retrieving survivors of the REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD H. O'KANE ships Tang had just sunk. The submarine survivors were clubbed USN-Retired (1911-1994) and beaten unmercifully. Commander O'Kane and the other Richard Hetherington O'Kane was born in survivors spent the remainder of the war in various Japanese Dover, New Hampshire, on 2 February prison camps. 1911. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Following his release, Commander O'Kane was awarded the Academy in May 1934 and spent his first Medal of Honor for his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" years of active duty in the cruiser Chester during his submarine's final operations against Japanese shipping. and destroyer Pruitt. He received In the years following World War II, Commander O'Kane served submarine instruction in 1938 and was then with the Pacific Reserve Fleet as assigned to USS Argonaut until 1942. Commanding Officer of the Lieutenant O'Kane then joined the pre- submarine tender Pelias, testified at commissioning crew of the new submarine Japanese war crimes trials, was Wahoo, serving as her Executive Officer Executive Officer of the submarine under Commanding Officer Dudley W. Morton and establishing a tender Nereus and was Commander record as a very promising tactician. Submarine Division Thirty-Two. He In July 1943, Lieutenant Commander O'Kane was detached from was a student at the Armed Forces Wahoo and soon became Prospective Commanding Officer of Staff College in 1950-51 and was USS Tang, which was then under construction. He placed her in subsequently assigned to the commission in October 1943 and commanded her through her Submarine School at New London, entire career. In five war patrols, O'Kane and Tang sank an Connecticut, initially as an instructor and, in 1952-53, as Officer officially recognized total of 24 Japanese ships, establishing one in Charge. of the Pacific War's top Promoted to the rank of Captain in July 1953, O'Kane records for submarine commanded the submarine tender Sperry until June 1954 and achievement. He was then became Commander Submarine Squadron Seven. Following captured by the Japanese studies at the Naval War College in 1955-56, he served in when his ship was Washington, D.C., with the Ship Characteristics Board. Captain accidentally sunk off China O'Kane retired from active duty in July 1957 and, on the basis of during the night of 24-25 his extensive combat awards, was simultaneously advanced to the October 1944 and was rank of Rear Admiral on the Retired List. Richard H. O'Kane died secretly held prisoner until on 16 February 1994. the war's end some ten The guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG-77), 1999- months later. ____, is named in honor of Rear Admiral O'Kane. In October of 1944 when a circular running torpedo he had just fired came back and sunk his submarine. Tang was leading all submarines in the number of ships sunk when that accident USS RAZORBACK UPDATE occurred. Due to the Iraq war, work on dry-docking the Razorback was On October twenty third nineteen forty-four he had attacked a placed on hold. However, the USS Razorback project is now off convoy and hit seven ships with his torpedoes. The next day, on hold. The Razorback Base and the Arkansas Inland Maritime the twenty fourth another convoy appeared and once again Museum have re-energized efforts to bring her home in 2004. O'Kane went in for the attack. His first shot hit a tanker; the USSVI Razorback Base Commander Greg Zonner has been in second hit a troop transport and stopped her dead in the water. A contact with Turkey and the first possible date to get her in the third shot hit a destroyer trying to yards is September 1st. The yards will need 4 to 6 months to do protect the other two vessels. the necessary repairs to sail her back. The Turkish Navy has With two torpedoes left in the added additional personnel to the ships crew to maintain her and tubes Captain O'Kane went in on make sure nothing disappears. Greg has talked it over with North the surface to finish off the Little Rock Mayor Hays and they are now shooting for May of crippled troopship. The first 2004 for her final home port arrival at the Arkansas Inland torpedo headed straight for its Maritime Museum (AIMM) in North Little Rock. However, they mark but the second made a still need to raise the estimated $2 million to get her here. hairpin turn and headed back All donations to the Razorback are tax deductible to the extent towards Tang. O'Kane called for permitted by law and they are asking all SUBVETs and bases to a hard rudder and emergency speed, but it was too late. The consider contributing to the preservation of USS Razorback as a torpedo struck Tang in the stern sending the Captain and other permanent memorial to all the men who served in the US deck personnel into the ocean, and the submarine to the bottom in Submarine Service. 180 feet of water. Donations should be made out to AIMM and mailed to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, PO Box 5757 City Hall, North Little Rock, AR 72119-5757 For more information visit http://www.northlr.org/maritime.htm 8 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

SNUG HARBOR SHIP STORE The Ship Store has many Robert DeVore items of interest. The latest is a Bolo tie with the USSVI emblem [email protected] as the tie clasp. I will have them at the S-M-L $118.50 meeting or if you would like items through the XL and over $128.50 mail, send your checks to: Material is normally Gabardine. Gil Shaddock Vests are lined and have gold or silver piping 125 Elm Ave. One button or chain buttons are extra Satellite Beach, FL. 32937 You can view other items at the Snug Harbor Custom Embroidery web site at (Professional State of Maine) http://www.decklog.com/snugharbor (click on Ship's Store). [email protected] Small to X large stock vest $61.00 per phonecon. Many of our members have asked where to get a vest. The following is a listing of five suppliers. If you want a vest, you must order directly from a supplier and not the Snug Harbor Ship Store custodian.

The vest specifications were:

Embroider 9 ¾" X 6 ¾" USSVI Logo on the back Embroider base name on the back Embroider 4 boat names and hull numbers on the back Embroider 3 ½" X 3" USSVI logo on the front Embroider member's name on the front Gold Piping. Jan Stiffey Aero Embroidery Kathy DeCapite-Naso [email protected] [email protected] Please feel free to contact us for more info. Small $123.50 Phone: (360) 895-3195 XX large $138.50 J.A. "Bear" Stiffey MMCS(SS) retired Poly/cotton normally. Stock vest without piping $63.00 Other material special order. With piping $83.00 Replace embroidered logo's with patches We use a commercially made vest from a company called Fame. small $94.50 Very heavy cotton twill almost like a canvas but softer. XX large $109.50 We have them in Navy (S-5XL) and Royal (S-3XL) in stock. Note these are designed to be worn as a form fitted vest Ann Rolle therefore you must order one size bigger. (850) 623-6922 Anything larger than 3XL (other than Navy) or in any colors Custom vest other than black, navy, red, hunter green, burgundy, No embroidery eggplant or sage requires a custom order on my part. Large USSVI Logo patch on the back Gold Navy buttons and chain Gold piping Inside pocket vest is not lined but area of buttons is double thick Will sew on supplied boat patches $60.00 Suraline material is Hancock fabrics and like gabardine but it is washable. Price since January 2003 $60 plus $5 S/H. Product has inner facing on the lapels, comes with CPO brass buttons, chain along with large USSVI Patch.

Boat emblems (patches) are sewn on. The 1st three patches come with the vest. The buyer provides the patch's. Each patch over three costs another $3.

9 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003

BIRTHDAYS June and July Birthday’s OPS commenting to XO on the assignment of a new division officer to his department: "I don't need DIVOs, I need useful June people." Roy L Book Charlotte H Brown Richard E. Coons Jerry Driscoll Unidentified Ensign to XO, on trying to schedule ship's drills: "I Roy F Hill Hans I Huseby Jr have no opinion on that, sir. I'm but a urinal cake in the pissing Harry E. Johnston Paul LeGere contest between OPS and the Chief Engineer." Terry K Miller Charles T. Mitchell Josephine M. Morton George E Nault Ensign answering the phone at 0230: "Is this something I really Edgar T. Seguin Gilbert P Shaddock need to get out of bed for, of is this just more of OPS's bulls**t?" William E Smith, Jr Benjamin Ward Edsel J. Wright OPS to nobody in particular: "Leadership is a bunch of guys doing exactly as I say." July Joseph F. Brown David K Dalke XO to Weapons Officer: "I'm busy. I don't have time to chew Allan Erde Charles Ferrall your ass right now. Leave it in my in-box and I'll get to it later." Phyllis A. Hackett Irving A Henrichsen Faye Johnson Richard T Moore XO to CO, while launching a boat to send a couple officers over Joseph D Murdoch Julie Painter to the flagship for a conference: - "Well sir, I see that OPS and James P. Stout Jerome Wise WEPS are on their way over..." - "Yeah, there they go: tweedledum and tweedledummer." TEARS IN MY EYES Statements Heard Aboard USN Submarines New Ensign to OPS, 3rd day after the ship has been underway: "So, when does this watch bill thingy start?" CO to Navigator: "Hey, pay attention! Ships have been running aground here since Noah was a deck seaman." OPS to his entire department (at the top of his lungs): "YES! THE XO IS A MORON! BUT IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE HIM LOOK (same) CO to Supply Officer: "So, lemme guess -- the reason it's SMART, AND WE'RE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB!" taking so long to get these parts to get here is that they're made of iron ore mined on the dark side of a mountain in Tora-Bora XO during an 'all officers' meeting: "Stop making me lie on your region, by virgin Afghan college graduates, right?" Fitness Reports! I want to know that I'm telling the truth when I put down on your evaluation that you're the greatest naval officer (same) CO to Supply Officer at breakfast on the day the since Halsey!" disbursing audit kicked off: "You know, I had a really BAD dream last night, it involved you and me in prison with a large CO to XO aboard an east coast ship, when asked if they could man named 'Leroy'." have 'Aloha Fridays' (knock off work at noon on Friday): "Sure XO, no problem. When it's noon in Hawaii, then you can leave." (same) CO to Communications Officer, after being told the reason the command circuit was down was not the ship's fault: XO to department heads at morning officer's call: - XO: "DON'T "COMMO, you'd better get the damn thing working, and soon, or MAKE ME MANAGE YOUR TIME FOR YOU!!! YOU I'm gonna jam the space shuttle up your ass and you're going up DON'T WANT ME TO MANAGE YOUR TIME FOR YOU!!! there to fix the satellite yourself. You got me?" IF I HAVE TO MANAGE YOUR TIME FOR YOU, I WILL!!!" - OPS: "Sir, you already ARE managing our time for us. It's (same) CO to Navigator: "Debrief??!! You want a debrief? I'll seven o'clock in the morning on a Saturday and we're here at give you a debrief! You suck! work with nothing to do."

XO to OPS: "I just think up the crazy ideas, it's your job to make JUNE AND JULY MEETINGS th 'em work!" The June meeting will be on June 7 and the July meeting will be on July 5th. Both meetings will be held at 1400 at the VFW Post on Dairy Rd. In Melbourne.

Until next time . . . keep a Zero Bubble AHOOOOOOOOOOOOOGA

10 Snug Harbor’s The Beacon May 2003