USSVI Th resher Base News November 2004 Thresher Base Mourns the Lose of Three Members

Richard Godbout Robert Bellisle Sr. Dick passed away on Monday, Octo- Bob passed away on pany 288 at Great Lakes ber 18 after Monday, November Naval Training Station. a lengthy 8 just two weeks after Following boot camp battle with the passing of his son, he attended Radar and cancer. He Robert Jr. Combat Information was born in Bob was born in Law- Center Schools at Nor- Haverhill, rence, MA in Novem- folk before being assigned MA on Jan- ber 1930. He attended to USS Maury AGS 16, uary 7, 1930 local schools and gradu- an oceanographic and and resided ated from Lawrence survey ship. Just after he in Atkinson, High School in 1949. reported aboard Maury NH since Bob’s experience with departed for ten months 1963. He the Navy started while in the Persian Gulf. was educat- still in high school. He joined the On returning to the USA he was ed in Nashua Naval Reserve in November, 1947 transferred to USS Hyades AF28. Hy- and graduated from Nashua High and served for almost two years. Bob ades was a provision store-ship whose School. He served in the US Navy enlisted in the US Navy and started primary mission was provisioning the during the Korean War where he boot camp in October 1949 in Com- continued on page 3 attained the rate of Torpedoman 1st Class Petty Officer. He was employed Keith McCall for 33 years with the US Postal Ser- Keith passed away on Tuesday, Octo- worked for the New Hampshire vice, Haverhill office until his retire- ber 19 after Department of Education and was ment in 1985. a lengthy director at the Skill Center in Man- He was past commander of Thresher battle with chest er, NH. He was a member and Base for 2 years. He was also a mem- cancer. He past president of the Vincent de Paul ber of the Portsmouth American was born Society at Saint Patrick’s Church. Legion Post and Auxilary member of on January continued on page 3 the WWII Sub Vets. 15, 1932 in He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, Wetmore, two stepdaughters, five grandchildren, Kansas. He two sisters and a brother. graduated Table of Contents His funeral services were held on from Wet- Thresher Base Mourns ...... 1 October 21 at the Linnehan and Son more High National Convention ...... 2 Funeral Home followed by his inter- School and Commander’s Message ...... 2 ment at the Atkinson Cemetery. received a B.S. from Roosevelt Uni- Gerald Mclees Hospitalized ...... 2 Memorials can be made to the Dana- versity and a Master’s degree from the USSVI Dues ...... 2 Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline University of New Hampshire. Keith To Perpetuate the Memory ...... 4 Place West, Floor 6, Brookline, MA served 20 years with the Navy, during September Meeting Minutes ...... 5 02445 or the Merrimack Valley Hos- the Korean and Vietnam Wars and Promoting Membership ...... 5 pice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, held the rank of master chief petty Next Meeting ...... Back Page MA 01843. officer. He and Stu Macgregor served Upcoming Conventions ...Back Page together on the Triton. After retiring from the Navy, Keith Page 1 USSVI Convention is a Great Success Commander’s Message The Saratoga Base should be con- gratulated for their effort with this With this crisp year’s convention. From the moment fresh November you arrived in Saratoga you felt wel- weather it sure comed by the Saratoga Springs busi- does make you ness community with open arms. A feel good to be in beautiful floral display was created New England. The in the town park surrounding a large leaves are changing and a thought of pair of dolphins. the upcoming holiday season makes There were many aivities held one happy to be right here at the through- Charlie Manes and Jack McNally core of the four seasons. out the preparing to march in the parade. I’m not sure how many of you week with attended the annual USSVI conven- the annual tion in Saratoga, but if you missed The parade was scheduled meeting out, I have a scrapbook of media for Saturday and the weather taking coverage that was sent to me by my was of great concern. But it place on aunt and uncle who are life long would not be a factor as just Saturday. residents of the area. I will bring it moments before the parade to the next meeting to share with started, the skies dried up all. It looks like the local media gen- and the sun started to ap- erously recognized the service of us pear allowing the parade to go off Submariners, as there appeared to without a hitch. It was an impres- be excellent coverage from the press. sive sight seeing so many bases, I’m confident that Kevin and Robin mini subs and sub school students will expound on my thoughts, as marching down Main Street. they represented Thresher Base and The convention center facilities attended the convention. I am look- were incredile. The banquet, held ing forward to hearing about their on Saturday night, was a sell out. trip, as I am sure the rest of you are. All attendees were greeted by a At our September meeting we beautiful dolphin ice sculpture. Bob and Mary Flannery isit with Bill and discussed the possibility of a joint Betty Burns hile aiting fo the parade to meeting in January with our WWII start. Bob and Bill served togethe aboad the shipmates followed with a potluck USS Entemedo (SS 340). USSVI Dues dinner afterwards. This will en- Increase hance our Holland Club Ceremony Gerald Mclees There is still time to take advantage and recognition of those individuals Hospitalized of paying your 2005 dues at 2004 qualified for over fifty years. I am Chief Gerald Mclees injured his back rates. If you wish to take advantage of looking forward to this, as again, it this summer moving a propane tank. this offer, send in $20 to Roy Pierce, is the fellowship of you guys that This injury put him in the hospital in P.O. Box 44, Woodstock, NH 03293- brings me back to the meetings and mid-October and his daughter hoped 0044, prior to January 1, 2005. Roy keeps me involved. I think we had he would make it home within a says it would be a big help, if all annual a pretty good showing last year and month. While in the hospital, Gerald members send in their renewals now. hope we can repeat the same this turned 90 years old. We wish him a Thresher Base Life Members dues year. Mark your calendars, as our eedy recovery. Here is his address if are still $10. Members may want to Holland Club members deserve you would like to send him a get well consider becoming Life Members and this. card: Chief Gerald Mclees taking advantage of the 2004 rate. Speaking of well deserves, Admiral 75 Ruby Road Select McCoy has done a superb Porsmouth, NH 03801 continued on page 3 Page 2 Bellisle (continued from page 1) McCall(continued from page 1) Sixth Fleet. In his year on Hyades they New Hampshire of the Lions Clubs He was also a member of the Fleet Re- made twelve Atlantic crossings. International. In addition, he was a serve Association; USSVI Thresher Early in 1952 the Navy was ex- Third Degree member of the Knights Base; Disaled American Veterans panding the of Columbus, a Life Member of the and the American Legion Post 79. program and was looking for rated Telephone Pioneers, a member of He is survived by his wife Margaret, Radarmen. Bob had attained RD2 American Legion Post 48 in NH and a his son and daughter and four grand- so he volunteered, was sent to New member of Navy League. Bob became children. London for submarine school and involved with USSVI in 1993 when He was unale to attend meetings then to USS Burrfish SSR 312. He invited to join. He became a member recently due to glaucoma, but he kept served on Burrfish until discharge in of Thresher Base and served as Com- in touch with the meetings and his August 1954. He attained RD1 and mander from 1999 to 2002. wife, Margaret would read the news- qualified in while serving He is survived by his wife Lillian, a letters and American Submariner to on Burrfish. son, two daughters and ten grandchil- him when it became to difficult for On discharge Bob worked for New dren. him to do so. England Telephone Co as a central His funeral was held on Friday, No- His funeral was held on Friday, Oc- office installation technician for vember 12 at St. John the Evangelist tober 22 at Saint Patrick’s Church in thirty-two years, retiring in 1987 as a Church, Hudson. Bob was cremated Manchest er. Burial with full military Network Manager. Bob continued his and will have a burial at sea. Memori- honors took place at the New Hamp- education after the Navy at UMass- als in his name may be made to: Lions shire Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. Lowell for electrical engineering and Sight & Hearing Foundation of N.H., Memorial donations can be made later at Hesser College for a Business P.O. Box 970, Concord, NH 03302- to Visiting Nurse and Home Hospice Management degree. After retire- 0970, or the New Hampshire Services Association, 1850 Elm Street, Man- ment Bob started Belle Isle Travel to Man Kind, Inc., P.O. Box 543, chest er, NH 03104 or St. Vincent de Service in Hampstead, N.H. Farmington, NH 03835. Paul Society, c/o St. Patrick Church, He was a member and past presi- 138 Coolidge Ave, Manchest er, NH dent and District Governor for 03102.

Commander’s Message (continued from page 2) and touched each and every one of job at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard ber has seen the passing of a number us. I will truly miss him, as he was a and is now moving onto bigger chal- of our shipmates. Past Thresher Base key player in our Thresher Memo- lenges. This Wednesday, October Commander Dick Godbout and past rial service, Albacore Park Memorial 13th, Admiral Select McCoy will Thresher Base Commander Bob Day service, the annual Portsmouth step down as Shipyard Commander Bellisle’s oldest son, Bob Jr. both lost Naval Shipyard Submarine Birthday in a traditional Change of Command their battles with cancer. We knew Ball, and a great friend. All these Ceremony and Captain Jonathan of their struggles, and today they men will be sorely missed and our Iverson will take over the helm. are both with peace and in a better thoughts and prayers are with their Admiral Select McCoy has been a place. We also lost shipmate Keith families, as today their Submariners huge proponent of our Thresher McCall. Due to illness Keith was have reached their final duty station Memorial services and I would like unale to attend our meetings but and are on Eternal Patrol under the to thank him for all his support to his wife said that his thoughts were leadership of the Supreme Com- Thresher Base this past three years. with us. Probaly the most shocking, mander. He has been a true friend to the at least to me, is past Thresher Base Be safe and I’ll see you at our next community and all veterans. Captain Commander Bob Bellisle’s report- meeting. Iverson comes to the Seacoast area ing aboard for Eternal Patrol. Since I from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard assumed the duties as Thresher Base and we at Thresher Base would like Commander, Bob has always been Copying Donated by to extend a warm welcome to him there to guide me and provide a sage and his family. sounding board for my thoughts and Unfortunately friends, I have to end questions. He was a wise man that on a sad note. October and Novem- loved his time  ent in submarines Page 3 To Perpetuate the Memory

Edgar Solon which he entered Connecticut. His first assignment Bobitt was in 1958. Edgar was in the submarine U.S.S. Sea Owl born on Decem- enlisted into the (SS 405), where he became qualified ber 3, 1939, in naval service at as a submariner and was awarded his Jefferson, Texas. Odessa, Texas, in silver dolphins. Edgar was selected He attended March 1960. He for advance training in nuclear power elementary completed his ba- and successfully completed the course school in Jeffer- sic training at the of instruction at the submarine base son and Bruni, U.S. Naval Train- and at Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Texas, and was ing Center, San He was assigned to his first nuclear- graduated from Diego, , powered submarine, U.S.S. Thresher Midland High and attended the (SSN 593) on January 29, 1963. Edgar School in June Navy’s Electrician’s had been awarded the Navy’s Good 1958. Edgar Solon Bobitt Mate School. In Conduct Medal. Active in all Electrician’s Mate Second Class late September, He is survived by his parents, Mr. outdoor sports, Edgar volunteered and Mrs. James A. Bobitt; a sister, he excelled in for submarine duty Martha Jane, and a brother, James El- baseball and and was enrolled lis, all of Midland, Texas. received a scholarship to Texas Tech- in the Submarine School at the U.S. nological College at Lubock, Texas, Naval Submarine Base, New London,

Gerald Charles Boster was born on London, Con- at Windsor Locks, August 16, 1941, in Shelbina, Mis- necticut. He Connecticut. He suc- souri, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton was assigned cessfully completed M. Boster, of St. Louis, Missouri. to his first the course of instruc- He attended the Baden Elementary submarine, tion on October 31, School in St. Louis, and was graduated the U.S.S. 1962, and in the fol- from Beaumont High School. Prior to Halfbeak lowing month he was entering the Navy in January, 1960, he (SS 352), assigned to the U.S.S. attended Rolla School of Mines and in which Thresher (SSN 593). Metallurgy (Missouri University), he became Gerald is survived where he was a member of the swim- qualified as a by his parents, Mr. ming team and of the Kappa Sigma submariner and Mrs. Stanton M. Fraternity. on Septem- Boster of St. Louis; Gerald received his basic training at ber 14, 1961. Gerald Charles Boster his identical twin the U.S. Naval Training Center, San Gerald was Electrician’s Mate Third Class brother, James M. Diego, California, and later attended selected for United States Navy Boster who is serving the Navy’s Electrician’s Mate School advance in the Navy aboard there. He volunteered for submarine training in the nuclear-powered duty, and upon being accepted, he was nuclear power, and received his train- cruiser, U.S.S. Long Beach (CGN 9). enrolled in the Submarine School at ing at the submarine base and at the the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New nuclear-power training unity located

Page 4 September Meeting Minutes The September meeting of Thresher ficers from Portsmouth Naval Ship- contact Kevin Galeaz. Base was held at the Portsmouth yard and Submarines in overhaul 3) Gary Hildreth recommended VFW on September 18, 2004. ent Saturday, September 11, 2004 that we have our 2004 Holland Club The meeting was called to order grooming the grounds at Albacore induction ceremony in conjunction followed by a silent prayer and the Park. Bill Seward, Bill Tebo and Gary with a combined USSVI and WWII pledge of allegiance. A sound off of all Hildreth visited the site to discuss Sub Vets meeting in January at those present was conducted. project. A huge amount of work Portsmouth VFW. It was suggested Secretary’s report was not read. was accomplished by the Chief Petty that we have a potluck afterwards to Kevin Galeaz, Base Secretary was Officers, but we still need profes- enjoy some fellowship. Membership representing Thresher Base at the an- sional assistance with the removal of agreed. As Holland Club committee nual USSVI Submarine Convention trees. Green Art of Kittery has been chairman, Bob Bellisle is working the in Saratoga, NY. contaed to make recommendations administrative inputs to National. Treasurer’s Report was read by Roy along with a cost estimate on land- 4) WWII Sub Vet Richard Eck passed Pierce and passed by the membership. scape work that needs to be accom- away and is now on eternal patrol. plished. Bill Seward has the lead on Shipmate Roger Miller attended OLD BUSINESS containg Green Art. Discussion on services and represented both USSVI 1) Memorial Garden at Albacore using money from Thresher Memori- and WWII Sub Vets. Park - Bill Seward discussed latest on al Fund was taled until next meeting GOOD OF THE ORDER funds for Landscape upgrade: when more members will be present. $1,000.00 from SUBVETS WWII 1) Bill Seward and Larry Oiler dis- $250.00 from SUBVETS WWII La- NEW BUSINESS cussed the successes of USS VIRGI- dies Auxiliary 1) September is the month Thresher NA’s Sea trials. It was overall thought $5,000.00 – approx. amount in Base votes officers in, but due to low that the VIRGINIA performed better Thresher Memorial Fund. member turnout, Larry Oiler suggest- than expected. Bob Bellisle shared his Discussed among members if we ed that voting be taled to November experience at the helm of the VIRGI- could possily use some of the money meeting. Membership agreed. NA Class steering and diving trainer in the Thresher Memorial Fund to 2) Larry Oiler made recommendation at NAVSUBSCOL Groton, CT. assist with the landscape upgrade. that we submit Thresher Base news- Meeting Adjourned. CPO Selectees and Chief Petty Of- letter for Newsletter competition next year. Membership agreed. Larry will Promoting USSVI Membership The USSVI is a unique group for Since membership includes persons provisions for Associate Membership. many reasons: with first-hand knowledge of prai- We strongly encourage those that are • Its composite membership of civil- cally every phase of submarine devel- not qualified submariners, but who ians and aive duty personnel ben- opment, the United States Submarine are related to the Submarine Service efits not only the members themselves Veterans is an unsurpassed repository by their deeds or aions (i.e., shipyard but the United States Navy as well. of submarine history and tradition. employees, support contractors, etc.), • It enales veterans, no longer on ac- Its self-perpetuating nature ensures to join as an Associate Member. tive duty, to maintain an aive inter- that this priceless heritage will be est in the Navy and Submarines. handed down intact through future Special Memorial • It provides the younger men with generations of submariners. Donation to the fellowship, aive encouragement Membership application to join be collected on and moral support of older, more SUBVETs – Thresher Base can be Saturday in experienced submariners. obtained by containg Larry Oiler, • It provides the Navy with a pool of telephone (207) 656-5864, or by ac- memory of staunch, knowledgeale supporters cessing the Thresher Base Web Site at Dick Godbout, interested in furthering the interests http://www.thresherbase.org/. Only Bob Bellisle and of the Navy in general and submarines qualified submariners are eligile for Keith McCall. in particular. regular membership, but our base has Page 5 THRESHER Base United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. c/o Kevin Galeaz 1465 Hooksett Road #239 Hooksett, NH 03106

Next Thresher Base Meeting Saturday, November 20, 2004 @ 1300 Portsmouth VFW - Deer Street

USSVI Thresher Base Upcoming USSVI Conventions USSVI Thresher Base was chartered States Government.” on 15 November 1989 in the memory of The base newsletter, Threshe Base Here is a list of next five USSVI those 129 gallant men who at 9:17 AM News, and base website, www.threshe- on 10 April 1963 lost their lives in the base.org, are used to inform the mem- Conventions so you can start making performance of their duties aboard USS bership and community about meet- plans to attend. THRESHER (SSN 593). ing happenings and upcoming events. Our mission is “to perpetuate the Any member who has information to 2005 - Kansas City memory of our shipmates who gave share with the membership is encour- 2006 - Little Rock their lives in the pursuit of their duties aged to submit articles to the editor while serving their country. That their for pulishing. Send submissions to 2007 - Alaska dedication, deeds and supreme sacri- Kevin Galeaz, Editor, 1465 Hooksett 2008 - Dallas fice be a constant source of motivation Road #239, Hooksett, NH 03106 or 2009 - San Diego toward greater accomplishments. Pledge [email protected]. loyalty and patriotism to the United Page 6