USSVI Th resher Base News
November 2006 September Meeting Minutes The September 2006 meeting of unteered to help with any upcoming job. His last day as treasurer will be Thresher Base was held at the VFW Memorial Services and the Thresher December 31. Please let Gary know if in Portsmouth. The meeting was Memorial in Washington. The Phil- you are interest ed. called to order followed by a prayer lippi family was also very pleased with 9) Base Nominations - this is the and pledge of allegiance. making this contact. meeting were nominations are ac- The tolling of the bell was sounded New Business - cepted for officer positions. There was for those boats lost in September and 1) Database update - 600 entries, a very low turn out, but there were October followed by a silent prayer for but only 111 members. The rest are enough to hold a quorum. Comments all those shipmates on final patrol. A former members, family, crew, other were made regarding holding it over to sound off of all those present was con- bases. the November meeting. No decision ducted. We welcomed new member 2) National Database is now online was made. Ken Cowan and his wife Meg. - our database matches their database. Thresher Base minutes of July’s Members have the ability to make continued on page 2 meeting were read by Kevin Galeaz. changes to the database. Members There was no treasurer’s report be- must log into the database and “un- cause Roy Pierce was unale to attend. lock” their information if they want Thresher Memorial Committee - no other members to see their informa- Next Meeting report yet. Need to contact Jack Mc- tion. There is a link on our website to Nally and get started. Kevin Galeaz USSVI’s website. Due to privacy laws, The next meeting will be held Sat- will get back to the group soon. National can not post your personal urday, November 18 at 1300 at the Old Business - Gary Hildreth was information - the member must ap- VFW in Porstmouth. There will conta ed by Anne Metcalf regarding prove posting of phone, address , etc. be a potluck meal following the the Thresher Memorial Service. Anne 3) New member joined through meeting. All spouses and guests was dating James Phillippi when the national and Larry is in the process of are welcome to attend. Thresher was lost. Due to the time pe- conta ing him - Bruce McKenna of riod, girlfriends were not as welcomed Goffstown. into the family units unlike today’s 4) Memorial Bridge Dedication on Navy. She grieved for 43 years private- October 14. ly and finally purchased a computer 5) Ken Cowan, our new member, is which allowed her to find USSVI planning a reunion for the Augusta. Table of Contents Thresher Base. She conta ed Gary re- If you have planned a reunion, please September Meeting Minutes ...... 1 garding the service, but while traveling share this information with him. New Members ...... 2 from Hartford, CT she was late and 6) Dues will be coming due soon. Eastern D1 Commander ...... 2 missed the service. She felt bad, but 7) Tentative date for Sculpin dedica- Treasurer Needed ...... 2 Gary was ale to make arrangements tion is November 11. As soon as Gary Member Profile ...... 3 for her to participate in the Memorial has more information he will forward To Perpetuate the Memory ...... 4 Day Service at Albacore Park. it to Kevin Galeaz for pulication. It National Database/Website ...... 5 With the help of Larry Oiler, Gary will be located near the Squalus. USS Wahoo ...... 6 was ale to contact the family of 8) Roy Pierce is no longer ale to Admiral Nimitz Foundation ...... 7 James Phillippi which resulted in continue as the base treasurer. He Next Meeting ...... Back Page Anne getting in contact with his has been the treasurer for 16 years. Upcoming Conventions ...Back Page family. She says that this contact has The base must have a treasurer and been very theraputic and would like to Roy is willing to train anyone who is thank Thresher Base. She has also vol- interest ed in taking on this important Page 1 Base News
New Members have assured Ken that it is well worth New Eastern District 1 Welcome aboard Kenneth L. Cowan. the effort. The Cowan’s reside in New Commander Ken reside London, New Hampshire by PW Louthain in New London, Welcome aboard Bruce R. McKenna. It appears that I will continue to New Bruce joined USSVI and THRESHER serve you as ED1 for the next two Hamp- Base Chapter on 20 July. He quali- years. Prior to this time I have been shire and fied in submarines in 1964 on USS filling in for Gib Hanley who had joined CLAMAGORE (SSN 343). Bruce asked for relief due to health concerns. USSVI was an FTB1(SS) and also served on I hope that he is well and that he is and USS JOHN C. CALHOUN (SSBN happy with my service in his stead. THRESH- 630). Bruce and his wife Mary Anne As this is now my watch I will provide ER Base reside in Goffstown, New Hampshire. you with my goals for the term. Chapter Welcome aboard Thomas “Doc” (1) Provide support as needed to as- on 16 September. He qualified in sub- Clayton. Doc joined USSVI and sist Bases and Base Officers in ED 1. marines in 1985 on USS AUGUSTA THRESHER Base Chapter in Sep- (2) Attend at least one meeting per (SSN 710). Ken was an YN2(SS) and tember 2006. He qualified in sub- Base each year (per USSVI C&B). is putting his Yoeman skills to good marines in 1971 on USS HENRY L. (3) Increase communications be- use in planning the first reunion for STIMSON (SSBN 655). Bruce was tween Bases and promote teamwork the AUGUSTA. Planning a subma- an CWO4 and also served on USS for the District. rine reunion requires a significant NATHANAEL GREENE (SSBN A. Promote cross attendance of meet- amount of work, but some of us old 636). Doc and his wife Peg reside in ings and events. timers who have planned reunions Eliot, Maine. B. Promote District buying power and raising of needed funding for Base business. September Minutes continued from page 2 C. Promote shared knowledge for 10) Senior Vice Commander - Larry Young attended and commended the solving prolems and developing ideas. will continue in this roll as long as pos- Razorback Base on a great job. The (4) Help develop new Bases, regular sile. He is needing to provide medical big thing was the push for the Alaska or satellite, as needed. care to his sister which has prevented cruise - they need to sell 150 more (5) Remember and honor our Creed. him from attending some meetings. suites to have “control” of the ship. He apologizes for missing these meet- 13) Tom Young discussed his trip to ings. the Russian Sub Club in St. Peters- 11) National Elections - Very low burg. He received a great welcome and Base Treasurer Needed Due the upcoming resignation of Roy vote return - 14% of 11,000 mem- they were willing to help him in any Pierce, Thresher Base is in need of a bers voted. 15 Bases did not send in way. It is a beautiful city. He keeps in Treasurer. Roy is willing to train any- any votes. Voting was done via paper contact with them. He has received one who is interest ed in this position. ballot this year rather than electroni- some great pictures via email - Christ- Due to the National and IRS regula- cally as last year. It appears that the mas tree on the periscope riding tions, the base must have a treasurer. national has the same issues as local through the water. He will share the Please contact Gary Hildreth if you bases do in terms of finding volunteers website with Kevin Galeaz. are interest ed in this position. to run. Tom Young brought up the Meeting was adjorned. lack of progressing through the ranks in the USSVI organization like other organizations. 12) National Convention - Tom Page 2 Member Profi le
CDR John J. McCarthy, USN, Retired
John was in the Mer- * Served on USS – 1978, where he retired from the chant Marines prior to HOLLAND (AS Navy on 31 January 1978. enlisting in the US Navy 32) in Rota, Spain, in May 1947, where he 1965 – 1968; pro- EDUCATION: BS, MPA, JD served for over 30 years. moted to CWO-2 Synopsis of John’s career and Ensign while CIVILIAN Employment: Technical follows: onboard. Representative with VITRO Labs and * Transferred to ESSEX, both jobs were at Portsmouth * Boot Camp, Great HI MAF, North- Naval Shipyard. Lakes, IL, May 1947. ern I Corps in * Naval Prison, Ports- Vietnam, 1968 OTHER: Served on Volunteer Fire mouth, NH (duty person- – 1969. Served Department, Budget Committee, and nel), 1948 – 1950. While with 1st Marine Board of Selectmen at New Castle, station at Portsmouth he Division and later NH. He was a State Representative did a temporary assign- with for the towns of New Castle, Rye, ment of duty (TAD) tour * 101st Air- and North Hampton, NH. John also on the ex-U505. borne; promoted served 8-years on various state com- * Attended Submarine School. to LTJG. mittees at Concord, NH such as Vice * Served on USS HALFBEAK (SS * Served at Nuclear Power Train- Chair of State Institutions Commit- 352), 1951 – 1953. ing Unit, Windsor, CT, tee, Chairman of * Qualified in Submarines on 1969 – 1972; promoted Judiciary Com- HALFBEAK in April 1952, rating to LT. mittee, Chairman when he qualified was YN2. * Served on Com- of Committee * Served on USS ENTEMEDOR mander Submarine Overseeing Op- (SS 340), 1953 – 1958. Squadron FOURTEEN erations of Rock- * Served on USS ALBACORE Staff in Holy Loch, Scot- ingham County (AGSS569), 1958 – 1961. land, 1972 - 1974. Attorney’s Office, * Transferred to MAAG Nether- * Served on Com- Member of NH lands and joined with ex-ICEFlSH mander Submarine Judicial Council, and ex-HAWKBILL, which we had Squadron TWO Staff in and a Member given to Royal Dutch Navy. 1961 to New London, CT, 1974 of NH Court 1964. – 1974; promoted to Accreditation * Served on USS CORPORAL (SS LCDR in 1974. Commission. Post 346), 1964 - 1965. * Transferred back to Commander for * Served on USS SEA DOG (SS Commander Submarine Veterans of For- 401) until December 1965; promoted Squadron FOURTEEN eign War (VFW) to E-8 and WO1 while onboard. Staff in Holy Loch, Scotland, 1976 in Portsmouth, NH for two terms.
Page 3 To Perpetuate the Memory
Thomas Ed- ing in the naval the U.S.S. Tunny (SS 282), a unit of ward Clements service on April the Pacific Fleet. It was while serving was born on 28, 1959. in Tunny that Thomas became quali- July 17, 1937, He received his fied as a submariner and earned his in Bronx, N.Y. basic training at silver dolphins. He was a ive the U.s. Naval On November 30, 1961, Thomas in scouting Training Center, received his orders and reported for while attending Great Lakes, Ill., duty as a member of the crew of the Roosevelt Junior and attended the nuclear-powered submarine U.S.S. High School in Navy’s electronics Thresher (SSN 593). Thomas had Westfield, N.J. technician School. earned the Navy’s Good Conduct Thomas was He volunteered Medal during his naval service. graduated from for submarine He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Westfield High Thomas Edward Clements duty and success- Elaine Rowland Clements; his mother School, where Electronics Technician Third Class fully completed the and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Warren a ive in sports, United States Navy course of instruc- W. Ball; sisters, Mrs. Joan Neely; Mrs. he earned letters tion at the Subma- Marilyn Sanger; Mrs. Kathleen Van in football and rine School located Lenten, and his paternal grandfather, track. He also was a member of the at the U.S. Naval submarine base, Mr. Thomas Edward Clements, Sr., all choir and the Westfield Boy’s Glee New London, Conn. of New Jersey. Club. After high school he attended His first duty in a submarine was in Montana State College, prior to enlist-
Kenneth James Critchley was born After his dis- children’s bikes, in Saco, Maine, on December 15, charge from the gocarts, and 1918. He attended pulic schools in Army, he returned cars. He was Saco, and was a graduate of Thornton to the Portsmouth also an a ive Academy, Saco, Maine. Naval Ship- member of the A veteran of more than 20 years of yard. Kenneth’s Masonic Lodge. service with the U. S. Naval Shipyard, homelife centered Kenneth is Portsmouth, N.H., Kenneth first around his family, survived by his started as a machinist on August 19, and his hobies. wife, the for- 1940. He was subsequently advanced He was an avid mer Dorothy to his last position of ship progress- photographer, Jane Hood of man machinist in the Progress Branch and liked boat- Dayton, Maine; of the Production Department. ing, hunting, and and a son, Terry During World War II, Kenneth was repairing anything Kenneth James Critchley James. He also called into the service, and served for mechanical. Ken- Ship Progressman Machinist leaves three 2 years with the Supply Corps, U.S. neth was con- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard sisters, and a Army, as a technician, fourth class. stantly repairing brother.
Page 4 USSVI News
USSVI NATIONAL WEBPAGE/DATABASE UPDATES USSVI National Web page National Database (http://ussvi.org) When the USSVI secure member da- your password and logon information, There are features for you to elect tabase was put online, ever member’s designate if you wish to vote online in on-line voting in future elections, in- contact information (Address, Phone future elections, and determine if you stead of paper ballot voting. There are Number, Email) was automatically wish to lock or unlock your Ad- links to the current American Subma- locked from viewing until and unless dress, Phone Number or Email. riner Magazine if you haven’t received the member either (1) changed his You can look up other members by it, and there is the ability for you to privacy status in the database (how clicking on the [USSVI MEMBERS] update your information in the Na- to do that below) or (2) asked his base button. tional Database for address changes, membership chairman to do that for Warning: if a member has opted to high rate, boats served on, etc. etc. him. not have their information displayed, When you get to the USSVI Web When member ‘unlocks’ his infor- you will not see it. In this case, do not page to do all of this you must log on, mation, it is only accessile to other contact us asking for it. If it is locked, and select member profile. registered USSVI members and is we will not release a member’s infor- One of the things the members NOT accessile to the general pulic. mation, no matter what the reason. pushed for was to not have your ad- The database uses a secure password/ It is particularly important that the dresses and emails open to the mem- login method to prevent unauthorized Base Officers and POCs all unlock bership of U.S. SUBVETS unless you access to membership information, in their information as they are the ecifically went in and selected it to much the same way as does the NSL, conduit through which potential new be opened. That way in the interests USNA and many other organizations members can contact the base. As of your privacy if you didn’t want with a online membership directory this notice is written, there are a large your information released, it would system. number of this group of officers who not be released unless you ecifically One of the primary reasons we still have their information locked. decided to have it released. all joined USSVI is to seek out and When you log onto the USSVI.ORG maintain contact with our submariner Questions? Call or email me. homepage and visit the MEMBER shipmates, and keeping your informa- PROFILE button, under the PASS- tion locked prevents that from hap- Pat Householder WORD tab you have the following pening. (425) 392-0440 options.” Please visit http://ussvi.org and go [email protected] Vote Online vs. paper ballots in these to the upper left corner to click on elections National, Region, District. [MEMBER LOGIN]. If you are a The same section under Privacy Op- current member and don’t already tions allows you to choose whether to know your password, click on the line permit your Address/Phone number that says If you don’t know or remem- and/or email to appear in the “mem- ber your password? (click here) You’ll bers only” online membership direc- be asked a few questions to confirm tory. your identify and your access informa- This section is also availale to you tion will be immediately presented to from the membership database under you on screen. the member’s WEBPAGE tab. By clicking on the [MY PROFILE] If you have any comments or ques- button, you can then review and tion? Please contact Pat Householder update your own member profile. NJVC, telephone (425) 392-0440, The privacy options are under the e-mail [email protected] PASSWORD tab. You can change
Page 5 USSVI News
USS Wahoo found by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Pulic Affairs Wahoo; his total was second only to PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) October upon Wahoo’s departure his own executive officer, Richard H. -- Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet from the Sea of Japan through the Kane. Retired Rear Adm. Kane went declared Oct. 31 that the sunken sub- Kurile Island chain. No such contact on to command USS Tang (SS 306) marine recently discovered by divers was made. Following an aerial search and to receive the Medal of Honor. in the West ern Pacific is, indeed, the of the area, Wahoo was officially re- Noted naval historian Theodore Ros- World War II submarine USS Wahoo ported missing Nov. 9, 1943. coe described Morton as an undersea (SS 238). At the time, the loss of Wahoo was ace in his book Submarine Operations “After reviewing the records and believed due to mines or a faulty in World War II information, we are certain USS torpedo. But Japanese reports later Few skippers equaled Morton’s ini- Wahoo has been located,” said Adm. stated that one of its planes had tiative, and none had a larger reserve Gary Roughead, the U.S. Pacific Fleet spotted an American submarine in of nerve, Roscoe wrote. Combining commander. We are grateful for the the La Perouse Strait Oct. 11, 1943. capability with dynamic aggressive- support of the USS Bowfin Submarine These reports indicate a multi-hour ness, Morton feared nothing on or Museum and Park, and appreciate combined sea and air attack involving under the sea. greatly the underwater video foot- depth charges and aerial bombs finally The discovery of Wahoo is the age of the submarine provided by our sunk Wahoo. culmination of more than a decade Russian navy colleagues, which al- Japan Maritime Self Defense Force of work by an international team lowed us to make this determination. retired Vice Adm. Kazuo Ueda assist- dedicated to finding the ill-fated This brings closure to the families of ed the group with providing historical submarine. In 2004, electronic surveys the men of Wahoo - one of the great- records from the Imperial Japanese sponsored by a major international est fighting submarines in the history Navy that identified the location energy company (The Sakhalin En- of the U.S. Navy.” where Wahoo was sunk. ergy Investment Corporation) identi- In July, the Russian dive team pho- We, the families of Wahoo, recognize fied the likely site. tographed wreckage lying in about the historical scholarship and support The Bowfin Museum in Hawaii 213 feet (65 meters) of water in the provided by the Japan Maritime Self worked with the team as an indepen- La Perouse (Soya) Strait between the Defense Force. We would also like to dent scrutineer to ensure the project Japanese island of Hokkaido and the send our thanks to the U.S. Navy for was done correctly and will serve as a Russian island of Sakhalin. The divers their diligence in finding and identify- central repository for all the Wahoo were working with The Wahoo Proj- ing the USS Wahoo, said Doug Mor- Project’s findings, according to mu- ect Group, an international team of ton, son of Dudley Walker Morton. seum executive director, submariner, experts coordinated by Bryan MacK- The Morton family is thrilled that and retired Navy Capt. Jerry Hofwolt. innon, a relative of Wahoo’s famed there will be closure to the loss of our This is the right thing to do for the skipper, Cmdr. Dudley W. âMorton. father, added Morton, who also spoke families, Hofwolt said. We want to be I am very pleased to be part of an ef- on behalf of his sister, Edwina Thirsh- ale to tell people that this is where fort where old adversaries have joined er and her family. The loss of a famous your loved ones are and to be a clear- together as friends to find the Wahoo, submariner who was loved by his fam- inghouse for all of the information said MacKinnon. ily and crew has been very difficult. about this and other lost submarines. Wahoo was last heard from Sept. 13, During Wahoo’s rare foray in the Hofwolt said the museum is making 1943, as the Gato-class submarine de- Sea of Japan, Morton reportedly sunk plans to host a memorial ceremony to parted the island of Midway en route at least four Japanese ships. For the honor the crew members, most likely to the dangerous, yet important, Sea patrol, Morton was posthumously in October 2007. of Japan. Under strict radio silence, awarded the Navy Cross his fourth. Officials with the Pacific Fleet Morton and his crew proceeded as Morton is credited with sinking 19 Submarine Force reviewed ordered. Radio contact was expected ships totaling nearly 55,000 tons dur- to be regained with Midway in late ing his four patrols in command of continued on page 7 Page 6 USSVI News
USS Wahoo contnued fromv page 6 National Museum of the Pacific War analysis and photos provided by the We owe a great debt of gratitude The Nimitz Museum in Fredericks- Bowfin Museum and agreed the to the brave men on Wahoo and to burg, Texas (home of ADM Chest er wreck is Wahoo. The wreck had all of our WWII submariners who W. Nimitz) is now the National several chara eristics consistent with performed so magnificently during Museum of the Pacific War. It will Wahoo, and the submarine was found the war. Much of our submarine force undergo a nine million dollar expan- very near those reported in Imperial heritage, and many of our traditions, sion financed with government funds. Japanese Navy records. Photographs can be traced back to their legacy, Purpose of the Nimitz Foundation, are availale at warfish.com and one- said Rear Adm. Jay Donnelly, deputy tax-deductile 501(c)(3), not-for- ternalpatrol.com. General informa- commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. One of profit organization, is use of private tion about the USS Wahoo Project is my favorite quotes is from Fleet Adm. funds to create a Submarine Memo- availale at usswahoo.org. Chest er Nimitz who, after the war, rial. The Memorial will provide a Wahoo is believed to be near the site said: We salute those gallant officers tribute to submarine officers and sail- of the Russian submarine L-19, possi- and men of our submarines who lost ors who served in WWII, those who ly sunk by mines in late August 1945 their lives in that long struggle. We have served, are currently serving and after Japan had surrendered. Based shall never forget our submariners future generations in our Navy. on the information made availale to that held the lines against the enemy Of course, we know Fleet Admiral them by The Wahoo Project Group, while our fleets replaced losses and Chest er A. Nimitz was a Five Star Ad- the Russian team wished to confirm repaired wounds. miral, Commander-in-Chief Pacific the site was Wahoo an d not the L-19. According to Pacific Fleet submarine Fleet, co-equal to General McArthur, According to The Wahoo Project history, the submarine force remained but first, last and always a Submari- Group Web site, the group has offered intact following the attack on Pearl ner. To paraphrase ADM Nimitz: continued assistance to the Russian Harbor. It became clear at that time “Our gallant submarine personnel government in finding that submarine the submarine fleet would take the filled the breach after Pearl Harbor, as well. fight to the enemy. By war’s end, sub- and can claim credit, not only for In addition to the ceremony to be marines had supported all major fleet holding the line, but also for carrying held in Pearl Harbor, U.S. Navy of- operations and made more than 1,600 the war to the enemy while our shat- ficials are planning an at-sea, wreath- war patrols. Pacific Fleet submarines, tered forces repaired damages.” laying service sometime next year like Wahoo, accounted for 54 percent Approximately $250,000 is the goal to pay tribute to Wahoo. If it can be o f all enemy shipping sunk during the to help build this privately funded arranged, a combined service with war. Success was costly. Fifty-two sub- memorial. Bids will be sent to several the Russians and Japanese to honor marines were lost, and nearly 3,600 museum designers and architects Wahoo and the Russian submarine submariners remain on Eternal Patrol. shortly to determine the final design, L-19, as well as the re ective Japanese which will be configured around the losses, is also a possibility. conning tower (fairwater) of the USS The Navy has no plans to salvage or PINTADO. Donations can be mailed enter the Wahoo wreck. Naval tradi- to: tion has long held that the sea is a fit- Admiral Nimitz Foundation ting final resting place for Sailors lost WWII Submarine Memorial at sea. The Sunken Military Craft Act 328 Main Street protects military wrecks, such as Wa- Fredericksburg, TX 78624 hoo, from unauthorized disturbance. Wahoo’s discovery comes on the heels of a similar discovery of USS Lagarto (SS 371), which the Navy confirmed was found in the Gulf of Thailand in June. Page 7 THRESHER Base United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. c/o Kevin Galeaz 1465 Hooksett Road #239 Hooksett, NH 03106
Next Thresher Base Meeting Saturday, November 18, 2006 @ 1300 Portsmouth VFW • Deer Street, Portsmouth
USSVI Thresher Base Upcoming USSVI Thresher Base was chartered States Government.” USSVI Conventions on 15 November 1989 in the memory of The base newsletter, Threshe Base those 129 gallant men who at 9:17 AM News, and base website, www.threshe- Here is a list of next three USSVI on 10 April 1963 lost their lives in the base.org, are used to inform the mem- performance of their duties aboard USS bership and community about meet- Conventions so you can start making THRESHER (SSN 593). ing happenings and upcoming events. plans to attend. Our mission is “to perpetuate the Any member who has information to memory of our shipmates who gave share with the membership is encour- 2007 - Alaska their lives in the pursuit of their duties aged to submit articles to the editor 2008 - Dallas while serving their country. That their for pulishing. Send submissions to dedication, deeds and supreme sacri- Kevin Galeaz, Editor, 1465 Hooksett 2009 - San Diego fice be a constant source of motivation Road #239, Hooksett, NH 03106 or toward greater accomplishments. Pledge [email protected]. loyalty and patriotism to the United Page 8