Sole Survivor of USS Tullibee Speaks About Being A
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Volume 10, Number 11 • November 2014 Sole Survivor of USS Tullibee Speaks About Being a POW - The Sun Herald OCEAN SPRINGS -- The last thing Cliff Kuykendall remembers hearing before the explosion was a crewmate saying, “Well, there they go. We’ll see what happens now.” “We found out about 20 seconds later,” Kuykendall said Monday. “Boom.” When Kuykendall came to -- possibly a few minutes later, he’s not sure -- he watched helplessly as his submarine, the USS Tullibee (SS 284), slowly sank into the Pacific Ocean and out of sight. November 15th Meeting USS Tullibee (SS-284) Same location as October meeting, “I thought, ‘Oh my God, I just lost my home,’” he said. “It was a long way from there to i.e., American Legion Post 295, Wichita Falls, Texas.” Cypress, CA Kuykendall, the 2014 Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade grand marshal, was a 19-year- old submariner in the early hours of March 26, 1944, when the Tullibee launched two The renovation of Bldg. 6, regular torpedoes meant for a Japanese transport ship. Instead, the torpedoes ran a circular route meeting place for the base on and struck the submarine. the Seal Beach Naval Weapons He was the lone survivor of a crew of 80. Station on Seal Beach Blvd., is “The concussion was terrific. I was on the starboard during lookout. It was a real dark not yet completed. Ihe interior is night, drizzling. I was almost unconscious,” he recalled as he stood in front of the USS done, but exterior amenities are Tullibee memorial in Ocean Springs. “I remember looking down and I could see the stern still being installed such as the of the submarine gradually go below the waves. Those World War II diesel submarines walkway from street to bldg. were 312 feet long and I must have been way up there in the air, I don’t know. When I came to, I was submerged in the ocean. We will meet at American Legion “I fought my way to the surface. I had swallowed so much water that I could taste salt and Post 295, 5646 Corporate diesel fuel for at least a year after that.” Avenue, Cypress, CA, same Kuykendall said he could hear voices for about 10 minutes after he regained as last month. See page 4 for consciousness. Then nothing. meeting details. He floated for several hours alone, except for an empty Sunkist orange crate that bumped Marilyn Senior advises us that into him. national and base dues are due NLT 31 December, 2014. Continued on Page 9 THE PERISCOPE • November 2014 1 From the Wardroom . Dave Vanderveen, Base Commander Shipmates and Ladies, Los Angeles/Pasadena Base is among the strongest in the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. That is largely due to the high level of participation among our members, and to the continuing stewardship by our World War II veterans, many of whom established our Base. During the six years I’ve belonged to LA/Pasadena Base, we’ve also been fortunate to have committed and capable leadership. I have worked directly with them the past four years and have been impressed with their consistent focus on keeping our Base strong and honorable, and on finding new ways to increase membership and our visibility in the community. I join you in expressing thanks to our most recent leadership group as they move on to new adventures; Base Commander Chuck Senior, Vice Commander Rob Fleming, Secretary Phil Jaskoviak, and Memorial Director Ed Barwick. A hearty “Bravo Zulu” to you fellows! Our new leadership group has a fine example to follow, and I assure you we will continue to keep LA/Pasadena Base strong and honorable, and will work to attract new members to help us grow. Recently, George and Valerie Walrath did a marvelous job hosting a reunion of John C. Calhoun SSBN 630, one of the boats on which I invested some of my much younger years. As I renewed acquaintances, and met people who served in other years, I was reminded why I enjoyed the submarine service so much. It was and is made up of solid, capable people of character, most of whom are mindful of the accomplishments and sacrifices made by our submariners in World War II. As we meet to socialize and to do the Base’s work, please keep our World War II brothers and our common legacy in your mind and heart. Whatever your job and the era in which you served on the boats, enjoy being proud that you are a submariner! Have a safe, healthy and Happy Thanksgiving! Fraternally, Dave Vanderveen Commander, LA/Pasadena Base, USSVI THE PERISCOPE • November 2014 2 USSVI LA/Pasadena Base October 18, 2014 General Meeting Minutes Sailing List October 18, 2014 Arnold, Ed Senior, Chuck Arnold, Judy Senior, Marilyn This month’s meeting was held at the American Legion Hall, Bolton, Herb “Bo” Silverman, Hal Post 295, in Cypress as Building 6 continues to be renovated. Bell, Bob Silverman, Karen Base Commander, Chuck Senior, called the USSVI LA/ Bott, Dennis Pasadena Base general meeting to order at 1205 hours. Staggs, Harold Burnett, James Thirty-eight members and guests attended our October Stephenson, Peter 18, 2014 meeting, saluted the flag and recited the Pledge of Butler, Larry Swanson, Mike Allegiance led by Chief of the Boat Dennis Bott. Dennis also Conboy, Bob Terry, Carl delivered the invocation prayer followed by a moment of Conboy, Elena Van Devender, Ben silence for all our departed shipmates and lost crewmen on Derrico, Joe * eternal patrol. Vanderveen, Dave Dorn, Ken Members and guests enjoyed a catered luncheon by Katella Walrath, George Deli. As in the past the food was excellent. A special thanks Fleming, Rob Walrath, Valerie to Hal Silverman for his assistance with the luncheon. Fordham, Hank Walsh, Dennis This month’s two $55 - 50/50 drawing winners were Jim Higa, Anne Walsh, Kathy Burnett and George Waltath. George kindly donated his Higa, Sam Whittlesey, Dave winnings to the Flower Fund. Koch, Joe Whittlesey, Kathy Chuck welcomed new member Joe Derrico, MM2 (SS), USS Mahan, Jack Wilson, Art Archerfish (SS 678), and a visitor from Carolina Piedmont Mahan, Marlene Base, Peter Stephenson. Chuck also recognized our Poet Yolken, Berry Laureate David Rosenfeld who was in attendance. Maynard, Mark Chuck also presented the first of many longevity pins to Moak, Bill * new members fellow shipmates Mike Swanson (1 year), Larry Butler (5 Rosenfeld, David * ** District Commander years), Paul Riggs (5 years) and Ben VanDevender (5 years). Schive, Bob ** Congratulations to all. At 1240 hours a call to order was made by USSVI West District Commander, Bob Schive, from the Bonefish Base, to begin the process of installing our 2015 Officers and Board of Directors. The newly elected officers and directors were called front and center. They raised their right hands and were sworn in as they recited the oath of office. Congratulations were extended to all those elected members and again we thank the outgoing officers and directors for their years of service. Bob spoke for a few minutes on better communication between the western bases. Incoming Base Commander, Dave Vanderveen’s first official duty was to thank Chuck for all he had accomplished over the past year especially with the remodeling of Bldg. 6 and leading the base membership to temporary meeting locations. Regarding Bldg. 6, Dave informed the membership the new Sea Lab construction has been delaying our re-occupying Bldg. 6. Most recent information is that a walkway has to be constructed up to Bldg. 6 that will meet ADA requirements. Continued on Page 6 THE PERISCOPE • November 2014 3 November Meeting Treasurer’s Report As of November 7, 2014 our account balances are: PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: Meeting is at the American Legion Post, Checking: $ 14,768.32 5646 Corporate Avenue, Cypress, CA. Savings: 4,699.87 (See attached map) - same as last month Total: $19,468.19 Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014 Location: AL Post, 5646 Corporate Avenue, Cypress, CA Revenue for the month was $622.50, and expens was $337.90. All supplier accounts have been paid up-to-date, and all Time: 1100 – E-Board Mtg. and Social Hour National dues were forwarded to USSVI. 1200 – Pot luck Lunch A-H - Main Dish I-R - Dessert Respectfully submitted, S-Z - Salad or Vegetable Dave Vanderveen, 1300 - General Meeting Acting Treasurer LA-Pasadena Base/USSVI Ship’s Store Our storekeeper, Berry Yolken, will display available stores during the October meeting such as hats, shirts, belts, pins, etc. Support the base by buying from Berry. Contact him, Welcome Newest Member before you buy any of these items on line or from a source other than your USSVI base. ([email protected]) LA-Pasadena Base/USSVI David Rosenfeld Welcome aboard, David. Ed and Judy Arnold Mel Mares * Mike Cailor * Mark Maynard * Bob Conboy Bill Moak Ken Dorn Mike Swanson * Bach Fleming Dave Vanderveen Rob Fleming George Walrath * Jack Herron Dennis Walsh* Sam Higa * Berry Yolken * Michael Kish * Kenneth Loveless * Flower Fund Contributors Jack Mahan* THE PERISCOPE • November 2014 4 Have A Cup Of Coffee With Me I like mine black and bitter Hal Silverman, Past-Vcdr LA/Pasadena Base USSVI Wow!! All of a sudden this year is almost over. The nice thing about it, is a chance for family and friends to get together and wish each other good health, happiness and prosperity. On the downside to the holiday season we are inundated with a million catalogs. I pity the poor mail- man that has to carry all of the stuff around. I have talked to our mail carrier and at the end of the holiday season, he is a beat puppy.