USSVI Th resher Base News November 2005 James Kondrat Passes Away James “Jim” Kondrat, 86, died Au- For many years he lived in Kittery, leader for 4-H. gust 29, 2005. He was born in Chicago Maine, while stationed at the Ports- The family includes four sons James on June 24, 1917 son of Zigmund mouth Naval Station. He retired in P. Kondrat of Middleton, Thomas and Katrina Kondrat. He grew up in 1961 and moved to Freedom, NH, Z. Kondrat and Michael S. Kondrat, Grand Rapids, Michigan where he where he started a home maintenance both of Freedom and Peter A. Kon- attended school and worked in his business taking care of summer cot- drat of Conway; his dog, Hunter; father’s store. He joined the U.S. Navy tages and camps around the lake. He grandchildren; nieces and nephews. before the outbreak of World War was a master plumber and electrician. He was predeceased by a daughter II. During the war he saw a ion as a Mr. Kondrat was a founder and past Kathy Kondrat. submariner in the Pacific Theatre and president of Southern Maine Archers A Memorial Mass was held at St. Jo- was chief on the USS Pacuda. He was Assocation and was past president seph Catholic Church, Center Ossipee awarded the Bronze Star by Adminal and a ive member of Squalis Chap- on Thursday, September 8. Donations Chest er Nimitz, as well as receiving ter of the World War II Sub-Vets may be made to Conway Area Hu- numerous other awards and commen- Association. He belonged to Freedom mane Society, 123 East Main Street, dations. Community Club and had been a Conway, 03818 Paul M. Ilsley on Eternal Patrol Paul Moody Ilsley, U.S. Navy, re- riner and was inducted into the Hol- He was also a member of the First tired, 91, of Atkinson, died Thursday, land Club in 1992 after qualifying in Baptist Church of Plaistow, the Aug. 25, 2005 in Exeter. submarine service more than 50 years. Plaistow Historical Society, the Sons Born on the Ilsley family homest ead His several medals and awards and Daughters of the First Settlers of in Newbury, Mass,, he was the son included the World War II Victory Newbury, Mass., and past treasurer of of the late Paul H. and Charlotte A. Medal, American Defense Medal the Association of Historical Societies (Child) Ilsley and graduated from with Bronze Star, The American Area of New Hampshire. Newburyport High School with the Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Continued on page 4. Class of 1931. Campaign Medal, National Defense He joined the U.S.Navy in 1934 Medal, Korean Service Medal, and and served as a chief warrant officer U.N. Service Medal. 3rd class during World War II and Following his discharge from the the Korean conflict. He attended the Navy after 24 years of service, he Table of Contents Norfolk Naval School and served worked as the captain of a ferry boat James Kondrat Passes Away ............ 1 aboard several ships including the USS at Newport Beach, Calif. He returned Paul Ilsley on Eternal Patrol ............ 1 Roper, USS Argonaut, and USS Mont to New England in 1990 and has been July Meeting Minutes ........................ 2 Vernon. He also served as bosun’s a resident of Atkinson for the past September Meeting Minutes ........... 3 assistant aboard the USS Charo and several years. Base News .............................................. 4 as officer in charge of the USS PC780 Mr. Ilsley was a member of the U.S. To Perpetuate the Memory ............. 5 Training Ship. Submarine Veterans’ Inc. Tin Can Subvet WWII News ........................... 6 Following World War II, he served Sailors, Thresher Base in Portsmouth, USSVI News ......................................... 7 in Japan as captain of an oiler with the National Association of Fleet Next Meeting .......................Back Page the rank of commander of the sea and Tugs, the Navy League, the Carl Davis Upcoming Conventions ...Back Page later trained as a hard hat diver at the Post of the American Legion, Plaist- US Naval Training School of Salvage ow, and a charter member of the Navy Officers. He served as a Naval subma- Memorial Foundation. Page 1 July Lobsterbake Joint Meeting Minutes Commander’s Message The July meeting of Thresher Base WWII Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Greetings, was a joint meeting with the WWII reports were read. Negotiations to Well, how quickly the days of Sum- mer pass and now we’re into what I Subvets at name a feel is the best time of the year. The the Seabrook bridge temperature is comfortale during the American between day and cool at night, making for some Legion. The Stratham great Fall weather. I always seem to meeting was and start these messages off with talk of the called to or- Newfields weather, and why not? After all, when you live in New England the weather is der followed after constantly changing and a great start- by a prayer WWII ing point for any conversation. and pledge of Subvets - Speaking of changing, our Septem- allegiance. bill before ber meeting was held on the fourth A sound NH state Saturday of the month rather than off of all congress our traditional third Saturday of the those present WWII and Threshe Base members participate in in January 2006. month and our location changed to the July 2005 meeting accomodate some of our on the other was conducted: Lost boat plaque side of the state. Kevin arranged for Larry Oiler, Phil Gouzie, Michael bids have been more than expected. our meeting to be conducted at the Geletka, Bill Grady, Bob Atkins, Trying to work with National to pay American Legion, Merrill Follansbee Luther Perkins, Gordon Weitzell, a portion of the plaque and memo- Post #37 in Hooksett, New Hamp- Jack Ryan, James Butterworth, Real rial for Boscawin Cemetary. It will shire. I personally think this was Cyr, Armand Legare, Adam Balwi- probaly cost us $10,000 for 2 plaques. a great idea since our membership erzak, Bill Seaward, Ed Taff, Gene A card was passed around for Bob reaches out to such a broad area. The only prolem is getting use to the Guilbiault, George Thomas, George Coates, who has Parkinson’s and is change. We will have to try it out a Albert, Waldo Rankin, Donald Baker, unale to attend meetings. Paul Ilsley couple of times though to get a good Carl McCargo, Bob Flannery, John is ill and is not doing well. Grave read on the idea. This is your senior Taylor, Fred Pietrowski, Bill Severn, markers 5” x 3” are availale for $40. leadership’s attempt to be fair on the John Cavanagh, Bob Cellupica, Harry Sample was availale to view. travel for all members. McCleevy, Kevin Galeaz, Carl We- Thresher Base minutes of May’s Our meeting with our WWII Shipmates at the annual Lobster Bake ber, John Brazil, Nick Calderso, Dave meeting were read by Kevin Galeaz. was a huge success. We may not have Dickey. I apologize for any elling Gary must be stuck in traffic. completed a lot of business, but you errors, it was difficult reading some Larry will contact Jack McNally, can’t beat the company for a great signatures. Continued on page 3 afternoon, and to me that is why I am a member of Subvets. I think the annual Lobster Bake is one of our best times together and I wouldn’t change a thing. Kevin and Robin have agreed to head up the event for next year as our WWII vets have requested we relieve them of the arrangements. Thanks Kevin and Robin. As most of you are aware, Kevin and Robin are always volunteering for something to help keep Thresher Base afloat. I really appreciate that, as I am sure you all do too. Well, that’s about it for now. Gary Hildreth While aiting fo lunch, there as an opportunity to gathe everyone togethe fo this group photo. Page 2 September Meeting Minutes The September meeting was held • Kevin Galeaz read the Secretary’s at the American Legion Hall in Report. Hooksett, NH. The meeting was • Paul Ilsley passed away on August called to order followed by introduc- 25. Bill Tebo, Gary Hildreth, Larry tions of those present. A ecial wel- Oiler attended the service. come was given to new member, John • Holland Club - Ed Storer will be Gill, USS Dialo. inducted at the next meeting. • Roy Pierce gave the Treasurer’s • January 2006 will be a combined Report. meeting with WWII Subvets and May 21, 2005 balance $5009.54 recognition of Senior Submariners. Base Expenses -11.12 This new award will recognize those Newsletter expenses -140.84 members who qualified prior to 1949. Interest credit +1.71 The following individuals will be rec- Dues received +60.00 ognized in January: Bob Bryant; Mike Sept. 24, 2005 balance $4908.84 Geletka; Paul Ilsley; Don McIssac; Ar- mand Minutelli; Roy Pierce prepares fo the Septembe Bill Seaward; meeting in Hooksett, NH. Carl Weber; Base making a donation to the Chari- Bill Tebo. tale Foundation for the Brotherhood • The National Fund for the Katrina Relief. 1) Gary Office of USSVI recommended $100 2)Larry recom- gave $10,400 mended $200. A discussion was held to the Salva- as to whether there were enough tion Army for members present to hold a Quorum the Hurricane and make this decision. It was deter- Katrina Relief mined that atleast 5 members must be Fund. present with 2 of those present being • Discussion was officers. A vote was held and it was then held about decided to donate $200. Thresher • The meeting was adjourned.