Volume 2010 - Issue 2 Page 1 Volume 2010 Issue 2 $5.95 AMERICAN SUBMARINER OUR CREED: “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the 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 of America and its Constitution” NEVER FORGOTTEN 65 Boats and 4,000 Submariner shipmates Please see page 31 USS Scorpion SSN-589 USS Thresher SSN-593 99 Shipmates on board 129 Shipmates on board “All Hands Lost” Last Boat lost “All Hands Lost” Most men lost Turtle; first built, first lost - USS Sealion SS-194 USS Bullhead SS-332 no loss of life First Submarine lost in WW-II 84 Shipmates on board 4 Men Lost (6) “All Hands Lost” Last Submarine lost in WW-II Receive your American Submariner Electronically - More magazine, delivered earlier. Send an E-mail to [email protected] requesting the change. Page 2 American Submariner PRE-ORDER NOW! 2011 United States Submarine Veterans Calendar World-Class Diesels SUPPORT YOUR ORGANIZATION! AllAll proceeds proceeds bene benefit t USSVI USSVI operatons operations andand projectsprojects e 2011 Submarine Veterans calendar focuses on the world’s most deadly Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) diesel submarines. Although the U.S. Navy no longer uses diesel powered submarines, many of the world's navies are either constructing or using Air Independent Propulsion non-nuclear submarines. Quiet and deadly, their shortcomings are speed and ‘legs’. Employed as guardians at the world’s shipping choke points where speed and the ability to travel long distances are unimportant, the AIP boats are a very deadly and silent adversary. e loss dates for all U.S. submarines sunk or destroyed are listed in addition to other historic dates in both U.S. Submarine Veteran and U.S. naval submarine history. Individual calendars are 9.95+2.00 shipping. Reserve yours today by sending your check or money order made payable to “USSVI” to: Huey Hahn USSVI National Storekeeper P.O. Box 122, Husser, LA 70442-0122 &NBJM4VCIVFZ!BPMDPNt5FMFQIPOF Contact Huey Hahn for information on quantity discounts. Volume 2010 - Issue 2 Page 3 “This Edition” AMERICAN 4. National Commander’s Corner 34. 451 New Members 6. BoD - Committees 32. Boise Base K4K SUBMARINER 7. USSVI Information Regions & Districts 40. Boat Sponsorship Program 8. Letters to the Editor 43. Building Fund The Official Magazine of the United States 10. Lost Boats Criteria 44. Navy Combat Training Submarine Veterans Inc. is published 14. US Submarine Losses 47. Frenchie, the cook - Sweet Lunch quarterly by USSVI. 16 Boat Reunions 48. NC Base & WW-II Sub Vets United States Submarine Veterans Inc. is 17. USS Tullibee SS-284 Patrol Report 49. OakRidge Boys get Lucky ! a non-profit 501 C-19 corporation in the 22. Chaplain’s Corner - Eternal Patrol 51. Swearing at Tullibee Base - St Marvin State of Connecticut. 24. 2010 USSVI Cinncinati Convention 52. WW-II Memorial Dedication Printing: A. J. Bart of Dallas, Texas. 26. 2010 USSVI Proposed Amendments 53. Class Ads 30. About the Cover 54. Patriot Legacy Mailing: Dalton Mailing Service 55. PLEASE READ ! National Editor CANDIDATE STATEMENTS ARE ON VARIOUS PAGES T. Michael Bircumshaw THROUGHOUT THE MAGAZINE - PLEASE READ ALSO ! Editorial Office BE SURE TO VOTE ! American Submariner POB 892616 Shipmates, Temecula, CA 92589-2616 Toll Free 951-795-4315 Please carefully read the statements made by the National Officer and Regional [email protected] Director Candidates in this issue of the magazine. Your understanding of the issues, the candidates, and your VOTE will determine not only the immediate future of ADVERTISING USSVI, but will impact on all that will follow for the next 46 years and beyond. Toll Free 951-795-4315 [email protected] I must take a moment to thank ETCM (SS) William (Bill) Fernstrom. He is a friend, a brother, and a tremendous Shipmate. Bill has been on board with me Assistant Editor since I took over the American Submariner, five years ago from my good buddy, Michael R. Hyman Jim Terrel. He has been the Treasurer of the Scamp Base and the Treasurer of the Associate Editors American Submariner and the Opportunity Drawing. Being Base Treasurer of a William Fernstrom Base that is growing every day is challenge enough, keeping up with the finances David Kauppinen - Bob Miller of the Boat Sponsorship Program, and the Advertisers and the expenses of the Gil Shaddock - Kit Carson American Submariner is pretty much equivalent to a Phd in Accounting. Treasurer Bill has worked diligently and professionally while under extreme stress and the Hugh “Blackie” Blackwell duress of having lost his home in the 2007 California fires, rebuilding his home, Photographer and now undergoing chemo and radiation for one of those dreaded throat things Robert “Bob” Bissonette that get in the way of getting down any Lobster or Prime Rib or yelling at the Editor for any reason at all. (I’m thrilled to report that he is recovering nicely) Staff Artist Bill is one of my heroes. He is a Mainiac (comes from Gray, Maine) and was one Tom Denton The American Submariner is not responsible day amazed to discover that I belonged to the “Gray (Maine) Post” of the American for the claims of the Advertisers, however the Legion. Don’t you think that stirred up some serious discussion between us? primary focus of this publication is for the He has always been there for the American Submariner and USSVI.. Bill gives benefit and service to USSVI members. special meaning to the word “Shipmate”. Thanks Bill, you’re the best! Issues concerning Advertisers may be sent Fraternally, Michael to the Editorial Staff for mediation. T Michael Bircumshaw - National Editor & Publisher . CHANGE OF ADDRESS AMERICAN SUBMARINER SUBMISSION DEADLINES Change of address is handled by your Base Membership Chairman or the USSVI Main Edition 2010-2 March 15, Edition 2010-3 May 15, Edition 2010-4 October 15 Office in Silverdale, Washington. Edition 2011-1 December 15. Articles received after the indicated deadlines may Call: 877-542-DIVE not be considered for publishing in the next scheduled edition of the magazine. or Send an E-Mail to: All articles are published at the sole discretion of the Editor. [email protected] and if you only have stamps, snail it to: American Submariner PO BOX 3870 AMERICAN SUBMARINER COPYRIGHT 2010 Silverdale, WA 98383-3870 The and all material therein is copyrighted under the American Submariner If the above instructions are too complicated, laws of the United States of America and any reproduction in any form, analog then send your change of address to the or digital, without the written permission of the Editor is forbidden by law. All Editor; but whatever you do, send it! permitted reproduction requires acknowledgement of source; Author and the American Submariner. Thanks for reading the American Submariner. Thank you for your Service. Page 4 American Submariner National Commander’s Corner Becuna, Cod, Croaker, Lionfish, Batfish If you are one of the fortunate ones who Pat Householder and Razorback. Cold Warriors like Nau- live close to a museum sub, lend a hand National Commander tilus, Growler, Blueback, Ling, Requin, and become a ‘docent’ (a fancy word for Clamagore, and specialty subs like a expert guide) to explain for the visitors Albacore, Dolphin and Marlin. the rigors and reality of submarine life. The visitors will get far more out of the I hope you will visit some or all of these visit and you will enjoy the opportunity to magnificent beauties of our shared past. buff up your sea stories. If your base has A walk through their crowded passage- a cadre of volunteers that carry out work ways will stir your pride and release parties, get involved! These musuem proud memories of days gone by never boats need your expertise and talent. to return again. Not sure how to proceed but want to In most cases these naval museums op- help? Visit http://www.submarinemu- erate on shoestring budgets where dif- seums.org/ or contact me at househol- ficult decisions about maintenance must [email protected] and I’ll steer you in be made based on available resources, the right direction.. both in manpower and in dollars. In 25003 SE 146th St. some cases you will be saddened when Issaquah, WA. 98027 you see the deterioration and neglect some have suffered. Missing switches Jon Jaques 425-392-0440 Senior Vice Commander [email protected] and valve handles, weathered paint and pitted hulls bear silent testimony to Shipmates, a lack of proper care. Retired Submarines on Display: You Ask yourself, “What can I do to help and I care about these retired sub- preserve any of the museum boats?” marines because they are part of our personal history. They tell our collective There is a dedicated cadre of willing stories and are a tribute to all the silent USSVI subvets who live in the right warriors of the United States Submarine places and have the time to devote force, both living and on eternal patrol. some of their time to maintain these boats, and bless them for their dedica- For submarine sailors, there are no mon- tion, but they represent a tiny fraction of 752 S Church St. uments to valor scattered on the ocean our membership. Murfreesboro, TN 37130 battlefields of the world. There is only 615-893-7800 The rest of us can and must do more the vast blue-black deeps where young [email protected] men, now forever young, fought their last to protect our legacy, but when you live battle against an implacable foe.