Sole Survivor of USS Tullibee Speaks About Being a

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
Same location as October meeting,
i.e., American Legion Post 295,
Cypress, CA
The renovation of Bldg. 6, regular
meeting place for the base on
the Seal Beach Naval Weapons
Station on Seal Beach Blvd., is
not yet completed. Ihe interior is
done, but exterior amenities are
still being installed such as the
walkway from street to bldg.
We will meet at American Legion
Post 295, 5646 Corporate
Avenue, Cypress, CA, same
as last month. See page 4 for
meeting details.
Marilyn Senior advises us that
national and base dues are due
NLT 31 December, 2014.
USS Tullibee (SS-284)
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, I just lost my home,’” he said. “It was a long way from there to
Wichita Falls, Texas.”
Kuykendall, the 2014 Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade grand marshal, was a 19-yearold submariner in the early hours of March 26, 1944, when the Tullibee launched two
torpedoes meant for a Japanese transport ship. Instead, the torpedoes ran a circular route
and struck the submarine.
He was the lone survivor of a crew of 80.
“The concussion was terrific. I was on the starboard during lookout. It was a real dark
night, drizzling. I was almost unconscious,” he recalled as he stood in front of the USS
Tullibee memorial in Ocean Springs. “I remember looking down and I could see the stern
of the submarine gradually go below the waves. Those World War II diesel submarines
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.
“I fought my way to the surface. I had swallowed so much water that I could taste salt and
diesel fuel for at least a year after that.”
Kuykendall said he could hear voices for about 10 minutes after he regained
consciousness. Then nothing.
He floated for several hours alone, except for an empty Sunkist orange crate that bumped
into him.
Continued on Page 9
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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
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2
USSVI LA/Pasadena Base
General Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2014
This month’s meeting was held at the American Legion Hall,
Post 295, in Cypress as Building 6 continues to be renovated.
Base Commander, Chuck Senior, called the USSVI LA/
Pasadena Base general meeting to order at 1205 hours.
Thirty-eight members and guests attended our October
18, 2014 meeting, saluted the flag and recited the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Chief of the Boat Dennis Bott. Dennis also
delivered the invocation prayer followed by a moment of
silence for all our departed shipmates and lost crewmen on
eternal patrol.
Members and guests enjoyed a catered luncheon by Katella
Deli. As in the past the food was excellent. A special thanks
to Hal Silverman for his assistance with the luncheon.
This month’s two $55 - 50/50 drawing winners were Jim
Burnett and George Waltath. George kindly donated his
winnings to the Flower Fund.
Chuck welcomed new member Joe Derrico, MM2 (SS), USS
Archerfish (SS 678), and a visitor from Carolina Piedmont
Base, Peter Stephenson. Chuck also recognized our Poet
Laureate David Rosenfeld who was in attendance.
Chuck also presented the first of many longevity pins to
fellow shipmates Mike Swanson (1 year), Larry Butler (5
years), Paul Riggs (5 years) and Ben VanDevender (5 years).
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.
October 18, 2014
Sailing List
Arnold, Ed
Arnold, Judy
Bolton, Herb “Bo”
Bell, Bob
Bott, Dennis
Burnett, James
Butler, Larry
Conboy, Bob
Conboy, Elena
Derrico, Joe *
Dorn, Ken
Fleming, Rob
Fordham, Hank
Higa, Anne
Higa, Sam
Koch, Joe
Mahan, Jack
Mahan, Marlene
Maynard, Mark
Moak, Bill
Rosenfeld, David *
Schive, Bob **
Senior, Chuck
Senior, Marilyn
Silverman, Hal
Silverman, Karen
Staggs, Harold
Stephenson, Peter
Swanson, Mike
Terry, Carl
Van Devender, Ben
Vanderveen, Dave
Walrath, George
Walrath, Valerie
Walsh, Dennis
Walsh, Kathy
Whittlesey, Dave
Whittlesey, Kathy
Wilson, Art
Yolken, Berry
* new members
** District Commander
Continued on Page 6
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3
Treasurer’s Report
November Meeting
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE:
Meeting is at the American Legion Post,
5646 Corporate Avenue, Cypress, CA.
(See attached map) - same as last month
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2014
Location: AL Post, 5646 Corporate Avenue, Cypress, CA
Time: 1100 – E-Board Mtg. and Social Hour
1200 – Pot luck Lunch
A-H - Main Dish
I-R - Dessert
S-Z - Salad or Vegetable
1300 - General Meeting
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,
before you buy any of these items on line or from a source
other than your USSVI base. ([email protected])
As of November 7, 2014 our account balances are:
Checking: $ 14,768.32
Savings:
4,699.87
Total: $19,468.19
Revenue for the month was $622.50, and expens was $337.90.
All supplier accounts have been paid up-to-date, and all
National dues were forwarded to USSVI.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Vanderveen,
Acting Treasurer
LA-Pasadena Base/USSVI
Welcome Newest Member
LA-Pasadena Base/USSVI
David Rosenfeld
Welcome aboard, David.
Ed and Judy Arnold
Mike Cailor *
Bob Conboy
Ken Dorn
Bach Fleming
Rob Fleming
Jack Herron
Sam Higa *
Michael Kish *
Kenneth Loveless
Jack Mahan*
Mel Mares *
Mark Maynard *
Bill Moak
Mike Swanson *
Dave Vanderveen
George Walrath *
Dennis Walsh*
Berry Yolken *
* Flower Fund Contributors
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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 mailman 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.
For us at the LA/Pasadena base, I would like to extend a hearty greeting and have us join in some
fellowship with our shipmates and family. I know that the Christmas menu is pretty much the same
year after year. As I just mentioned, the idea is to sit down with friends and family.
The complexion of the base has changed a bit. We have lost long standing members and we have
welcomed new members to the ranks.
We used to have a member that would take up a whole table with his family. Sadly, he has gotten orders
to eternal patrol.
Rather than ramble on and on, just join us. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a good time..
The food is good, the price is reasonable. We usually have prime rib or salmon. If you have a taste for
something else, let us know and we will try to accommodate it.
We will also have a “Tolling of the Boats” to remember our shipmates on eternal patrol.
See you there!!
Hal
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5
USSVI LA/Pasadena Base
General Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2014
Continued from Page 3
Dave requested that all Christmas Luncheon checks be mailed
to him during Berry’s transition as the base Treasurer.
Dave advised the membership the e-board has re-instituted
base life memberships. The requirement is to be a National
Life Member and payment of dues for Base Life Membership
as follows:
Age
National Life Base Life
Maturity*
- Navy Times
Sub designers are puzzling out how to fit enlisted women into
the berthings on the Virginia-class attack submarines already
in the force.
“Right now we are doing the work to do the design changes for the
in-service Virginias,” said Rear Adm. David Johnson, the program
executive officer for submarines, in a Thursday speech.
Age at Maturity
76+
$100
$100
5 years
81+
66-75
$200
$160
8 years
74/83
56-65
$300
$200
10 years
66/70
46-55
$400
$300
15 years
61/70
<45
$500
$400
20 years
<65
*Based on current base dues of $20 per year.
Marilyn Senior, member of the membership committee,
reminded everyone that base dues for 2015 are due prior to
the end of the calendar year 2014.
A clean sweep down fore and aft was piped in by the COB. At
1340 hours a motion was made by Harold Skaggs to adjourn
the meeting. The motion
was seconded by Joe Koch
and approved.
Fraternally,
Dennis Walsh
Secretary,
LA/Pasadena Base USSVI
Virginia Subs to Get Berthing
Changes for Female Crew
Virginia Class Attack Submarine
“Frankly the tough part is to integrate the enlisted berthing
and the chief 's quarters. The officers are fairly easy to adapt to,
but the enlisted berthing and the chief ’s quarters you have to
do a little bit of work on the ships and we're trying to do that
as affordably and non-disruptively as possible,” Johnson said.
Johnson, speaking at the Naval Submarine League’s annual
conference in Fairfax, Virginia, said that getting mixed-gender
crews on as many subs as possible was a priority. The sub force
began its integration in late 2011 with the arrival of female
officers — roughly 50 of them now serve aboard 14 boomer
crews — and officials are now moving towards the next steps
of integrating attack boats and enlisted crews.
“We are looking forward to mixed-gender officer, chief petty officers and enlisted on our submarines going forward,” Johnson said.
“It's a must, it's the right decision and we're moving forward.”
A task force led by the recently disbanded Submarine Group
2 recommended that enlisted women and chief petty officers
begin serving on attack boats as the Block IV Virginia-class
subs begin fleet service around 2020; these vessels are being
designed with fully integrated crews in mind.
Rear Adm. Phillip Sawyer, head of Submarine Force Pacific,
said retooling the current Virginias would not move up the
timeline for getting women into attack boat crews.
The first Virginia-class attack subs to be integrated are the
Virginia and Minnesota, which are slated to receive female officers in early 2015. Enlisted women will begin serving on the
Ohio-class boomers as soon as 2016.
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
6
A personal account of a new SSN commissioning. - submitted by Jeff Porteous
Shipmates:
Toby Oothoudt attended the commissioning of the USS North Dakota with his daughter Paige. They were invited because Toby’s father, a
native of ND, was lost aboard USS Shark II just weeks before Toby was born. They were part of a group of ND veterans/survivors invited to
the event. Toby’s report follows:
Shipmates:
Superlatives are insufficient to describe the emotional
content of the USS North Dakota commissioning
weekend. Friday, a chilly and windy day, began with
a tour of Nautilus and a visit to the Submarine Force
Library and Museum. While there, we paid a visit to
the archives, met with the Archivist and her assistant
and discovered a few Shark II photos I didn’t have. They
scanned those for me and I in turn am sending them
a series of photographs taken aboard Shark II on her
second patrol.
At 1:30, we took a van
to pier 17 where USS
North Dakota waited
patiently for her visitors
to arrive. We were in the
second group to take the
tour and while waiting
to go below, met the
Captain – Captain Doug
Gordon and the XO, Lt.
Commander Kristopher
Lancaster. Gracious and
personable, we liked
them immediately.
The skipper and the XO
were in their blue camo
and I asked Captain
Gordon if it made them
invisible when they went below. His response was that it
did not, but it did make it more difficult for his wife to
find him around the house.
The tour was simply amazing! Once again, I am in awe
of the dedication, knowledge and communication skills
these sailors demonstrate.
(BTW - The namesake boat of the class, USS Virginia,
was in drydock next to USS North Dakota)
Saturday was a perfect fall day. Deep blue sky, no wind
and temperatures in the low 60s.
We arrived at the base before ten o’clock, boarded the
yellow shuttle bus and got underway. As we passed
the brick buildings across the street from the piers, it
occurred to me that my father had surely worked inside
them while Shark II was being completed. That was
enough to create a fine mist.
Then on to pier 17, where a large group of attendees
were already on hand. The crew were mustered and
making ready for the ceremony. USS North Dakota was
taking in in the afternoon sun and basking in the glow
of admiration from Navy and civilian attendees alike. Of
course, we headed right for the memorabilia tent, bought
tee shirts, coffee cups and challenge coins.
We took our seats and tried to take it all in. The couple
sitting right behind us were, like me, originally from
North Dakota, and the husband went to high school with
one of my uncles…truly a small world. While waiting for
things to get underway, we had a wonderful chat with
Captain Cindy Judy, a medical officer attached to the
base. She was outstanding!
The commissioning ceremony was emotionally charged
from the get-go and my daughter and I were dampeyed on more than one
occasion, particularly
so when the crew was
ordered to man the ship
to the strains of Anchors
Aweigh!
After the ceremony
concluded and USS North
Dakota officially joined
the fleet, we headed for
the hospitality tent for
Dunkin Doughnuts
and coffee. Paige
had decided to start
collecting autographs,
so this was the perfect
opportunity to begin. I
spied ComSubLant Vice
Admiral Mike Conner and we made our way over to
him. I introduced my daughter and myself, gave a brief
plug for COD, then asked if we could have a picture with
him. His wife took the picture and he wrote a wonderful
tribute to my father in her book. A true gentlemen! She
got the autograph of a Rear Admiral (can’t remember
who) and we milled about for a bit longer.
The crowd began to thin out, so we boarded the yellow
bus, got back to the car and drove to the Marriott, where
the North Dakota contingent was hosting a party for one
and all. We plunged into it once more, Paige with her
book and me with my trusty camera phone.
Caught up with Captain Gordon, his sister took the
pictures, Paige got the autograph and we all had a nice
chat. Next on the list was the boat’s sponsor, Katie Fowler.
What a super lady! More pictures, another autograph.
Paige thought the XO was “cute”, so we cornered him for
signing and a photo too.
The North Dakota people hired a Teddy Roosevelt
impersonator to mix with the crowd and he was
amazingly good. We chatted with him for quite a while,
Continued on Page 14
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
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THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
8
Sole Survivor of USS Tullibee
Speaks About Being a POW
- The Sun Herald
‘Well, they’re not all alike.’”
He was taken to a small seaplane base among the Palau
Islands. Eventually, he was tied to a tree atop a hill while
Americans bombed the island as part of Operation
Desecrate. After three days of abuse tied to the tree,
Continued from Page 1
he was put into a foxhole behind a Japanese navy
commander’s home.
“Two days later, the owner of the house came up and got
He credited his shipmate, Louis Joseph Hieronimus,
me and they took me to the dock. I could see all of these
for saving his life. Hieronimus had forced him to take a
hangars had been leveled and it
lifebelt before going on lookout.
made me feel good. He could
The partially inflated lifebelt
speak English. Well, he saved
kept him afloat long enough to
my life. I know he did. They
be spotted.
would have killed me if it hadn’t
Unfortunately, it wasn’t by
been for him,” Kuykendall
Americans. About 10 a.m., he
said, reenacting several captors
saw a destroyer coming in his
punching him while he was
direction, flying the rising sun
tied up. “He took me out on the
flag.
dock. A Japanese navy plane
“They made a circle around me,
landed and he told me, ‘There
to my starboard, and opened up
you go. Good luck.’ Just like
with a machine gun, firing at
that. I looked at him and said,
me,” he said. “Fortunately, they
‘Sir, good luck to you. I hope
never got a lethal shot in, but
you make it.’ He said, ‘I’ll need
bullets were flying all over the
it.’”
place.”
The next 17 months or so,
The Japanese brought him
Kuykendall bounced among
aboard, pulling him up with a
labor camps until World War II
net because he was too weak to
ended.
climb aboard. That’s when he
His final days as a captive, he
had his third brush with death
worked in a copper mine in
in less than 24 hours.
Ashio.
A Japanese officer, holding a
He recalled food rations
sword, called him a coward for
increasing and American planes
not drowning himself rather
flying overhead.
than being captured. The
“They were sending out fighters
officer swung the sword over
to locate all of the prison camps
Kuykendall’s head four times,
so they could drop them food
missing each time.
because they knew we were
“Each time he swung it -- there
probably starving,” he said.
were two Japanese sailors on
When he returned to Texas,
either side of me holding me
Kuykendall would stare at the
up -- I collapsed and fell to the
ceiling at night and try to figure
deck and the sword passed over
out how he survived so many
my head,” he said. “I did that
brushes with death.
intentionally because I knew
USS Tullibee (SS 284)
“I’
d say, ‘I can’t figure this out.
if that sword hit my neck it would chop my
How
did
this
happen?’ That went on for
head off.”
a
couple
of
months,
‘Why little ole me?’ I
A short time later, Kuykendall heard something in
suddenly
realized
that
if
I
kept
doing
that I’d just worry
Japanese over the PA system and the harassment stopped
myself
to
death.
I
had
to
stop.
I
never
did figure it out.
-- for the time being.
I’ve
never
been
superstitious
in
my
whole
life -- and I’m
He was dragged into a deck house and tossed onto a mat.
still
not.
What
is,
is.
“Another Japanese sailor came in and he was carrying
“To this very day, like I have told many people, I’m just
a small cup of sweet tea in his hand,” he said. “He lifted
lucky.”
my head and was giving me this sweet tea. He said in
English, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be all right.’ I said,
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
9
October Meeting Photos
(American Legion Post 295, Cypress)
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
10
UNITED STATES SUBMARINE FORCE LOSSES
ON ETERNAL PATROL
“I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived
them took a grim toll of our savage enmy to avenge their deaths.”
— Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, USN
NOVEMBER TOLLING OF THE BOATS
USS GROWLER (SS-215)
USS ALBACORE (SS-218)
USS ALBACORE (SS-218)
Lost on 7 November 1944 with the loss of 86 men when she was sunk off northern Hokkaido. Winner of two
Presidential Unit Citations, Albacore was on her 11th war patrol and struck a mine while running submerged near
a Japanese patrol craft that had detected her.
USS GROWLER (SS-215)
Lost on 8 November 1944 with the loss of 84 men when she was sunk in the South China Sea. Winner of two Navy
Unit Commendations, Growler was on her 12th war patrol, and was lost while attacking a convoy, probably as a
result of a depth charge attack or victim of a circular run by one of her own torpedoes.
USS SCAMP (SS-277)
Lost on 9 November 1944 with the loss of 83 men near Tokyo Bay. On her 8th war patrol, she may have been
damaged by a mine and was trailing oil, which helped Japanese coast defense vessels locate her and destroy her
with depth charges.
USS CORVINA (SS-226)
Lost on 16 November 1943 with the loss of 82 men when she was sunk just south of Truk. Corvina was on her first
war patrol and appears she was lost to the torpedoes of a Japanese submarine.
USS SCULPIN (SS-191)
Lost on 19 November 1943 with the loss of 40 men near Truk. Severly damaged by depth charges after attacking an
enemy convoy, Sculpin continued to fight on the surface. When the captain was killed, the crew abandoned ship and
scuttled Sculpin. Forty-one men were taken prisoner; only 21 survived the war. Among those not abandoning ship
was CAPT Cromwell, aboard as a potential wolfpack commander, he rode Sculpin down, fearing that vital information
in his possession might be compromised under torture. For this, CAPT Cromwell was posthumously awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor.
USS SCAMP (SS-277)
WE REMEMBER
USS CORVINA (SS-226)
USS SCULPIN (SS-191)
For those who gave their lives in defense of our country
W E R E M E M B ER
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THE PERISCOPE • November 2014 11
October Meeting Photos
(American Legion Post 295, Cypress)
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
12
October Meeting Photos (American Legion Post 295, Cypress)
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
13
A personal account of a new SSN
commissioning. - submitted by Jeff Porteous
continued from page 7
exchanged cards, another autograph, another picture.
We met North Dakota WWII sailor, Torpedoman 3rd,
George Hansen, who at 89 years old, looks like he is in
his 60s and can still wear his WWII uniform! George was
serving on USS Ling and transiting the Panama Canal
when the war ended.
The party was winding down, so after making sure we
hadn’t missed any autograph or photo opportunities
from among the remaining guests, departed that place
and drove to the WWII Submarine memorial outside
the base. We took lots of photos there, particularly of
the wall that has my father’s name on it, then drove over
the bridge to New London for the day’s final activity…
finding and photographing the place where mom and
dad lived while Shark II was finished and undergoing sea
trials.
I had found the address on a letter he wrote mom (she
had gone to DC to visit her sister) and gave it the Google
test. Found the place next door, but no 38 Tilley St.
Nevertheless, we drove to the place where the rooming
house should have been and took photos. The photo I
have of my dad with the place in the background doesn’t
match the current building, but a lot of modification can
take place in over 70 years.
By now, late afternoon was swiftly becoming evening, so
we pushed off to find a nice place for dinner.
ever or ever will see. The United States Navy Submarine
fleet is the greatest the world has ever or ever will see.
The officers and sailors who serve on our submarines
are the best trained, most highly motivated and highest
quality people one is ever likely to meet. Everyone, from
ComSubLant Admiral Conner, to our tour guide on
North Dakota, LS2 (AW) Kongwing James Lookfong Jr.,
was gracious, kind and thoughtful.
A day we will never forget.
Toby
SUBMARINE VETERANS
SILENT SERVICE
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Make check payable to: Los Angeles/Pasadena Base of USSVI
Mail to: Hal Silverman, 15142 Vermont Street, Westminster, CA 92683
For information, email: [email protected]
A Los Angeles/Pasadena Base Production
Sunday morning Paige wanted to make rubbings of my
father’s name at the sub memorial, so we made the brief
trip over the Thames River to Groton one more time.
My patrol report ends with these final thoughts: The
United States Navy is the greatest navy the world has
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
14
Some Recollections of Events
During the Cuban Missile Crisis:
Recollections from USS Spikefish
(SS404) PART II - Capt. Richard Fox (USN Ret)
Editor’s Note: Dick sent this to me after the reunion. I
scanned it into my computer and it sat there until the last
newsletter. The narrative will have to be in installments as
it too long for one edition. If anyone wants Dick’s original
notes, let me know and I will send it out by USPS or
electronically. This installment also contains the original
installment. So here goes!!...........Hal (Silverman)
The first couple of days in NORVA were wonderful. There were
not many units at the DE piers or NAVBASE, and while I thought
it was strange, there did not appear to any restriction on liberty.
Since, as mentioned before, our crew had tropical uniforms
with them, our division engineer was contacting family members to collect winter clothes had gone through the barracks to
fill a sea bag for each man who lived there.
These were later flown to us in NORVA. Until the shore patrol was
given orders not to hassle Key West sailors in whites.
USS Spikefish (SS 404)
Since my wife is from Portsmouth VA, I had occasion to visit
with her parents from time to time. I recall once sitting at the
bar at the local Elks Club with her father. Other people were
there and of course the business with Cuba and what the bad
guys might be up to was being discussed.
It came up that I was in the Navy from Key West and so forth.
“And where are your wife and children now that you are here?” I
could only reply, lamely, that “well I had to leave, and could not
take them with me. They are still there”. The silence was deafening.
I think one or two people got up and moved. I don’t think I ever
went into that building again.
A few days after we had, arrived in NORVA, Spikefish was
ordered to change locations to the Amphibious Base in Little
Creek. One night 15 heavily armed soldiers showed up on the
pier under the command of an Army lieutenant.
Apparently, none of them except the lieutenant knew where
they were and why they were there. The soldiers kept remarking how they never knew it got this cold in Miami. It turned
out this was a detachment from Special Forces at Fort Bragg.
They were previously in underwater operations and had been
sent to us for underway lookout training and covert operations landings, if necessary.
Each one of them looked as if they could play running back
for a professional football team. Big men, but absolutely no fat.
Quiet, respectful, and utterly dedicated to learning as much as
possible on how to carry out their assigned mission. And, they
had their SCUBA gear with them.
Lockout operations were conducted thru the escape trunk in
the forward torpedo room. The escape trunk is a cylinder 7
feet tall, and 3 feet in diameter. It has three hatches. One at the
top, one on the bottom, and one about midway up the cylinder. Top and bottom hatches are about 2 feet in diameter and
the one on the side a little larger.
Inside the trunk are various gages, air fittings and valves to let
sea water in and to blow/drain it out. Also there is a light and
a speaker system to let people in the trunk communicate with
persons in the torpedo room after all of the hatches are shut.
The lockout worked as follows: The submarine approaches the
objective area at periscope depth. This puts the escape trunk at
about thirty feet underwater, when within swimming range of
the target, operations commence.
Two men with full SCUBA gear and bottles enter the
trunk through the lower hatch. (upper and side hatches
are closed before diving), when in, shut the lower hatch
and open the sea valve to let sea water in to a level
above the upper edge of the side hatch. Then the sea
valve is shut and compressed air is introduced inside
the trunk until pressure inside the trunk is equalized
with sea pressure at that depth (15PSI). This leaves
a foot or so of air at the top of the trunk for men to
breath while communicating with personnel in the
torpedo room and then they shift to SCUBA tanks for
breathing (the trunk could be completely flooded full
if desired, but this would require divers to be on the SCUBA
gear first and a completely flooded trunk would preclude the
use of the speaker system.)
The side hatch is undogged, opened, and the men step out, go
up a ladder of 2 or 3 steps and then swim to the surface and
are their own.
The last man out gives a couple of raps on the trunk with a
hammer as he is leaving. When hearing the raps, after waiting
a few seconds, to be sure the man leaving is clear, personnel in
the torpedo room operate a long lever going thru the hull of
the submarine to close the side door again.
A valve is opened on the bottom of the trunk in the torpedo
room to drain the trunk of water and compressed air. This
accomplished, the lower hatch can be opened and the lockout
process repeated.
This process is relatively simple in concept and it does work,
but practicalities and circumstances usually prevent it from so
simple as I have described. For one thing (unless the submarine is sitting on the bottom) flooding in seawater to the
Continued on Page 16
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
15
Recollections from USS Spikefish
(SS404) - Capt. Richard Fox (USN Ret) (continued)
Continued from Page 15
trunk will make the boat heavy overall and it will start to sink
deeper. To maintain depth control some way must be kept on
to give effect to the bow and stern planes while pumping out a
compensating amount from the ballast tanks.
This is a delicate operation, i.e. staying submerged at a shallow
within a foot or so of the ordered depth, and at a slow speed.
Surface waves complicate the problem immensely, and a slight
mistake can end up with the submarine half on the surface
and half submerged.
Such a condition might well tear it in a covert operation and
would also pose great physical danger for anyone trying to exit
the trunk. ( since they would be thrown about in the superstructure of the boat).
Plus it is never easy for the men in the trunk. Two men wearing SCUBA tanks in a 3 foot cylinder are in close contact to
say the least. The light is poor and they can’t bend over or even
move their arms freely. Then to flood seawater in to cover
yourself up on purpose, just goes against human nature. And
it is cold, very cold. Not at all like the movies or the community swimming pool.
After the port drill on procedure, we got underway from Little
Creek to the Virginia Capes Operating Area where the water
was deep enough foe Spikefish to dive in.
Our objective was to submerge the boat and lock the men out,
two at a time. On the surface an ASR (small surface ship) with
small boats would stand by to pick up the swimmers when
they came to the surface. We would be in radio and sonar contact with the ASR to keep them informed when the swimmers
were locked out.
Everything was in order except the weather. It was perfectly
awful. The winds were 20-30 knots and the seas were running
10 to 20 feet. It was gray, overcast and cold. (Underlined). I do
not remember what the water temperature was, but it must
have been in the 40s in the VACAPES.
We submerged in the assigned area, but trim as we might using our best planes men and diving officer, it was still necessary to maintain 3-4 knots headway to keep reasonable depth
control at periscope depth. This meant that a swimmer exiting
the trunk was in real danger of getting hung under the deck or
swept back or swept back into the superstructure as he exited
the trunk and started up.
As commanding officer of the submarine, I was in charge of
the operation and had to decide whether we should proceed
with the operation or not. Due to other factors, we only had
this one day to carry it out. It was obvious that the weather
was not going to get any better. But the soldiers needed all of
the training they could get before going into combat.
An extraordinary of time and effort had gone into preparation
for the exercise. Unspoken, but realized, was the knowledge
that we as submariners and they as Special Forces had volunteered ourselves into organizations where danger was expected on occasion. Not to carry out the operation as ordered
would surely call our competence into question.
On the other hand I do not think any sane man would proceed
with a training exercise wherein reckoned chances were about
even that we would lose one swimmer. If it were a combat operation, the question of safety would be moot, but this was not
combat. I surely did not to kill a man just to force the issue.
I therefore hit upon the following compromise. We would
put the swimmers in the trunk, let them down, equalize the
pressure open the exit (side) door of the trunk. This would
accomplish the major requirement of the exercise, except
where the swimmers where the swimmers exited the trunk
and swam to the surface.
Instead, after the swimmers had opened the side door, they
would let us know, and shut the side door again. We would
stand by below with the closing lever to assist them if needed.
Once the side door to the trunk was closed, the trunk drain to
the torpedo room was opened, and the water from the trunk
was drained from the trunk to the torpedo room.
This also served to equalize the pressure in the trunk with the
pressure in the torpedo room. The lower hatch was opened
and the swimmers came back into the torpedo rom and the
sequence was repeated.
This was the way the exercise was carried out. All of the
soldiers were cycled through the trunk and all of us learned
a lot. What impressed me the most was observing the Special
Forces troops when they climbed down from the trunk. They
had been submerged in icy water for several minutes and,
even though they were wearing wet suits it must have been
excruciating. Not one of them spoke a word as they climbed
down. Perhaps they were so cold they could not speak, since
their eyes had a peculiar cast-all of them. As soon as the men
exited the trunk, we pushed them into a shower with the
warm water running to get their circulation going again. I
forget if we gave them a shot of medicinal booze, but if we did
not, we should have.
After all had been through the trunk, we secured the exercise and returned to Little Creek. I fully expected criticism
from higher authority for not carrying out the operation in
complete detail, but I really didn’t care since in my own mind,
I had done the right thing.
Evidently the soldiers were on our side. They and our crew
went on liberty together and terrorized the Acey-Deucy Club.
As fate would have it, my superiors agreed with the action
we had taken. Appended are letters from COMSUBRON SIX
(NORVA) and a Special Forces Group from Ft. Bragg which
indicates their approval.
As things started to quiet down in the Cuban area, we were
ordered back to Key West. The trip was uneventful except we
passed through, exactly, the center of a hurricane off Cape HatContinued on page 18
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
16
THE LA/PASADENA BASE USSVI
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
On Saturday December 20, 2014 the LA/Pasadena Base USSVI will hold their annual Christmas luncheon for the year 2014. The luncheon will be held at the Los Alamitos Golf Course.
It is a time of year to visit with our submarine friends and their guests. More time will be devoted to this activity.
This Christmas we will feature a “Tolling of the Boats”
Social Hour: 11:30AM. - Luncheon served 12:30PM
This Year’s Menu is as Follows:
Tossed Green Salad (with choice of Ranch or Italian dressing)
Entrée Selection:
Chicken Piccata
Marinated Breast of chicken sautéed with fresh mushrooms and finished with lemon butter and white wine
Grilled Vegetables with Herb Roasted Potatoes
Dinner Rolls and Butter
Roast Beef with Marinated tender tri-tip, flame broiled with mushrooms sauce
Grilled Vegetables with Herb Roasted Potatoes
Dinner Rolls and Butter
Vegetarian Option: Mushroom Raviolis and Grilled Vegetables
Beverage: Coffee, iced tea
Dessert: Cheesecake with Raspberry Drizzle
As always, it is very important that you get your reservations in ASAP so that we can give the
Golf Course a firm headcount no later then 7 days before the luncheon.
The cost of the luncheon will be $25.00 per person. Drinks will be available from the Lounge.
Please send your check and reservations (checks made out to LA/Pasadena Base USSVI) to
the address shown below. Be sure to indicate your choice of entrée and how many of each.
Name:______________________________
Chicken Picata__________
Name:______________________________
Roast Beef_____________
Vegetarian Option_____________
Guest:______________________________
Total # of dinners______
Guest:______________________________
X $25.00 $_________
Mail to: Dave Vanderveen
6061 Broadstone Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Phone: 714-270-8870
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
17
Recollections from USS Spikefish
(SS404) - Capt. Richard Fox (USN Ret) (continued)
Continued from Page 16
teras. We actually passed through passed through the eye of the
storm-blue sky and all-then it started to blow fiercely again. Believe me, a diesel submarine on the surface in a hurricane would
teach Chubby Checkers a few things about rock and roll.
We got back to Key West for joyful reunion with those we left
behind and who had more peril than we ever did. I was very
proud to hear how our better halves and families stood firm
during the crisis. The smartest thing Fidel and Nikita ever did
was not to make a run on Cayo Hueso.
In the Spring of 1963 Spikefish was again ordered to Guantanamo Bay to render services. While proceeding there on
the surface we passed close aboard a Soviet cargo ship with
appeared to be canvas covered trucks on deck. I thought that
it would be appropriate to take pictures of this so we turned
around and tried to get along side for a photo opportunity.
Unfortunately he had more speed than we did, even with full
on four and the engineering room giving it everything we
had. It became obvious we could not catch up, broke off and
returned course to GITMO.
We arrived the next day the base I called on the base CO, who
told me that last night Radio Moscow was complaining that
a Soviet ship carrying agricultural equipment to Cuba was
harassed by U.S. Submarine 404.
Finally we had made the press! I explained to the CO that our
actions were legitimate and we couldn’t harass him too much
since we couldn’t catch up with him.
In the summer of 1963, Spikefish was decommissioned at Key
West. The boat was later used as an underway target for live
torpedo firing at New London in 1964.
[Note: By 1964 I was stationed in New London, just before
Spikefish was going to be used as a target. . I had noticed that
someone had painted on the side “Jonah 2:3”. In high umbrage, I called the Squadron Operation’s Office as said as the
last commanding officer of Spikefish, I took great effuses at
someone being called her a Jonah.
The OPS Officer told me to check the reference in the Old
Testament, and when I did all was forgiven. He offered me the
opportunity to go to sea as a official observer for the last act,
but I chose not to do so….Fox ]
Monster Machines: Say Hello To
America’s Newest Attack Sub
- Gizmodo.com.au
After five years of construction, the newest submarine in the US
fleet is ready to set sail. But this Virginia-class sub is not like the
others — it’s far more deadly and way less expensive to operate.
The USS North Dakota,
SSN 784, which was
officially commissioned
on October 25th at
Naval Submarine Base
New London, is the
first of eight Block III
Virginia-class subs. That
is, this is the third design
iteration of the Virginiaclass submarine platform. The North Dakota maintains the
same dimensions as earlier iterations — it’s 115m long with
a 11m beam and 10m draft — and like other Virginias, it can
dive to more than 240m at 25 knots. What’s more, it won’t
need to refuel until 2047, thanks to its nuclear reactor.
The North Dakota differs from its predecessors in both its
sensory and armament payloads. The spherical sonar array
that the US Navy has used in pretty much every one of its
subs since the 1960s has been replaced with a modern, horseshoe-shaped Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array. The new
sub also incorporates a pair of Vertical Launch System (VLS)
tubes, each packing six missiles; technology borrowed from
our Ohio-class subs.
These design changes are meant to improve the submarine’s
performance and keep the US Navy one stroke ahead of other
submersible superpowers. The USS North Dakota is equally
well-suited for littoral and deep water operations, regardless
of the mission. In fact, the new sub has been cleared for
seven core mission types: hunting other subs, hunting surface
ships, delivering special ops troops, both strike and irregular
warfare, ISR collection and de-mining operations.
“From the Arabian Sea to the Polar Ice cap, North Dakota will
operate undetected in the harshest environments on the planet
as her crew protects the freedom of the seas and the interests of
the United States,” Vice Admiral Michael Connor, Commander,
Submarine Forces said during the commissioning ceremony.
“Leaders around the world around the world continue to ask for
more American submarine presence, because they realise that
there are some very important things that must be done that only
submarines can do.”
The North Dakota and its 134-sailor compliment are expected
to be hiding under the high seas by year’s end.
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
18
“This photo (of the USS Segundo, SS 398) was taken in the 1940’s on the
Wangpo River in China going to Shanghai.”
- Used with permission by Segundo Webmaster, Bob Price
In memory
of the
fifty-two
submarines
lost in
World War II
SEALION
POMPANO
HARDER
S-36
CISCO
SEAWOLF
S-26
S-44
DARTER
SHARK I
DORADO
SHARK II
Perch
WAHOO
TANG
S-27
CORVINA
ESCOLAR
GRUNION
SCULPIN
ALBACORE
S-39
CAPELIN
GROWLER
ARGONAUT
SCORPION
SCAMP
AMBERJACK
GRAYBACK
SWORDFISH
GRAMPUS
TROUT
BARBEL
TRITON
TULLIBEE
KETE
PICKEREL
GUDGEON
TRIGGER
GRENADIER
HERRING
SNOOK
RUNNER
GOLET
LAGARTO
R-12
S-28
BONEFISH
GRAYLING
ROBALO
BULLHEAD
FLIER
THE PERISCOPE • November 2014
19