January 2015 - USS Henry L. Stimson (SSBN-655)

VOL. 2015 NUMBER 1
JANUARY 2015
USS HENRY L. STIMSON ASSOCIATION SSBN655 NEWSLETTER
Association Officers & Board of Directors 2013—2016
PRESIDENT
Ray [Rita] Kreul
VICE PRESIDENT
Tom [Marie] Krauser
SECRETARY
Nick [Linda] Nichols
TREASURER
Ken [Diane] Meigs
OUTGOING PRESIDENT
Chuck [Joyce] Hladik
Other Positions 2013—2016
HISTORIAN / MEMORABILIA
Loree [Carolyn] Riggs
WEBMASTER / NEWSLETTER
Nick [Linda] Nichols
CHAPLAIN
J.B. Helms
From the Association Historian: Loree Riggs
―All That‘s Left‖
STOREKEEPER / SHIPS STORE
Rita [Ray] Kreul
little time for card games or movies.
Capt. Weeks also had high standards with a top
notch crew, but he was clearly convinced that a CO
should take initiative when warranted to improve the
way things were done. Gold Crew had its own Ship's
Organization Manual with its own emergency
procedures, as well as its own way of doing things that
were not always what SubLant had proscribed.
One procedure associated with crew turnover was
very much an example of these differences; when
Capt. Weeks was the oncoming CO, his cushioned
and reclining CO Stateroom chair was taken out of
storage and assembled, and Capt. Hall's stiff, straight
backed chair was disassembled and put into storage.
Then the opposite would occur when Blue relieved
Gold!
NOTE: Bob Weeks went on to be promoted to CAPT
and served as Squadron Commander on the Group
Eight Staff in Naples, Italy. Don Hall became a Rear
Admiral, was Commander Submarine Group SIX, and
retired as Commandant of the Sixth Naval District.
On another patrol in the North Atlantic, we were in
very rough seas for a good portion of the patrol. Bob
had ordered a Heathkit TV set which he brought
aboard to assemble in his stateroom during the patrol.
Woebegone the OOD who got on the wrong course
and the boat begin to roll (and it would roll 10 to 15
————————————————————————
TIDBITS FROM OUR SHIPMATES
Difference in Perspective
During the late 70's, STIMSON Gold and Blue
crews were commanded by two very different CO's,
Bob Weeks and Don Hall. Captain Hall was a very
traditional Rickover type CO, and played it by the
book. Although I served on Gold crew, I was aware
that Blue crew was held to very high standards and
officers were expected to be expert in all aspects of
the nuclear engineering plant and ship's procedures,
studying in off watch time to remain proficient, with
1
degrees if the wave heights were in the 40 foot variety,
even if we were down to 200 feet.) Bob would call the
OOD and shout ":Get off this course! All my TV kit
parts are rolling to the side of my stateroom!" That
could also get you on the COSL!
Jim Kinney
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FOUND LOST SHIPMATE
MM2(SS) Greg Brookins, B 88-90
Departed on Eternal Patrol 12.17.2013
STS2(SS) Charles ‗Chuck‘ Altman, B 85-89
Departed on Eternal Patrol 6.29.2013
————————————————————————
WELCOME ABOARD SHIPMATE!!
UNBROKEN is an
immensely powerful
biographical movie about
the life of Louis
Zamperini, who became
a famous evangelist. The
son of Italian immigrants,
Louie goes from being a
mischievous young boy to an Olympic runner at the
1936 Berlin Olympics. When World War II begins,
Louie joins the Air Force, but a tragic malfunction
causes his plane to crash one day. Only Louie and two
men survive. Stranded for weeks on a raft, Louie and
the other men strive to survive, but bad goes to worse
when they‘re taken by the Japanese army as prisoners
of war. Through extreme hardships, Louie refuses to
give up.
UNBROKEN is a worthy, well-directed adaptation
of the riveting biography by Laura Hillenbrand. It‘s an
inspiring story about fighting for liberty amid injustice,
retaining one‘s values despite intense persecution,
persevering when all is lost and holding onto hope
when all hope seems gone. UNBROKEN warrants
extreme caution due to some intense violence and foul
language.
————————————————————————
GREAT LINKS TO SPEND TIME WATCHING
(more info for each shipmate located on Sailing List)
MM1(SS) Jack Mishler, Gold 81-85
[email protected]
ETN2(SS) Bennie Jackson, Gold 76-78
[email protected]
MM1(SS/SW) Curtis S. Talley, Blue 87-90
[email protected]
STS3 (SS) Steve Searight, Blue 70-71
[email protected]
MT1 (SS) Donald J. St.Charles, B 74-76
[email protected]
————————————————————————
LOOKING FOR A SHIPMATE
(all links from ―The Stimson Draft‖ will be on the website)
MM3(SS) Alan ‘Chip‘ Paulding (G 69-71)
[ [email protected] ] is looking for Malcolm Harding
(aka Rusty). He went thru basic training with me and
several Stimson Gold patrols. He was in the QM gang
and a good friend but we lost contact after Stimson.
My attempts to contact him haven't been successful
even though I know he lives in NH.
655 Association Website
www.ssbn655.org
SHIFT COLORS
Newsletter for Navy Retirees
http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/
Publications/ShiftColors/Pages/default.aspx
Andrews Christmas Lights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
feature=player_detailpage&v=im5Svpuj_eU
Library of all things Submarine
http://lib.subvets.net/ussvi-lib/forums/thread-view.asp?
tid=2351&mid=12096#M12096
Submarines Ohio Class History
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bITWZvSfG1U
————————————————————————
Would you still qualify…??
A little quiz to see if your memory still hacks it…
…remember “Polaris Bowl”?
This newsletter input was received from Dr. Bill
Wieting, CAPT MC USN, Ret., Gold Crew Plank
Owner 1966. Here‘s what he said in his email:
STS3(SS) Steve Searight (B 70-71)
[ [email protected] ] is looking for STS3 Eugene
Manning who served during the same period as me.
As I recall, he was from New York (Brooklyn).
————————————————————————
Linda and I have seen the movie "Unbroken". After the
movie, I came straight home and ordered the book for
my e–reader. If you only go to see one movie in the
next few weeks/months please go see this one. There
is so much I could say about this movie but I think I will
leave it simply like this: 5+ stars Wonderful story of
courage and heroism typical of our Greatest
Generation. ‘Nuff said!
2
I am sending you a quiz I put together for the first
STIMSON reunion some years ago. Almost all the
information can be found in the qualification tabs that
BUSHIPS put together for us (I still have mine...)
Anyway, I thought you might have some fun including
a few questions in each issue of the DRAFT.
All the best -
tremendous witch hunt‖ led by California
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi in 1992. Pelosi‘s efforts
came in response to allegations of sexual impropriety
and assault at the 1991 Tailhook Convention, held by
Naval aviators in Las Vegas.
―There aren‘t any Nancy Pelosi‘s demanding scalps
today,‖ Moran noted. Moran, himself a former P-3 pilot
who was a Lt. Cmdr. at the time, claims he was ―in
Antarctica, or maybe Africa, but definitely not staying
on the 4th floor of the Las Vegas Hilton.‖
Moran told USNI that today‘s problem leads to a
loss of ―institutional memory.‖
―If we can‘t break today‘s leaders on the wheel of
political correctness, that‘s a real loss for Navy
tradition,‖ he said. ―Senior petty officers start to think,
‗Well, maybe I ought to make a movie with a hidden
camera in the female officers‘ shower. That would
probably be okay.‘ Or, ‗Hey! Why don‘t I recommend
an honorary rank for an entertainer and former sailor,
without bothering to Google the guy, and find out he‘s
possibly a rapist.‘‖
Instead, Moran noted, the Navy‘s current crop of
leaders in waiting are heading for the exits in droves,
with clean service records, leaving no lessons behind
for the junior sailors who lack options in the civilian
world.
―I was reviewing jackets today, and I honestly don‘t
have a clue whom to recommend for USS Cowpens,
just to take one example,‖ Moran said. ―I have made
ships hang signs on the quarterdeck, saying ‗X Days
without a relief for cause!‘ but that hasn‘t really
helped.‖
―Maybe we‘ll have to start assigning a lot of these
[rear admiral] lower halves and give them ships,‖ he
added, appearing to think out loud. ―We can thin their
ranks a little while still being able to say, ‗Here endeth
the lesson.‘‖
Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/01/
navy-worried-leaders-quit-faster-than-fired/
#ixzz3OCE2a1Tk
————————————————————————
Many Major Changes in the Submarine Service
Since the WWII Diesel Boat Era Part 3 / Final
by Michael Skurat [email protected]
Member Groton Base USSVI & Central CT Chapter of
SubVets WWII
There are 40 total questions. 10 will be in each
newsletter. Answers will be in each consecutive
newsletter:
1. What were ―Missiles 17 and 18‖? (1)
2. Where were they located? (1)
3. What made them dangerous (at least three distinct
properties)? (3)
4. Name six (6) uses of the 700 psig air system. (6)
5. What system supplied it? (1)
6. Where were the supply reducers, and at what
pressure were
the relief valves set to lift?
7. How many escape trunks were there? (1)
8. Where were they located? (1)
9. Which escape hatch was off the centerline of the
ship? To which side? (2)
10. EABS manifolds usually had 4 or 5 connectors; a
few had 15. Where were those larger manifolds
located? (2)
————————————————————————
A LITTLE BIT OF SATIRE (Ain’t far from the truth)
WASHINGTON — In an interview with the Naval
Institute‘s web site last month, Vice Adm. Bill Moran,
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower,
Personnel, Training and Education, suggested the
Navy is puzzled and worried by the current exodus of
sailors, particularly senior NCOs and field-grade
officers.
―They are leaving faster than we can fire them, ―
Moran told USNI. ―It‘s creating a real gap in leadership
for us. We can‘t lose confidence in them, and shove
them into an indefinite purgatory of indecision before
ignominiously cashiering them as a warning to junior
sailors if they are getting out while they still have clean
records.‖
Moran said that this ―puzzling‖ trend is different
from previous times senior leaders left the Navy in
droves. In the early 1990s, for instance, the so-called
―peace dividend‖ that followed the collapse of the
Soviet Union coincided with what Moran called ―a
We had less pomp insofar as the ceremony
observed when a member of the crew qualified than is
apparent today. The individual, thrown over the side
3
then sewed dolphins on his uniforms and wore them
with pride. They have always been, and always will be,
a badge of honor regardless of manner in which
bestowed.
There was less reverence on some other occasions
also., e.g., when a "Good Conduct Medal" was
awarded to a member of the crew it would be given by
the Captain (or perhaps the Exec) at quarters amid
"hoots and hollers" with cries of "Undiscovered Crime".
There was also a bonus system for awards ranging
from $1.00 per month for the Good Conduct Medal to
$5.00 per month for the Congressional Medal of
Honor.
"Tailor Made" dress blues were the uniform of the
day for liberty. The jumper was skin tight with a zipper
in the side so that it could be taken off. Accentuated
bell bottoms were mandated. The inside of the cuffs
were decorated with embroidered color decorations,
usually dragons, etc., and were only visible when the
cuffs were turned up.
When you made Chief you initially bought the
cheapest hat you could find since it was also
considered appropriate and properly respectful to have
all of the crew urinate in your first hat.
Sad to note in this day and enlightened age all of
the military services of the United States were
segregated during our era. The practice abolished by
President Truman over 50 years ago. Stewards, at that
time, recruited from America territories and from
American minorities. Even in such a tight knit group as
American Submarines two racks in the Forward
Torpedo Room hung off the overhead beneath The
Torpedo Loading Hatch were reserved for the
Stewards. Rated Stewards wore uniforms similar to
Chiefs.
The submarine sailor was a very irreverent
individual with an avid distaste for regulations, etc. The
average life span of a submarine sailor was four
patrols (about a year). Despite bravado, that thought
prevailed to varying degrees depending upon the
individual. That premise however, was unsaid but used
as an excuse for hell-raising. Rarely mentioned in tales
of WWII submarine lore was the fact that going
through minefields was as apprehensive as being
depth charged.
Submarine Officers and crews were very young anyone past thirty was a very old man. Admiral
Charles Lockwood (Uncle Charley) ComSubPac was
most forgiving, as were Skippers and Execs, of
transgressions of both Officers and men. Returning
from patrol crews were treated extremely well.
Another "perc" of the submarine force was that any
record of "minor" disciplinary action that a member of
the crew suffered would be entered into the "page 9"
of his service record. Virtually all disciplinary action
was handled internally on the boat. However, both the
original and carbon copy (BuPers Copy) retained in his
jacket. When transferred, the original and copy,
removed by the Yeoman to be deep sixed. Unless
there was a serious offence personnel transferred with
a clean record.
Many friendships were formed in sub school, plus
other training and schools and transfers were not
uncommon due to the needs of new construction,
promotions, etc. Consequently, the force became even
more closely knit. It was the rare boat that did not have
personnel whom you knew.
Submariners were very independent and
resourceful, both individually and as a group. Needs
(and desires) of the boat as prescribed by the U.S.
Navy, did not always coincide with what was
considered proper nor adequate. Therefore, a system
of "midnight requisitioning" and "midnight small stores"
developed to enhance efficiency. This avenue of
acquisition considered a solemn duty in promoting the
war effort. Those proficient and innovative in this
endeavor were greatly admired. It was an art as well
as a science executed individually or as a group
cooperative effort. Some of these escapades took
great ingenuity as well as "brass balls". As a term of
affection they were called "scroungers" and/or "dog
robbers". If a Skipper or Exec made an "innocent"
passing remark that some particular thing might be
"nice" it would appear mysteriously in due time.
On board an informal, but professional, attitude
prevailed. Although we had an evaporator to make
fresh water, battery watering was primary. In the
design and scheme of things, personal hygiene or
washing of clothes did not seem to be considered.
One Engineering Petty Officer, called the "Water King"
ran the evaporators. Personal hygiene or washing of
clothing was an afterthought. The use of after-shave
lotions, deodorants and especially talcum powders
prevailed. Large cans of "Lilac" were the norm,
purchased inexpensively and sprinkled liberally.
To the unacquainted it could appear that the
rapport between Officers and men was quite informal
and to a degree it was but it in no way detracted from
efficiency, military courtesy, tradition or discipline.
4
There was a strong mutual respect. Aye-Aye Sir, Very
Well and Well Done were accorded as appropriate.
The vast majority of the crew was rated and competent
in their skills. Obviously so were our officers. There
was no such thing as stenciled ratings on dungaree
shirts so a person coming aboard a submarine at sea
would have a difficult time determining any individuals
rate. Also there was an axiom that in submarines "you
left your rate on the dock". Ability was the hallmark.
When conditions approached that of a Chinese
garbage scow junk with an over flowing head and the
crew in dire need of fumigation the Skipper might
decide to allow showers piecemeal by sections. You
lined up to enter the shower, the Chief of the Boat
turned on the water for 2 seconds and shut it down
while you soaped down. You were then allowed a
correspondingly brief rinse.
Each member of the crew was allotted one locker
which measured about 12" high, 18" wide and about
18" deep. You kept your uniforms under your mattress.
Your rack had a plastic zip around cover. Your
mattress was encased in a "mattress cover" which was
akin to a oversized pillow case. Able to be turned over
once and some even turned them inside out and got
two more uses. Less the uninitiated be stunned by that
you must be cognizant of lack of water for regular
laundry.
Internal communications on board were conducted
by the 1MC and 7MC phone and speaker systems.
To reenter a submarine after handling lines etc.
when returning to port was a shocking revelation. It
was impossible to believe that you had survived that
malodorous environment. Politely put the atmosphere
was conducive to a shanty town house of ill repute that
also was inundated by a back up of its sewer system.
Pity the poor relief crew that had to come on board
and make the boat shipshape again.
You could immediately identify an Electrician on a
submarine. He was the individual with the most
shredded moth eaten dungarees.
Ribald humor was the tenor of the day. No topic or
human frailty was off limits. Nothing was sacred.
Horseplay and trickery were the order of the day. The
antics and demeanor of the crew, both at sea and
ashore, would not be socially acceptable nor politically
correct nowadays. I fear that the late Admiral Rickover
would have been aghast.
One real advantage was food, especially when you
first went out. Although they were ridden without mercy
the cooks did an excellent job of feeding the crew. We
ate family style off china plates. Our officers ate
exactly what the enlisted personnel did. The stewards
would come back to the After Battery Galley and fill
their serving plates and bring it to the Forward Battery
for the Wardroom. When leaving port rations were
stored in every conceivable space (including the
shower since it wouldn't be needed). However, as
supplies diminished the cooks were hard pressed to
come up with varied favorable menus. All boats had
"open icebox" so you could prepare and cook anything
you wanted at any time as long as you cleaned up
after yourself. The After Battery "Mess" was for chow,
off duty recreation, meeting space and a hang-out.
This is a collective attempt at recollection after the
passing of a half-century so any errors or omissions
hopefully forgiven as "senior frailties". Much of this is
collective memory and is a compilation of boats in
general. There is no pride of authorship so any
comments, additions, corrections and/or deletions are
welcome and appreciated. This is merely a historical
comparison as best one can do and is in no way a
negative reflection between "then and now".
GOD BLESS ALL SUBMARINERS Past, Present and Future
————————————————————————
Saluting The Silent Heroes of The U.S. Navy’s
Submarine Force
Fox News, Dec. 7
Our most recent elections demonstrated Americans
are still very worried about the state of the economy
and their own job security. However, there is an
employer looking to hire young, motivated, and
intelligent men and women – the United States Navy‘s
submarine force.
It's not easy to be eligible for such employment.
Officer and enlisted candidates must first graduate
from rigorous nuclear engineering training or technical
schools for non-nuclear enlisted rates. In addition,
applicants must also pass a thorough psychological
evaluation. The fortunate few that do indeed make the
grade will then embark on a challenging, yet rewarding
journey to become a qualified submariner.
After this extensive training pipeline and another
intensive qualification process on board an actual
submarine, sailors are rewarded with ―Dolphins,‖ the
chest insignia that signifies membership to an elite
brotherhood (and now sisterhood as well, since 2010)
that very few individuals have the privilege to join.
5
On September 21, I, along with 13 other American
civilians, experienced a brief glimpse into the life of a
U.S. Navy submariner. As the guests of Captain Gene
Doyle, the commander of Submarine Squadron 11, we
were invited to embark on board the USS HAMPTON
(SSN 767), a Los Angeles Class fast attack submarine
in the waters near San Diego, California.
The captain of USS Hampton, a no-nonsense,
highly respected commander named Lincoln Reifsteck,
along with his executive officer, David Fassel and chief
of the boat, Richard Moses, welcomed us on board
and introduced us to a world few civilians will ever
have the honor and opportunity to experience.
We soon learned that Reifsteck‘s most difficult task
wasn‘t submerging the ship 700 feet below the ocean‘s
surface (the more difficult part is actually the
resurfacing process in the crowded waters off San
Diego) or even preparing to shoot a tomahawk missile.
Instead, Reifsteck‘s greatest challenge is keeping his
sailors motivated, ready, and vigilant 24 hours a day, 7
days a week over a period of several months (please
note, the average age of a submariner is only 22). In
our short time on board USS HAMPTON, we
witnessed Reifsteck‘s uncanny ability to both motivate
and prepare his sailors for any obstacle before them.
During 2013, the Hampton was at sea for 298 out of
365 days. That‘s 82 percent of the year away from
family and friends with no access to a telephone, the
Internet, or the daily comforts that we as Americans
have grown so accustomed to. There is a very good
reason why submariners earn on average 30 percent
more than other sailors.
While much of their time underway was spent on
surveillance, anti-submarine and anti-surface ship
warfare, the HAMPTON spent 70 days at the North
Pole with a team of professors from Columbia
University taking water samples for research being
conducted on current and climate change.
So if you are of the mindset that submarines are all
about undersea warfare or hunting the ―Red October‖;
think again. Modern attack subs are now doing
everything from the weather change research to
delivering special operators ashore on covert
operations.
Initially, the outside observer may get the
impression that the men of the HAMPTON live a
difficult and isolated life onboard a windowless tube
with little or no communication with the outside world.
However, we quickly discovered that the crew thrived
in this seemingly austere environment. Through our
conversations with them, we came to the realization
that they live by the submarine mantra of ―steel ships,
iron men (and women).‖
The absence of windows and natural sunlight
quickly became irrelevant as the ship‘s electronics and
sophisticated sensors became their window to the
outside world.
Much like an astronaut, submariners become
travelers in another medium deep below the sea. Any
perceived isolation leads to a greater connection with
their ―shipmates‖ forming an everlasting bond amongst
the crew.
After only one day underway, it became apparent to
us that the submarine service is not for everyone – not
all men and women are able to overcome the
supposed ―sacrifices‖ many civilians associate with a
life at sea.
However, those individuals that successfully
complete the demanding screening and training
pipeline of a United States submariner, will have
excellent advancement and future employment
opportunities in both the military and civilian sectors.
Civilian employers are always looking to hire
submariners for their technical acumen, leadership
skill, and ability to operate under pressure. Those
individuals that choose to leave military service are
often rewarded with high paying jobs and quickly adapt
and excel in the civilian workforce (the military does
retain a very high percentage of these highly skilled
individuals with large bonuses, special pay and the
intangible sense of patriotic duty that accompanies
wearing the uniform of a Navy submariner).
Sir Winston Churchill once said, ―Of all the
branches of men in the forces there is none which
shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than
the submariners.‖ From our experience with the
captain and crew of USS HAMPTON, we couldn‘t
agree more. Any danger of operating a ship under the
sea was however quickly overshadowed by the
competency of the sailors tasked with running
America‘s most stealthy and vital warships.
May God bless the officers and crew – and their
families – of USS HAMPTON and the Silent Service.
David J. Kaplan is the president of a real estate
development company in New York and is also the
founder and president of the Kaplan Public Service
Foundation.
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6
Boat Sailors - Generational Difference
by Bob 'Dex' Armstrong
unsuspecting spark-shufflers who live in surface craft
radio shacks?
Can you still get great scrambled eggs, bacon and
hot toast at 0600 on the rescue vessel for a couple of
boxes of fresh doughnuts and a worn out, dog-eared
copy of last months Playboy?
What benefit did Hyman and his boys, trade you for
hijacking your sunsets. Sunrises, coffee on the bridge.
Watching sea birds, passing merchant ships, riding
heavy seas in lousy weather and filling your lungs with
diesel exhaust?
What has the world economy, inflation and the
change in sensitivity done to the commercial affection
market? It can't still be two tens and a five and you pay
for the room, can it?
What has the force substituted for junior officers
taking morning sextant observations to figure out
where in the hell you are?
Do guys still hang around the galley like vultures
waiting for the night baker to pull a load of whatever
you've been smelling for the last hour, out of his magic
oven? Is ragging the cooks still the cheapest 'best
game in town'? Is a smiling, big mouth mess cook still
the best thing you've ever seen in the morning?
Can you still calculate how long you've been out by
the diameter of the salt stains in the armpits of your
last dungaree shirt and whether your socks stick when
you throw them at the door of the medical locker?
Do they still produce independent duty Corpsman
that can fix anything, cure anything, identify small
crotch critters from every exotic location, make tight
stitches in a state five sea and clean your clock playing
Gin Rummy?
Do skippers still wear steaming hats that look like
Noah sent them to the lucky bag? Is green cap brass
and a torn visor still a mark of distinction? Do cats still
try to cover up deck force foul weather jackets?
Are there still mail buoy watches and goofy NonQuals roaming around trying to locate the main engine
ignition key?
Do topside watches still pee on the screw guards
on the 12 to 4? Does the geedunk truck hit the pier
around 2200? The Krispie-Creme truck at 0400? The
laundry truck at 0800? And the skipper five minutes
before morning quarters?
Do boats still maintain illegal slush funds and hold
non-reg anchor pools?
Are E-3s still the lads who know everything about
every subject ever discussed, except
their qual cards?
We speak of generational differences between the
old boats and the new. Each generation.
Each crew forges its memories, recollections, loyalty
and love of the force based on the sum total of their
experiences. It has always been that way. Most likely,
always will. We are linked! Each generation to each
preceding and each following generation by the twin
fish, silver and gold we wear or once wore over the
pride in our hearts. We earned a designation that
forever sets us apart. We are U.S. Submariners.
I have my memories. And each of you has yours.
Collectively, they are our history. The human history of
the boats we rode, the squadrons we served in and
the force we represented.
Submarines have evolved into giant technological
wonders that roam the ocean depths at a range below
the surface that many of us, the older coots, find damn
near beyond comprehension.
As I sit here, I wonder what memories a modern
day boat sailor will have. Will he hear the gentle slap,
slap, slap of signal light shutters in his dreams? Will he
remember the sound of chipping hammers and paint
scrapers battling ever-present rust? The pride a young
kid had in repainting the hull numbers of the boat he
loved? Is there a modern day equivalent of the first
night in battery charge? Does the crew stay up half the
night playing hearts, watching movies, sorting laundry,
telling lies and running hot coffee to Enginemen and
Electricians?
Do COBs still cuss like creatures formed in the
womb of Hell and then take time to come see if you
are okay in sickbay?
Do they still want to know if you can stand a little
closer to your razor as their way of telling you that you
look like shit and need a shave?
Do they still meet the boats with fresh milk, mail
sacks and guard mail?
Do barmaids still know your names and what boat
you are off of? Does cheap perfume still hang in a pea
coat and dress canvas long enough to get you in
trouble with your true love?
Does your neckerchief still dangle in a bowl of chili,
your soup or your beer glass?
Do you still own thirteen button blues and a jumper
so damn tight it takes two of your mates to pull it on
you? Do boat sailors still procure clean white hats from
7
Do the boys from the forward nest still rob the
tender slugs, blind? Can you still hijack anything that
will fit in a mailbag?
Do folks in any squadron outside of Norfolk yell "Oh
God, no!" when they see a boat come sliding into the
slip with a SUBRON SIX pennant flying aft of the sail?
Can you still buy 'Sly Fox' wine? What in the hell
does it cost now? Are Beer Nuts, Slim
Jims, pickled hard-boiled eggs and pool queue dust in
your beer still the 'Breakfast of Champions'?
Do barmaids still let you pin a set of Dolphins on
the seat of their panties the night you qualify?
Do you still have to drink for your Dolphins?
Memories. Collect them... Remember. Remember
the little things. They will form the composite of your
old man's memories. They will connect you with
whatever comes after you.
One day, you will be parked in your old easy chair
saying: "These gahdam sailors today have no idea
how damn tough we had it. In the old days we had to
haul all those neutrons and protons in buckets and
pour the damn things into our hydro super nuke-a-lator
and polish all those gahdam magic wands. Stack the
pixie dust. And rewind the he Stairmasters. Jeezus, we
sure had it rough."
But most of all be sure to visit the old folk's home
and help old smoke-boat sailors find their gahdam
teeth.
————————————————————————
Navy's Newest Submarine Squadron Stands Up in
5th Fleet
By Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Kakiel, Task Force 54 Public
Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The Navy's newest
submarine squadron stood up Dec. 15 at Naval
Support Activity Bahrain.
Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 21
replaces the Commander, Task Force (CTF) 54
detachment as the organization charged with
supporting submarines forward-deployed to the U.S.
Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet area of
responsibility (AOR), which encompasses about 2.5
million square miles of water area including the
Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea
and parts of the Indian Ocean.
"It is a great honor to be establishing this forwarddeployed squadron and to be part of the clear
message to our partner nations of the continuing U.S.
commitment to the region," said Capt. Michael A.
Fisher, commodore of Submarine Squadron 21. "I
have the privilege of having a great staff that are ready
to hit the ground running and I look forward to working
with them."
CSS 21 replaces an existing small detachment of
CTF 54. The squadron will be under CTF 54's
operational control and will have tactical control of
submarines deployed to the 5th Fleet AOR. The
squadron is being stood up to increase submarine
safety and optimize submarine force support to U.S.
Naval Forces Central Command.
"This submarine squadron was specifically
commissioned to provide better support to the 5th
Fleet during very challenging and demanding times,"
said Vice Adm. John W. Miller, commander, U.S.
Naval Forces Central Command. "The squadron will
provide mentorship, lessons learned, logistical and
administrative support and coordination with other task
forces to support submarine missions here in the
region. The standing up of Submarine Squadron 21 is
another example of the Navy's commitment to
engagement with partner nations here in the area to
include establishing a permanent submarine presence
and to support the theater security cooperation
mission."
According to many submarine leaders, the new
squadron will benefit the crews and the Navy
immensely.
"The establishment of Submarine Squadron 21 will
help us to better serve deployed submarines and
thereby improve support to U.S. Naval Forces Central
Command," said Rear Adm. Stuart Munsch,
commander, Task Force 54.
"I'm excited about the effect Submarine Squadron
21 will have on our boats preparedness and execution
of the nation's most demanding missions," said Rear
Adm. Phillip Sawyer, commander, Submarine Forces,
U.S. Pacific Fleet. "Capt. Fisher and his staff's regional
expertise will ensure our submarines are ready and
supported during any contingency."
The new squadron will help submarines to better
prepare for the unique and challenging shallow water,
high contact density environments in the 5th Fleet
AOR. It will provide deployed submarine assessments
and additional training as necessary. The squadron
will be able to provide more localized support and be
able to improve existing relationships from its forwarddeployed location in Manama.
"Establishing a squadron that is stationed in the
region to be intimately familiar with current ops
8
[operations], well acquainted with all theater partners,
and the embodiment of submarine operations lessons
learned will improve the safety and effectiveness of
our submarine deployments to the 5th Fleet," said
Munsch.
"Our mission is to provide combat ready
submarines that are always prepared for the unique
challenges of this area," said Fisher. "I think by
providing this year round focus on training from one
consistent organization, we'll see the proficiency of all
our subs go up.
"We'll be providing a better product to our
customer, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command," he
added. "We want to give him a ship that can do
everything he needs it to do and be as good as they
can be."
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval
Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit
www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
————————————————————————
USS Charleston Will Bolster America's 'Away
Team'
Ray Mabus, Charleston Post & Courier, Jan 9
stability, our forward deployed naval forces are there
to respond.
When the earthquake ravaged Haiti or storms tore
through the Phillippines, Navy ships were the bases
needed for sailors and Marines to deliver lifesaving
aid. Without a properly sized fleet we cannot execute
our missions when the president and the American
people call.
Much has been said about the size of our fleet, but
a few facts are in order.
On Sept. 11, 2001, the Navy's battle force stood at
316 ships. What followed was one of the greatest
military buildups in our history, but even as other parts
of the military grew, our fleet had shrunk to 278 ships
by 2008.
In the five years before I took office as secretary,
the Navy only contracted for 27 ships, far too few to
even maintain the size of the fleet.
In the five years since I took office we have
contracted for 70 ships.
We have halted the decline. In 2014 we launched
nine new ships, the LCS and High Speed Vessel lines
have joined Virginia class submarines in full
production, and by the end of the decade our plan will
return the fleet to over 300 ships.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have a long and
trusted partnership with the American people.
Our shipbuilding industry is a central part of our
nation's manufacturing base. The skilled craftsmen
and artisans that work in our shipyards and defense
industry are an important part of our economy.
Here in Charleston there is a long history, from the
decades of work at the Charleston Naval Shipyard to
Charleston Marine Container Inc. building mission
modules for the Littoral Combat Ship program today.
These hard-working Americans provide the ships
that sail the world, offering deterrence and diplomacy;
building partnerships and, above all, providing
presence, in times of peace as well as war.
That's the unique contribution of the U.S. Navy and
a role that only America can fill around the globe, and
that's why the size of our fleet matters.
In the coming years, as we build the new USS
Charleston, we will continue to grow the size of the
fleet.
And we will recognize all the hard work of our
Sailors and Marines.
With a focus on my four priorities of people,
platforms, power, and partnership, we will address the
complex issues of the new maritime century.
Today I'm here in Charleston to announce that our
next Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will be named the
USS Charleston. This naming continues a long
tradition of naval ships bearing the city's name and
recognizes the strong connection between its people
and our Sailors and Marines.
But it also continues the commitment of this
administration to grow our Navy fleet.
On any given day the U.S. Navy has 100 ships at
sea and 30,000 Marines deployed around the world.
Uniquely, our maritime forces provide a presence
around the globe.
Coming from the sea, we get there sooner, stay
there longer, bring everything we need with us, and we
don't ask anyone's permission.
Many times, our Navy and Marine Corps are
already there. And being there – where it matters,
when it matters – provides our country's leaders an
array of options, from providing humanitarian
assistance to our Japanese allies after the earthquake
and tsunami to delivering the first strikes against the
Islamic State in Iraq and Syria with F18s off the aircraft
carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
Providing that presence is why our fleet size
matters. When North Korea threatens regional
9
Tough decisions and leadership still lie ahead to
ensure that, as the nation's Away Team, the Navy and
Marine Corps maintain their role as the most powerful
expeditionary force the world has ever known.
Ray Mabus is U.S. Secretary of the Navy.
————————————————————————
Want to know some fun and interesting things
about Christmas?
candy maker in Indiana. He wanted to use them to
spread the name Jesus around the world. Although
the tradition of a candy stick goes way back to Europe.
Santa Claus is also known as St. Nicholas, Father
Christmas, Grandfather Frost and Kris Kringle.
Santa is believed to bring gifts to good girls and
boys on the night before Christmas (December 24th).
There are 3 towns in the US that are named Santa
Claus. One in Georgia, one in Arizona and one in
Indiana.
Santa Claus 8 eight reindeer are named: Comet,
Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder &
Blitzen.
The French gave the biggest Christmas present
ever in 1886. It was the Statue of Liberty, and they
gave it to the United States of America. (The French
have one too, a smaller one, in Paris.)
Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nikolas
of Myra (also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker,
Bishop Saint Nicholas of Smyrna, and Nikolaos of
Bari), who lived during the fourth century. Born in
Patara (in modern-day Turkey), he is the world‘s most
popular non-Biblical saint, and artists have portrayed
him more often than any other saint except Mary. He is
the patron saint of banking, pawnbroking, pirating,
butchery, sailing, thievery, orphans, royalty, and New
York City.
The first artificial Christmas Tree wasn‘t a tree at
all. It was created in Germany out of goose feathers
that were dyed.
Christmas has many, many names. Do you know
some of them—aside from, of course, Christmas? How
about? Sheng Tan Kuai Loh (China), or Hauskaa
Joulua (Finland), or Joyeux Noel (France)? In Wales,
it‘s Nadolig Llawen, and in Sweden, God Jul.
Riga, Latvia was home to the first decorated
Christmas tree. The year was 1510. About 36 million
Christmas trees are produced each year on Christmas
tree farms.
The Christmas Stocking got its start when three
unmarried girls did their laundry and hung their
stockings on the chimney to dry. They couldn‘t marry,
they had no dowry. But St. Nicholas, who knew of their
plight, put a sack of gold in each stocking and in the
morning the girls awoke to discover they had dowry‘s.
They could now marry.
The most popular Christmas Song ever is We Wish
You a Merry Christmas. The song can be traced back
to England, but its author and composer remains
unknown.
Did you ever wonder where X-Mas came from? X
means Christ in Greek so to shorten the word
Christmas we sometimes use X-Mas.
In 1836 Alabama became the first state in the US to
declare Christmas a legal holiday.
Oklahoma became the last state to declare Christmas
a legal holiday in 1907.
In June of 1970 Christmas became a federal
holiday in the US.
Christmas trees were first decorated with foods
such as apples, nuts and dates.
In the 18th century Christmas trees began being
decorated with candles.
Electric Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895.
Did you know that giving presents were once
banned by the Catholic Church. It was believed that
gift giving was connected to paganism.
If you received all the gifts from the song ―The
Twelve Days of Christmas‖ you would have 364
presents. Not to mention mountains of poop!
Do you know why we say the Twelve Days of
Christmas? It is believed that it took the 3 kings 12
days to find baby Jesus.
The song Jingle Bells was written by James
Pierpont in 1857. It was originally called ―One Horse
Open Sleigh‖ and was made for Thanksgiving.
Many years ago in England a traditional Christmas
dinner included a pig head served with
mustard. Thankfully, that tradition has died out.
The tradition of naughty children getting a lump of
coal in their stocking comes from Italy.
Did you know that tinsel was once made of real
silver! It was invented in Germany in 1610.
There are two islands named Christmas?
Christmas Island (formerly Kiritimati) in the Pacific
Ocean and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
The tallest Christmas tree ever displayed was in
Seattle Washington in 1950. The Christmas tree was
221 feet tall!
It is said that candy canes were invented by a
10
Celebrating The Birth Of The Nuclear Navy
Naval History Blog, Jan 8
strategic independence, sustainability, and operational
capability.
Getting Nautilus ―underway on nuclear power‖ was
a remarkable accomplishment that began with the
concept of harnessing the power of splitting uranium
atoms in 1939 by scientists at the Naval Research
Laboratory. That concept became reality when thenCapt. Hyman G. Rickover, an engineering officer,
signed onto the project in 1946. Just six years later, on
June 14, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed the
keel of the first nuclear-powered submarine.
It was Jan. 21, 1954 when Nautilus was launched
at Electric Boat Shipyard, Groton, Conn. The boat was
commissioned a few months later, Sept. 30.
Nautilus‘ career was a record-setting one, including
being the first submarine to cross the North Pole –
under the ice – on Aug. 3, 1958. After 25 years and
four refuelings, Nautilus was decommissioned in 1980.
Two years later, the first nuclear-powered submarine
was designated a National Historic Landmark by the
Secretary of the Interior.
After undergoing historic ship conversion in 1986,
USS Nautilus continues to serve her country at the
Submarine Force Museum in Groton.
The director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Program will host a ceremony Jan. 9 at Naval
Reactors‘ Washington Navy Yard headquarters
celebrating one of the first major milestones of the
Navy‘s nuclear propulsion program.
Adm. John M. Richardson, joined by Secretary of
the Navy Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations Adm.
Jonathan Greenert, and the Department of Energy
Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Lt. Gen. Frank
G. Klotz, will honor the 60th anniversary of the world‘s
first nuclear-powered warship, USS Nautilus (SSN
571), getting underway on nuclear power. It was on
Jan. 17, 1955 at 11 a.m. when Nautilus Commanding
Officer Cmdr. Eugene Wilkinson announced
―UNDERWAY ON NUCLEAR POWER.‖
In addition to being an engineering marvel, Nautilus
was the first in a long line of nuclear-powered ships to
serve the U.S. Navy with an outstanding record of
more than 155,000 million miles safely steamed on
nuclear power. Just as important, she represented a
huge leap in American energy security, increasing
11
FROM THE “ORIGINAL STIMSON DRAFT”
12
SEARH FOR LOST
SHIPMATES
If you have contact with one of these shipmates please send their contact info
to me at my email address. Let‘s set a goal to find everyone on this list!
Adkins, William
Arf, Robert
Ballard, Danny
Barker, Paul
Barker, Thomas
Barrows, Keith
Beale, Gary
Blouse, Dan
Blue, Matthew
Bluestone, Edward
Bollman, Stephen
Borenko, Stphen
Borysewicz, William
Bowser, James Jr.
Bricker, Michael
Brill, Doug
Brown, Fred
Buie, Michael
Bullard, Patrick
Bullington, Scott
Burger, Thomas
Burmeister, Wayne
Busteed, Bob
Canup, Richard
Carey, Bill
Carlson, Hugh
Carr, Don
Champagne, Brian
Claussen, Stephen
Cool, Arnold
Cooper, Denny
Cooper, Doug
Cooper, John F.
Cope, Allan
Cota, James 'Pat'
Couser, David
Crawford, Christopher
Cruden, David
Cullum, Ray
Czarnecki, Anthony
Davidson, Dickie
Debisschop, Timothy
Degon, Vince
Delano, Ken
Dewitt, David
Diaz, Rudy
Dorff, Richard
Dreiss, Ray
Duell, Paul
Dyal, Don W. 'Gomer'
Edmiston, Ken
Ehlers, Joseph
Ellard, Bryon
Ellsberry, Prather
Featheran, Robert Jr.
Findlater, Doug
Flannery, Aaron
Fleming, Benjamin
Fleming, Denvery
Fleming, J.D.
Fonda, Carl
Futral, Dave
Gallagher, Gilbert 'Skip'
Geisenburg, Nick
Gibson, Chris
Glover, Ron
Grabins, Garry
Graves, Richard
Green, Earsel
Gutierrez, James
Habermas, Thomas
Hall, Larry
Harding, Rusty III
Harris, WIlbur
Hatchell, John
Hayes, Robert
Herbert, Randy 'Bear'
Henderson, Michael
Herzog, Willie
Hinds, George
Hogan, John 'Jack'
Hogan, Tom
Holler, Eugene
Hollingsworth, Paul
Holtman, Bruce
Hupe, Bill
Ignatowitz, Craig 'Iggy'
Johnson, Anthony
Johnston, Paul K.
Joyce, Dennis
Kearney, Russ
Kee, Kerby
Keller, Terry J.
Kennedy, Brian
Kinney, Wayne
Kirkpatrick, Steven
Klaiber, William
Knowlton, Leonard
Krieger, Kenneth
Kulp, Randolph
Laughlin, Brian
Lawrence, Marshall
Lemp, John
Liles, Michael
Lizana, Rick
Lothrop,
Lubbs, Larry
Marko, Michael Francis
Mason, John
Matherly, David
Mauk, Elam
Mauldin, Thomas
McCarney, Clifford
McConnell, Mark
McCord, Oliver
McMillan, Donald
Miller, Donald
Miller, Tony
Milton, Jay
Mosman, Harold
Musselman, Robert
Neubecker, Andrew
Neuman, Mark
Noftsger, Mike
Nolen, John
Ochsner, Patrick
Parham, Bryan
Pastiva, Stephen Jr.
Peterson, David
Petrak, David
Phipps, Mitchell
Plue, Mike
Porterfield, Glenn
Pruitt, Michael
Putnam, Bobby Jo
Putt, William
Ralston, David
Rasmussen, Aaron
Rasmussen, Bill
Rathsam, Richard
Ratliff, William
Raven, Donald
Reppert, Kevin
Rhodes, Ronald
13
Robinson, Warren
Roetto, Paul
Rowan, William
Rubright, David
Ruiz, Luiz
Sanderson, Jim
Scoville, Scott
Seelinger, James
Shafer, Harold 'Jack'
Shantz, Denton
Shepherd, Charles
Sherlock, Martin
Shields, Vaden
Shock, Joel
Sikora, Gregory
Siler, Dennis
Silvestri, Henry
Slusser, Howard
Smith, Charles
Sterner, George VADM
Steverson, Jeff
Stewart James
Stine, Gene
Stockton, N. Bradley
Stortroen, Keith
Taylor, Jim
Templer, Steven
Thaden, Gene
Thomas, Larry
Tomasi, Max
Tomren, Gerald
Trotter, Daniel
Twiselton, Brown Michael
VanDeLeest, Dean
Walenga, Craig
Watson, Herb
Weisser, Monty
Wenzel, Paul
Wesley, Mike
White, Don
Williams, Brian
Wiltse, David
Wimmer, Peter Thomas
Wolk, Dennis
Worthington, Vincent
Wright, David
Young, Ron
Youngman, David
14