1

From the Editor:

I hope that everyone has been having a great

summer. Been a great one in Charleston with our

normal heat and humidity. And now it looks like we’ll

get some water from Ericka during this upcoming

week. Only time will tell.

Several things have been added, updated and

changed on our website. Some people have even set

www.ssbn655.org as their homepage so they see it

each time they log on their browser. At the request of a

couple of shipmates I’ve added a section to the

Chaplain’s Page that gives list of donation addresses

where you can send memorial donations if you so

desire. Take a look and if there’s something you want

to add just send it to me.

Later in the newsletter you will see many links that

have been sent to me to share with you. All of the links

are good and many will keep you busy for hours. I

hope you enjoy them and I want to say thanks to all

shipmates who sent them to me.

The United States Submarine Veterans Inc.

(USSVI). is a fraternal organization of United States

Submariners. Whether currently Active, Retired,

Reserve or a Honorably discharged veteran if you

earned your Dolphins then you are a Submarine

Veteran … members of the elite under seas fighting

force of the United States Navy. We are all volunteers

who passed stringent testing and challenging training

and we proved our mettle when we earned the

coveted designation "QUALIFIED IN SUBMARINES".

Whether your dolphins are gold or silver, there is no

expiration date on the back of that precious pin.

Several of our Association Members are also

members of USSVI. The recent ―American

Submariner‖ listed two Stimson Association shipmates

who have recently become USSVI members: Thomas

Burger, MM2 B 67-70, Qual Date 1968, and Henry J.

Krzykowski, MM3 B/G 71-74, Qual Date 1973.

2016 Stimson Reunion News!

1. The committee has signed a contract with the

same hotel where we held the 2011 reunion. At the

2016 reunion it will be the Marriott.

2. Dates are October 13-16.

3. Room rates are $129+13.5% = $146.42 / night

4. Hotel registration will be available beginning

October 13, 2015. Individuals will be responsible for

making their own reservations.

5. Expect to see registration forms available on the

website and in this newsletter in October 2015.

The hospitality room will be open beginning at

1600 on Wednesday 12 October for early arrivals.

The reunion committee is working hard to have a

great 2016 Commissioning + 50 Years Reunion!!!

VOL. 2015 NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2015

U S S H E N R Y L . S T I M S O N A S S O C I A T I O N S S B N 6 5 5 N E W S L E T T E R

A s s o c i a t i o n O f f i c e r s & B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s 2 0 1 3 — 2 0 1 6

PRESIDENT Ray [Rita] Kreul

VICE PRESIDENT Tom [Marie] Krauser

SECRETARY Nick [Linda] Nichols

TREASURER Ken [Diane] Meigs

OUTGOING PRESIDENT Chuck [Joyce] Hladik

HISTORIAN / MEMORABILIA Loree [Carolyn] Riggs

WEBMASTER / NEWSLETTER Nick [Linda] Nichols

CHAPLAIN J.B. Helms

STOREKEEPER / SHIPS STORE Rita [Ray] Kreul

O t h e r P o s i t i o n s 2 0 1 3 — 2 0 1 6

2

————————————————————————

From the Association President & Storekeeper:

Ray & Rita Kreul

The Association Ship’s Store will be closed from

mid August until 1 Jan 2016.

————————————————————————

From the Association Historian: Loree Riggs

In the July newsletter I put some pictures that we

are trying to put names to the faces. Some of you have

helped with that. These pictures are included again

this month with the names that were received. My

intentions are to continue running these pictures for a

couple of months to see if we can name all of our

shipmates. You’ll find them at the end of this

newsletter

If you can ID anyone in these pictures, please

follow the directions with the pictures and then send

names to Nick Nichols, Webmaster,

(655webmaster@ssbn655.org) and to Loree Riggs,

Historian (lriggs8@comcast.net)

————————————————————————

ETERNAL PATROL

===============

TMCM(SS) Johnny W. ‘Lucky’ Logan, ? 78-79

Departed on Eternal Patrol 28 July 2015

- - - - -

MTC(SS) Harold Wayne Mosman, B Comm

Departed on Eternal Patrol 28 July 2015

[reported by MT2(SS) Gene Royer]

- - - - -

MMCM(SS) Kyle F. Tart, B 72-75

Departed on Eternal Patrol 5 June 2015 2015

[reported by Joanne Tart, wife]

————————————————————————

BINNACLE LIST

(View on the web at: http://ssbn655.org/chaplain/

chaplain.html. if you would like to be placed on our

Association Binnacle List please send an email to

655webmaster@ssbn655.org)

========================================

Carolyn Linhart, wife of Chuck, QM1(SS) G 68-74

8.2.15 Chuck has a request for his wife. Since 2010

Carolyn’s health has been steadily deteriorating. This

has caused them severe financial difficulties. Chuck

has started a GoFundMe page in hopes to pay for the

required medical procedures Carolyn has had to have.

Go to this link to better understand Carolyn’s situation

and to assist if possible: gofundme.com/5wb3wtpuw

**********

David Hill, ETCS(SS) B 70-74

1.1.13 placed on the liver transplant list

6.8.15 Please place me on the binnacle list. Please

pray that I can be the man God wants me to be. God

has blessed me more than I deserve already. I talked

to rhea dosimetry specialist and she said each shot

was 200 RADs! You may remember what LD 450

means. Lethal dose for 50% of the people exposed to

450 RADs. Fortunately, this is a tightly focused beam,

focused on the target site. So they are killing hopefully

the tumors on the bone, and very little else.

**********

Larry Hall, STS3(SS) B 65-69:

6.10.15 Still awaiting a kidney and can’t travel to the

reunions. They say that my kidney failure was caused

by high blood pressure and diabetes though I'm not

sure about that. In 2009 I had prostate cancer and had

48 radiation treatments. In 2010 my kidneys failed.

Since my diabetes is well under control and my blood

pressure hasn't been high for 20 years, it seems a bit

coincidental.

3

WELCOME ABOARD & FOUND SHIPMATES!!

(Shipmate has contacted us to be added or have info

updated on our Sailing List. Please check the online

Sailing List to access the shipmates email address.)

========================================

Mark Nault (other info unknown)

MSC(SS) Barry Steff, G 72-75/B 77-79/G 87-89

FTB2(SS) Mark Merritt, Ovhl#2

MT2(SS) Kenneth Krieger, B 78-81

MM2(SS) Jim Blackstone, G 73-76

————————————————————————

LOOKING FOR SHIPMATE

STS3(SS) Robert ‘Bob’ P. Featheran, Jr. (G 81)

[ SpritesDragon@gmail.com ] I would like to get in

contact with STS2 Robert P. Cooley.

**********

EM1(SS) Paul Murray (G 65-69)

[ pcmurray@optonline.net ] I am looking for former

shipmates Ken Luken IC2(SS) 65-68? and Joe Carter

MM1(SS) 65-68.

**********

QM2(SS) Robert Frizzola (G 82-86)

[ frizzz688@yahoo.com ] I was on from 82-86 Gold.

I’m looking for a few shipmates and maybe you can

help. MM1/SS Mike Alegretto and MM2/SS Willy

Wilson, both Gold crew.

**********

YNC(SS) James Maddox (B 83-86)

[ jgm401@msn.com ] is looking for YN2(SS) Mark

Jackson (B). Also what has happened to MMCM(SS)

Golightly.

**********

STS3(SS) Steve Searight (B 70-71)

[ ssearight@verizon.net ] is looking for STS3 Eugene

Manning who served during the same period as me.

As I recall, he was from New York (Brooklyn).

**********

MM2(SS) Joe Civiletti (G 79-81)

[ submarinemm1@aol.com ] Does anyone

remember/ know what happened to an MMCS/SS

Golightly or MM3/SS Dennis LaPalme (all A-Div Gold

crew in 1979 when I came on board). All could have

made rate after I knew them.

———————————————————————

NOTES FROM SHIPMATES

**********

This picture was submitted by John Felipe De Anda

RM3(SS) G 76-79. He was being presented his

Dolphins in 1977 by CDR Gary Bell, CO at the time.

**********

REAL SUB SAILORS

Submitted by Stan Mathes MM2(SS) G 65-67

Please see the attached picture. My wife found this

in a magazine and it reminded her of the tour we took

of the CSS Hunley during the 2011 reunion. The

sailors are a little goofy but if you use your imagination

they could have been on the Hunley.

The detail may not come through but the back

ground is a submarine. You can see a torpedo door in

the upper left and a water tight door in the lower left.

4

GREAT LINKS TO SPEND TIME WITH

(all links from “The Draft” will be on the website)

**********

655 Association Website

www.ssbn655.org

**********

THE SILENT SERVICE: USS BARB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ywf8iwmCyMQ&index=39&list=PLZgGjj9ev8IC2

QYB3ccieYd2PkBuFfXZP

**********

Get the day of to a good start.... Remember When

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd_41tM6H2Y

**********

He Flew the Last Combat Mission in WWII

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/395572/jerry-yellin

-world-war-ii-veteran-interview#.VcLL49RRHDc

**********

IKE'S PLANE! The First Air Force One!

https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?

v=ehwvZXVKmPU

**********

The Navy Nuclear Weapons Association (NNWA)

http://www.navynucweps.com/

**********

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier trailer for a new

http://www.theunknownsmovie.com/

Jersey Boy's songs by a US Navy singing group!

(if you like the Jersey Boy’s you’ll love this!!!)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lXlHv1-YPxM?

rel=3D0&autoplay=3Dtrue

**********

Undersea Warfare—the Undersea Warfare

Magazine

http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/

underseawarfaremagazine/Pages/PastIssues.aspx

**********

Portrait of a Warrior (Texas Country Reporter)

(one man’s mission to honor fallen heroes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=lRGWUFEeXZw

**********

41 for freedom part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wecxZ7fmMcc

**********

41 For Freedom Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=mWHKVVoK714

**********

41 For Freedom Part 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNfu47Usgnk

**********

USS Rhode Island SSBN 740

(documentary Published on Apr 25, 2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQneEY3Xg2I

Navy Life: A do-it-yourself kit for Shipboard living

http://bluejacket.com/humor_navy-life.htm

———————————————————————

ATTENTION all Submarine Sailors:

Submariners and their stories are brought to the

fore in this entertaining book that is rated 4-Star on

amazon.com.

―COVERT SAILORS-

Submariner Sea Stories‖

is available in either

Kindle-format, or as a

5‖x8‖x672-page

Paperback. If you want

a signed copy, please

email me at

xboatsailor@yahoo.com

for information.

If you have an

original sea story that

you would like to see in

an the upcoming

―Volume Two‖, please

send it to me as a word

document at the above

email; and be sure to put ―SUB BOOK‖ in the Subject

Line so it does not go to the ―Auto-Dump Locker‖.

A portion of royalties are donated to United States

Submarine Veterans, Incorporated, of which I am a

Life Member at three different bases in three different

states. If you have already read this book, pass it on to

another boat sailor and your support in getting the

word out to others is appreciated.

Thank you for your service in the ―Fearless and

Peerless‖ U.S. Submarine Force. Jim Schenk, SS-

214, SSN-586, SSN-664.

———————————————————————

Military Service --- Forever Unforgettable

I think all of us can relate to this whether we made

the military our careers or not. This is a very enjoyable

piece for me since I applaud anyone who is literate

5

enough to put into words things that I believe and feel.

- - - - - -

Occasionally, I venture back to NAS, Meridian,

where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who

looks carefully at my identification card, hands it back

and says, "Have a good day, Senior Chief."

Every time I go back to any Navy Base it feels good

to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in

civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and

servicewomen going about their duties as I once did,

many years ago.

The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has

ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the

rules and know they are enforced - a place where

everybody is busy, but not too busy to take care of

business.

Because there exists behind the gates of every

military facility an institutional understanding of

respect, order, uniformity, accountability and

dedication that becomes part of your marrow and

never, ever leaves you.

Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew

where you stood in the military, and who you were

dealing with. That's because you could read

somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the

score.

Service personnel wear their careers on their

sleeves, so to speak. When you approach each other,

you can read their name tag, examine their rank and, if

they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know

where they've served.

I miss all those little things you take for granted

when you're in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set

of fatigues fresh from the laundry and standing in a

perfectly straight line military formation that looks like a

mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon. I miss the

sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the

sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac,

the bark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers

from the squads as they pass by in review.

To romanticize military service is to be far removed

from its reality, because it's very serious business --

especially in times of war.

But I miss the salutes I'd throw at officers and the

crisp returns as we criss-crossed with a "by your leave

sir."

I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the

night air and the sound engines roaring down runways

and disappearing into the clouds. The same while on

carrier duty.

I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that

enlisted men gripe about constantly, a masterful

invention that bonded people more than they'll ever

know or admit.

I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a

building, speaking directly and clearly to others and

never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion or

gender.

Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so

complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and

so simple it feeds everyone on time, three times a day,

on the ground, in the air or at sea.

Mostly, I don't know anyone who has served who

regrets it, and doesn't feel a sense of pride when they

pass through those gates and re-enter the world they

left behind with their youth.

I wish I could express my thoughts as well about

something I loved -- and hated sometimes.

Face it guys - Whether you had one tour or a

career, it shaped your life.

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or

her life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The

United States of America' with no restrictions."

———————————————————————

———————————————————————

Richardson Confirmed as Next CNO

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elliott

Fabrizio, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affiars

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Adm. John M.

6

Richardson, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion

Program, was confirmed by the Senate as the 31st

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aug. 5.

Richardson will replace Adm. Jonathan W.

Greenert who has been CNO since September 2011.

Vice Adm. Frank Caldwell, who was also confirmed by

the Senate today, will succeed Richardson later this

month as the director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion

Program.

―I am honored and humbled to have been

nominated and confirmed to succeed Adm. Greenert

as our Navy's next chief of naval operations," said

Richardson. "Adm. Greenert and his wife Darleen have

been tireless and superb advocates for our Sailors and

their families. I am deeply grateful for their service to

our Navy and nation. I am excited to lead the

extraordinary men and women in the world's greatest

Navy."

The change of office ceremony will be held in

September at the United States Naval Academy in

Annapolis, Maryland.

Richardson, 55, hails from Petersburg, Virginia. He

graduated with a degree in physics from the U.S.

Naval Academy in 1982. Richardson also holds

master's degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology, the Woods Hole Oceanographic

Institution, and the National War College.

As one of the Navy's top leaders, Richardson has a

broad-based record as an operational commander.

Richardson commanded the nuclear attack submarine

USS Honolulu (SSN 718), served as a naval aide to

the president of the United States, as well as

numerous other assignments through his career.

Richardson received the prestigious Vice Adm. James

Stockdale for inspirational leadership award in 2001,

among a long list of personal and unit awards.

For biography on Richardson visit www.navy.mil/

navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=440.

———————————————————————

Buchanan's Bill to Replace DD-214 With Veterans

ID Card Passes Senate Without Opposition

By KEVIN DERBY

June 23, 2015 - 10:45am

On Monday, the U.S. Senate amended and passed

with unanimous consent a bill from a Florida

congressman which ensures every veteran receives

an ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans

Affairs without burdening taxpayers. The House

passed the bill last month with 402 representatives

backing it and no votes cast against it.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., introduced the

Veterans ID Card Act earlier this year. Buchanan’s bill

would ensure all veterans receive ID cards from the

VA instead of just those who served 20 years in the

armed forces or are seeking medical treatment for

service-related wounds.

In pushing his bill in recent months, Buchanan has

noted veterans are forced to carry DD-214 paperwork,

which contains sensitive information including Social

Security numbers, and an ID card would be more

convenient and would do a better job of keeping their

personal information secure.

―A simple, standardized ID card will make life easier

for our veterans and serve as a reminder that our

brave service men and women deserve all the respect

a grateful nation can offer," Buchanan said on

Tuesday.

Buchanan insisted his bill was budget neutral since

veterans who opted for the ID card would have a small

fee which the VA secretary would examine every five

years.

In the Senate, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-

Conn., offered an amendment to Buchanan’s bill

ensuring all veterans would be eligible for the ID card,

sending the bill back to the House. Buchanan’s office

expects the bill to sail through the House once again

and be signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Congressional co-sponsors of the bill included U.S.

Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the chairman of the House

Veterans Affairs Committee and U.S. Rep. Corrine

Brown, D-Fla., the ranking Democrat on the

committee. Other congressional representatives from

Florida who co-sponsored the bill include Republican

U.S. Reps. Ander Crenshaw, Ron DeSantis, Mario

Diaz-Balart, David Jolly, Bill Posey, Dennis Ross and

Ted Yoho, and Democratic U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch

and Alcee Hastings. The bill has also won the backing

of veterans groups including AMVETS and Veterans

for Common Sense (VCS).

Anthony Hardie, the director of VCS, praised the bill

on Tuesday.

―Veterans who have honorably served their country

deserve to have a simple, straightforward way to prove

their veteran status,‖ Hardie said. ―Veterans for

Common Sense supports sensible legislation like Rep.

Buchanan's Veterans ID Card Act.‖

———————————————————————

7

Remember coming up the river to Charleston? A

sight see by most of the topside personnel!

———————————————————————

First Female Enlisted Sailors to Serve Aboard Submarine USS Michigan Selected Megan Eckstein, USNI, June 22 The Navy selected the first 38 enlisted female sailors to serve aboard a submarine, the service announced on Monday. Four chief petty officers and 34 petty officers were selected from a pool of applicants that spanned 31 different ratings both at sea and ashore, according to a Navy statement. ―We couldn’t be more pleased with the amount of interest shown by enlisted women in wanting the opportunity to serve in the undersea warfare domain,‖ Rear Adm. Charles Richard, commander of Submarine Group 10 and of the Enlisted Women in Submarines Task Force, said in the Navy statement ―It’s an exciting time in the submarine force, as we continue to move forward in shaping the future of our force, drawing from the best pool of talent possible.‖ The women who pass their medical screening will be sent to a tailored training pipeline – to include Basic Enlisted Submarine School in Groton, Conn., and technical training at ―A‖ schools and ―C‖ schools where

applicable – before reporting to the Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727), homeported in Bangor, Wash. The 38 women were chosen through a competitive process based on the sailors’ performance in their current rating, their desired submarine rating assignment, the needs of Michigan’s two crews, and the overall needs of the Navy for rating community health, according to the statement, along with ―performance evaluations, warfare qualifications, commanding officer endorsements, sea service time, physical readiness testing, and similarity of current rating to desired submarine rating.‖ ―There were many exceptional candidates who we were unable to select in this rotation simply because we did not have enough positions open on the first two crews,‖ Capt. Rod Hutton, deputy commander for the Enlisted Women in Submarines Task Force, said in the statement. ―These fully qualified Sailors have been placed on the alternate list and will automatically be considered when we select the next group in continuing to grow opportunities for women to serve in the submarine force. We look forward to reviewing their records again, as well as those of Sailors who want to add their names to the mix this summer and fall.‖ The next round of applications will open next month. Sailors placed on the alternate list will be able to update their applications, and sailors who did not apply for the first round will be able to submit an application to serve aboard another Ohio-class sub, USS Florida (SSGN-729), homeported in Kings Bay, Ga. In a blog post, Richard acknowledged the historic nature of the selection. ―I first want to thank you for your courage, initiative and interest to apply for the opportunity to join the submarine community,‖ he wrote. ‖To those who were not selected,‖ he said, ―I want to encourage you to keep charging hard, as you are all hard-chargers for even considering this new, ground-breaking experience. There will be future iterations of enlisted female submariner selections made, so stay tuned for the announcement of the next application window planned for July of 2015.‖ The Navy currently has about 50 female officers serving on submarines after the male-only policy was reversed in 2010. The transition was not without challenges, as late last year the Navy discovered that about a dozen male sailors on USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) had recorded and viewed video of female officers in the submarine’s shower. The female enlisted sailors will join the Michigan crew in 2016, with two to four more crews welcoming

female sailors each year through 2021.

———————————————————————

8

Provided by McAuliffe, Jim RM2 B 67-68

Subject: 2190 TEP Health Alert

I saw this on Facebook and received and email

about it, and thought I should disseminate it as some

of it applies to me. The attached file is from the The

Naval Health Research Center. Remember the yellow

overhead in the crews mess. Gene E. Kellar

Subject: Very Important Information for All Nukes

Members; This is just for your information and not

meant to be absolute. Jim Myers

FORWARDED FLASH TRAFFIC (Originally

forwarded in May 2015, sent again after discussion

at our Tarheel Base Meeting)

I just received this from Steve Stone, this

information may be helpful for us in our battle with the

VA (I am very aware of the battle we all have with the

VA.)

I don't know if your group has

a forum for disability discussion

but I did want you to know that I

am currently pushing on the VA

about the number of nuclear

submarine sailors that are dying

from illness related to the DBNP

additive to 2190TEP oil.

I currently have information

on 6 friends that have died of

colon cancer/gall bladder-

kidney/liver have died of colon

cancer/gall bladder-kidney/liver

ulcers/diabetes/pneumonia and other cancers related

to this additive (all died before the age of 53). This

additive was more of a problem for nuclear

submariners because they spent so much time

breathing the same air with this crap in it. It turned our

skin yellow. It could not be removed by the

precipitators onboard.

Note, I currently have liver damage discovered in

1991 (I am a non-drinker) and diabetes. I also

developed Barrettes Esophagus which is a pre-cancer

growth in the esophagus.

I have included some information on the additive

below and attached a .pdf document of a US Navy

study done.

1. *Absorption, Distribution, and Clearance of 2,6-

Di-tert-Butyl-4-nitrophenol (DBNP)*; Still, Jederberg,

Briggs, Jung, Prus, Ritchie, Godfrey, Naval Health

Researcy Center Detachment (Toxicology) online

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA411200

a) "In 1992, the Navy Environmental Health Center

in Norfolk, VA was informed of about the discoloration

or yellowing of the interiors in the US submarine fleet

and possible exposure of Navy personnel to this

unknown substance."

b) "The submarine surface yellowing was reported

to General Dynamics Electric Boat Division (EBD),

who determined that the phenomenon was related to

presence of the nitrophenol, 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-

Nitropheno! (DBNP, CAS #728-40). DBNP is an

intensely yellow crystalline material (melting point =

157°C) resulting from the nitration of 2,6-di-

tertbutylphenol (DBP)."

———————————————————————

I was that which others did not wish to be.

I went where others feared to go, and did what

others failed to do.

I asked nothing from those who gave nothing and

reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal

loneliness should I fail.

I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold

fear, and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments

love.

But most of all I have lived times others would say

were best forgotten.

At least some day I will be able to say, I was proud

of what I was and always will be, one of the few,

that happy band of brothers............

A SUBMARINER.

9

Take A Dive On The USS New Hampshire For Fleet

Week - Jamie Guirola, WTVJ NBC Miami, May 4

A $2 billion submarine pulled into Port Everglades

Monday for Fleet Week – a submarine in which NBC 6

reporter Jamie Guirola got to take a ride and spend the

night.

Jamie spent time with the lookout and the gunner,

whose basic role is to make sure no other vessels

come too close.

After the coast was clear, the bridge was secured

and the submarine was ready to take the dive to 500

feet in the Atlantic Ocean.

"It's a little bit intimidating when you think about it

but it's our job," said Pilot Travis Thomas.

The USS New Hampshire weighs 7,800 tons and is

designated as a fast attack vessel.

It can dip and dive, commanding the ocean's

current as it propels below sea level, and its weapons

arsenal is equally impressive.

The simulation of a torpedo launching required

close to 500 gallons of water.

"When you're moving stuff that can eventually crack

an air carrier in half, you have to have a little bit of

awareness with it," said Aaron Newman.

The submarine is loaded with at least two

torpedoes at any given time. It's maximum capacity is

28. It takes a handful of men to load the torpedo in the

launcher before they can hit their target.

"They said do you want to play with poop or do you

want to play with guns? And I said play with guns,"

Newman said.

In addition to torpedoes, the USS New Hampshire

is loaded with real fire power mobile mines and

Tomahawk cruise missiles. And the vessel is charged

by its very own nuclear power plant.

The drinking water is pulled from the sea and

filtered into fresh water. The oxygen supply is pure but

the crew that operates this ship is fundamental.

"I get to work with the most amazing citizens of the

United States. The crew is unbelievable what they are

able to achieve. From the time we receive them on

board until the time they transfer off," said Commander

Jason Weed.

In the middle of Jamie's trip the submarine was

forced to surface. There was a medical emergency on

board and one of the crew needed immediate

attention.

"We needed to make a quick decision on turning

the ship around and we did that and the crew

responded very well," Commander Weed said.

The 377-foot sub looks huge from the outside, but

inside its tight quarters and the reaction of the

submariners to the medical emergency demonstrated

just how tight the crew is also.

"The best thing you can see is how much they grow

as individuals and how much they congeal into a

team," Commander Weed said.

Most of the crew members – more than 100 in all –

are in their 20s, some just out of high school. They

operate, and are responsible for, not only this $2 billion

piece of the Navy, but also each other.

"It's important because we're one percent of the

Navy so who's going to get your back in that sense?

Who else can know your position besides the guy on

your left and right?" asked Michael Calo.

Sometimes the guy on your left and right are very

close, especially in the shared sleeping quarters.

The sailors come from all over, from the Pacific to

the Atlantic.

"We're different ranks from different places, but we

sit down in theses chairs and we have to have each

others' back at all times. It's like a band of brothers

down here," said Pilot Travis Thomas.

It's a band and a bond with a depth that lasts a

lifetime.

———————————————————————

Steel Beach Navy

10

11

If you can provide names please send the picture

number and the list of names (by person’s number) to

Nick (655webmaster@ssbn655.org) and to Loree

(lriggs8@comcast.net)

PICTURE # 1

1 _________________________________________

2 Bill Logothety

3 TJ Keller

4 _________________________________________

5 _________________________________________

6 _________________________________________

7 _________________________________________

8 _________________________________________

9 Bill Mermer

10 Gary Webb

If you can provide names please send the picture

number and the list of names (by person’s number) to

Nick (655webmaster@ssbn655.org) and to Loree

(lriggs8@comcast.net)

PICTURE # 2

1 Bill Logothety

2 _________________________________________

3 TJ Keller

4 _________________________________________

5 _________________________________________

6 Gary Webb

7 _________________________________________

8 _________________________________________

9 Bill Mermer

10 _________________________________________

11 _________________________________________

12

SEARCH 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 Dreiss, Ray Kohankie Robert Rhodes, Ronald

Banfield, Ron Duell, Paul Laughlin, Brian Robinson, Warren

Barker, Paul Dyal, Don W. 'Gomer' Lawrence, Marshall Rowan, William

Barker, Thomas Edmiston, Ken Liles, Michael Rubright, David

Barrett, James Ehlers, Joseph Lizana, Rick Ruiz, Luiz

Beck, Roger Ellard, Bryon Lothrop, Sanderson, Jim

Blouse, Dan Findlater, Doug Lubbs, Larry Scoville, Scott

Blue, Matthew Flannery, Aaron Mason, John Seelinger, James

Bluestone, Edward Fleming, Benjamin Matherly, David Shantz, Denton

Bollman, Stephen Fleming, Denvery Mauk, Elam Shepherd, Charles

Borenko, Stephen Fonda, Carl Mauldin, Thomas Sherlock, Martin

Bowser, James Jr. Futral, Dave McCarney, Clifford Shields, Vaden

Bricker, Michael Gallagher, Gilbert 'Skip' McConnell, Mark Sikora, Gregory

Brill, Doug Geisenburg, Nick McCord, Oliver Siler, Dennis

Bullard, Patrick Glover, Ron McMillan, Donald Silvestri, Henry

Bullington, Scott Graves, Richard Miller, Donald Smith, Charles

Burmeister, Wayne Green, Earsel Miller, Tony Stewart James

Busteed, Bob Gutierrez, James Milton, Jay Stine, Gene

Canup, Richard Habermas, Thomas Musselman, Robert Stockton, N. Bradley

Cardin, Joseph Harris, WIlbur Neubecker, Andrew Stortroen, Keith

Carey, Bill Hatchell, John Neuman, Mark Taylor, Jim

Carlson, Hugh Hayes, Robert Nolen, John Thomas, Larry

Carr, Don Herbert, Randy 'Bear' Ochsner, Patrick Tomasi, Max

Champagne, Brian Herzog, Willie Parham, Bryan Tomren, Gerald

Claussen, Stephen Hinds, George Pastiva, Stephen Jr. Trotter, Daniel

Cool, Arnold Hogan, Tom Peterson, David Twiselton, Brown Michael

Cooper, Denny Holler, Eugene Petrak, David Walenga, Craig

Cooper, John F. Hollingsworth, Paul Phipps, Mitchell Watson, Herb

Cope, Allan Holtman, Bruce Porterfield, Glenn Weisser, Monty

Couser, David Hupe, Bill Pruitt, Michael Wenzel, Paul

Crawford, Christopher Johnson, Anthony Putnam, Bobby Jo Wesley, Mike

Cruden, David Johnston, Paul K. Putt, William White, Don

Cullum, Ray Kearney, Russ Ralston, David Williams, Brian

Czarnecki, Anthony Kee, Kerby Rasmussen, Aaron Wimmer, Peter Thomas

Davidson, Dickie Keller, Terry J. Rasmussen, Bill Wolk, Dennis

Debisschop, Timothy Keiningham, Thomas Rathsam, Richard Wright, David

Degon, Vince Kinney, Wayne Raven, Donald Young, Ron

Delano, Ken Kirkpatrick, Steven Reppert, Kevin Youngman, David

Dewitt, David Klaiber, William