1

From the Editor:

Another month has gone by and I know that I have

one of the best positions in the Stimson Association.

This past month I have received and answered so

many emails from our shipmates that I‘ve lost count. If

I had to put a number on it my guess is well over a

hundred … and I don‘t feel that‘s an exaggeration!

It‘s wonderful to be on the receiving end of an email

asking to be placed on our Sailing List. As you read in

the April ―Draft‖ there were 30 shipmates either added

to the SL or ‗found‘ and info updated and this month

we have five. Just to be factual, the ‗found‘ were never

really lost. We had their names but no way to contact

them … but we do now…

Of course there‘s the sad part to this story also.

This past month we found a shipmate who departed

on Eternal Patrol in 2009 and we also had one depart

on EP on March 31st right here in the Charleston area.

But the greatest part of all is the sea stories and

comments I receive from many of you. I hope as you

read through the newsletter each of you realize that

you have stories like this that you remember. Your

shipmates would really enjoy it if you would take the

time to write them up in an email and send them to me

for the next edition. It‘s really easy for me to find and

repeat the many articles put out through Navy sources,

but your stories and experiences are what enables this

to be an interesting newsletter.

Also check out the LOOKING FOR SHIPMATE

section. We have several of our shipmates trying to

make contact with someone they knew on the boat so

help them if you can. As someone once said … keep

those cards and letters coming!!!

Oh yeah, there is one important piece of info that if

you‘re retired from the Navy I‘m sure you will be

interested in:

DFAS Email Address Changing

From time to time, DFAS sends out emails that contain

important information pertaining to your pay account.

These are called “SmartDocs” emails because of the email

address used as the sender. The sending email address is

changing on 16 May 2015. If you have spam controls set up

on your email system, you should add the new address to

your permitted list so that you don’t miss anything. The

new sender email address is DFAS-SmartDocs@mail.mil.

This address is only used to send out bulk emails—please

do not send anything important to the address as you will

not receive a response. Read more: http://paycheck-

chronicles.military.com/2015/04/16/news-from-dfas/

#ixzz3XsngylDz.

VOL. 2015 NUMBER 5 MAY 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 Historian: Loree Riggs

After messenger

bouy sign taken

from the bouy

when removed

during Overhaul 1.

Presented to the

Association by

Nick Nichols.

————————————————————————

ETERNAL PATROL

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

STS1(SS) Howard „Howie‟ Slusser, G/B

Departed on Eternal Patrol 2 September 2009

[info submitted by STS3(SS) Steve Searight, B 70-71]

- - - - - -

SKCM(SS) Dominador „Dom‟ Bellon, B 78-81

Departed on Eternal Patrol 31 March 2015

Remembrances of Dom:

STSC(SS) Pat Johnson, B 85-86

[ pfje9@aol.com ] Dom was a good friend of mine. I

served with him on my first tour of Stimson from 1979

to 1981. I also worked closely with him while on shore

duty at the brig from 1993-1996. When I made Master

Chief in 1996, Dom and Jack Ilgenfritz...both retired

Master Chiefs pinned my collar devices on. It was a

great honor to have them do that. He will be greatly

missed....Pat

**********

MM1(SS) Dan Rhodes, B 79-83

[ seriesII@aol.com ] My deepest sympathies for yet

another loss of a great patriot. Sincerely, Dan Rhodes

**********

MM2(SS) Howie Schomer, B 77-81

[ Howie@charlestonmarathon.com ] Thanks for

letting us know. I'm so sorry to hear about this. He

seemed in such good health at our get together in

August. I'll always remember him as being a really nice

guy - got to know him better during my stint as a-gang

RPPO. I'm glad we got a chance to get together one

more time after all these years. Howie

————————————————————————

BINNACLE LIST

(if you would like to be placed on our Association

Binnacle List please send an email to

655webmaster@ssbn655.org)

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

I‘m sure there are many that have concerns and

problems but no one has informed the Association

during the month of April.

————————————————————————

WELCOME ABOARD & FOUND SHIPMATES!!

(Shipmates that have contacted us to be added or

have info updated on our Sailing List. Check the online

Sailing List to access the shipmates email address.)

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

MT2(SS) Fred L. Brown, Blue 68-69

CDR(SS) George Sterner, Gold 76-78

(CDR Sterner retired as Vice Admiral)

FTB1(SS) Karl Hyde, Blue/Gold 80-85

(read Karl‟s email in Shipmates Notes)

MMCM(SS) Rudy Diaz, Gold 70-74

(read Rudy‟s daughters email in Shipmates Notes)

MMC(SS) Bryon McCall, Blue/Gold 75-86

————————————————————————

LOOKING FOR SHIPMATE

MS2(SS) Tom O‟Callaghan (G 86-90)

[ thomasocllghn@aol.com ] Do you or anyone else

have any contact with Barry Steff MSC/SS?

3

**********

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 and Bak.

**********

MM3(SS) Alan ‟Chip‟ Paulding (G 69-71)

[ agp655@verizon.net ] 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 .

**********

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 MM2/SS Bob Kind, MMCS/

SS Golightly, MM2/SS "Bama" McCall, MM2/SS

O'Conner, MM2/SS McDonald or a MM3/SS Dennis

LaPalme (all were A-Div Gold crew in 1979 when I

came on board). All could have made rate after I knew

them.

———————————————————————

NOTES FROM SHIPMATES

Contributed by Gerry Weeks:

I was very taken with the flag ceremony at Bob's

funeral, and the honor guard of young naval reservists,

particularly the young female sailor who placed the

flag in my hands. The ceremony is deeply engrained

in my memory and is a touching military tribute to any

family mourning their loved one.

They Fold A Flag

by Milton E. Kinney

I watched hands fold a flag today,

I watched and cried and went away.

I wanted to, but could not stay,

They'll fold more flags another day.

They fold a flag for honor won,

A fallen daughter, a fallen son...

So careful that when they're done,

It's fit to hand to their loved one.

A hand is careful, and so slow,

No need to impress, no need for show,

They smooth each crease, then fold and go,

We honor them, so all will know.

Thirteen folds so careful and true,

Thirteen folds before they're through.

Thirteen folds they're asked to do,

Before they hand that flag to you.

You smooth a wrinkle so minute.

Their sacrifice no one can refute.

The grief and sadness can't dilute

The meaning of your sharp salute.

You turn and face their loved ones there,

You march to them so they can share,

A sense of just how much you care.

The warriors loss that's hard to bear.

A grateful nation still stands tall,

A grateful nation loves them all.

This flag a symbol of the call,

For freedom lives where brave men fall.

I watched hands fold a flag today,

I watched and cried and went away.

I wanted to, but could not stay,

They'll fold more flags another day.

4

**********

MMCM(SS) Rudy Diaz (G 70-74)

Colleen Bennett—My father, Rudy Diaz, was on the

Stimson from 1971 - 1974. You have my email

address, which was probably given to you by Shorty

Garoutte, and I appreciate the communication. My

father had a stroke about 2 1/2 years ago and has

been living in the Memory Unit at Cedarhurst of Shiloh

in Shiloh, Illinois.

He has progressed to the point that he does not

comprehend much. His short term memory is almost

non-existent and his long term memory is iffy as well

now. Immediately following the stroke he believed he

was back in the Navy and it was quite interesting to

talk to him.

He will not be able to read your emails and

comprehend or remember them. He does have the

book he put together with photos of the Stimson in his

room and looks at it different times. Shorty Garoutte is

the only person he remembers and points out in the

book. The Garoutte family and our family have been

close for over 45 years. Dad worked part time at the

Photo shop on base and he took pictures during one

patrol and put together a book for the crew.

Shorty is coming the first part of June so it will be

interesting to see if my Dad recognizes him now. I

have purchased many submarine books (filled with a

lot of pictures) for him. When he first entered the

Nursing Home and a new patient arrived he would tell

me, "someone new reported on board today". He

would ask if he could go to the ship's store because he

needed some things. He also told us last year that the

world had many troubles now and the Navy may call

him back up for duty. Dad will be 86 years old this

June.

**********

MM2(SS) Gary Jaster (B 65-67)

[ garyjaster@gmail.com ] Thanks to a 655 ball cap, I

was able to connect with a crew member on the Gold

crew that was there about the time I left the Blue crew

in 1967. He was here at the Polynesian Culture Center

in Hawaii where my wife and I volunteer. He took my

email address and never got back with me. I can't

remember his name or rate. Like the old Honda cycle

ad used to say You meet the nicest people on a

Honda. Same goes with wearing dolphins on their ball

cap. You meet the nicest people wearing dolphins.

**********

FTB1(SS) Karl Hyde (B/G 80-85)

[ hydekarl@hotmail.com ] I was on the blue crew

starting October 1980. Arrived at ship in Kings Bay,

GA. Looked like Swiss cheese. Extended Refit period.

Welds repetitively failed radio graphic exams. Interim

CO decided to test them at sea. Creaks and pops are

normal during test depth dives. However, having seen

many holes in the people tank and knowing that the

weld were questionable, made for much additional

trepidation with those noises. I did several detergent

(deterrent) patrols before offload followed by slow

attack duty waiting for our turn at Newport News

Shipbuilding. Eventually, following sea trials, and on

load did DASO and my final patrol on the gold crew

before discharge in June 1985.

**********

An eyewitness account of the first

USS Henry L. Stimson MUC

by Dennis „Mac‟ McFadden

Hello, all Henry L. Stimson crews and shipmates.

My name is Dennis (Mac) McFadden and a member of

the MT division at the time of the first MUC. From my

perspective as an MT, I would like to tell the privilege

of being on the crew and the awesome experience of

the missile testing.

First I would like to introduce the members of the

MT division, as I remember after 45 years.

Joe Kozicky MT1(SS) Division LPO

Steve Rust MT2(SS)

Dennis McFadden MT2(SS)

Rodger Schmuck MT3(SS)

Edgar Chase MT3(SS)

Monty Weisser MT3

The patrol started out of Holy Loch and headed to

the Med for a quick spin around the big pond. During

this time the crew did many ―battle stations missile‖ in

preparation for the test. Captain Cruden had the crew

fine tuned in advance.

The boat pulled into Rota to prepare the missiles

for the test, 7 of them. Technicians from the tender, I

believe the USS Holland, replaced the nuclear

warheads with warheads of the same dimension and

weight that generated noise when hitting the target.

They also installed telemetry equipment and prima

cord on the first stage. This in case the missile had to

be aborted at launch.

The target was a Sonar array off the coast of Africa

south of the equator. At least that is what we were told.

The crew was not allowed off base. This was a top

secret mission. The crew participated in beer ball

5

games, lots of Bud was consumed, and spent time at

the enlisted club and exchange.

After all the preparations were completed, the boat

headed out to the launch area. More drills. I know

every person that was ever a crew member of the

Stimson experienced firing 1 or 2 ballast cans during

sea trials, but believe me this was a different

experience. The boat was going to launch 7 live

missiles. There was much scuttlebutt among the crew,

would the missiles get out of the launch tube, the

rocket not ignite and fall back on the boat, any be

terminated.

The big day came and the whole Weapons

department was anxious. Then the call to ―battle

stations missile‖ was announced. My watch was upper

level MC. I know to a man that everyone of the crew

was somewhat nervous. We were getting ready to do

something no other FBM submarine had ever done.

Captain Cruden gave the order to launch and 7

missiles successfully launched, ignited and went on

their merry way. The feeling of the missiles launching,

the boat shaking 7 times, is beyond words. It was

terrifying and at the same time exhilarating.

We were told the target was 2500+ miles away.

From what I remember, we were notified that 5 of the 7

hit within 100 yards of the target and the other 2 within

2 miles.

That is pretty darn accurate and scary to think of

the power possessed.

Every member of the Weapons department and the

crew as a whole deserve a ―Job Well Done‖ on getting

the MUC. A fine tuned team.

We completed our patrol and returned to Holy

Loch.

————————————————————————

GREAT LINKS TO SPEND TIME WITH

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

**********

655 Association Website

www.ssbn655.org

**********

Jerry Yellin, World War II Veteran Interview

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

-world-war-ii-veteran-interview#.VS6pXiMtHDd

**********

A Gun, A Hat, and A Horse

Remember Saturday afternoons at the movies?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSYaUoJa5Pg

**********

Nuclear Bomb Found Near Tybee Island

http://worldnewsdailyreport.com/georgia-amateur-

divers-find-long-lost-nuclear-warhead/

**********

Surrender Ceremony of the Japanese to McArthur

in Tokyo Bay September 1945

https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcnH_kF1zXc

**********

WWII Recovery-True Story of 19 Marines Killed

and Recover of Their Bodies

https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6f_FvZpm3g

**********

USS Pennsylvania SSBN 735 Video

http://www.chonday.com/Videos/pen1usnav1

**********

8th

Air Force History - Very interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6CaJWif1M

———————————————————————

Would you still qualify…??

Part 2 answers later in newsletter

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 you go with 10 more questions. The answers

to those from printed previously can be found

elsewhere in this newsletter.

There are 30 total questions. 10 will be in each

newsletter. Answers will be in each consecutive

newsletter:

21. Give at least three reasons the ship might tend to

broach while coming to periscope depth. (3)

22. If the doctor forgot to secure the wash while

making photographic prints in the nucleonics

6

lab/darkroom, which sanitary tank would eventually

overflow, and where would the flood most

likely come to light? (2)

23. If a cloth soaked with Chanel #5 were placed in the

fan room (during an Annette Funicello movie) what

would be the approximate duration of the olfactory

effect in the wardroom? (Assume normal ventilation

system parameters.) (1)

24. A nearby submarine might have located STIMSON

in July, 1967, by hearing which of the following:

Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs

Mahler’s 4th Symphony, third movement climax

Trini Lopez

Bastard files working on monel-nut signet rings

Casino Night shouts of profit and loss

All of the above (1)

25. Explain the following acronyms: SCUBA, RADAR,

SONAR, LIMEA, FUBAR (5)

26. On watch, the EOOW and the OOD had distinct

areas of the ship under their aegis; precisely how were

these areas delineated? (1)

27. What did the anchor weigh? Where was it housed?

How many flukes did it have? How much chain was in

the chain locker? (4)

28. Match the following fluids with their identifying

color codes for valve handwheels or levers:

Salt Water a. Dark Gray

Fresh Water b. Light Gray

Hydraulic Fluid c. Purple

High-pressure Air d. Blue

N2 e. Dark Green

H2 f. Light Green

O2 g.. Yellow-Green

CCl2F2 h. Yellow

i. Orange

j. Red

(8)

29. Give yourself two more points if you can identify

the fluids or systems associated with both the extra

colors above. This assumes you have already

correctly color-coded all the fluids listed in 1-8. (2)

30. True or False? – it is possible to score an odd

number in question 28. (1)

———————————————————————

Tossing Lines: Hats Off To All Submariners

John Steward, New London Day, Apr 7

Here in the Submarine Capitol of the World,

submarines are who we are. Whether we build them,

serve on them or just catch a glimpse of one now and

then gliding on the Thames River, subs have always

been a part of our lives.

Active and retired Navy personnel and the

extended families of Electric Boat shipbuilders fill

communities throughout Connecticut and Rhode

Island. Newspapers cover submarines returning to the

Sub Base in Groton after long deployments.

That is why, when I first laid eyes on an eerie x-ray

of the confederate submarine H.L. Hunley on

CNN.com, I felt a connection to those skeletons

trapped inside because every submariner is one of our

own.

The Hunley sank in 1864 after fatally torpedoing the

USS Housatonic off the coast of South Carolina. The

Hunley was recovered in 2000 and underwent

archaeological processing in a lab.

Powered by hand, the heavy sub‘s seven crank

handle positions were painstakingly excavated from

the sediment. One by one, each skeleton was exposed

at his station. They had never moved.

Time and the ocean stole skin, muscle and tissue

but left the skeletons remarkably preserved. Some still

wore shoes.

Mainstream media avoided the crew‘s remains but

these men had names. The website for Friends of the

Hunley (friendsofthehunley.org) tells their story.

Inside the sub, personal effects, small symbols of

humanity, had settled in place as their owners slowly

disintegrated – shoes, wood and brass buttons, a tin

canteen, a wallet, a wooden pipe for smoking and bits

of clothing.

In the front of the boat still on station beneath the

forward conning tower sat the skeleton of Lt. George

E. Dixon, the Hunley‘s commander. He fired the

torpedo that sunk the Housatonic, introducing

submarines to naval warfare.

Jewelry and an ornate gold watch mingled with his

bones. A healed gunshot wound was found in Dixon‘s

left upper thigh. He had become legend for the $20

gold good luck piece that once deflected the bullet,

saving his leg. Dixon carried it that night.

At the first crank were the bones of 20-year old

Arnold Becker. His teeth showed signs of childhood

illness or occasional malnutrition. His skeleton still held

signs of strain from turning the crank shaft.

Still manning the second crank were the remains of

a man named Lumpkin, first name undetermined. In

his early 40s, he showed past evidence of a broken

nose, cheek and foot. He had notches in his teeth

7

where he held his smoking pipe. His sewing kit and

pocketknife lay with his bones.

Frank Collins was the tallest skeleton, collapsed at

the third crank handle. Collins had ―tailor notches‖ in

his teeth from working with metal needles. He

apprenticed in his grandfather‘s cobbler shop.

The bones of J. F. Carlsen, in his early 20s, rested

at the fourth crank handle. Carlsen had survived a

mutiny, testifying in an 1861 treason trial in

Charleston.

Details are sketchy about a man named Miller,

manning the fifth position. He was one of the oldest, in

his mid-40s. His skeleton spoke of a hard physical life,

showing old fractures on his rib, leg and skull. He was

a heavy smoker with a touch of arthritis.

At the sixth crank sat James A. Wicks, father of four

girls. A heavy tobacco user with light brown hair and

blue eyes, seven U.S. Navy buttons mingled with his

bones.

Nestled at the seventh crank position was Joseph

Ridgaway, just over 30. Scattered among his bones

was a slouch hat and pencil. Mysteriously, around his

neck hung the dog tag of Connecticut soldier Ezra

Chamberlin, who died at the Battle of Morris Island

where Ridgaway had also fought.

In 2004 the Hunley crew was buried amid great

fanfare in Charleston, S.C., laid to rest as they had

died – side by side.

Ted Dubay of East Lyme, submariner and author of

―Three Knots to Nowhere‖ wrote: ―All submarines

operate on the edge of survivability.‖

The courage it took to man the hand-cranked

Hunley is no different than the courage it takes to man

today‘s sophisticated nuclear submarines. The deep,

unforgiving sea hasn‘t changed.

Hats off to all submariners.

———————————————————————

VA Surviving Spouse Website

The Department of Veteran Affairs has created a

new internet website for surviving spouses and

dependents of military personnel who died on active

duty and for survivors and dependents of veterans

who died after leaving the service. The site is

organized into two broad categories-death in service

and death after service. It provides visitors with

information and about a wide range of benefits for

surviving spouse, dependent children, and dependent

parents of diseased veterans and active duty

personnel. The site also has information from, and

links to, other federal agencies and organizations that

offer benefits and services to survivors and

dependents.

Several options also apply to surviving retirees

participating in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), where

the spouse is lost through death, divorce or

annulment, and the retiree later remarries. Unless the

former spouse coverage elected as part of the divorce,

retirees who remarry have two choices. They can:

Resume the prior level of coverage; Elect not to

resume spouse SBP coverage, (this election is

irrevocable), this election will not affect child coverage;

or if the original election was for reduced coverage, the

retiree may request the base amount be increased.

There is also a link to frequently asked questions, and

answer most questions. For more specific questions

the site tells how to contact the VA directly.

The new website can be found at http://

www.vba.va.gov/survivors.

Some of the topics found on this page include:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

Parents‘ Dependency and Indemnity

Compensation

Survivors Pension

Home Loans

Dependents‘ Educational Assistance Program

Educational and Vocational Counseling

Beneficiary Financial Counseling

Civil Service Preference

Commissary and Exchange Privileges

Children of Vietnam Veterans with Certain Birth

Defects

Fiduciary Services

8

———————————————————————

NNS150417-10. FRV Coveralls Coming to

Submarine Force

From Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public

Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Flame resistant variant (FRV)

coveralls will be issued to the crews of all Navy

submarines in 2015, beginning with USS Montpelier

(SSN 765), which was selected to wear test the

uniform prior to distribution across the submarine

force.

The submarine community is the last to rollout FRV

coveralls across its fleet due to the need for lint testing

to ensure the coveralls would not inhibit the ships'

ventilation systems. The aviation and surface

communities began issuing FRV coveralls in January

2014 with nearly all ships having successfully

completed the transition from the older poly-wool style

coveralls to the new, safer version by October 2014.

Commander, Submarine Force Supply Financial

Advisory 15-01 directs afloat units to procure and

distribute FRV coveralls to shipboard personnel at no

cost to the crew. It provides an implementation

timeline and provides reporting requirements for ships

and their superior commands.

FRV coveralls will be issued and managed as

organizational clothing to all personnel on submarines

to mitigate the risk of fire-related injuries. The new

coveralls are expected to maintain performance

properties, durability and appearance for typical

deployments of six to nine months, with an optimal

wear life of 18-24 months. Like other organizational

clothing, the FRV coveralls will be replaced by each

ship over time, based on normal wear and tear.

The FRV coverall is made from 100% cotton fabric

treated with a flame retardant chemically bonded into

the fibers of the fabric. FRVs passed all flame and

flash-fire testing requirements and the flame resistant

properties did not degrade with wear or laundering for

the serviceable life of the coverall. They use the same

design pattern as the existing utility coveralls Sailors

have in their uniform sea bag.

Senior Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Joshua

Newcome, Engineering Department Master Chief

onboard USS Montpelier (SSN 765), said he

appreciates the Navy's efforts to continually improve

safety.

"I am really happy the Navy puts this much

emphasis into safety and are always looking for ways

to improve it," said Newcome. "Having done this for as

long as I have, I have seen my fair share of fires

onboard, and the implications that a major fire had on

a submarine. Every little bit of safety or margin of

improvements that are added, I will gladly take."

Navigation Electronics Technician Seaman David

Nein said the gratitude for safety extends outside of

service members.

"I know that everyone back home, our family and

friends, appreciate the Navy looking into how we can

make things safer," said Nein. "They are happy when

they hear about us doing things to try and make our

lives and workplace safer."

Because the FRV coveralls are not a uniform, they

are not authorized for use ashore. The current poly/

cotton utility coverall will no longer be authorized for

wear underway once the crew is issued the FRV

coverall.

Newcome encouraged Sailors to remember the

importance of the wear testing process while the

transition takes place.

"Keep an open mind and be positive about the

change," said Newcome. "It improves your degree of

safety, and while we all struggle with change, in this

case, change is good."

To build esprit de corps, each unit's commanding

officer may authorize the wear of the embossed

leather name tag (same as worn on the V-neck

sweater) or develop a fabric-embroidered, unit-specific

name tag similar to those worn on green Nomex flight

jackets. Name tags will be Velcro-backed and worn

1/4" centered above the left breast pocket. Unit-

designed name tags must be similar in size and shape

to the V-neck sweater name tag.

The FRV coverall will be worn with a black cotton

web belt for E1-E6 personnel and a khaki cotton web

belt for chief petty officers and officers. Unit patches or

the U.S. flag will not be attached to the FRV to avoid

any potential degradation of the coverall's fire

retardant properties. Ships should not stencil or

serialize any part of the coveralls' outer fabric, but can

stencil names on the inner part of the coverall for

identification purposes. No other modifications are

authorized.

Submarines have been directed to issue four FRV

coveralls and one name tag to each crew member no

later than Dec. 31, 2015. Each boat will also maintain

a reserve supply to facilitate replacement of damaged

and unserviceable FRV coveralls. The exact transition

date for each submarine is to be determined by the

9

commanding officer based on the ship's operational

schedule.

For more news from Commander, Submarine

Force, Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/sublant/.

———————————————————————

ANSWERS FROM QUAL QUIZ MARCH ISSUE

11. Plus or minus 10%, how many EABS manifold

were there? How many connectors? How many

masks? (3)

158 manifolds (accept 142-174 as correct

guesstimate); 786 connections (707-866); 196

masks (176-216.) Masks were provided for

140% of ship‘s complement of 140.

12. What was the fundamental conflict between the

EABS system and the compartment salvage air

system? (2)

Salvage air ran on 700 psi air. EABS ran on

100 psi. At depths below ~200fsw, the salvage

air would overwhelm the EABS supply

13. What was the catalyst in the CO-H2 burners? (1)

HOPCALITE

14. What was the normal operating temperature of the

CO-H2 burners? (1)

430-450 degrees F

15. Besides CO2 and H2O, what might the CO-H2

Burners produce? (1)

Phosgene (product of oxidation of Freon at

temperatures above operational limits.)

16. True or False? – the floating wire streaming

assembly exited from the port side of the sail.(1)

True

17. Name the periscopes and give the special

capabilities of each. (6)

No. 1 scope, Type 2D or attack scope, or day

scope; slender, smaller wake; less light-

gathering capability

No. 2 scope, Type 8B/HW or night scope;

larger objective, included ECM, radio

Type 11 scope; used for navigation; sextant

function to shoot stars

18. Name any six other masts or antennae. (6)

AT-441/MRC emergency whip antenna;

AT-317/BRR emergency VLF loop;

AN/BRA-9 MF-HF;

AN/BRN-3A radio navigation;

AN/BPS-11 radar;

ECM/DF mast;

Snorkel induction/exhaust mast;

AT-317/BRR main VLF loop;

AT-317/BRR emergency VLF loop;

AS-1201/BPX UHF/IFF;

Masthead light

19. A high-speed, full-rudder turn to port, submerged,

induces a snap roll to which side? (1)

Port (The sail develops a lateral moment of

force that induces a roll toward the inside of the

turn.)

20. Will the same turn (#19.) tend to cause an up or a

down angle? Why? (2)

Down (As the ship rotates into the turn the

rudder tends to lift the stern.)

———————————————————————

NNS150416-25. Pacific Fleet Master Chief Relieved

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Fleet

Master Chief for the U.S. Pacific Fleet was relieved of

his duties April 16.

Fleet Master Chief (FLTCM) (SW/AW) Marco A.

Ramirez was relieved by commander, U.S. Pacific

Fleet Adm. Harry Harris Jr. due to lack of confidence.

The action resulted from the initial findings of an

investigation which determined that Ramirez had not

performed up to the high standards of his office.

Ramirez assumed his duties as Fleet Master Chief

in April 2013. He has been temporarily assigned to

another directorate within U.S. Pacific Fleet pending

final adjudication of the case.

FORCM Russell S. Mason, Force Master Chief,

Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, has assumed

Fleet Master Chief duties pending assignment of a

permanent relief.

For more news from Commander, Submarine

Force, Atlantic, visit http://www.navytimes.com/story/

military/2015/04/16/marco-ramirez-pacific-fleet-master-

chief/25892169/

———————————————————————

The Men Who Wear Dolphins

The men who wear dolphins share a brotherhood

unlike any other, linked through the blood lines of

battle, through near-death experiences at 25 knots,

800 feet below the surface of the sea.

During war, or during peace- time, you want these

sailors on your side. Dedicated, disciplined. Fearless.

Sacrifice-above-self.

10

The original stealth weapon, the submarine cruises

the world‘s oceans unseen, carrying out a variety of

missions. Members of the Toledo Base group of

submarine veterans say the obvious: serving aboard a

submarine is not for everyone.

Think about it: these veterans worked and lived in

what could be considered a 300-foot long, 30-foot

wide, three-story building with no windows. Lock the

doors, dive down, and stay there, surrounded by

water, traveling silently, for months.

Members of the USS Toledo Base, who meet

monthly at Charlie‘s Restaurant in Maumee, are part of

the United States Submarine Veterans Inc., which has

more than 160 bases (or chapters) with 13,500

members.

Pride runs deep in an organization of sailors who

wear the dolphin insignia.

―Dolphins are earned, not given,‖ said Toledo Base

past commander Neil Hossler, who lives near Pioneer,

Ohio. ―And you earn them through quite a process.‖

Seasoned sailors learn about the boat, inside and

out, and in doing so, the qualified submariners go

through a process known as earning one‘s dolphins.

The dolphin insignia is a badge of brotherhood and

honor.

The USS Toledo Base, chartered in December,

2003, has grown from five members to 41, Mr. Hossler

said.

He added that Toledo has strong connections to

submarines, not just through the veterans who served

but through the fast-attack submarine the USS Toledo,

commanded now by Toledo native Michael Majewski,

a graduate of Start High School.

Too, there was extra pay ―hazardous-duty pay and

sea-duty pay‖ for serving on a submarine, Mr.

Simpson said.

George Shreffler of Gibsonburg, Toledo Base

Commander, noted the vital importance of submarines

to the defense of freedom, including submarine attacks

critical to Americans fighting at Pearl Harbor. Ships

were destroyed during the attack by the Japanese, but

submarines were available for duty, he said, adding

that submarines helped win the war - one reason it is

an honor to serve aboard submarines yet to this day.

Marv Koch, 72, of Findlay, served on a submarine

during the Vietnam War. Volunteering for submarine

duty had a certain appeal: better to be below water

than to be boots on the ground.

Mr. Koch pointed out that sailors who are serving

now, such as those aboard the USS Toledo, learn

much more than submariners did back in the day.

―They are so much smarter than we were. I am

extremely impressed.‖

Curtis Osmun, 55, of Toledo, recalled serving

aboard the USS Nathanael Greene from 1977 to 1983,

and his father, Cleatus Osmun who lived in Farmer,

Ohio, served aboard two subs during the Korean War.

Curtis, with much pride, describes himself as a

second-generation submariner who knew as a young

boy that he wanted to join the Navy and earn his

dolphins.

One of the newest Toledo Base members is Jack

Kiser, 65, of Findlay, who joined about five months ago

after he met a couple of Toledo Base members who

invited him to the meetings. Mr. Kiser served aboard

the USS Halfbeak from 1966 to 1969.

The Toledo Base members include Chief of the

Boat, Butch Bretz, 68, of Pemberville, who served on

the USS Casimir Pulaski from 1966 to 1968; Larry

Klein of Perrysburg, who served on the USS Nautilus

in the 1960s, and Brian Duke of Elmore, who served

on the USS Ray in the 1970s.

11

Member Mel Reeder of Oregon near Toledo

qualified for sub service in 1943, and member Willard

Billingsley of Findlay is one of the older members; he

is in his early 90s.

In September, 1977, the USS Ray was in the

Mediterranean for a six-month tour of duty, Mr. Duke

recalled. The sub, submerged and on the move, hit a

sea mount, smashing and collapsing the sub‘s bow, he

said.

After initial repairs, the submarine had to transit the

Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean on the surface as it

made its way to South Carolina for additional repairs.

―A round hull submarine rolls like crazy on the surface

and it took about two weeks to make the trip,‖ he said.

―You volunteer to serve on a sub, and you can

―unvolunteer.‖‖

Rarely does that happen.

Mr. Klein was aboard the Nautilus when it was

rammed by an aircraft carrier in November, 1966, off

the coast of North Carolina. The submarine received

extensive damage to its sail area. ―All hands were OK

after the collision, and not one sailor opted to leave the

submarine service after the collision. That‘s what

makes us what we are,‖ he said.

Toledo Base members say sub crews stick

together. All for one, one for all, in spite of the life-and-

death scenarios.

Tom Brown of Findlay, who served in the Navy

from 1966 to 1970, was aboard the USS George

Washington when the quietest moment on the sub

took place when news was announced in 1968 that the

USS Scorpion ―was lost at sea, all hands down.‖ In

watery graves ... all 99 men who were aboard the

Scorpion.

The Toledo Base is an all-male organization.

During impromptu discussions at its recent meeting,

hands went up, indicating members‘ strong opposition

to the Navy‘s plan to have enlisted women serve on

submarines.

Such a decision is akin to trolling for trouble, some

sub vets said.

One veteran suggested that if women want to be

submariners, they can get their own boat.

Plans call for enlisted female sailors to be

incorporated into crews aboard submarines in 2016.

The Navy rescinded its males-only policy on

submarines in 2010.

Being realists rather than sexist, veterans

expressed concern that woman on board could

interfere with the crew camaraderie, a key component

to survival during dangerous situations.

Besides, some members said, harassment

complaints would likely occur, considering sailors often

brush against each other as they pass in tight

quarters.

How tight? For instance: on long deployments the

amount of food required exceeds storage space. Cans

of food are stored on floors in passageways

throughout the ship and the sailors simply walk on the

top of the cans.

The vets joked that fuel and ice cream were must-

haves on board before patrols got under way.

And the submariners hoped to get fresh rations

before powdered milk or ―ugh‖ canned ham, the last

resort, was served.

Vets say they joked around a lot to ease stress.

Serving on a sub was no chuckle. The risks were

many.

Dozens of subs went down and never came back

up. Thousands of sailors aboard submarines remained

beneath the sea. Families lost sons, fathers,

husbands, uncles, brothers.

Attend a Toledo Base meeting, and you will know:

you are in the company of heroes.

During their meetings, members stand and remove

their caps.

And then, a bell tolls, honoring ―Lost Boats‖ and the

downed crews who remain on Eternal Patrol.

Contact Janet Romaker at: 419-724-6006 or

jromaker@theblade.com.

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/

Culture/2015/04/05/Toledo-submarine-veterans-a-

proud-tightknit-group.html#kOBAxdGWdmyGve76.99

———————————————————————

Husband‟s Text:

Honey, I got hit by a car outside the office.

Paula brought me to the Hospital.

Doctors presently doing tests and taking X-rays.

Severe blow to my head but not likely to have any

lasting effects.

Wound required 19 stitches.

I have three broken ribs, a broken arm and

compound fracture in the left leg.

Amputation of the right foot is a possibility.

Love you.

Wife‟s Response:

Who is Paula?

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 Kirkpatrick, Steven Reppert, Kevin

Banfield, Ron Duell, Paul Klaiber, William Rhodes, Ronald

Barker, Paul Dyal, Don W. 'Gomer' Kohankie Robert Robinson, Warren

Barker, Thomas Edmiston, Ken Krieger, Kenneth Rowan, William

Barrett, James Ehlers, Joseph Laughlin, Brian Rubright, David

Beck, Roger Ellard, Bryon Lawrence, Marshall Ruiz, Luiz

Blouse, Dan Featheran, Robert Jr. Liles, Michael Sanderson, Jim

Blue, Matthew Findlater, Doug Lizana, Rick Scoville, Scott

Bluestone, Edward Flannery, Aaron Lothrop, Seelinger, James

Bollman, Stephen Fleming, Benjamin Lubbs, Larry Shafer, Harold 'Jack'

Borenko, Stephen Fleming, Denvery Mason, John Shantz, Denton

Bowser, James Jr. Fonda, Carl Matherly, David Shepherd, Charles

Bricker, Michael Futral, Dave Mauk, Elam Sherlock, Martin

Brill, Doug Gallagher, Gilbert 'Skip' Mauldin, Thomas Shields, Vaden

Bullard, Patrick Geisenburg, Nick McCarney, Clifford Sikora, Gregory

Bullington, Scott Glover, Ron McConnell, Mark Siler, Dennis

Burmeister, Wayne Grabins, Garry McCord, Oliver Silvestri, Henry

Busteed, Bob Graves, Richard McMillan, Donald Smith, Charles

Canup, Richard Green, Earsel Miller, Donald Stewart James

Cardin, Joseph Gutierrez, James Miller, Tony Stine, Gene

Carey, Bill Habermas, Thomas Milton, Jay Stockton, N. Bradley

Carlson, Hugh Harding, Rusty III Mosman, Harold Stortroen, Keith

Carr, Don Harris, WIlbur Musselman, Robert Taylor, Jim

Champagne, Brian Hatchell, John Neubecker, Andrew Thomas, Larry

Claussen, Stephen Hayes, Robert Neuman, Mark Tomasi, Max

Cool, Arnold Herbert, Randy 'Bear' Nolen, John Tomren, Gerald

Cooper, Denny Herzog, Willie Ochsner, Patrick Trotter, Daniel

Cooper, Doug Hinds, George Parham, Bryan Twiselton, Brown Michael

Cooper, John F. Hogan, Tom Pastiva, Stephen Jr. Walenga, Craig

Cope, Allan Holler, Eugene Peterson, David Watson, Herb

Cota, James 'Pat' Hollingsworth, Paul Petrak, David Weisser, Monty

Couser, David Holtman, Bruce Phipps, Mitchell Wenzel, Paul

Crawford, Christopher Hupe, Bill Porterfield, Glenn Wesley, Mike

Cruden, David Johnson, Anthony Pruitt, Michael White, Don

Cullum, Ray Johnston, Paul K. Putnam, Bobby Jo Williams, Brian

Czarnecki, Anthony Kearney, Russ Putt, William Wimmer, Peter Thomas

Davidson, Dickie Kee, Kerby Ralston, David Wolk, Dennis

Debisschop, Timothy Keller, Terry J. Rasmussen, Aaron Wright, David

Degon, Vince Keiningham, Thomas Rasmussen, Bill Young, Ron

Delano, Ken Kinney, Wayne Rathsam, Richard Youngman, David

Dewitt, David Raven, Donald