C O L U M B U S B A S E S U B M A R I N E V E T E R A N S

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1 C O L U M B U S B A S E S U B M A R I N E V E T E R A N S VOLUME 11, ISSUE 5 May 2015 ALL SEAS ARE NAVIGABLE At May s meeting we welcomed special guest Lt. Erienne Kresch. Lt Kresch qualified on the USS Ohio (SSGN-726) Gold and is currently a Submarine Warfare Instructor, Assistant Professor of Naval Science at Ohio State. Onboard the USS Ohio, LT Kriesch served as the Tactical Systems Officer, the Damage Control Assistant and the Strike Planning Coordinator. She was onboard the USS Ohio for several Eastern Pacific Deployments and Major Maintenance Periods. We also welcomed two new members John L. Bethea and Bob Bryan. We were also informed of the passing of two dear friends and shipmates of Columbus Base: Chris Damo who led the annual flags on veterans' graves at Resurrection Cemetery when Columbus base first became involved and recently was heavily involved in the Honor flight program; and Mamie Murphy (widow of Columbus Base WWII submarine veteran and Holland Club member Joe Murphy), She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all USSVI National Convention. Visit: full details. It s never to early to start planning! Get in touch with former shipmates! Meet new shipmates! Decide on your plan of ATTACK!

2 P a g e 2 FRANKLIN HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL NJROTC SUNSET REVIEW 2015 The 2015 Franklin Heights High School NJROTC Sunset Review was held on Wednesday May 6, The purpose of the Sunset Review is to celebrate the success of the NJROTC program and to honor the program s cadets marks the eleventh year of Columbus Base participation and the awarding of the Columbus Base Award for Military Excellence and the seventh year for awarding the John T. Leers Junior Cadet Achievement Award, created and named in honor of our Columbus Base shipmate, retired Senior Chief, and retired NJROTC military science instructor John T. Leers. Columbus Base representation included: Base Commander Jim Tolson, Mrs. Karla Tolson, Base Past-Secretary Bob McDaniel, and Base Treasurer Jim Koogler. In addition to Columbus Base, other participating organizations that provide awards to the cadets include: Military Order of the Purple Heart, Scottish Rite, VFW, Order of Daedalions, Reserve Officers Association, Navy League, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Retired Officers Association, Military Order of World Wars, Noncommissioned Officers Association, and Military Officers Association. There were also several unit and school recognitions. The Columbus Base Award for Military Excellence is given to the Senior Cadet who, during the course of studies, has demonstrated excellence in academic, military, and physical fitness subjects, has exhibited excellent leadership qualities, and, by personal performance, has demonstrated an aptitude for career potential for future military service. The 2015 recipient is Senior Cadet Ben Osterloh. According to NJROTC Senior Instructor Captain Tom Lennon s recommendation, Cadet Osterloh has served superbly as this year s Cadet Commanding Officer. Cadet Osterloh has already enlisted in the United States Navy and plans to become a Navy Corpsman. The Columbus Base Award for Military Excellence includes a Certificate of Recognition and a $ cash award. The John T. Leers Junior Cadet Achievement Award is given to acknowledge the exceptional performance, achievement, professionalism, and personal dedication exhibited by a Junior Cadet in the Franklin Heights High School NJROTC program. The 2015 recipient is Junior Cadet Chandler Beck, whom Captain Lennon says is very active with our Color Guard and drill teams. The John T. Leers Junior Cadet Achievement Award includes a Certificate of Recognition and an inscribed medallion. The Franklin Heights Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) was established in It is the fourth largest NJROTC program in the country. Franklin Heights has developed a program that has been recognized for sustained excellence. This year, the program earned its 16 th consecutive Chief of Naval Education and Training Distinguished Unit award. The program was in the top 10 in Area Three, which encompasses eith Midwestern states.

3 Page 3 Senior Cadet Ben Osterloh with Columbus Base Commander Jim Tolson Junior Cadet Chandler Beck with Columbus Base Commander Jim Tolson

4 Central Crossing High School NJROTC ANNUAL AWARDS 2015 P a g e 4 r The 2015 Central Crossing High School NJROTC Annual Awards Banquet was held on Thursday May 7, The purpose of the awards program is to celebrate the success of the NJROTC program and to honor the program s cadets marks the inaugural year of Columbus Base participation and the awarding of the first ever Marvin Pastor Junior Cadet Achievement Award, named in honor of our shipmate and former Columbus Base Chief of the Base Marvin H. Pastor, who departed on Eternal Patrol December 9, Columbus Base was represented by Past-Commander and current Treasurer Jim Clutch Koogler. In addition to Columbus Base, other participating organizations that provide awards to the cadets include many of the same who joined us at the Franklin Heights NJROTC Sunset Review: Military Order of the Purple Heart, Scottish Rite, VFW, Order of Daedalions, Reserve Officers Association, Navy League, American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Retired Enlisteds Association, Military Order of World Wars, Noncommissioned Officers Association, and Military Officers Association. There were also several unit and school recognitions. The Marvin Pastor Junior Cadet Achievement Award is given to acknowledge the exceptional performance, achievement, professionalism, and personal dedication exhibited by a Junior Cadet in the Franklin Heights High School NJROTC program. The 2015 recipient is Junior Cadet Nathaniel Kowalski, whom Captain Peter Mac- Kay, USN (ret), and Sergeant Major Donald Bocook, USMC (ret), advise currently serves as the Academic Team Commander and led the team to an overall 3rd place finish in the National Academic Exam in NJROTC Area 3. This is the highest finish that this unit has ever achieved in this event. Cadet Kowalski is also a member of the National Honor Society and carries a GPA. The Marvin Pastor Junior Cadet Achievement Award includes a Certificate of Recognition and an inscribed medallion. Cadet Kowalski, although only a junior, is working hard to obtain an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland as is his twin brother Jonathan, also an outstanding CCHS NJROTC cadet. The Central Crossing NJROTC program was one of only four units from across the country to receive an at-large invitation to march in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii on December 7, Organizers and sponsors were so impressed with the unit that they have been invited back to participate in Other highlights include: the unit was named a Distinguished Unit for the 12 th consecutive year; the female color guard took second place honors at the National High School Drill Team Championships; the Rifle Team qualified for the Navy Sporter Air Rifle Nationals, and took first place honors at the Ohio Sporter Air Rifle Junior Olympics at Camp Perry, Ohio.

5 Page 5 CCHS NJROTC Junior Cadet Nathaniel Kowalski receives the Marvin Pastor Junior Cadet Achievement Award medallion (left) and certificate (right) from Columbus Base Past-Commander and Treasurer Jim Clutch Koogler. CCHS NJROTC Cadets Nathaniel Kowalski (left) and Jonathan Kowalski (right) with Naval Science Instructor Sgt Maj Donald Bocook, USMC (Ret)

6 P a g e 6 COLUMBUS BASE MEETING MINUTES 02 May 2015 Call to Order: Commander, Jim Tolson called the meeting to order. Bob McDaniel, COB led us in the salute to the flag. Co-Chaplain Walt Fleak conducted the invocation. Tolling of the lost boats was con ducted by Base Commander and COB, Bob McDaniel. Welcome to all by Commander Jim Tol son. There were 22 members and guests present. Secretary s Report: April report is in the Green Board and no corrections were submitted. Letter received from the Department of Veterans Affairs Ambulatory Care Center Thanking us for coffee donations. Treasurer s Report: Jim Koogler reported on the status of the Treasury through the end of April Webmaster s Report: Cliff Dodson reported no problems with the website. Chaplain s Report: Chris Leonard rotator cuff surgery. Bruce Rinehart continues chemo. Sam Templeton is in Woodsfield Nursing/Rehab Center John Alexander gall bladder removed and had a pacemaker added. Membership Report/Introductions: John L. Bethea, Johnstown OH qual boat was Sea Fox 1970 Bob Bryan, YNC, Hilliard Qual boat was Tang Lt. Kriesch Instructor at Ohio State Qual Ohio SSGN 726 Weltman family of military service was introduced by Galin Brady

7 P a g e 7 Committee Reports: Activities- May 6 Franklin Heights NJROTC, 1730, football field John Leers Award May 7 Central Crossing NJROTC Sunset Review, Clutch Marv Pastor Award May TBD Kaps for Kids (SS), 1300, Nationwide Children s Hospital May 16 Heath Armed Forces Day Parade, step off 1200, Galin pulling boat May 23 Flags on Graves at Resurrection Cemetery May 25 Worthington Memorial Day Parade, 10:00 step off, Gatlin pulling boat June 6 Noon, Base Meeting, American Legion Leasure-Blackston 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH June 13 Highway Cleanup with Franklin Heights NJROTC, Wade Kiger,0830,Don Gentile, American Legion Post # Demorest Road, Columbus OH July 4 Hilliard July 4 Parade July 11 Columbus Base Picnic featuring shipmate Todd VanKirk barbeque Buckeye Lake VFW, How many would like to visit the Submarine Museum For the good of the Order: Kaps (SS) for Kids(SS) scheduled soon and changes Bob McDaniel Bob McDaniel has accepted to take the COB responsibilities. Fifty-Fifty drawing Galin Brady Tim Barker Submarine Video Lt. Kriesch coasters Bill McCorkle Pin Walt Fleak Navy Cup and Pens Jim Koogler Wine Charles Sabino Brass Plaque Bill Dumbauld Navy Cap Announcement of the next meeting: June 6, Social Hour, 1300 Meeting American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post Morning Street Worthington, OH Post phone number Benediction was given by Co-Chaplain, Walt Fleak Adjournment of meeting Commander, Jim Tolson Editor s Note If you have comments or articles, please contact the base newsletter editor. Dorothy Cook at cookys@aol.com

8 P a g e 8 Commander s Corner By Jim Tolson Columbus Base made history at the May 2 nd base meeting. We had our first visit from Lt. Erienne Kriesch, USN. She is a qualified submarine officer teaching at The Ohio State NROTC program. She qualified on USS Ohio (SSGN-726) and served as Damage Control Assistant, Tactical Systems Officer and Strike Planning Coordinator. Erienne discussed and answered questions about life onboard the Ohio as a female officer. We can be proud to call her shipmate. Thanks to Charles Sabino for inviting Lt. Kriesch to our meeting. Welcome to our newest member Bob Bryan. Bob qualified on USS Tang (SS-563) and was on the decommissioning crew. Bob is an active leader with the Boy Scouts in Hilliard. Awards were presented to two Franklin Heights NJRTOC cadets: senior Ben Osterloh and junior Chandler Beck. At Central Crossing NJROTC, the new Marv Pastor Junior Cadet Achievement Award was presented to junior Nathaniel Kowalski. There are two articles in this Green Board discussing these awards in detail. Special thanks to Jim Koogler for organizing and putting the awards together for these cadets and writing the Green Board articles. We recently lost friends of Columbus Base Mamie Murphy and Chris Damo. Mamie was the widow of Columbus Base WWII submarine veteran and Holland Club member Joe Murphy. Chris led the annual Flags on Veterans Graves program at Resurrection Cemetery and was recently heavily involved in the Honor Flight program. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as they grieve the loss of their loved ones. The last half of May is going to be busy. Hope to see you at one of the events or the next meeting. Activities May 16, 2015 Armed Forces Day Parade, Heath OH, Noon step off. Galin pulling the submarine. May 23, 2015 Place Flags on graves at Resurrection Cemetery, 1:30 May 25, 2015 Worthington Memorial Day Parade, 1000 step off. Galin pulling the submarine. June 6, 2015 Columbus Base Monthly Meeting at American Legion Leasure- Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH social & sea story hour, 1300 meeting June 13, 2015 Highway Cleanup with Franklin Heights NJROTC, 0830, Don Gentile, American Legion Post #532, 1571 Demorest Road, Columbus OH July 4, 2015 Hilliard July 4 Parade July 11, 2015 Columbus Base Picnic featuring shipmate Todd VanKirk barbeque Buckeye Lake VFW, Includes a visit to the Submarine Museum.

9 Tolling of the Boats P a g e 9 USS Lagarto (SS-371) All 86 hands were lost on May 4, Japanese information available now records -an attack on a U. S. submarine made by the Minelayer HATSUTAKA, believed to be one of the two radar-equipped escorts of the convoy attacked. USS Scorpion (SS-589) On 15 February 1968, USS SCORPION (SSN-589) departed Norfolk, Virginia, for a Mediterranean deployment. 99 Sailors went down with SCORPION on May USS Squalus (SS-192) 26 men were lost while serving on USS Squalus (SS-192) when she sank off the New England coast. All the men who who survived the sinking were rescued. The submarine was later raised, renamed Sailfish, and returned to service. USS Stckleback (SS-415) No men were lost in the collision and sinking of USS Stickleback (SS- 415) on May 29, Official Navy Photographs OUR CREED To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.

10 The Loss of USS SCORPION (SSN-589) By Education Specialist on Thursday, 22 May 2014 at 8:00 am posted on Submarine History On 15 February 1968, USS SCOR- PION (SSN-589) departed Norfolk, Virginia, for a Mediterranean deployment. The boat was fresh off an overhaul, but only emergency repairs had been made during that period so the boat could deploy again as soon as possible. (Because of the extensive requirements of the SUBSAFE program that had been implemented after the loss of USS THRESHER (SSN- 593) in 1963, a full overhaul now took 36 months, four times longer than it had previously.) By May, SCORPION was on her way home. On the twenty-first, the boat, which had been unable to reach Naval Station Rota in Spain, her normal contact, for at least 24 hours, radioed her position to a Navy communications station in Greece. At that point she was about fifty miles south of the Azores. It was the last time anyone would communicate with the sub. On 27 May 1968, SCORPION was reported as overdue. A search was launched immediately, but nothing was found. On 5 June the boat was presumed lost; she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register twenty-five days later. Meanwhile, an expanded search was launched. Using data collected from a listening station in the Canary Islands, acoustics expert Gordon Hamilton was able to identify what was believed to be the sound of SCORPION s pressure hull imploding as she sank below crush depth. After analyzing that information, he recommended the Navy search in a specific area. Finally, at the end of October, searchers aboard Mizar, an oceanographic research ship belonging to the Navy, located the boat within the search area Hamilton had recommended. She had gone down about 460 miles southwest of the Azores in nearly 10,000 feet of water. SCORPION had broken in half; her sail had loosed itself from the main body of the sub and lay on the seafloor on its port side. The speed at which the wreckage had plowed into the bottom had caused the after-most portion of the stern section to telescope into the larger-diameter section of hull just forward of it. The exact cause of SCORPION s loss is still unknown and widely debated. Theories range from, among others, a hotrun torpedo detonating inside one of the boat s torpedo tubes, to the overheating of a faulty battery inside a torpedo which may have led to a fire in the torpedo room, to a malfunction of the trash disposal unit. P a g e 10 Experts are Out to Solve Loss of the Scorpion By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY "The families of those 99 men are still out there, and they want to know what happened," says former U.S. naval officer Paul Boyne, who presented a new mechanical explanation for the loss of the sub at a recent marine forensics symposium outside Washington. Panelists at the event called for a summer expedition to the sub's wreck, led by P.H. Nargeolet, another Titanic explorer, saying it might put to rest a multitude of theories about the Scorpion's demise ranging from a covert Soviet attack to a torpedo self-firing into the ship to a faulty trash disposal. Evidence for a more mundane explanation comes from the sub's propeller shaft, Boyne says. Undersea photographs show it rests about 20 yards outside the wreck on the seafloor, about 11,220 feet underwater. Boyne suggests that rubber bearings holding the propeller shaft failed, putting stress on the coupling connecting it to the engine. The coupling's bolts failed catastrophically during a deep test dive, the theory goes, spilling water into the sub too rapidly to allow ballast maneuvers to raise the ship to the surface. As support, Boyne points to the loss in 1963 of the USS Thresher, the only other nuclear submarine lost by the Navy. The Thresher suffered a similar crushing end but retained its propeller shaft within its hull. In its planned proposal to the Navy's Naval History & Heritage Command in Washington, the team would send a robot sub to the wreck to photograph the displaced shaft. The robot would send a small tethered camera into the ship's engine room to examine the damage to the coupling bolts. Because the sub carried two nuclear-tipped torpedoes and a nuclear reactor, the Navy has periodically tested the water around the submarine for radiological releases, at least as recently as "What happened to the Scorpion isn't so much a mystery, as a secret," says Ed Offley, author of Scorpion Down: Sunk by the Soviets, Buried by the Pentagon, which argues for the covert Soviet sub attack explanation. "It couldn't hurt to have a documented expedition to Scorpion," says Offley, who is not a member of the proposed expedition team. What we know for sure is that 99 Sailors went down with SCORPION and that they remain with their boat, largely undisturbed, in the same spot where she came to rest more than four decades ago. The Navy has not lost a nuclear-powered submarine since. On May 27, 1968, family members of the USS Scorpion's crew waited on a Norfolk dock for the return of the submarine. At least 11 of them have joined in the call for the expedition

11 P a g e 11 May/June Birthdays Jim Koogle 5-20 Wade Kiger 5-20 James Rivelli 5-23 Barbara McCorkle 5-23 Al Albergottie 6-03 Tom Baughman 6-13 Bruce Rinehart 6-28 The Funnies The Conn Base commander Jim Tolson Vice Commander Tim Barker Treasurer Jim Koogler Secretary Woody Cook Chaplain Sharon Lloyd / Walt Fleak COB Bob McDaniel Membership Chairman Jim Tolson Storekeeper Frank Lloyd Web Master Cliff Dodson Editor Dorothy Cook Activates Chairmen's Tolson's