C OLUMBUS BASE SUBMARINE VETERANS

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1 C OLUMBUS BASE SUBMARINE VETERANS VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 March 2013 ALL SEAS ARE NAVIGABLE Marv Pastor with the lucky 50/50 winner Luis E. Luiggi ET1 SS Base Commander Jim Tolson with CDR Ken Worthy, Tim Barker and CDR Worthy s Naval Reservists at the Columbus Base Tolling Ceremony and Naval Birthday Dinner.

2 Page 2 Tolling of the Boats USS Pickerel (SS-177) Lost with all hands (74 men) by Japanese surface attack off Honshu, Japan on 3 April 1943 USS Grenadier (SS-210) Lost on 22 April 1943, 10 miles west of Len Voalan Strait in the Indian Ocean. Scuttled after being badly damaged by bombs. Sixty-one men were taken prisoner, four men died as POWs. Fifty-seven men survived the war. USS Snook (SS-279) Lost with all hands (84 men) on 8 April 1945 to unknown causes off of Formosa. USS Gudgeon (SS-211) Lost with all hands (78 men) during a Japanese air and surface attack on 18 April 1944 in the Northern Marianas. USS Thresher (SSN-593) Lost with all hands (129 men) on 10 April 1963 off the New England coast. 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.

3 Commander s Corner By Jim Tolson Page 3 It was a great Submarine Birthday and Tolling Ceremony dinner. Thank you to Sharon Lloyd for a stunning and delicious cake. It was good to see John Leers and his family as well as Helen Hoehl, Susan and Mikaela Trowbridge. We miss Gus and Ben, but appreciate their families remembering us. One highlight was the sailors and officers in CDR Ken Worthy s reserve organization attending in winter dress blue uniforms. Pictures of the meeting are on our web site if you want to remember wearing your dress blues. Welcome to our newest member, Larry Reese. Larry qualified on USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656) in He is planning to be at the May meeting and lives with his wife Marita in Pataskala. Columbus Base presented the Admiral Eugene Fluckey Eagle Scout Award for Outstanding Achievement to Evan Stahlman, Erick Starkey, and Judah Bliven at the Groveport United Methodist Church March 16, All received the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 71 in Groveport, Ohio. This is a rare occasion since only 3% of Boy Scouts get the rank of Eagle so three from the same troop all at the same time is almost unheard of. Bill Anderson and Bob McDaniel are working on the Kaps(SS)4KID(SS) project. There will be a fish bowl at future meetings for donations if you want to participate. Our first event is scheduled for May 14 th at Nationwide Children Hospital. Our first parade will be the New Albany Founders Day Festival on Saturday May 18 th beginning at Columbus Base will again provide the color guard. Be sure this parade is on your calendar. The audit of the 2012 Columbus Base books has been successfully completed. Thanks to Dave & Jan Creekmore for hosting the audit team with dinner and to Wade Kiger helping in review of the 2012 Columbus Base books. Activities April 13 Highway Cleanup April 18 Move Honor Flight wheel chairs to airport this week. 9 am Watch for . May 4 Base Meeting: American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH social, sub sandwiches & chips will be available meeting May 8 Franklin Heights NJROTC Review, Demorest Rd, Columbus, OH May 18 New Albany Founders Day Parade & Color Guard, step off If you missed the 50th Annual Thresher Memorial Service held April 6, 2013, the video can be played at the following URL:

4 Medal of Honor Page 4 The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. Because of the nature of its criteria, the medal is often awarded posthumously. VADM Lawson P. Ramage Awarded the Medal of Honor on 7/31/1944 while on this Boat SS-384 Also served on: USS S-29 (SS-134), USS Sands (DD-243), USS Grenadier (SS-210), USS Trout (SS-202) And USS Rankin (AKA-103) Ramage was born in Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in He entered the Submarine School in 1935, and would spend most of his career serving in submarines. Ramage served as the second commanding officer of USS Trout (SS-202) and the first of USS Parche (SS-384). He was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack, and received the Silver Star and the Navy Cross while serving during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor after a daring dawn assault on a heavily-escorted Japanese convoy on July 31, 1944, while commanding Parche, during which he sunk two ships and damaged several others. The award was personally presented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 10, After the war, he continued to serve in submarines until his retirement in As a Captain in , he was commanding officer of the amphibious cargo ship Rankin (AKA-103). In 1935 he married Barbara Alice Pine, and the couple had four children together. Ramage died in his home at Bethesda, Maryland, in 1990, having succumbed to cancer. Citation "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of this life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the USS PARCHE in a predawn attack on a Japanese convoy, 31 July Boldly penetrating the screen of a heavily escorted convoy, Commander Ramage launched a perilous surface attack by delivering a crippling stern shot into a freighter and quickly following up with a series of bow and stern torpedoes to sink the leading tanker and damage the second one. Exposed by the light of bursting flares and bravely defiant of terrific shellfire passing close overhead, he struck again, sinking a transport by two forward reloads. In the mounting fury of fire from the damaged and sinking tanker, he calmly ordered his men below, remaining on the bridge to fight it out with an enemy now disorganized and confused. Swift to act as a fast transport closed in to ram, Commander Ramage daringly swung the stern of the speeding PARCHE as she crossed the bow of the onrushing ship, clearing by less than 50 feet but placing his submarine in a deadly cross-fire from escorts on all sides and with the transport dead ahead. Undaunted, he sent three smashing 'down-the-throat' bow shots to stop the target, then scored a killing it as a climax to 46 minutes of violent action with the PARCHE and her valiant fighting company retiring victorious and unscathed."

5 2013 Tolling Ceremony And Submarine Birthday Dinner

6 Page 6 COLUMBUS BASE MEETING MINUTES Birthday Dinner and Tolling Ceremony April 6, 2013 Meeting was called to order and everyone was welcomed by Base Commander Jim Tolson. The invocation was conducted by the Chaplain Sharon Lloyd. There were 45 members and guest present. The BC welcomed everyone to the 113 th Submarine Birthday Dinner and Tolling Ceremony originally performed by WWII Subvets for the boats lost during the war. Now we honor all lost boats and crews. The BC introduced guests Helen Hoehl, Susan Trowbridge, Mikaela Trowbridge, and also eight naval reservists introduced by CDR Ken Worthy. John Leer introduced his family who were in attendance. The Holland Club members in attendance were recognized. All present enjoyed another fine meal. Sharon Lloyd made the scrumptious birthday cake. The Tolling Ceremony was presented by Jim Koogler, Marv Pastor, Bob Friar, Tim Barker, and Jim Tolson. They did another impressive performance as voiced by members and guests. Following the benediction by Sharon Lloyd the base held the 50/50 drawing. Luis E. Luiggi ET1 (SS) won the money - $ His number was drawn by CDR Worthy. Other winners were: Tim Barker, book Escape from Camp 14, Bob McDaniel cherry turnovers, Wade Kiger, scented candle, Bonnie Koogler, cherry turnovers, loaves of friendship bread were won by John Leers, John s daughter Nancy, Jayne Anderson and Galin Brady. Sharon Lloyd won a bottle of wine and Karla Tolson won a Navy ball cap. Storekeeper Frank Lloyd sold USS Thresher commemorative lanyards. The BC reminded everyone of our first highway cleanup next Saturday. We muster at the Gentile American Legion Post Capt. Lennon will have some NJROTCs there to help. He also reminded everyone our next meeting will be at the Worthington American Legion Post on Saturday, May 4 th. Everyone pitched in and helped to clean the room and put up tables and chairs. Submitted by Bob McDaniel Base Secretary

7 Page 7 USS Columbus SSN 762 The Crew of the Columbus shown Receiving the 2012 Battle Efficiency Award for Submarine Squadron Seven Submarine Makes for Tight Tour The Columbus Dispatch, March 25 Although I get uncomfortable in confined spaces and don t want to watch the movie Das Boot ever again, I can understand the fascination that many people have with submarines. Many historic decommissioned military submarines across the country are open for walk-through tours. The website submarinemuseums.org lists 25. A few years ago I went willingly for a tour through the USS Clamagore at Mount Pleasant, S.C. The World War II-era sub is docked in Charleston Harbor next to the retired USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. I was a bit nervous but eventually glad that I squeezed myself through. It was incredible to see the inside of the sub, a 322-foot-long, 27-foot-wide steel cigar that, back in the day, crammed in a crew of 80 among the latest in armaments and diesel-power technology. The extremely efficient use of space lent a sort of spare elegance to the craft and was quite a contrast to the gargantuan flight deck and hangars on the Yorktown next door. Closer to home, travelers can visit the retired USS Cod submarine, docked on Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland. On May 1, the Cod will reopen for the season for walk-through tours. But for travelers who would like to dive into a more extended submarine experience, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc on Lake Michigan will be offering overnight stays aboard the World War II-era USS Cobia. The Cobia has an illustrious service history including the sinking of 13 Japanese vessels during World War II. It later served as a Navy training vessel and was decommissioned in The sub will host special Family Overnight events on July 20, Aug. 2 and Aug. 10. The events are open to individual visitors as well as families. The cost is $44 per person for a one-night stay and includes a tour of the submarine, educational activities such as learning to fire torpedoes or decode messages, and admission to the maritime museum. Participants bring their own bedding and sleep in the same berths that sailors would have occupied on the vessel. The Cobia can accommodate up to 55 individuals overnight, and during the event, multiple families will occupy the same sleeping compartments. The events will begin at 7 p.m. and no food is provided, but participants can bring a snack. The Cobia is fully heated and air-conditioned. The events fill up quickly, so make reservations as early as possible. Call or visit

8 Page 8 Thanks to Bill Anderson, Dave Creekmore, Jim Koogler, Bob McDaniel, Marv Pastor and Jim Tolson for Adopt a Highway cleanup on Saturday April 13th. A Thank You also goes to the NJROTC group from Franklin Heights High School for their part in the cleanup. Larry A. Reese Pataskala Ohio New Member Served on the USS George Washington Carver SSBN 656 Qualified on the Carver 08/22/1971 (MM3) Sick Bay Cliff Dodson is home recuperating from Surgery. Everyone wishes him a speedy Recovery. Phil Philipps is home and doing well. Finished another round of chemo. Wife Marita Upcoming Events May 4th 1200 American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, Worthington May 8th 1730 Franklin Heights NJROTC Sunset Review May 18th 1100 New Albany Founders Day Parade and Color Guard

9 Page 9 Admiral: Many Unaware Sub Service Keeps Enemies from Our Shores Outgoing Commander Says Submarines Vital to Containing Hot Spots New London Day, April 15 GROTON- Rear Adm. Richard P. Breckenridge had been stationed in Groton three times before he became the leader of Submarine Group Two. But, it wasn't until, as group commander, he said, that he listened to briefings from sub commanders returning from deployments and spoke with experts in special warfare and intelligence the group supports, that he realized that submarines - more so than probably any other element of the military - deter aggression from regional powers around the globe. Seventeen attack submarines deployed to hot spots during his 20-month tenure, from the waters off Libya to the Arabian Gulf and the North Atlantic. "A lot of folks don't see that it really is our undersea force that prevents war - major war," he said. "And I didn't appreciate that as much before this tour." Today, Breckenridge will turn over command of the group to Rear Adm. Kenneth M. Perry in a ceremony at the Submarine Force Museum. Vice Adm. Michael J. Connor, the commander of the submarine force, is the keynote speaker. Breckenridge is going to the Pentagon to lead the Undersea Warfare Division. As the division's director, Breckenridge will help shape the future of the submarine force by figuring out where to invest and what capabilities to develop. He previously served as deputy director of the office. His first priority will be to build a new class of ballistic-missile submarines to replace the aging Ohio-class boats, he said. He said he also wants to better articulate "our identity as undersea war fighters"- "who we are, what we provide and why it's of value." "Part of my role in my next job is going to be to make sure that we have a recognition of the capability we provide, and by that I mean the real, meaningful deter war side of it, and the fact that we are potent if it does come to conflict," he said. Submarine Group Two oversees all of the attack submarines on the East Coast, or 28 submarines currently. Six of those submarines are either under construction or at a shipyard for maintenance. The group is responsible for the ships and crews at Electric Boat and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Because of the highly classified nature of submarine missions, Breckenridge said he couldn't discuss what the 17 submarines that he deployed accomplished, but he did say they go where other forces can't, and the nation's adversaries "have to plan that we're there." The USS Providence recently stayed at sea for more than seven months, instead of the typical six, because it was needed in the U.S. Central Command theater, which includes countries near the Arabian Gulf. Breckenridge said the deployment was extended for "vital mission tasking" and the crew did a "phenomenal job." The U.S. Pacific Command is responsible for the waters near North Korea, not Submarine Group Two, so Breckenridge said he couldn't say whether any submarines are there. Submarines do typically covertly monitor activities by a potential enemy, he said, so "key decision-makers have the best picture of what's going on with the threat."

10 Page 10 There are more than 300 submarines worldwide and a growing number of nations are expanding or modernizing their submarine forces, notably Russia, India and China, Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, commander of the Pacific Command, said Apr. 9 at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have recently launched - or soon will launch - new, modern submarines, he said in his testimony. U.S. submarines need to deploy as often as they currently do so that allies can continue to rely on their contribution to regional stability, and other adversary navies don't eventually creep closer to the nation's coastline, Breckenridge said. "We operate forward inside their 20-yard line, inside their red zone, so that they rarely come out into midfield and very, very rarely operate off the East or West Coast of the United States of America," he said. "I think the fact that we enjoy that advantage, where we don't have to go to bed at night wondering if there's going to be a land attack from sea, is something Americans have grown accustomed to and don't realize that it hasn't happened because we're out there." The Special Forces, Breckenridge said, have "a good brand" and are well understood by America and Congress, but the public's comprehension of the role of submarines diminished in the years following the end of the Cold War because of the nature of the "silent service." Revitalizing the submarine force's identity, Breckenridge said, will forge a closer tie with the public. Sailors leave their families to spend months at a time at sea and Breckenridge said he wants to make sure they know, and the American public understands, that they are making a profound difference. Breckenridge often talks to Sailors about the meaning behind the National Anthem. He tells them it's because "they stand the watch" that the chance of an attack on the homeland similar to the British bombardment during the War of 1812 is "much, much less." "Our goal is to never experience the rockets' red glare within America in our lifetimes," he said. "It's our undersea force that contains potential overreach by the adversary through our superiority from the deep, thereby keeping the fight far away from our homeland." April 11th marks the 113th birthday of the U.S. Navy s submarine force. The Navy bought its first submarine, the Holland VI, on April 11, 1900, for $150,000, a Navy release said. The sub, named after its creator John Holland, was commissioned in October of that year. By June 1900, Congress had given the Navy permission to buy five more subs, creating the first fleet of U.S. submarines. Birthday balls for submariners are happening around the country this weekend and next, including one at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and one in Washington, where Adm. John Richardson, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, will give a keynote address.

11 Page 11 May Birthdays Jim Morton Jan Creekmore Sam Templeton Larry Reese Jim Koogler Wade Kiger James Rivelli Barb McCorkle Bruce Rinehart Remember to bring your donations of coffee, tea and / or hot cocoa to the monthly base meeting. Your donations are very much appreciated by the veterans at the Chalmers P. Wylie Veterans Clinic The Conn Base commander Jim Tolson Vice Commander Tim Barker Treasurer Dave Creekmore Secretary Bob McDaniel Chaplain Sharon Lloyd / Walt Fleak COB Marv Pastor Membership Chairman Jim Tolson Storekeeper Frank Lloyd Web Master Cliff Dodson Editor s Note If you have comments or articles, please contact the base newsletter editor. Jan Creekmore at creek636@columbus.rr.com Editor Jan Creekmore Activates Chairmen

12 Page 12 Holland Club Members Al Albergottie: 1960 USS Blenny SS-324 Joe Murphy: 1947, USS Bugara SS-331 John Alexander: 1945, USS Haddock SS-231 Marvin Pastor: 1955, USS Razorback SS-394 Galin Brady: 1962, USS Swordfish SSN-579 Clem O Brien: 1944, USS Albacore SS-218 Bill Dumbauld: 1957, USS Caiman SS-323 Dave O Carroll: 1957, USS Salmon SSR-573 Ed Ellsworth (EP): 1944, USS Blackfin SS-322 John Palmer: 1951, USS Guavina SSO-362 Dick Estell (EP): 1944, USS Scabbardfish SS-397 John Pendleton: 1954, USS Toto SS-422 Russ Ferguson: 1946, USS Haddo SS-255 Phil Philipps: 1949, USS Segundo SS-398 Bob Frier: 1960, USS Menhaden SS-377 Ron Rossington: 1954, USS Conger SS-477 Ben Grimes (EP): 1944, USS Raton SS-270 CO Smith (EP): 1944, USS Nautilus SS-168 Gus Hoehl (EP): 1944, USS Flounder SS-251 Denver Smith: 1943, USS Grayling SS-209 Bill Holly (EP): 1957, USS Ray SSR-271 Ken Strahm: 1960, USS Bream SS-243 Gene Horton (EP):1951, USS Chivo SS-341 Sam Templeton: 1956, USS Trutta SS-421 Bernie Kenyon: 1954, USS Hardhead SS-365 George Trace: 1951, USS Caiman SS-323 John Leers: 1954, USS Sea Owl SS-405 Lynn Trump: 1960, USS Sea Cat SS-399 Butch Leffin: 1957, USS Hardhead SS-365 Ron Waldron: 1953, USS Charr SS-328 Chuck Martin: 1956, USS Pomfret SS-391 Robert Wells: 1947, USS Capitaine SS-336 Lee Mather: 1954, USS Crevalle SS-291 John Woodmansee: 1956, USS Hardhead SS-365 Bill McCorkle: 1956, USS Dogfish SS-350 Doc Morin: 1957, USS Raton SSR-270