C OLUMBUS BASE SUBMARINE VETERANS VOLUME 10, ISSUE 5 June 2014 ALL SEAS ARE NAVIGABLE Memorial Day 2014 Washington, DC
Page 2 Tolling of the Boats USS O-9 (SS-70) Lost on 20 June 1941 with 34 men when it foundered off the Isle of Shoals, 15 miles from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. USS S-27 (SS-132) Lost on 19 June 1942 when it grounded off Amchitka Island. All the crew were rescued. USS Herring (SS-233) Lost with all hands (84 men) on 1 June 1944 by a Japanese shore battery and surface craft off Matsuwa Island, Kuriles. USS R-12 (SS-89) Lost with 42 men off Key West, Florida, to unknown causes on 12 June 1943. Three men survived. USS Runner (SS-275) Lost with all hands (78 men) by possible Japanese mine between Midway Island and Japan in June 1943. USS Golet (SS-361) Lost with all hands (84 men) during a Japanese surface attack off Honshu, Japan on 14 June 1944. USS Bonefish (SS-223) Lost with all hands (86 men) on 18 June 1945 when it was sunk in Toyama Wan in the Sea of Japan. 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.
Commander s Corner By Jim Tolson Page 3 BZ to the shipmates able to attend the Washington DC Memorial Day parade. All of it was well done. Bill Bybee and Dave Creekmore did a thorough checkup of the boat and trailer before it left his shop along with adding some additional lights. Galin Brady carefully pulled the boat to Washington DC, the parade and back to Columbus. Bob Holt led the way with the USSVI banner and Cliff Dodson sounded the klaxon which was a big hit. Bob Frier, Bill Anderson, George Petershagen, Tim Barker, Woody Cook, Mike Thurston and Jim Tolson tried to remember how to march. Sounds like USSVI will be invited again next year, so start planning for this trip. Go to http://www.columbusbase.com/ and look at the pictures. You never can tell who will be watching a parade. The pictures in the Columbus Dispatch article were actually taken at the New Albany parade the week before by Dispatch photographer Logan Riely. Jim Killen (James Madison) and Rick Freeman (Francis Scott Key) both contacted us due to the newspaper article. Welcome to our new member Russell Shaeffer. Russell was stationed on USS Sperry (AS-12) in the early 1950s; he may have a little different view on boat sailors. Dave O Carroll met Russell while getting his car serviced and invited him to our meeting. Thanks Dave. Don t forget the Central Crossing NJROTC Blanket Raffle being handled by Clutch. Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10. Thanks to Wade and Alicia Kiger for taking ownership of the Highway Cleanup project. We had a good cleanup on June 7 with a lot of NJROTC cadets. The next cleanup is August. Next month, Woody Cook is going to share his experience as an Honor Flight guardian. Dave O Carroll has also gone on Honor Flight trips as a guardian. If it is something you think you would enjoy, ask Woody or Dave. Honor Flight is always looking for qualified guardians. Activities July 4, 2014 Upper Arlington July 4 th Parade, 0900 step off. July 12, 2014 Columbus Base Monthly Meeting at the American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239, 700 Morning Street, Worthington, OH 43085. 1200 social & sea story hour, 1300 meeting Aug 16, 2014 Annual Picnic at VFW Hilliard pot luck with Columbus Base providing meat. August 9, 2014 Highway Cleanup starting at 0830. Sept 1-7, 2014 USSVI National Convention, San Francisco, CA
COLUMBUS BASE MEETING MINUTES 07 June 2014 Call to Order: 1300 Commander, Jim Tolson called the meeting to order. Dave Creekmore, COB led us in the salute to the flag. Co-Chaplain Walt Fleak conducted the invocation. Tolling of the lost boats was conducted by Co-Chaplain, Sharon Lloyd and COB, Dave Creekmore. Welcome to all by Commander Jim Tolson. There were 27 members and guests present. Secretary s Report: May report is in the Green Board and no corrections were submitted. We received a Thank You note, via Treasurer Jim Koogler, from USS Columbus for the donation to the FRG. Treasurer s Report: Jim Koogler reported on the status of the Treasury through the end of May 2014. Webmaster s Report: Cliff Dodson reported no problems with the website. Members can have a site set up by Cliff since he has unlimited space for the base. Chaplain s Report: Sharon Lloyd had no current updates, but has cards when required. Membership Report/Introductions: Jim Tolson recognized our guest, Russell Schaeffer, who was invited by Dave O Çarroll who was asked to participate as a Guardian for Honor Flight today. Russell was assigned to the USS Sperry and has submitted and application as a member if USSVI to Commander Tolson. Jim also introduced the Sgt.Maj. Bocook, from Central Crossing NJROTC who has been invited to march in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade this coming December 7, 2014. The base provided the Sgt.Maj. a check for assistance in their effort to get to the Pearl Harbor Parade. Committee Reports: July 4 Parade, Upper Arlington, 0900 Step off, Kingsdale Shopping Center July 12 Next Base meeting delayed to due Holiday weekend. August 9 Highway Cleanup 0830 August 16 Picnic Pavilion VFW Hilliard OH Sept 1-7 National Convention Galin commented on annual vice every other year a convention. Next year is Pittsburgh PA. Sept 13 Base Meeting For the good of the Order: Sgt.Maj. Bocook provided an update for the Central Crossing JNROTC December 7, 2014 Pearl Harbor Parade. USSVI DC Memorial Day Parade discussion was commented that all who participated was a great experience. Columbus Base Dispatch article was discussed and copies were passed around to those who had not read yet.
Page 6 USSVI National Elections are underway and can be executed via the internet or the latest version of the American Submariner. A correction is AS, pg. 32 PA 2014-3 should read National Jr. Vice Commander vice Sr. USS Columbus Blanket Raffle Clutch will raffle a USS Columbus Blanket in direct support of the Central Crossing JNROTC effort to participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. Storekeeper presented medallions for sale. 50/50 Wade Kiger won the 50/50 Charles Sabino bread Bill McCorkle bread Cliff Dodson cookies Jim Koogler bread Lee Mather bread Tim Barker laptop lifter Scott Steele cookies Bill Anderson pod revolution Announcement of the next meeting: Next Columbus Base meeting July 12, 2014 12:00 Social Hour 13:00 Afternoon Meeting American Legion Leasure-Blackston Post 239 700 Morning Street Worthington, OH 43085 Closing prayer (Benediction) was given by Co-Chaplain, Walt Fleak. Adjournment of meeting Commander, Jim Tolson New Member Russ Shaeffer USS Sperry AS12 USS Gen. William Mitchell AP114 1953-1955 Westerville, Ohio Wife - Anna
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Page 8 A Submarine" This is a WWI poem found by a submariner at the Submarine Base Groton, CT in 1966 Author unknown Born in the shops of the devil Designed in the brains of a fiend Filled with acid and oil And christened "a submarine" The poets send in their ditties Of battleships spick and clean But never a word in their columns Do you see a submarine? I ll try and depict our story In a very laconic way Please have patience to listen Until I have finished my say We eat where're we can find it And sleep hanging up on hooks Conditions under which we re existing Are never published in books Life on these boats is obnoxious And that is using mild terms We are never bothered by sickness There isn t any room for germs We are never troubled with varmints There are things even a cockroach can t stand And any self-respecting rodent Quick as possible beats it for land And that little dollar per dive We receive to dive out of sight Is often earned more than double By charging the batteries at night And that extra compensation We receive on boats like these We never really get at all It s spent on soap and dungarees Machinists get soaked in fuel oil Electricians in H2SO4 Gunners mates with 600W And torpedo slush galore When we come into the Navy Yard We are looked upon with disgrace And they make out some new regulations To fit our particular case Now all you battleship sailors When you are feeling disgruntled and mean Just pack your bag and hammock And go to "A Submarine" Submitted by Bob Frier
Upcoming Events July 4th Upper Arlington Parade, step off at 0900 July 12th 1200 Base meeting at the American Legion Leasure Blackston Post 239 Aug. 9th 0830 Highway cleanup, meet at the Don Gentile American Legion Post Aug. 16th?? Annual picnic at the Hilliard VFW, Columbus base providing the meat
Adopt A Highway Clean Up June 7, 2014 Page 11 Adopt A Highway Schedule August 9 October 11
Page 12 July Birthdays Robert France 07-05 Robert Donahue 07-10 Russ Ferguson 07-16 Bruce Sanderson 07-24 Chris Leonard 07-29 The Conn Base commander Jim Tolson Vice Commander Tim Barker Treasurer 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 Jim Koogler Secretary Woody Cook Chaplain Sharon Lloyd / Walt Fleak COB Dave Creekmore 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 e-mail creek636@columbus.rr.com Editor Jan Creekmore Activates Chairmen
Page 13 Holland Club Al Albergottie: 1960 USS Blenny SS-324 Jim Morton (EP): 1963, USS Baya SS-318 John Alexander: 1945, USS Haddock SS-231 Joe Murphy (EP): 1947, USS Bugara SS-331 Galin Brady: 1962, USS Swordfish SSN-579 Angelo Naso: 1963, USS Bluegill SS-242 Red Downard: 1960, USS Cutlass SS-478 Marvin Pastor (EP): 1955, USS Razorback SS-394 Bill Dumbauld : 1957, USS Caiman SS-323 Clem O Brien: 1944, USS Albacore SS-218 Ed Ellsworth (EP): 1944, USS Blackfin SS-322 Dave O Carroll: 1957, USS Salmon SSR-573 Dick Estell (EP): 1944, USS Scabbardfish SS-397 John Palmer: 1951, USS Guavina SSO-362 Russ Ferguson: 1946, USS Haddo SS-255 John Pendleton: 1954, USS Toto SS-422 Bob Frier: 1960, USS Menhaden SS-377 Phil Philipps (EP):1949, USS Segundo SS-398 Ben Grimes (EP): 1944, USS Raton SS-270 Bruce Rinehart: 1963, USS Tigrone SS-419 Gus Hoehl (EP): 1944, USS Flounder SS-251 Ron Rossington: 1954, USS Conger SS-477 Bill Holly (EP): 1957, USS Ray SSR-271 CO Smith (EP): 1944, USS Nautilus SS-168 Gene Horton (EP):1951, USS Chivo SS-341 Denver Smith: 1943, USS Grayling SS-209 Bernie Kenyon: 1954, USS Hardhead SS-365 Ken Strahm: 1960, USS Bream SS-243 John Leers: 1954, USS Sea Owl SS-405 Sam Templeton: 1956, USS Trutta SS-42 Butch Leffin: (EP) 1957, USS Hardhead SS-365 George Trace: 1951, USS Caiman SS-323 Chuck Martin: 1956, USS Pomfret SS-391 Lynn Trump: 1960, USS Sea Cat SS-399 Lee Mather: 1954, USS Crevalle SS-291 Ron Waldron: 1953, USS Charr SS-328 Bill McCorkle: 1956, USS Dogfish SS-350 Robert Wells: 1947, USS Capitaine SS-336 Randy McWilliams: 1963, USS Tiru SS-416 John Woodmansee: 1956, USS Hardhead SS-365 Bill Meyer: 1963, USS Tigrone SS-419 Doc Morin: 1957, USS Raton SSR-270