To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in Submarine Warfare and in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country

Transcription

1 USSVI BOWFIN BASE PH Wehena Place Waipahu, HI To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in Submarine Warfare and in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country 1

2 Table of Contents 1. Cover Sheet 2. Table of Contents and Editorial Page 3. USSVI National and Hawaii Subvet Officers 4. USSVI Info & Creed 5. Bowfin Base Commander 7. Bowfin Base Secretary 12. Bowfin Base Treasurer 14. Advertisements 14. Upcoming Events 16. Binnacle List 16. Boats lost in the month of November & December 19. USSVI 2018 Convention Information EDITOR INFORMATION: Submittals or inquires (Chris Cunha, or PO Box Honolulu, HI 96823) Every time you check your also check out the BOWFIN BASE web site for updated information on base activities and base members in the Bowfin Base Online News and the Bowfin Base Calendar at Bowfin Base Meetings First Friday of the Month - Social Hour - 6:00pm Meeting - 7:00pm Clean Sweep Bar - Lockwood Hall Submarine Base Pearl Harbor T 2

3 USSVI NATIONAL COMMANDER John E. Markiewicz USSVI WD 6 COMMANDER Raymond J. Rockers USSVI Office Fred Borgmann, Manager P.O. Box 3870 Silverdale, WA (877) 542-DIVE ussvi@telebyte.com BOWFIN BASE MEMBERSHIP George Barlett Heeia Street Kaneohe, HI gggfffbbb@yahoo.com BOWFIN BASE COMMANDER Paul T. Jurcsak Wehena Pl Waipahu, HI jurcsakpt@gmail.com BOWFIN BASE VICE COMMANDER John Dugan 549 Mananai Pl Apt A Honolulu, HI John.Dugan@gmail.com BOWFIN BASE SECRETARY Brett Kulbis Kaipalaoa St Apt 5603 Ewa Beach, HI bkulbis@reagan.com BOWFIN BASE TREASURER Carl Tatro 1860 Ala Moana Blvd #2104 Honolulu, HI rctatro@sbcglobal.net BOWFIN BASE BINNACLE STATUS Dan Del Monte Lalai St Mililani, HI ddelmonte@hawaii.rr.com BOWFIN BASE CHIEF-OF-THE-BOAT Gary G. Johnson A Kaahumanu Street Aiea, HI ggjohnson18@hawaiiantel.net Bowfin Base WebPage WEBMASTER Stan Cook webmaster@websitesbycook.com 3

4 OUR CREED (Modified to include the WWII Subvets Creed) TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF OUR SHIPMATES WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES WHILE VOLUNTARILY SERVING IN SUBMARINE WARFARE and IN THE PURSUIT OF THEIR DUTIES WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY and THAT THEIR DEDICATION, DEEDS AND SUPREME SACRIFICE BE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF MOTIVATION TOWARD GREATER ACCOMPLISHMENTS and TO FURTHER PROMOTE AND KEEP ALIVE THE SPIRIT AND UNITY THAT EXISTED AMONG SUBMARINE CREWMEN DURING WORLD WAR II and TO PROMOTE SOCIABILITY, GENERAL WELFARE AND GOOD FELLOWSHIP AMONG OUR MEMBERS and TO PLEDGE LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ITS CONSTITUTION 4

5 BOWFIN BASE COMMANDER Aloha Shipmates! Congratulations to our returning Bowfin Base Officers! John Dugan (Vice Commander), Brett Kulbis (Secretary), and Carl Tatro (Treasurer) were sworn in at our September meeting for another year-long term. That you for stepping up once again to continue the outstanding service you perform in support of the Bowfin Base SUBVETS. Of course, Gary Johnson is continuing at the Bowfin Base Chief of the Boat to take care of our event planning and making sure our meetings come off without a hitch. BZ one and all! Bowfin Base SUBVETs were doubled tapped in October to serve as the reader for the monthly Tolling of the Boats and, concurrently, serve the officers and crew of USS Bremerton at their Aloha BBQ to help wish the submarine Fair Winds and Following Seas as they departed on what is scheduled to be the boat s final 5

6 deployment. We look forward to welcoming those great Patriots home at the end of their vital service to our nation. As I mention the BOWFIN SUBVETS also honored the memory of the boats lost in the month of October. Vice Commander John Dugan lead the ceremony at the SUBASE Chapel. The BOWFIN Base SUBVETS also had the honor of participating in the Hail and Farewell ceremonies which witnessed RADM Fritz Roegge turn over the command Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet to RADM Daryl Caudle. RADM Roegge and his wife Julie were strong supporters of SUBVETS events and we wish them all the best as now Vice Admiral Roegge moves on to assume duties as the president of the National Defense University in Washington D.C. We also welcome back RADM Daryl Caudle and his wife Donna on their return to Pearl Harbor after serving as Commander of Submarine Group EIGHT. RADM Caudle had previously been the COMSUBPAC Chief of Staff and Commodore of Submarine Squadron THREE here in Pearl Harbor. We are also looking forward to our Veterans Day Ceremony at the USS PARCHE Memorial and Park on 11 Nov 2017 at CAPT Bob Roncska, Commander Submarine Squadron SEVEN will be our keynote speaker for the time-honored ceremony. CAPT Roncska, or Captain Bob as he is sometimes called, also served as the Commanding Officer of USS TEXAS and brought that great submarine here to her new homeport of Pearl Harbor in November I look forward to seeing you all there for that great event. And that is not all for this year! The BOWFIN Base SUBVETS will also once again participate in the Freedom Bell ceremonies at the Bowfin Park and Museum. The BOWFIN Base SUBVETS will conduct a special Tolling of the Boats on 10 Dec to close out the Freedom Bell ceremonies in Pearl Harbor. This year is especially noteworthy in that it marks of the 75 th anniversary of the USS BOWFIN. BOWFIN was launched on December 7, 1942, exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor and is aptly nicknamed the Pearl Harbor Avenger. This is another event I look forward to seeing you all at. Things to keep on your calendar and in for December is our Toys for Tots night in December and our Christmas Party- still yet to be decided. 6

7 Please join us for our monthly Bell Tolling, our Aloha Arrivals, our departure BBQs, and of course at our monthly meetings on the first Friday of the month at the Clean Sweep Lounge. Ah-OOG-ah, Ah-OOG-ah! Paul Jurcsak BOWFIN BASE SECRETARY BOWFIN BASE U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS INC. MINUTES OF MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 The meeting was called to order by Bowfin Base Commander Paul Jurcsak at 1900 in the Clean Sweep Lounge at Lockwood Hall, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor with the following in attendance: Barlett, George F Bilek, David E Boucher, Rodney Cunha, Christopher V. Del Monte Jr, Daniel J Dugan, John J Gaston, Sandy Good, Steve Johnson, Gary Jurcsak, Paul T. Kleiner, Nicholas Kulbis, Brett Peters, John D. Seipp, Timothy G. Sparks, Tim Steinke, William H Suenaga, Patrick Tatro, Carl Wagner, Howard G. TOTAL: 19 7

8 Pledge of Allegiance led by Dave Bilek, followed by a Moment of Silence in memory of our departed shipmates on Eternal Patrol. Vice Commander John Dugan offered the opening prayer. Tolling of the bells for boats lost in the month of September: USS S-5 (SS-110) lost 1 September 1920 after foundering off Delaware Capes. Entire crew escaped through hole cut in hull in the tiller room. USS S-51 (SS-162) sank off Block Island on 25 September 1925 after collision with SS CITY OF ROME, 33 men lost. USS GRAYLING (SS-209) lost 9 September 1943 at Lingayan Gulf on her eighth patrol, 76 men lost. USS CISCO (SS-290) lost 28 September 1943 in the Sulu Sea on her first patrol, 76 men lost. Welcoming of Members and Visitors: Steve Goode. Minutes of Meeting for August 4, 2017 were approved without reading; and are on file. The Treasurer turnover is still in progress, balance as of 31 July 2017 is $2, Awards/Ceremonies: Congratulations to our returning officers who were sworn in Secretary Brett Kulbis, Treasurer Carl Tatro, Vice Commander John Dugan. Committee Reports 1. USSVI Committee Report & SK Report 2018 calendars ordered. We are looking for a hat vendor. 2. Aloha Committee Report USS COLUMBUS arrival. Burger burn 9/4. 3. Boy Scout Troop 97 George Bartlett. Unfinished Business 1. Howard Wags Wagner is leading the new SUBVETS Aloha shirt project. Approved matched design for shirt front at last meeting. Base voted, Estimated cost per shirt: TBD. Update? Material by 22 August. Price $75. Will have order forms at August meeting. Motion by COB to not purchase women s blouses at this time, seconded and passed unanimously. Aloha shirt material is on island. First order of 156 shirts should be ready prior to Veterans day. Wags is ordering surplus shirts and we need to sell 390 to break even. 2. Status of ordering hats (Order 20 enlisted)? George offered to be Storekeeper. Paul will work with him to order ball caps. 3. Dive tower reopening, looking for anyone with stories when dive tower was in use. Date is still TBD pending repairs to the elevator. 4. Cigar night on lanai, discuss at next meeting. 5. CSP change of September 11,

9 New Business 1. Veterans Day event: Reminder to bring raffle gift, Paul will inquire about RADM Caudle (new CSP) to be our keynote speaker, COB Johnson has started the 60-day check list. 2. Memorial Day event keynote request to Commodore Roncska (CSS-7). 3. Base Commander recommended members could do Parche Memorial clean-up before our monthly meetings. 4. Rodney Boucher discussed disaster preparedness and the upcoming Disaster Preparedness Fair. Communications and Bills (1) Tolling of the Bells for submarines lost in September at SUBASE Chapel, 1130, Wednesday, August 13, (2) Newsletter inputs to Chris by October 20 th. Good of the Organization a. Binnacle List/Condolences: NTR. b. Drawing for split pot Pat Suenaga wins split pot, donated share to General Fund. Announcements a. Next Meeting 1900, Friday, October 6, 2017 (Social Hour beginning at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. Adjournment MINUTES OF MEETING FOR OCTOBER 6, 2017 The meeting was called to order by Bowfin Base Commander Paul Jurcsak at 1900 in the Clean Sweep Lounge at Lockwood Hall, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor with the following in attendance: Barlett, George F Bilek, David E Cunha, Christopher V. Del Monte Jr, Daniel J Dugan, John J Hatch, John M. Johnson, Gary Jurcsak, Paul T. Kulbis, Brett Parker Jr, Denison A Peters, John D. Roberts, Rob Seipp, Timothy G. Sparks, Tim Steinke, William H Suenaga, Patrick Tatro, Carl Wagner, Howard G Womac, Charles R. TOTAL: 19 Pledge of allegiance led by Tim Sparks, followed by a moment of silence in memory of our departed shipmates on Eternal Patrol. Vice Commander John Dugan offered the opening prayer. Tolling of the bells for boats lost in the month of October: USS 0-5 (SS-66) sunk after being rammed by SS ABABGAREZ off Panama Canal on 29 October men lost. USS S-44 (SS-155) lost 7 October 1943 off the Kurile Archipelago on her fifth patrol 56 men lost. USS WAHOO (SS-238) lost 11 October 1943 in Japanese home waters 80 men lost. 9

10 USS DORADO (SS-248) lost 12 October 1943 enroute New London to the Panama Canal 77 men lost. USS SEAWOLF (SS-197) sunk 3 October 1944 by friendly forces on her fifteenth patrol 100 men lost. USS ESCOLAR (SS-294) lost 17 October 1944 on her first patrol in Japanese home waters 82 men lost. USS DARTER (SS-227) stranded and abandoned in Palawan Passage 24 October 1944 no loss of life. USS SHARK II (SS-314) lost off Formosa on her third patrol 24 October men lost. USS TANG (SS-306) lost on her fifth patrol in the Formosa Strait 25 October men lost. Welcoming of Members and Visitors: None. Minutes of Meeting for September 1, 2017 were approved without reading; and are on file. The Treasurer turnover is still in progress, balance as of 30 September 2017 is $2, Committee Reports 4. USSVI Committee Report & SK Report John Peters - NTR. 5. Aloha Committee Report - John Dugan Burger Burns week of 10 Oct, more info to be provided. 6. Boy Scout Troop 97 George Bartlett - NTR. Unfinished Business 6. New SUBVETS Aloha Shirt project: Howard Wags Wagner is Project Lead. Wags is ordering surplus shirts and we need to sell 390 to break even. 138 ordered 133 paid, 156 first order, another 100 ordered. Shirts should be here by Veteran's Day. 7. Status of ordering hats. New hat design by Jen Dugan SUBVEST Lady approved. Will order 10 full back and 10 mesh back Silver Dolphin hats and 5 full back gold dolphin hats. George Barlett, new Storekeeper, will manage sales. 8. Dive tower reopening: Elevator repairs complete, awaiting date for opening ceremony. 9. Cigar night on lanai, still looking for interested Members to kick (or should I say light) this off. 10. Veterans Day event: Reminder to bring raffle gift, CAPT Roncska, CSS-7 will be our keynote speaker, COB Johnson is on track with the 60-day check list. Gary working with new caterer and will put out cost once negotiations complete. Investigating if Boty Scout support is required. 11. LTCOL retired from Radford ROTC, new Navy LCDR in charge. Looking for submarine tour. 12. Memorial Day event keynote request to RADM Caudle (new CSP). 13. Base Commander recommended members could do Parche Memorial clean-up before our monthly meetings. Pre Vets Day cleaning on 4 or 10 Nov to be announced. New Business (1) New ball cap design. Brett Kulbis made motion to order ball caps with administrative change, motion seconded by COB Johnson, after discussion, motion passed unanimously. (2) Special bell tolling of Freedom Bell on 10 December. 75th anniversary of bowfin. 10

11 (3) USS SCORPION fund raiser $99 for 99, 50th Anniversary of loss of Scorpion. George Bartlett moved to fund one Scorpion Sailor, motion seconded by Dan Del monte, after discussion, motion passed unanimously. Communications and Bills (3) Tolling of the Bells for submarines lost in October at SUBASE Chapel, 1130, Wednesday, October 11, (4) Newsletter inputs to Chris by October 20 th. (5) 2018 SUBVETS convention will be a Caribbean Cruise, Oct. Good of the Organization c. Binnacle List/Condolences: SKCM Red Derison passed, 95 yrs old, former CSP Force Master Chief. Ken Ickes passed last Jan d. Drawing for split pot won by Tim Sparks and donated $18 to general fund. Announcements b. Next Meeting 1900, Friday, November 3, 2017 (Social Hour beginning at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. Adjournment:

12 BOWFIN BASE TREASURER 12

13 Carl Tatro 13

14 Hawaii Subvets November 2017 Meeting Friday November 3, 2017 at 7:00pm Social Hour 6:00pm Meeting at 7:00pm Lockwood Hall Subase Pearl Harbor Hawaii Subvets December 2017 Meeting Friday December 1, 2017 at 7:00pm Social Hour 6:00pm Meeting at 7:00pm Lockwood Hall Subase Pearl Harbor 14

15 Tolling of the Boats for Nov & Dec 2017 Wednesday Nov 8, :30am SUBASE Chapel Pearl Harbor Wednesday Dec 13, :30am SUBASE Chapel Pearl Harbor Veterans Day Saturday November 11, 2017 at 11:00am at the Parche Memorial. Luncheon at Lockwood Hall after the ceremony. Pearl Harbor Day Thursday December 7, 2017 at 8:00am Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor Freedom Bell Ceremony Freedom Bell Ceremony and 75 th anniversary of USS Bowfin at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park on 10 December Bowfin Base X-Mas Party Pending Lockwood Hall Price per person to be determined. 15

16 Bowfin Base Member Birthdays November - Steve Stachowicz, Chris Cunha, John Hatch, Richard Mendelson, Gary Johnson, Admiral Al Konetzni, Steve Campbell, Dick Riddle, Bob Ratti, and Joan Peters. December Bob Chapman, John Burnett, Dave Graham, Tim Metzger, Sugi Suenaga, Mark Haley, Steve Good, Frank Raymond, Billy Sears, Charles Hinman, Daniel McHugh, Andy Anderson, Chris Calligan, Lois Bragado, and Lavona Schlicher USSVI Bowfin Base Binnacle list October,2017 Laura Alice Hood, widow of USSVI member Frank Hood passed away August 29, 2017, and was buried next to her husband October 4, May she rest in Peace. Please keep Laura, our widows, and all our Ohana in your good thoughts and prayers. 16

17 LEST WE FORGET BOATS LOST IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER USS ALBACORE (SS-218) Lost on Nov 7, 1944 with the loss of 85 men when she was sunk off northern Hokkaido. Winner of two Presidential Unit Citations, Albacore was on her eleventh war patrol and struck a mine while running submerged near a Japanese patrol craft that had detected her. USS GROWLER (SS-215) Lost on Nov 8, 1944 with the loss of 86 men when she was sunk in the South China Sea. Winner of two Navy Unit Commendations, Growler was on her 12th war patrol, and was lost while attacking a convoy, probably as a result of a depth charge attack or victim of a circular run by one of her own torpedoes. USS SCAMP (SS-277) Probably sunk on November 16, 1944 with the loss of 83 men near Tokyo Bay. On her 8th war patrol, she may have been damaged by a mine and was trailing oil, which helped Japanese coast defense vessels locate and destroy her with depth charges. USS CORVINA (SS-226) Lost on Nov 16, 1943 with the loss of 82 men when she was sunk just south of Truk. Corvina was on her 1st war patrol and appears she was lost to the torpedoes of a Japanese submarine. USS SCULPIN (SS-191) Lost on Nov 19, 1943 with the loss of 43 men near Truk. Severely damaged by depth charges after attacking an enemy convoy, Sculpin continued to fight on the surface. When the captain was killed, the crew abandoned ship and scuttled Sculpin. 41 men were taken prisoner but only 21 survived the war. Among those not abandoning ship was CAPT Cromwell, aboard as a potential wolfpack commander, he rode the Sculpin down, fearing that vital information in his possession might be compromised under torture. For this, 17

18 CAPT Cromwell was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. BOATS LOST IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER USS CAPELIN (SS-289) Lost on Dec 2, 1943 with the loss of 76 men. She was on her 1st war patrol, but her exact location, date and cause of loss remain a mystery. She may have been lost to mines or an operational casualty. USS SEALION (SS-195) Lost on Dec 10, 1941 with the loss of 4 men. To prevent her from falling into enemy hands, she was scuttled in Manila Bay after incurring severe bomb damage during the initial Japanese attack. One other Sealion man was later captured and died in POW camp. USS F1 (SS-20) Lost on December 17, 1917 with the loss of 19 officers and men when it was sunk after collision with the USS F-3 (Pickerel(SS-22)) off San Clemente, CA. USS S4 (SS-109) Lost on December 17, 1927 with the loss of 40 officers and men when it was sunk after being rammed by USCG Paulding. Salvaged in 1928 and recommissioned. 18

19 2018 NATIONAL CONVENTION2018 NATIONAL CUONVENTION NATIONAL CON18 NATIONAL CONVENTION USSVI 2018 National Convention CARIBBEAN CRUISE: OCT 21 28, 2018 ROUNDTRIP FT. LAUDERDALE MS NIEUW AMSTERDAM Dear Submariners, family and friends, 2018 brings a unique opportunity to combine the 55th annual USSVI National Convention with a fabulous Caribbean cruise! We'll sail on Holland America Line's beautiful ms Nieuw Amsterdam, round trip out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida! It's been 10 long years since we sailed to Alaska in ,800 Submariners, their families and friends had a wonderful cruise convention and it's high time we did this again! 19

20 We will be able to conduct all normal convention activities on board ship, which include meetings, a vendor room, hospitality rooms, the Tolling of the Boats ceremony and boat reunions. There are many other special events planned as well. You'll enjoy Broadway style entertainment, a Las Vegas style casino, a full service spa and many other wonderful opportunities for relaxation and fun. You'll enjoy liberty in some of the Caribbean's most beautiful ports including Holland America's award winning private island, Half Moon Cay! There is something new and wonderful awaiting you in every port of call and you'll be able to relax and enjoy the ride as AAA Travel and Holland America Cruise Line make sure that you experience smooth sailing! What a great way to take a break from everyday life while enjoying 5-star service and the company of your shipmates, family and friends! This trip will sell out fast, so book early! We have had a list of Submariners interested in booking this trip even before it was organized, and quite a few that have already signed up. Bring a friend, your spouse or your family, all are welcome to join us and with so many wonderful activities, there is something for everyone on this trip of a lifetime! Don't miss the boat. Join your shipmates onboard for the 2018 USSVI National Convention! Cruise Highlights Liberty in fabulous ports of call Vendor Room Sail to the pristine waters of the Caribbean aboard the ms Nieuw Amsterdam, a luxurious Holland America cruise ship, with a few stops along the way Boat Reunions Tolling of the Boats Ceremony Ladies High Tea Holland Club Breakfast Awards Ceremony All meals on board, social functions, and port fees are included in your booking price Best wishes, RESERVE YOUR SPOT ONLINE or call toll-free (877) The USSVI National Board of Directors and Kim Hedges and Amy Ross 20