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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.
USS Tunny
SS-282
SSG-282
APSS-282 Page 8
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To Continue what I started in January, these are the next two Congressional Medal of
Honor winners from the Submarine Service.
Commander Howard Walter Gilmore
(also awarded the Navy Cross with one gold star)
Citation: For distinguished gallantry and valor above and beyond the call of duty
as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Growler during her Fourth War Patrol in
the Southwest Pacific from 10 January to 7 February 1943. Boldly striking at the
enemy in spite of continuous hostile air and antisubmarine patrols, Comdr. Gil-
more sank one Japanese freighter and damaged another by torpedo fire, success-
fully evading severe depth charges following each attack. In the darkness of
night on 7 February, an enemy gunboat closed range and prepared to ram the
Growler.
Comdr. Gilmore daringly maneuvered to avoid the crash and rammed the at-
tacker instead, ripping into her port side at 11 knots and bursting wide her
plates. In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machineguns, Comdr.
Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for him-
self, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the
fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final
living moments, Comdr. Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck,
"Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under control, she
was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the courageous
fighting spirit of their dead captain.
Table of Contents Commander’s Log pg.2 Secretary’s Minutes pg.4 Corn from the COB pg.4 Treasure’s Report pg5 Chaplain’s Message pg.6 Cover story pg.8 Corvina Crew Bio pg.10 Shipmates on Eternal Patrol pg.13 Lost Boats in November pg.13 Booster Clubs pg.13
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Base Commander Dale Poe 843-6648
Vice Commander Rick Johns
392-1615 [email protected]
Secretary Mike Augenstein
750-4974 [email protected]
Treasurer
Dave Aunkst 410-7266
COB Paul Young
303-8482 [email protected]
Recruiting
Dennis Wiley 972-0388
Chaplain Ted Henson
392-0354 [email protected]
Newsletter/Web Norm Peterson
322-5193 [email protected]
Ad Hoc
Leif Larsen 972-0583
Assistant COB Dave Chute
223-5135 [email protected]
Assistant Chaplain Marcedes Parsons
626-0352 [email protected]
K4K Chairman
Bill Conklin 423-1451
Past Base Commander/POC Steve Salzman 703-887-8933
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Commander Richard Hetherington O’Kane
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of
the U.S.S. Tang operating against 2 enemy Japanese convoys on 23 and 24 October 1944, during her fifth and last war patrol. Boldly
maneuvering on the surface into the midst of a heavily escorted convoy, Comdr. O'Kane stood in the fusillade of bullets and shells
from all directions to launch smashing hits on 3 tankers, coolly swung his ship to fire at a freighter and, in a split-second decision,
shot out of the path of an onrushing transport, missing it by inches.
Boxed in by blazing tankers, a freighter, transport, and several destroyers, he blasted 2 of the targets with his remaining torpedoes
and, with pyrotechnics bursting on all sides, cleared the area. Twenty-four hours later, he again made contact with a heavily escorted
convoy steaming to support the Leyte campaign with reinforcements and supplies and with crated planes piled high on each unit. In
defiance of the enemy's relentless fire, he closed the concentration of ship and in quick succession sent 2 torpedoes each into the first
and second transports and an adjacent tanker, finding his mark with each torpedo in a series of violent explosions at less than l,000-
yard range.
With ships bearing down from all sides, he charged the enemy at high speed, exploding the tanker in a burst of flame, smashing the
transport dead in the water, and blasting the destroyer with a mighty roar which rocked the Tang from stem to stern. Expending his
last 2 torpedoes into the remnants of a once powerful convoy before his own ship went down, Comdr. O'Kane, aided by his gallant
command, achieved an illustrious record of heroism in combat, enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
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Veterans Day at the Legislature
====================================================================================================================================================================================== Received this last week on the space station. If you have not seen it the video is very interesting. I wonder how much of the study for space was done from the submarine service. There are a lot of similarities, just in a different environment.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/doN4t5NKW-k
editor
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There were 23 members and guests present. The meeting was called to order at 1400 by Base Commander Dale Poe. After an Invocation, The Pledge of Allegiance, reading of the USSVI Creed, Tolling of the Bell for Boats lost, and a moment of silent prayer for all departed. Secretary Augy Gave his Report. Mail: $300.00 donation to the base in Primo's honor from Joey Scolari. We received a thank you letter from Nevada Veterans Coalition for our do-nation to Wreaths Across America. Treasurer Dave gave his report. Chaplin Ted Henson gave his report. Newsletter/Web/POC Norm gave his report. COB gave his report. Kaps-4-Kids Bill reports: Visits to both Renown and St. Mary's. Unfinished Business: The base is still looking for a Coordinator for Lunch Bunch North. Discussion of National Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day at the Reno Events Center, March 30th. We will be setting up an outreach table. The Base will be purchasing a Table for the Luncheon. There are 8 seats at the base table, (all were filled at the meeting). Individual seats are $40.00, available online. Discussed Veterans Day at the Legislature: March 20th, at the Capitol. We will set up a booth. Set up is 06:00. New Business: 119th anniversary Submarine Birthday. The base will conduct a ceremony at the April base meeting. Please plan to attend. Western Regional District Commander nominations are now open, as well as USSVI awards Nominations. Discussion of Primo Quarisa's Memorial service, held on March 8th. Good of the Organization: Motion was carried to continue with a donation to the Veter-ans Guest House this year. After all subjects had been discussed, and a Benediction, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mike “Augy” Augenstein
Base Secretary
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1. All account balances are available at the Base meetings. 2. Deposits for March: Base Meeting Raffle/BH Fund Proceeds $ 121.00 Booster Club 11.00 Quarisa EP Memorial Donations to Base 450.00 Vietnam War Veterans Remembrance Luncheon 320.00 3. Checks issued in March: Vietnam Remembrance Event/Luncheon Table 800.00 Nevada Veterans Coalition Donation Honor Guard 125.00 Veterans Guest House Reno/Donation 500.00 USSVI Nat. Office/ 2019 Dues new member 25.00 Capitol Indemnity corp. Vandalism Insurance (1yr) 261.00
DK Details: 1. Welcome to new member Ron (Smitty) Smith of Doyle, CA. He was a RM2(SS) and qualified on the Bream in 1963. 2. Please advise the Base of any changes to your address, phone number and E-mail address, so we can keep the Base Roster and USSVI records current.
Rocky playing Quarterback with the water boy on the field
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Binnacle List: Pete Akerson – Hospital with balance problems – 3/26 – talked with Nancy – because of blockage, blood can-not carry enough oxygen to the brain. Keep them both in your prayers. Paperwork to get VA Medical Care sub-mitted. Dan Moran – Looked as healthy as ever, at the meeting. Keep doin' what your doin' Dan Marcedes Parsons- 3/3 -feeling better and sounds good with a nice sense of humor. Primo Quarisa's, family and friends – keep them in your prayers Del Schwichtenberg – on oxygen 7X24 now, but looking well, giving Rocky treats. Dennis Wiley – Lookin' better every meeting. Let have more meetings. Bill Noland - talked with him, I plan to visit soon. Paul Allen – helping me with the Newsletter (My editor). I attended the funeral of a veteran friend this month, as a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. Bill Roney had Dementia and at my church, I gave a Praise Card to my pastor. On the card I wrote “Bill Roney beat Dementia. Bill went to Heaven, and Dementia went to Hell”. My pastor did not read the card the way I wrote it and I apologized for being so blunt. But that is how I feel. PS Just got a video of Bill's memorial, WWII, Korea, Honor Flight, etc.. Amazing history. One of the things I really like about our Sub Vets organization. We all “March to a different drummer”. We are unique and did what few others would do. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Day of a Godly Man's' Death - Johnathon Edwards (1703-1758)
Johnathon Edwards was a colonial American Congregational preacher, theologian, missionary to native Ameri-cans, and president of the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University. When a Godly man dies, he receives a better life than when he is born. God, who sees things as they are, doesn't call a Godly man's decease by the name of death, but in the Scriptures calls it sleep. The present life is but a state of death in comparison of that glorious life that a Godly man enters when he dies. This world, that men come into on the day of their birth, is a world of sin and vanity and trouble. But, the world that a Godly man enters on the day of his death is a world of perfection and holiness, of light and joy without any mixture of sin and sorrow. Indeed, there is oftentimes a great weeping among earthly friends on the day of a Godly man's death, but there is joy among his heavenly friends when they meet him and welcome him to Mount Zion, the city of the living God. John 11: 25, 26 Jesus said to her (Martha), “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this.” <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Well, we've lost Primo's smiling face and his great personality, but the memories remain. I was proud to be a part of his memorial event. Being there meant a lot to me. I must tell you, I am a believer in God and life after death. Being a Methodist for many years, I know I can talk directly with God and to those in his care. Remembering those who have passed through this life and are with God, are now living a life of perfection where there is no evil, sadness, sorry, or pain. So when I talk to my mother and father, for example, they see the good that comes of the conversation and I can make the best deci-sions of heart felt wants, needs and desires. I have had more answered prayers than I could ever count. I have gotten answers and failed to abide by the answers. Man, did I pay the price. Coincidence, fate, or just plain good luck. Call it what you will, but I believe the answers I get, come from my Father in Heaven. The reason I mention this, is that I have special places, things, or people I go to when I need some comforting. I can put myself at the top of Heavenly Valley Ski Resort, looking out across the Carson Valley, the Sierra Ne-vada Mountains, and Lake Tahoe. That brings my heart rate down, blood pressure back to normal, and my de-meanor back to reason. Yes, I can call on Primo, to show me that smile and the same thing happens. You all know, I do not have a television and do not take a newspaper. I have lost almost every bit of stress in my live. Do I miss seeing a great football game, or nature film, a good play, or old movie? Not really, because of all the things that go along with the event. I vote in every election for candidates, who I trust to handle prob-lems that confront our nation, states, communities and neighborhoods. Are those problems solved? Very few, because the candidates I voted for, don't get elected. If you all vote the way I do, there would be no need to push for “term limits”. As my dad once said: “If you learn from my mistakes, great. If you profit from my successes, wonderful.” Funny, but I only know people I like, respect, and trust. Do I fit with our unique Crew? I hope so. Well, we have April coming up with two birthdays: Gene Murphy - 1955 Larry Shipman – 1958 What else do we have this month? April: 1st Fools Day-Anyone got a new one?? The CPO Grade was established. 13th Jefferson's birthday,. 15th TAX DAY 14th Palm Sunday 18th Doolittle Raid over Tokyo 19th Good Friday and Passover begins at Sunset 21st Easter Sunday, a very special time for me. I get a very special emotion attending the Sunrise Service Easter morning. It is the most important Christian Holiday of the year, for me. 22nd Earth day 26st Arbor Day 27th Passover ends at Sunset
Have a Blessed month. Sincerely, Ted Henson Chaplain Submarine Veterans Corvina Base
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The USS Tunny by many names (SS) (SSG) (APSS) USS Tunny (SS-282) was awarded the first of two Presidential Unit Citations for her second war patrol—from 24
March to 23 April 1943. Up until that point in the war, the U.S. submarine force had largely under-performed. Two
primary reasons were the difficulty of finding targets in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean and malfunctioning
torpedoes; although, in some cases, lack of experience and aggressiveness in some submarine skippers was deter-
mined to be a factor. However, in Lieutenant Commander John A. Scott,
Tunny had a truly aggressive and capable skipper. Tunny also had another advantage in that by early 1943, U.S.
Navy codebreakers at Fleet Radio Unit Pacific (FRUPAC) had broken—and were copying with great regularity—the
Japanese “Maru” code. Although not as sophisticated as the Japanese JN-25 series navy general operating codes,
the Maru code nevertheless contained extremely valuable intelligence about Japanese ship movements. Lieutenant
Commander Jasper Holmes had the lead for FRUPAC for sanitizing and passing communications intelligence-derived
data to Commander, Submarine Force Pacific (COMSUBPAC) in a way that would not compromise the sensitive
source. The ad-hoc process actually worked very well. As U.S. submarines were increasingly provided with the sani-
tized intelligence, their opportunities to sink Japanese ships also increased. The faulty torpedoes, however, were still
a problem.
Tunny departed Pearl Harbor on 18 March 1943 for her second war patrol. After a brief stop at Midway Island she
commenced transit on March 24 toward Japanese-held Wake Island. While conducting reconnaissance around Wake
Island, Tunny sank the Japanese cargo ship Suwa Maru, firing two torpedoes for one hit. Tunny then survived
being depth-charged and bombed twice. She moved on from Wake, and based on intelligence, located and sank the
cargo ship Toyo Maru on April 2—firing three torpedoes for one hit. Lieutenant Commander Scott had a good shot
at the cargo ship, but not the escorting destroyer 1,000 yards behind. He boldly sank the Toyo
Maru anyway. Tunny then survived two sustained depth charge attacks. On 4 April, Tunny sank the cargo
ship Kosei Maru—two for two on torpedoes. She then endured yet another sustained depth charge attack from es-
corting destroyers.
Lieutenant Commander Scott was among those submarine skippers who had come to believe, based on hard experi-
ence, that war-shot torpedoes ran deeper than the depth for which they were actually set. Since U.S. torpedoes
were intended to pass under a ship and explode via magnetic influence, this was a serious problem. Although the
Bureau of Ordnance continued to place the blame for poor results on the skippers rather than the torpedoes, some
skippers like Scott were compensating by setting their torpedoes to run shallow. For the first part of this war patrol,
Scott was having decent success with this technique, having sunk three ships in three attempts. What Scott didn’t
know for sure—although he and other skippers suspected—was that the magnetic exploders were also unreliable.
After that problem was discovered and fixed—by de-activating the magnetic exploder—it was learned that the con-
tact exploders were unreliable too.
On April 8, the Intelligence analysts and code-breakers at FRUPAC decrypted a Maru code message that indicated a
convoy including three aircraft carriers was due to arrive at the Japanese stronghold of Truk Island on early morning
of April 10. Tunny was vectored to intercept. Scott planned to make a night surface attack, with his decks awash,
making use of Tunny’s new “SJ” radar, which the Japanese had no means to detect. As described in the introduc-
tion, Scott’s initial set-up was textbook perfect, and although it was disrupted by the untimely appearance of three
motor torpedo boats which forced him to attack submerged, it was still a great tactical set up. All four of the stern
torpedoes fired at the lead smaller carrier were heard to explode, and three of the six fired at the larger carrier were
heard to explode. Yet another sustained Japanese counter-attack by depth charges kept Tunny from getting visual
or other confirmation of the hits. Commander, Submarine Force Pacific would describe Scott’s attack as “an illustrious example of professional compe-
tence and military aggressiveness.” And it was—except for the torpedoes. In this case, setting them to run shallow
backfired. The carriers were larger than the previous targets Scott had attacked, and the combination of shallow
depth and larger magnetic signature caused the magnetic exploders to detonate prematurely—approximately 50
yards from their targets. These malfunctions were confirmed by subsequent intercept and decryption of Japanese
communications that identified the small escort carrier Taiyo as having suffered minor damage as a result of the
premature detonation of torpedoes. Analysis of this failure was a major factor in Admiral Nimitz’ decision to order
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the deactivation of the magnetic exploders in June 1943.
Tunny’s attack on the three carriers off Truk is also a great case study in how the “fog of war” becomes the “fog of
history.” The identity of the three carriers is still in doubt, with the exception of the Taiyo. Accounts that identify the
carriers by name state they were Junyo, Hiyo, and Taiyo. This, however, would not match Scott’s description of
one large and two small carriers. Junyo and Hiyo were sisters, and although not full-size fleet carriers, were much
larger than Taiyo. The small escort carrier Taiyo—and her sisters Chuyo and Unyo—proved to be a bad design,
and the Japanese used them as aircraft-transport ferries rather than operational aircraft carriers. The three generally
made runs between Japan and Truk ferrying aircraft. Japanese records show that Taiyo departed Yokosuka, Japan
on April 4, in company with her sister Chuyo and escorts en route to Truk via Saipan. A U.S. submarine reported
sighting the Junyo and Hiyo at Saipan at the same time Japanese records show Taiyo and Chuyo there. This mis-
identification made its way into official reports, and later histories.
Japanese records also confirm that Taiyo and Unyo were present during Tunny’s attack, and would account for
Scott’s sighting of two small carriers. The Junyo and Hiyo, as well as the Fleet Carrier Zuikaku and the
smaller Zuiho, were at or near Truk at the time of the attack after having flown off their air groups to Rabaul and
the Bougainville area of the northern Solomon to participate in Operation I-GO (see H-018-2). However, Japanese
records do not indicate which, if any, of those other carriers were present during Tunny’s attack. On the other hand,
the records of Zuikaku, Zuiho, Hiyo, Taiyo, and Unyo all eventually wound up on the bottom of the ocean.
Only Junyo survived the war—sort of—as a badly damaged derelict in port, having been hit by three torpedoes from
a “wolf pack” of three U.S. submarines. Unyo would be sunk by USS Sailfish (SS-192) on 4 December 1943, also
near Truk. The true identity of the “large” carrier may never be known.
Tunny’s adventure was not yet over. On April 11, Tunny sighted the Japanese submarine I-9 on the surface near
Truk. Tunny fired her three remaining forward torpedoes at the I-9; however, the Japanese submarine maneuvered
to avoid them and counter-fired. Two torpedoes narrowly missed Tunny. She was then unsuccessful in trying to ma-
neuver to sink a Japanese destroyer with her last torpedoes. The Japanese destroyer attacked first, and Tunnywas
pounded yet again by depth charges, sustaining minor damage. She then concluded her patrol at Midway, and would
receive a Presidential Unit Citation for her second war patrol. Lieutenant Commander Scott was awarded a Navy
Cross.
Tunny would survive nine war patrols, and the fifth, also under the command
of Scott, would earn her a second Presidential Unit Citation and a second Navy
Cross for Scott. Among the highlights was Tunny’s duel with the Japanese
submarine I-42. Although details are sketchy, it appears both submarines
were aware of the other, and both maneuvered for about 90 minutes at rela-
tively close range (under 2,000 yards) trying to gain a firing advantage over
the other. Tunny won, and sank the I-42 with two torpedoes. Later in the pa-
trol, Tunny fired six torpedoes at the Japanese super-battleship Musashi. The
torpedoes passed under an escorting destroyer, which alertly signaled
the Musashi, which was able to avoid all but one torpedo, which hit in her
bow. The destroyer than counter-attacked down the torpedo wakes and sub-
jected Tunny to yet another beating. The damage didn’t really faze the huge
battleship, but she was out of action for a month for repairs.
Tunny continued her distinguished service after World War II. She was re-
commissioned during the Korean War but did not serve there. Instead she was
extensively modernized and converted to carry the Regulus land-attack sur-
face-to-surface missile (with hangar for two missiles, and a launcher.) Tunny was re-designated as SSG-282. The
drawback to the Regulus was that the submarine had to be surfaced to fire the missile. In 1966, Tunny was con-
verted yet again into a troop-carrying submarine, with a deck shelter for small amphibious vehicles, and re-
designated APSS-282. Tunny then conducted special operations and supported Marine amphibious operations along
the coast of Vietnam. Tunny finally met her end as an exercise target, by a torpedo fired by the USS Volador(SS-
490) in 1970.
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Eddie Jackson Cook, Second Class Eddie was born in Greenville, Mississippi on September 17, 1917 to Andrew and Gertrude Jackson. Greenville is on the Mississippi River, just across from Arkansas. In 1920 the family was living in Lucas, Arkansas. There are very few records regarding Eddie’s young life, not suprising as this was in the south in the 1920/30s and Eddie was black. They must have moved toward Tennessee, because, at the age of 19, Eddie enlisted in the Navy on June 2, 1936, through Nashville. O n October 22, 1936, Eddie reported to his first ship USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as a Mess At-tendant, Third Class. In 1937, the ship remained in port until 17 February, when she departed for San Clemente, California at the start of a tour along the west coast. She participated in Fleet Problem XVIII, which lasted from 16 April to 28 May. Another stint in Puget Sound began on 6 June and concluded on 3 September, when she returned to San Pedro. She spent the rest of the year alternating between there and San Francisco, seeing little activity. She made a short trip to San Francisco in February 1938 and took part in Fleet Problem XIX from 9 March to 30 April. Another period in San Pedro followed until 20 June, after which she embarked on a two-month cruise along the west coast that concluded with another stay at Puget Sound on 28 September. After concluding her repairs on 16 December, she returned to San Pedro by way of San Fran-cisco, arriving on 22 December. Fleet Problem XX occurred earlier the year than it had in previ-ous iterations, taking place from 20 to 27 February 1939 in Cuban waters. During the exercises, Franklin Roosevelt and Admiral William D. Leahy, the CNO, came aboard Pennsylvania to observe the maneuvers. Eddie was TAD to GITMO for a week in January. The ship then went to Culebra on 27 February, departing on 4 March to visit Port-au-Prince, Haiti from 6 to 11 March. A stay in Guantanamo Bay followed from 12 to 31 March, after which she went to visit the US Naval Academy in Annapolis on 5 April. Pennsylvania began the voy-age back to the Pacific on 18 April and passed through the canal at the end of the month, ultimately arriving back in San Pedro on 12 May. Another tour of the west coast followed, which included stops in San Francisco, Tacoma, and Seattle, and ended in San Pedro on 20 October. She went to Hawaii to participate in Fleet Problem XXI on 2 April 1940. The exercises lasted until 17 May, after which the ship remained in Hawaii until 1 September, when she left for San Pedro, California. Eddie went TAD to the USS Colorado for two weeks of Gunnery Training in June. The battleship then went to Puget Sound on 12 September that lasted until 27 December; during the overhaul, she received another four 5-inch /25 guns. She returned to San Pedro on 31 December. Fleet Problem XXII was scheduled for January 1941, but the widening of World War II by this time led the naval command to cancel the exercises. On 7 January, Pennsylvania steamed to Hawaii as part of what was again the Pacific Fleet, based at Pearl Harbor. Eddie was advanced from Mess Attendant Second Class to Mess Attendant First Class on February 16. Over the course of the year, she operated out of Pearl Harbor. On May 12, 1941, Eddie was transferred to Sub Base Pearl Harbor and then to the USS Sturgeon (SS-187) via the USS Holland. Surgeon was operating out of Hawaii when Eddie reported aboard.. In November they departed for Manila where they joined the Asiatic Fleet. Sturgeon was moored at Mariveles Naval Section Base, in Bataan, Philippines, on December 7 1941. She set out the next afternoon on her first war patrol between the Pescadores and Formosa. After two attacks and a depthcharging, she was back in Mariveles Bay on De-cember 25. She was only in port for three day before leaving on her second war patrol, headed for the Tarakan area off of Borneo A tanker was sighted southwest of Subutu Island on 17 January 1942, but all three torpedoes missed and the ship escaped. On the night of 22 January, Sturgeon was alerted by Pickerel (SS-177) that a large convoy was headed her way in Makassar Strait. A few minutes later, her sonar picked up the pings of ships dead astern. She submerged and fired four torpedoes at a large ship, with two explosions following. The submarine was then subjected to a two and one-half-hour depth charge attack by two destroyers which caused no damage.
She next sighted an enemy transport and four destroyers off Balikpapan on 26 January. Sturgeon fired a spread from her forward tubes
which resulted in a large explosion on the transport, and her screws stopped turning. No post-war record of a sinking could be found, but
the transport was believed damaged. Three days later, she made two hits on a tanker. On the morning of 8 February, Sturgeon found her-
self on the track of an enemy invasion fleet headed toward Makassar City. She submerged to avoid detection by several destroyers and a
11
cruiser, as they passed overhead, but was able to report the movement of the convoy to Commander, Submarines Asiatic Fleet. The sub-
marine retired from her patrol area two days later, when she was ordered to Java, Netherlands East Indies. She arrived at Soerabaja on 13
February; but, as the Japanese were advancing upon that base, the ship proceeded to Tjilatjap. After embarking part of the Asiatic Fleet
Submarine Force Staff, Sturgeon and Stingray (SS-186) sailed for Fremantle, Western Australia, on 20 February, as escorts for Holland (AS-
3) and Black Hawk (AD-9). Sturgeon remained there, from 3 to 15 March, when she departed to again patrol off Makassar City. On 30
March, she sank the cargo ship Choko Maru. On 3 April, one of her torpedoes caught a 750-ton frigate directly under the bridge, and she
was officially listed as probably sunk. She then fired three torpedoes at a merchantman but missed. With one torpedo remaining in the
bow tubes, she fired and hit the target abreast the foremast. When last seen, it was listing heavily to port and making for the Celebes
shore.
On 6 April, she fired a spread at a tanker; but the range was so close that they failed to
arm. The submarine was then depth charged by escorts but eluded them and patrolled
off Cape Mandar in the Makassar Strait. On 22 April, a destroyer's searchlight blinked to
Sturgeon, and she went deep to avoid the subsequent two-hour depth charge attack. On
28 April, the submarine sailed for Australia. However, she interrupted her voyage on the
night of 30 April in an attempt to rescue some Royal Air Force personnel reported on an island at the entrance of Cilacap Harbor. A
landing party under Lieutenant Chester W. Nimitz, Jr. entered the cove and examined it by searchlight but found only a deserted lean-to.
She continued to Fremantle and arrived there on 7 May. On June 2, 1942, Eddie was transferred to the USS Otus (AS-20). The USS Otus
was an Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship that, having been attached to the Asiatic Fleet, was supporting submarines in Fremantle.
On December 1, 1942, Eddie changed rate from Mess Attendant First Class to Officers Cook Third Class. In August the Otus left Aus-
tralia for a major overhaul in Mare Island, California. On April 26, Eddie was transferred to new construction for the Seventh Fleet. He
then reported to USS Corvina at commissioning on August 6, 1943. The last listing for Eddie was on September 2, when he was ad-
vanced to Cook, Second Class.
Much of the documentation states that Eddie was from Los Angeles, even though he grew up in the south and entered through Nash-ville. I could not find any record of his marriage, however, Eddie did spend quite a bit of time in the late 1930s stationed in San Pedro and at some point he married his wife Clara and they set up a new home (of record) on 51st Street in LA. ===============================================================================
Ernest Emin Jones Machinist’s Mate, Third Class
Ernest Emin Jones was born on July 2, 1920 in Beggs, Oklahoma. His father died shortly after his birth and he was raised by his wid-
owed mother, Lillian Esther Jones, a Leasing Agent in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ernest went by his middle name, Emin, and attended Tulsa Central High School. The picture below was taken in 1937, in his sophomore year. He is the third one from the left in the front row.
Although Ernest had registered for the draft, he enlisted December 26, the
day after Christmas in 1940. His first command was the USS Rigel (Arb-1),
a destroyer repair ship stationed in San Diego. He was only there from
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April through September 1941. On September 23, 1941, Ernest reported aboard the training submarine O-4 (SS-65). Ernest reported
aboard as a Fireman Third Class. On November 1, he changed rate to Fireman Second Class.
After his training cruise, he was transferred to the USS Marlin (SS-205) on August 10, 1942. By then he had
made Fireman First Class. During the period that Ernest was on board, they operated with Task Group 27.1 out
of Casco Bay, Maine, doing anti-submarine training for escorts. She also operated in Long Island Sound where,
Unsubstantiated reports claim that in February of 1943, Marlin and her sister ship, USS Mackerel, engaged and s
ank the giant Free French Navy submarine, Surcouf, after discovering her in the Sound refueling a German U-
boat, which was also sunk. On February 1st, Ernest changed rate from Fireman First Class to Motor Machinist’s Mate Second Class.
While he was operating out of Casco Bay, he must have had some time ashore, at least enough to meet Miriam
Corinne Johnson from New Castle, New Hampshire. They were married on March 16, 1943. They set up a home
and new home of record in New Castle.
In July, Ernest must have gotten into some difficulty, because he was taken to mast and demoted from MoMM2 to
F1c and was transferred to the USS Corvina on August 22. He must have been advanced back to Machinist Mate
Third Class on board because that is what is listed in the casualty lists.
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Leonard Norman Lense Ensign
Leonard was born March 28, 1919 in Chicago, Illinois to Leo and Cassie Lense. He grew up in his grandmother’s house on May Street. There were three generations living in the house, including his Grandmother, Alwina Tracker, his Aunt Lydia Tracker, his parents, brother Howard and sister Corinne. He lived at home all the way through his college years. After high school, Leonard attended Perdue University where he was a member of the Beta Sigma Psi Fraturnity. He graduated with the class of 1941. Leonard joined the Navy Reserve, but I could not find a date. However, after his initial
training at the USNR Midshipman’s School in New York, he reported to the R-11 for submarine officer training on March 17, 1943.
It appears that he had a good time at Midshipman’s School because on February 16, 1943, he married Caroline A. Shippee in New York. They eventually set up a home in La Porte, Indiana which changed his home of record from Chicago.
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USSCORVINABASE.ORG
2001 Harry Wellman CS1 (SS) 2002 Harry Sembagh EN3 (SS) Stanley Blair ICC (SS) 2003 Melvin Phillips ET1 (SS) 2004 Boyd Tieslau TM3 (SS) Russel Scofield TMCS (SS) 2005 Richard Burdette LT. (SS) Robert Rich EN1 (SS) Donald Campbell TM2 (SS) Francis Signore CSC (SS) 2006 Harold Lister EN3 (SS) 2007 James Avitt RM1 (SS) 2008 Larry Garrelts ETCS(SS) Melvin Schreckengost ET2 Charles H. Massie TM1 (SS) 2009 Wayne F. Garrett ET2 (SS) Elvin L. Morrison FTC (SS) Erick Bjorum CWO(SS) 2010 Norm Snyder EM1(SS) Charles Hyman MM2(SS) James T. Wright III Gordon Lane RMC(SS) 2011 Edwin V. Schalbert TMC (SS) 2013 Chester E. MacDowell TMI (SS) Gerald Stratton ENC(SS) Jerry D. Noma MM2(SS) Richard Ekenberg , ETC(SS) Richard C. Barringer SOSN(SS) 2014 Lowell Wapelhorst MOMM2(SS) Jack Quade SMSN(SS) 2015 Bert Skidmore YN2(SS) Frank Kenyon EM3 (SS) Walter Lewis IC1(SS) Bob Heaps IC2 (SS) 2016 James Jordan TMSN (SS) Herbert “Doc” L. Starmer: HMC (SS) 2017 Rudolph (Rudy) Massenzi Don Brown FTGC(SS) Joseph Casten EM3 (SS) 2018 Leonard (Lenny) Stefanelli QM1(SS) Lionel Schmidt STS1(SS) 2019 Primo Quarisa EN3 (SS)
James Gibson
R. Dennis Wiley
Danny McHugh
Bob Little
George Petershagen Paul Young
Mike Augenstein
Jim Stuart Bill Desormier
Terry Sheldon-Brown Dan DeLorey
Mike Uva Dave Aunkst Terry Bolen
Frank Urbani
Mike Augenstein Paul Young Terry Bolen Bill Conklin
T. D. Gundy, LLC Terry Sheldon-Brown
Meetings are on the first Saturday of each
month at Denny’s Coffee Shop,
205 E. Nugget Ave. Sparks NV At 1400 hours.
The Corvina Base News is published monthly for the Corvina Base Members. Distribution is by E-mail along with 10 copies sent USPS. Submission of articles must be received by the 25th of the month. For any questions or corrections contact: Norm Peterson 775-322-5193 [email protected]
Lost Boats in April
USS Pickerel (SS-177) lost on 3-Apr-1943 with the loss of 74 crew when it was sunk within lume of
Shiramuka Light off Honshu.
USS Grenadier (SS-210) scuttled 22-Apr-1943 after serious damage by aircraft near Penang, ~ 10 Miles West of
Lem Voalan Strait
USS Gudgeon (SS-211) lost 18 April-1944 with the loss of 80 crew
when it was sunk off Saipan near Maug Island.
USS Snook (SS-279)
lost sometime after 8-Apr-1945 with the loss of 84 crew when it was sunk within
100 miles East of 18° 40N; 111° 39E, near Hainan Island
USS Thresher (SSN-593)
lost on 10-Apr-1963 with the loss of 129 crew and yard workers when it was sunk
while on sea trials near Isle of Shoals.
