Monday, December 29, 2014

USS Grenadier SS-210 Crew member left behind in a prison



 USS Grenadier SS-210 Please forward this to any o...":

I am the grandson of EM3 Lesley L Barker and was wondering if any of you that had relatives that spoke of the Grenadier ever spoke of "the one left behind"? My understanding is that my grandfather had taken ill and rather than get sent to another camp he was left behind in Penang.
W. Paul Bentley

American WWII Orphans Network http://www.awon.org














Sunday, December 28, 2014

AMERICAN IN WWII MAGAZINE

American in WW II Magazine
http://americainmagazine.com/articles/lucky-louie

Story of POW Louis Zamperini - Movie "Unbroken."

Does the flag at Virginia War Memorial have ties to "Unbroken."

Saturday, December 27, 2014

TRICARE FOR VETERANS


Tricare

 George, (USS Sea Fox)

I don't have access to my complete e-mail lists - hope this is getting well broadcast amongst the sub vet community - and lots of letters/phone calls are  being made to congresspeople.

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2014/12/if-you-like-your-tricare-you-can-keep.html

Saturday, December 20, 2014


CHRISTMAS BELOW THE SEA

Housed in small quarters...
shut off from the outside world.
Deep, deep below the sea,
thoughts of survival keeping watch.
The cook roast a chicken or turkey,
to celebrate this special season.
Fifteen minutes time out to eat
back to the work station
keeping watch deep below
or above the unpredictable seas.
No time to remember Christmas.
A moment of weak emotions
makes a difference of life or death.
Christmas as other holidays are hidden
deep inside each man who choose to serve
aboard a World War II submarine.
© By Mary Nida Smith

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

USS SNAPPER Melvin T. Smith STC (SS) USN-RET

    Melvin T, Smith 1996 NATIONAL SUBMARINE DAY - April 11th

Monday, December 15, 2014

Submarine Thriller to be Filmed in Alaska

Associated Press historical news archive articles dating back to 1985
apnewsarchive.com

              USS Sennet SS-408 2015 Reunion

                               Sept.  20-24, 2015

                 Landmark Resorts, Myrtle Beach, SC

 December 05, 2014

 ATTENTION ON DECK !! ALL HANDS LISTEN UP !!

First on the list is, Sharon and I would like to wish you all a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS and may the coming New Year be one of the best yet for you and yours.

Another item is our Binnacle List/Sick Call and also Eternal Patrol. If you know of anyone of our “Sennet Family” that needs prayers, cards or contact, do let me know.

Reading below you will  notice that this newsletter is a repetition of the last one. There is a lot of information worth repeating and I just can’t think of a different way of laying it onya. If you have any questions or comments, fire away at will. Contact information is listed at the end of the newsletter.

This Newsletter contains all the activities and prices for the coming Reunion.  As you know prices on most everything has increased. We have managed to negotiate the best available rates.

 Hotel arrangements/reservations at the Landmark can be made by calling 800-845-0658 .  Be sure and state  “Sennet Reunion“. The rates for Single/Double are:

Interior view Hotel Rooms:           $40.00?Night     ($54.24 Inclusive)

Ocean view Hole Rooms:              $53.00/Night     ($68.93 Inclusive)

Oceanfront Hotel Rooms:            $58.00?Night      ($74.58 Inclusive)

Oceanfront Efficiencies:               $63.00/Night      ($80.23 Inclusive)

King Angle Ocean view Suites       $58.00/Night      ($74.58 Inclusive)

King Angle Handicap O.V. Suites  $58.00/Night      ($74.58 Inclusive)

Double Angle Ocean view Suites   $63.00/Night     ($80.23 Inclusive)

Oceanfront Suites                       $73.00/Night       ($91.53 Inclusive)

Deluxe Oceanfront Suites           $78.00/Night       ($97.18 Inclusive)

The above rates are based on Single or double occupancy. Add $9.04 per adult per night for a third and fourth in any unit.

A resort fee of $8.00 per unit is applicable and all rates are subject to South Carolina State and Local Taxes, currently 13.0%. These charges are included in the Inclusive Rates above. The tax rate could change in the future.

 The activities are scheduled as follows:

**Sunday Sept 20:  Check in Hospitality Room open until 2300hrs

**Monday Sept 21: Dinner Cruise with the Barefoot Cruises followed    with a concert with Alabama. The price of this combo is $65/person. Bus transportation included.

**Tuesday Sept 22: Golf Tournament,  Whispering Pines early morning. Cost should be approx. $50/golfer. Definite price not available until Spring of 2015. Tues. evening. Dinner at Original Benjamins Seafood followed by concert at Legends in Concert. The price of this dinner/concert combo is $60/person. Bus transportation included

**Wednesday Sept 23: Morning Memorial Service followed with our business meeting. Evening Banquet at the Landmark Resort price is $45/person. Cash bar will be available.

We will have a “Silent Auction” and “50/50 Raffle” available. Bring your “treasured” items to the auction. All moneys generated and donated go 100% into the Reunion Fund. After all bills for the reunion are paid we donate to the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc (USSVI) to the Scholarship Program and the Brotherhood Fund.

I do have Golf Shirts, T-Shirts, hats, coffee mugs and ship’s patches on hand. Golf Shirts & T-Shirts are $20ea for sizes L & XL, XXL are $22ea. Hats are $12ea, coffee mugs are $4ea and Ship’s patches are $8, plus postage. Contact me for postage cost.
Donations are always appreciated.
Make checks payable to:
USS Sennet SS-408 Reunion
Mail to:
USS Sennet SS-408 Reunion
c/o Ralph Luther
PO Box 864
Summerville, SC 29484-0864
Phone: 843-851-7064

Email:  rluther107@gmail.com  If you are getting this via postal service and you have email, please send me your email address as that saves us the cost of postage and paper. 

 
Thanks!!!
Ralph & Sharon Luther

Wanted Submarine stories for Mary Nida Smith's latest book "Submarine Stories of the 20th Century" she is writing for Sky house Publishing Inc. Her first book "Submarine Stories of World War II" has been acquired by the same publisher.
Mary Nida Smith
marynida@suddenlink.net
Thank you.

Sunday, December 14, 2014


Dennis O'Keefe.  EM aboard the Sea Fox 45-46.

A certificate will be forwarded to his son.

Sailor, Rest Your Oars.  God Bless and thank you for your service.

Geo.

 From: Dennis O'Keefe

Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2014 3:11 PM

Subject: Passing of member Dennis J. O'Keefe

 My dad passed away this past Thursday. For anyone who might need information, arrangements are being made through Chapey's Funeral Home, West Islip NY. (631)661-5644.

 

Friday, December 12, 2014

Thursday, December 11, 2014

UNDERSEA WARFARE Magazine

 ·
Today in Undersea Warfare History (Dec 11, 1998), USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) was commissioned, with Capt. Larry Davis commanding

Submarine Group Ten


Check out this video for a little glimpse of submariner life.
Like · · · 8

Sunday, December 7, 2014

PEARL HARBOR DAY

Pearl Harbor Day: December 7, 1941 'A date which will live in infamy'

Photo of Pearl Harbor before it was bombed taken by Ralph X Klotz rom his hotel room. Ralph is a submarine Veteran.


Friday, December 5, 2014

Ben Head USS Sennet


Shipmates,

Ben Head is back in the hospital ICU with Pneumonia. You might remember from past emails that Ben has ALS also. Prayers and cards would be appreciated. Ben served aboard Sennet as a TM during the years ‘62-‘65.

 
Ben Head

8615 W. Fairway Woods Dr

N. Charleston, SC 29420

 
Thanks,
Ralph

Saturday, November 29, 2014

5th Annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Wings of Honor Museum, Walnut Ridge
http://wingofhonor.org 800-584-5575

Friday, November 28, 2014

MITCHELL ZIMMER USS SENNET


Shipmates,

Received word from USSVI ( US Submarine Veterans, Inc ) that Mitchell Zimmer TMC(SS) has departed on Eternal Patrol as of 11/25/2014. Mitchell served aboard Sennet during the year 1951

DEAN EUGENE CAMPBELL USS SENNET


Shipmates,

Received this notice today 11/27/2014

 

Dean Eugene Campbell, 87, passed away November 25, 2014 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Dean was born in Illinois and moved to Fort Dodge as a child. He married Dorothy (Walton) in 1949 and enjoyed 65 years of marriage. During WWII, Dean served in the Pacific Theater as a torpedoman on the submarine USS Sennet (SS-408). He was part of the commissioning crew, qualified in 1945, was aboard for all four War Patrols, and was TM3(SS) when released by the Navy in 1946. He retired from Firestone Rubber Co. and enjoyed history, reading, hunting, fishing, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Dean is survived by his wife Dorothy, two sisters Lila Drollinger and Rosemary Hutchinson, daughters Merry (John) Wilson of Urbandale and Deborah (Gary) Bierma of Des Moines, 5 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, all in the Des Moines area. There will be a private family service at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home with burial at Glendale Cemetery. To honor his proud military service, memorial contributions may be given to the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum (7105 NW 70th Ave Johnston IA 50131) in lieu of flowers. Published in Des Moines Register Nov. 27, 2014

 

Dean was a plank owner of Sennet and served aboard 1944-1946 as a TM3(SS).
I

Thursday, November 27, 2014

MILITARY BLESSINGS

Thanksgiving blessings great and small

I am happy for them all.

Most of all, I am blessed to live

where our military men and women

 provide us the biggest blessing of all,

the freedom to worship freely with God.

 

Thank you, from us all.

Monday, November 24, 2014

SUBMARINE STORIES

SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II  has been acquired by Skyhorse Publishing Inc., and I am represented by Loiacono Library Agency.

Wanted submarine stories for Submarine Stories of the 20th Century, a book I am writing. My first book was Submarine Stories of World War II.

 
 Mary Nida Smith
162 Stamford Drive
Lakeview, AR 72642

Thursday, November 20, 2014

USSVI GROTON BASE

31 mins ·
Nov. 20.. Today in submarine history..
1923 - USS S-40 (SS 145) is Commissioned
1924 - USS S-42 (SS 153) is Commissioned
1943 - USS Parche (SS 384) is Commissioned...
1945 - USS Spinax (SS 489) is Launched
1953 - USS Bluefish (SS 222) is decommissioned for the second time.
1953 - USS T-2 (Marlin) (SS ) is Commissioned
1992 - USS James Madison (SSBN 627) is Decommissioned

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

USS CLAMAGORE

Friends of the Clamagore added 2 new photos.
Friends, we are officially recognized as an organization by the state of Tennessee!!
Our "Official" name is USS Clamagore Preservation and Memorial Association... (UCPMA). But, you can still still call us Friends of the Clamagore!
Our mission is "to save and preserve the USS Clamagore and move her to East Tennessee area for display to the general public establishing the beginning of a military history museum where none currently exists."
We need your help! Please LIKE our page and SHARE it, encourage your friends to do the same. According to Facebook, our Posts, YOUR EFFORTS, have reached almost 8,000 people yet less than 3,000 have LIKED our page. Please take the time and a few extra clicks to show your support for our effort to save this National Treasure.
TOGETHER WE WILL SAVE 343!
https://www.facebook.com/friendsoftheclamagore

Sunday, November 16, 2014

SUBMARINE WW II MEMORIAL, KINGS BAY, GEORGIA


        Below is a link to SubVets WWII Memorial Kings Bay GA that Bob Hurley sent. Great photos of the WWII Memorial Event in Kings Bay.  The is event is 3 or 4 days,  - something going on all the time.

The Base bends over backwards for all who attend, not just the WWII Vets or us Retarded folks, but also to those who may have only did one hitch.  Meaningful Memorial Service.  Great chow & plenty of it, at the right price -- Chow Hall, Goat Locker, BBQ at the host hotel, or Low Country Boil at the Eagles, and, or yes, their are also restaurants. 

If you have never been to this event, ask a shipmate, he'll tell you that you are missing something; somthing that may not be here by the time we cross the bar and begin our final patrol.

 

       
Photos taken of many of the events held last week at the Annual SUBVET WWII Memorial in Kings Bay, Georgia:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/121488186@N06/sets/72157648767736668


 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY

 I am reading about the Battle of Midway in the book SILENT VICTORY -The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan by Clay Blair, Jr. Volume I. I wish I could find volume 2. I will be visiting with a submarine veteran of WWII who was involved in that battle. I am very excited hoping he will allow his story in my new book I am writing, SUBMARINE STORIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

THANKS



 

images (1)

 

A sincere thanks for your service to our country.
SUBMARINE VETERANS

Check my Facebook cover picture to see some good looking retired submarine veterans - Twin Lakes Submarine Base.

Monday, November 10, 2014

WANTED SUBMARINE STORIES


Wanted submarine stories for Submarine Stories of the 20th Century, a book I am writing. My first book was Submarine Stories of World War II.



 
marynida@suddenlink.net

 
Mary Nida Smith
162 Stamford Drive
Lakeview, AR 72642

Friday, November 7, 2014

FORGOTTEN HEROES OF WW II

Thomas E. Simmons’ Forgotten Heroes of WWII is now available and he is booking up fast!
Nov. 6th – a booth at the annual Veterans Day Festival and Parade, Biloxi
Nov. 16th -talk and book signing a Lyn Meadows Discovery Center 246 Dolan Ave, Gulfport, MS 39507 http://www.lmdc.org/
...
Nov 22nd @ 2pm– book launch/signing at Barnes and Nobel, B&N 15246 Crossroads Parkway, Gulfport, MS 39503 Three of the contributing veterans for the book will also sign their chapters. What an honor to meet them in person! (I will be there. )
Nov. 30th @ 2pm–talk and book signing at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in our Mississippi Sound Welcome Center, 386 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39530 http://georgeohr.org/
In addition The Sun Herald will be featuring a review, WLOX TV (ABC) will be doing an interview and a speaking engagement/book signings at the National WW II Museum in New Orleans, in Jackson and Oxford Mississippi are in the works.
This is book that should be read by every person on the planet that can read! It will inspire you to be a better human being, loyal to the cause of freedom for all people. Freedom is not free. www.thomasesimmons.net
Published by Taylor Trade Publishing www.rowman.com/TaylorTrade
Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com
See More

USS Silversides Submarine Museum

They said “We Didn’t Do Anything!” We think differently. The US Army Nurse Corp in WWII exhibit opens at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum November 17, 2014 at 6:00pm and will run through February 22, 2015.

LikeLike · · · 5

USS Sennet SS-408 Eternal Patrol


Shipmates,
It is with great sadness to report that Al Murphy has departed on Eternal Patrol.

 

Alfred J. Murphy died November 4, 2014. He was born February 23, 1936 in Chambers County, Alabama to the late Arthur and Lilly Murphy. He was married to his third grade sweetheart, Shirley for 57 years. After high school, he joined the Navy and earned his Dolphins. He served in the Submarine Service until retirement. In his retirement years, he was an advocate for disabled, retired, and wounded veterans and their families. He also belonged to many local civic groups. Mr. Murphy is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Murphy; his father and mother; brothers, Olyois, Winfred, and Renee Murphy; and sister, Ailene Smith. Mr. Murphy is survived by his daughter, Maureen Murphy Sparks (Jack) of Gardendale, AL; grandson, Andrew Sparks (Callie Ann) of Auburn, AL; brother, Herbert Murphy of Houston, TX; and two Angel Caregivers, Connie Yelder and Matthew Ford. Graveside service will be held on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 12:00pm at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East, with Rev. Elvin L. Ford officiating. A Visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00pm at Jefferson Memorial Trussville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Vietnam Veterans Chapter 416, PO Box 1212 Gardendale, AL 35071. Jefferson Memorial Trussville is directing. Published in The Birmingham News from Nov. 5 to Nov. 7, 2014

 

Al served aboard Sennet as a CS3(SS) during the years 1960-1961. As it states above, Al was instrumental helping many of us with VA issues. Al also was a big help to me in coordinating our past reunions until his health went south.

Al, we’ll miss you Shipmate ! May the good Lord hold you close and comfort your family.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Subvettes and Dolphinette

I, Mary Nida Smith is a lifetime member of the Subvettes - Ladies of the U.S. Subvets and former member of the U.S. Submarine Veteran of World War II Dolphinette (Ladies- joined in 1985).

Monday, November 3, 2014

SUBMARINE STORIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY - WANTED
STORIES WANTED FOR THE BOOK - SUBMARINE STORIES OF THE 20TH CENTURY
Mary Nida Smith’s nonfiction, Submarine Veterans of World War II has been acquired by Skyhorse Publishing! Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com 
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor New York, NY www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Her husband, Melvin T, Smith, was one of these honorable men. He is a lifetime member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., (Holland Club), former Vice Commander of the Twin Lakes USSVI Base, Mountain Home, Arkansas, former member of the Idaho Spuds-U.S Submarine Veterans of WWII and the Northwest Regions/Idaho/Montana/Oregon/Washington.
Melvin T. Smith Mary Nida Smith

Submarine Veterans of World War II is about teenage boys who left farms, small towns, and inner cities to defend the United States and democracy worldwide. Signing up for United States Navy submarine duty was an adventure of a lifetime during the early 40s. Dreams of sailing the seas; torpedoing Japanese and German ships and subs consumed the thoughts of these young men. As gallant heroes they returned home older and wiser.
Contributed by nine men who rode submarines to great depths across the oceans into unknown territory, they share their experiences, fears and thoughts; allowing us to travel back in time through their memories. Some stories will never be told. Held deep within the secret confines of their souls, these deep sea veterans block it out for self-preservation. Yet, there are others who will never escape their own minds, reliving it over and over with eyes open or shut.
 
It was difficult finding veterans of that era who were able and willing to release their stories. Many have departed this earth, and those who are still with us now find themselves in their late 80s and 90s. Trained for years to keep silent, for "loose lips sink ships," some still believe what they know to be classified and refuse to disclose even the minutest of recollections. Others want to leave a legacy of reminiscences for others to learn and live by—to know that freedom is not free.

Submarine Stories of World War II was written to honor the men who served and are serving today on submarines.


Smith, an author, freelance writer, poet and photographer has lived in several states, submitting and publishing in local magazines and newspapers. Magazines: The Ozarks Mountaineer, Ozarks, Arkansas Living, Good Old Days, Polaris (WWII), Grit, Northwest Living (Field Editor), Storyteller (photograph cover), Salute, Journal of the Ozarks. Newspapers: Magic Valley Farm Lines (South Idaho Press-Clark newspapers), Port Orchard Independent (Washington- weekly column), Ozark Mountain News (Mountain Home, AR), and Oregon Journal (Portland - book reviews). Newsletters: U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII (Arkansas Diamond Chapter), Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI- Australia), SCBWI-Missouri, SCBWI-Arkansas, Ozarks Writers League (OWL), and Missouri Writers Guild. Contributed to the anthologies: Echoes of the Ozarks and Women in Nature.

Submarine Stories of World War II (First Edition) was originally published by Red Engine Press, 2008. It was displayed for several months in the Ralph Foster Museum (College of the Ozarks), and placed three military museums: St. Marys’ Submarine Museum, St. Mary’s, Georgia, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison, Wisconsin, USS Razorback and Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, Little Rock, Arkansas, and cataloged in the Donald W. Reynolds Library Baxter County, Arkansas.     When she created her blog Submarine Stories and Military Writers (2007 –present) http://submarinestories.blogspot.com she link with The Sub Report at http://thesubreport.blogspot.com where she is featured on Eric S. Ryle's Submarine Blog Roll.


Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com 
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor New York, NY www.skyhorsepublishing.com

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

 

Twin Lakes United States Submarine Base

October 28, 10:30 a.m., at the Donald W. Reynolds Library, Mountain Home, Arkansas, with Vince Anderson, Reference Librarian, Commander Curtis Grant and members presented six volumes of United States Submarine Lost During World War II, Volume 1 of 6 by P.W. Wittmer Publication LLC. The books are about the submarines lost and crews members who traveled to their watery graves.

 
 
 






Front Roll L-R Ralph X. Klotz, Loyal A. Huson, John "Biff" Baker, Melvin T. Smith
Back Roll L-R Charles Davis, Rich Eliot, Curtis Grant, Bill Lowman, Kirk Smith
and Vincent Anderson.

Monday, October 27, 2014

NAVY DAY

Today is Navy Day! Give a shoutout to a special member of the Navy or join us in saluting them for all they do!
Today is Navy Day! Give a shoutout to a special member of the Navy or join us in saluting them for all they do!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Jim Piper USS Sennet


Shipmates,

Just received this late notice on Jim Piper from SVWWII.

Clifton Springs, NY: James Hugo Piper, 87, passed away on Wednesday July 6, 2011 at Clifton Springs Hospital. He was born December 13, 1924. Jim is a US Navy submarine veteran of WWII and Korea. He qualified in USS S-16 (SS-121) in 1944 and then served in USSCachalot (SS-170) and USS Sennet (SS-408). He was QM2(SS) when released from the Navy in 1951. Jim is survived by his children, Patricia (Tom) O'Leary, Barbara Delpriore, John (Lucy) Piper and Timothy (Paula) Piper; Grandchildren, Scott, David and Kathryn O'Leary, Timofey Piper and Daniel James (Nicole) Delpriore; Great grandchildren, Timothy James Delpriore and Gabrielle Lee Delpriore. Jim is predeceased by his wife, Winifred "Winnie" Piper. Burial in Pioneer Cemetery. Published in Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on July 7, 2011

 Jim served aboard Sennet as a QM2(SS) during the years 1945-1946.

 

Ralph