Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Richard "Dick" Calland USS Sennet


Sipmates,

Received this email this morning.
This is Richard Calland's son Doug Calland

I am sorry to say that my father Richard Calland joined the Eternal Patrol on January 20th, 2015.
Richard/Dick served aboard Sennet as an EM3(SS) during the years 1949-1952.

 

Wayne DiCenzi USS Sennet


Shipmates,

Received word today that Wayne DiCenzi departed on Eternal Patrol last night, 01/27, from his wife Pat.

Our prayers go out to Pat and the family.

Wayne served aboard Sennet as a SN during 1967.

USS BATFISH MUSKOGEE

Vietnam Cease -Fire 1973


Monday, January 26, 2015

USS Sennet SS-408 Eternal Patrol and Binnocle List


 

Daniel Cooper Clements, CAPT, USN, Ret., 92 passed away on January 22, 2015 in Nashville TN. Dan was born on February 4, 1922 in Knoxville TN, the third son of Hal H. Clements Sr. and Nina Dobson Clements. He graduated from Knoxville High School in the class of 1939 with his sweetheart, Rosalind Blanch Claiborne. Dan attended the University of Tennessee College of Engineering until his appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he was sworn in as a midshipman on June 18, 1941. His receipt for the mandatory $100 opening his new pay account was marked “number one”, inaugurating the class of 1945. Planning for his first duty assignment following graduation, Dan was fortunate to have his name drawn from the famous fish bowl in “Memory Hall” as duty preference number twenty, assuring him a desired submarine duty assignment. Immediately on graduating, June 7, 1944, Dan and Rosalind were married at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C., Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall, officiating. Following temporary assignment to the submarine USS 0-10 at New London while awaiting Submarine school availability, Dan graduated from Sub School in December 1944 and reported to USS CLAMAGORE (SS343), then under construction at Groton, CT as “George”, the junior officer of eight in that wardroom. Subsequent submarine duty assignments in USS SENNET (SS 408), USS CUBERA (SS-347), and then command of USS TENCH (SS 417) for two years until February 1957, when he was assigned as Engineer Officer for Submarine Squadron Two at New London. Subsequent sea duty assignments included Chief Staff Officer to COMSUBRON EIGHT, home ported at New London, COMSUBDIV 101, home ported at New London, CO USS PROTEUS (AS-19), home ported at Guam, and his major command as COMSERVRON FIVE, home ported a Pearl Harbor. Dan was also assigned to duty on Submarine Fleet staffs and coordinated Fleet Ballistic Missile matters for DEPCOMSUBLANT in 1963-65. He traveled frequently to Cape Canaveral, FL, embarking there in SSBNs to witness the various submarine crews successfully complete their “Demonstration and Shakedown Operation” to launch a Polaris Missile into the distant and instrumented target area in the Caribbean Sea near Antigua Island. Shore assignments included Fleet Sonar School staff in Key West, CNO Staff in Washington D.C., Naval Ordnance Command in Washington D.C., and Chief of Navel Technical Training Staff at NAS Memphis as IG, before retirement in May 1974 after 33 years naval service. Dan graduated from the senior course of the Naval War College at Newport, RI in June 1961. He was awarded two Legion of Merit honors. He was a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and a member of the “Presidents Circle” of donors. Dan and his family have also been life-long supporters of the University of Tennessee and donors to its athletic programs, as well as the Law School in honor of his father, Hal H. Clements, Class 1901. Dan and Rosalind had bought a small farm near Deer Lodge, TN a year before retirement, developing it into a successful small “cow-calf” and “feeder pig” operation before health problems dictated their moving to Nashville in 1992. Rosalind died from AD and cancer on her 80th birthday June 18, 2001. Dan married a widow, Jean Reid Shearin of Brentwood, TN in July 2002. They enjoyed traveling to China, Alaska, Antarctica and, in 2007, a world cruise with Holland America Line making 41 ports of call in 105 days. Captain Clements will be interred in the Clements\Claiborne family plot of Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville, TN. He is survived by his widow Jean, and his three children: Diane C. Clements of Nashville, TN, Jerome B. Clements of Eads TN, and Ann D. Clements of Wellington FL. Visitation will be held on Wednesday January 28, 2015 from 12:30 o’clock until a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 o’clock at Brentwood United Methodist Church. A Graveside service will be held on Thursday January 29th at 2:00 o’clock Eastern time at Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville TN.

Dan served aboard Sennet as a LTjg during the years 1949-1950

I don’t have a home address for him but you can post to the funeral home site.

 

Binnacle list

Wayne DiCenzi is in Hospice with liver & colon cancer. Please offer up some prayers for him, his wife Pat and family

Cards to:

Wayne DiCenzi

19409 Arrowhead Ave

Cleveland, OH 44119

 

Thanks

Ralph

Friday, January 23, 2015

PICUDA, QUILLBACK, TRUTTA SUBMARINE VETERANS REUNION



PQT SUBMARINE VETERANS REUNION


Branson, Missouri

May 14-18, 2015
NAME____________________________________________________

GUEST/SPOUSE____________________________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________

CITY___________________________STATE__________ZIP_______

TELEPHONE________________

EMAIL___________________________________________________

Any physical disability?______________________________________

Any dietary restrictions?_____________________________________

Boat Name:____________________________Years Served:________

**********************************************************


HOST HOTEL: THE CLARION BRANSON HOTEL
Call 800-725-2236 for room reservations and mention you are with the PQT Submarine Veterans Reunion. The room rate is $79.00 per room per night plus tax. A deluxe breakfast is included in room rate and rate is available 3 days prior and 3 days after the reunion based on availability. Rooms not reserved by April 15 will be dropped from the group block.

Reunion Activity Package: $206.00 per person

_______# of Attendees x $206.00 per person = $______________

Optional Show, #1 Hits of the 60’s: $37.00 per person

(Includes Transportation)

_______# of Attendees x $37.00 per person = $_______________

TOTAL DUE: $_________________

A 50% deposit is requested by March 15, 2015 with final payment due April 15, 2015. No refunds for cancellations after May 8, 2015 on activity package.


MAIL REGISTRATION FORM AND CHECK PAYABLE TO:
GATHERINGS PLUS

P. O. BOX 1023, BRANSON WEST, MO. 65737

417-338-4048…pam@gatheringsplus.com

Reunion Website: www.ReunionPro.com, click on "reunions" link, type in

Thursday, January 22, 2015


SUBJ: VETERAN INFORMATION FOR USSVI BASE MEMBERS

 

Remember: These messages are a benefit to USSVI members and not necessarily just those who retired from the Navy.  Please direct to members and especially newsletter editors, Base Commanders, and web site managers.

 ……….

A very good website for transistioning veterans (those looking for work after military service is at: TransitioningVeteran.com   It has a Jobs board, blogs, and other information. 

 

 ……….Speaking of job opportunities: In April, the Navy awarded the largest single shipbuilding contract in its history to Electric Boat for the construction of 10 Virginia-class nuclear-attack submarines.  The total 10-ship Block IV contract is for $17.6 billion over five years and calls for two new ships per year over the next five years. Under the contract, the Navy will save $2 billion and get 10 attack submarines for roughly the price of nine. The work will continue to be jointly performed by EB and Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. The two companies build certain parts and large modules for each boat, and each build the reactor compartment and perform final assembly of the boats they deliver.

 

 ……….Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, introduced legislation Jan. 13 that would give the VA secretary the authority to revoke bonuses given to executives. The VA paid more than $380,000 in bonuses to executives at 38 hospitals that are under investigation for falsifying wait times for medical care, according to Miller.

 ……….The past year may have been the best ever for employment of the latest generation of veterans, government data show.The annual unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans in 2014 was 7.2 percent, according to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday.That's nearly 2 points below the 2013 annual rate of 9 percent and nearly 5 points down from the 2011 rate of 12.1 percent, BLS records show. It's also the lowest annual rate ever charted in the metric's seven-year history, though by a narrow margin.Post-9/11 veteran unemployment still lagged the comparable 2014 annual unemployment rate for the overall population, which was a not-seasonally-adjusted 6.2 percent.

 ……….The decommissioned supercarrier Ranger is headed to the scrapyard unless a Southern California organization can convince the Navy to spare it in the next few weeks. Ranger, which "Top Gun" fans will remember for its on-screen cameo, was sold to International Shipbreaking late last year after a previous effort to turn the ship into a museum failed, according to a Dec. 22 release from Naval Sea Systems Command.In early January, California-based Top Gun Super Carrier of Long Beach Inc., launched an online petition and social media campaign to save the Ranger.

 ……….The latest data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs show Indiana — which has the 35th highest number of veterans in the U.S. — receives $4,935 per veteran each year. If they received as much as Utah — which has the 35th highest return — Indiana vets would receive on average another $558. And if they received the national average of $6,088, that's another $1,153. Why?  Some states do not put the money into Veteran Affairs offices.  Another cause may be the VSOs in every county do not have offices, computers, access, or the trained people need to help veterans fill out paperwork and pursue benefits.  VSOs are Veteran Service Officers (usually Legion, VFW, or DAV volunteer members) who are trained in this area.  DAV even advertises nationally that they will help any veteran (not just their members) with the daunting process.  My local VA has an office and a full time Veterans Benefits Specialist.  His job is to assist veterans get benefits they may be entitled to and not just those in the VA Health care system.  He relieves the VSOs of that burden so they can then concentrate on other areas.  Here the DAV provides transportation to and from the VA here from other communities.  Our Veterans Benefits Specialist received his office via the hard work of a Senator from our state who received authority to put one in both of the VA hospitals in our state. 

 ……….New Choice cards for veterans in the VA system.  You have or should be getting a “CHOICE” card in the mail.  This does NOT replace your VA ID card.  It also only applies to those who live greater than 40 miles from a VA facility or those who have been told they cannot be seen within 30 days at their nearest VA facility.  There is a catch however. You just CANNOT walk into a clinic (or Dr.’s office of your choice) WITHOUT prior approval. The number to call is on the card. Also the 40 miles is generally “as the crow flies.”  But if there are such things are road closures, large lakes, etc. that lie between you and the facility that will be determined  in lieu of the 40 miles when you call.  Also be aware that this is a temporary program currently funded for 2 years or until the allotted funds are gone.  It may get extended.

 ……….  State by State links to Veteran Benefits

 

Paul F. Popik USS Sennet


USS SENNET SS-408 ETERNAL PATROL
 
Paul Frederick Popik, 71, of Summerville, husband of Pamela Leasure Popik, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at his residence surrounded by family. Paul is preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Catherine Haransky Popik, a son, Daniel Popik and brother, Michael Popik, Jr. Friends and family will be received at a funeral mass in memory of Paul. The mass will be on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 9:00 AM, at Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church, 28 Sumter Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483. Paul was born on July 20, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio, son of the late Michael P. Popik, Sr. and the late Bernice H. Bruch Popik. He served 27 years in the United States Navy as a Master Chief Machinist Mate (Qualified in Submarines), where he served in many states and countries around the world, elevating him to the position of Chief of the Boat (COB), where he served with distinction. He enjoyed gardening, decorating his home for Christmas, tinkering in his garage, spending time with his family, friends and neighbors. He was a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. Paul was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3433 and a life member of the Military Order of the Cooties, Pup Tent 10. Surviving in addition to his wife Pamela are: his daughter, Debra Lynn Grant (Anthony) of El Paso, TX; two sons, Mark Popik (Teresa) of Suffolk, VA and David Popik (Ann) of Jacksonville, FL; three stepchildren, Michelle Blackman, Renee Blackman and Michael Blackman of Charleston, SC. Paul is also survived by his sister, Janice Drasler and her husband, Donald; brother, Daniel Popik (Nancy) and sister-in-law, LaDonna Popik. He was blessed with and loved by his grandchildren: Sherree Kayla Skeens, Bryanna Grant, Anthony Grant, Jr., Sean Popik, Brennan Popik, Cullen Popik, Megan Taylor, Patrick Brooks, Matthew White, and Lillie Blackman. Also surviving are three nephews: Steven Popik, Charles Popik and Darren Popik; and two nieces: Pamela Popik and Tamara Popik. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/Charleston. Published in Charleston Post & Courier on Jan. 21, 2015

Paul served aboard Sennet during the year 1962 as a FA and MMFN(SS).

 

Sunday, January 18, 2015

BLUE WATER NAVY

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association

www.bluewaternavy.org
while all other Vietnam War ... to reach them with important information concerning news of interest to the Blue Water Navy Vietnam ... If you are a sailor ...

Thursday, January 15, 2015

War Beneath the Waves

Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., has acquired my first book and I am writing a second book, "War Beneath the Waves." I am represented  by Loiacono Literary Agency. 

I am open to receive your submarine stories for publication in the second book.
 
SUBMARINE STORIES OF WORLD WAR II is written to honor all the men who have served and are serving today on submarines. Nine veterans share their experiences while serving during the 1940s. Many had never been away from home before they ventured beneath the sea to an unknown world of silence to spy and destroy enemy ships. It was a world which quickly changed naive teenagers into men who took home good and painful memories.
William Dreher - USS Boarfish SS-327
Melvin T. Smith USS Snapper-185
Marion Shinn USS Guavina SS-362
James Davidson SS Guitarro SS-363
Wayne Goodenow USS Sea Cat SS-399
Billy Grieves USS Thresher SS-200
Gail Diamond USS Scorpion SS-278
Joseph Blanchett USS Seal SS-183
Ervin O. Schmidt USS Saury SS-189
USS Torsk SS-423
Ervin Schmidt was aboard the USS California BB-44 when it was bombed at Pearl Harbor. James A. Davidson was living at the Armed Forces Retired Home Gulf port, Mississippi when hurricane Katrina arrived.
Irma Goodenow shares a love poem she wrote for her submarine husband of 59 years.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Hyman G. Richover


An upcoming Virginia-class attack submarine will be named for the late Hyman G. Rickover.

 
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced Friday that an upcoming Virginia-class attack submarine will be named for the late Hyman G. Rickover, the admiral known as the father of the nuclear Navy.

 
Virginia class submarines are built in a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat of Groton, Conn. and Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. The two yards take turns delivering them to the Navy.

 
The Hyman G. Rickover will be delivered by Newport News.

 
It will be the second Virginia-class boat named for an individual. The first is the John Warner, named for the former Virginia senator. It was christened in September at Newport News.

 
Although Virginia-class submarines are being built at a rate of two per year, Rickover won't make an appearance for several years.

 
After the John Warner, the next Virginia-class submarine will be the Illinois. That will be followed by Washington, a boat that marked a keel-laying at Newport News in November.

 
According to Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington will be followed by the Colorado, Indiana, South Dakota, Delaware, Vermont, Oregon, a submarine with an as-yet-undetermined name, then the Rickover.

 
A previous submarine has carried the Rickover name, and is familiar to the region's Navy community.

 
The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709) was commissioned in July 1984 and was home-ported in Norfolk. It was was inactivated in December 2006.

 
Rickover, who died in 1986, was known for being brilliant and blunt. His obituary in The New York Times noted his distaste for military protocol and tradition, and his tendency to bypass the chain of command to achieve his goals.

 
An engineer by training, he was responsible for the development of USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. He began formulating his ideas for a nuclear Navy just after World War II. He was trained in nuclear power at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and worked within the Bureau of Ships to explore the possibility of nuclear ship propulsion, according to his bio at Naval History and Heritage Command.

 
A few years later, the Times noted, his propensity for circumventing red tape was displayed when he was chosen to head the Naval Reactors Branch under the Atomic Energy Commission. At the time, he also headed the Nuclear Power Division in the Navy's Bureau of Ships.

 
"Wearing both hats, the captain sometimes wrote letters to himself asking for certain things; he would then answer his letters in the affirmative. Thus there was virtually always agreement between the Navy and the Atomic Energy Commission," the Times said.
 

Monday, January 12, 2015


U.S. SUBMARINE VETERANS GROTON BASE
ETERNAL PATROL NOTICE
Jack Gallimore, Base Chaplain
chaplain@subvetsgroton.org
...
Shipmates,
It is our sad duty to inform you all of the passing of a Shipmate. Peter G. Haidet, 80, of Manchester and formerly of East Hampton, beloved husband of Dolly (Anderson) Haidet, died peacefully, Tuesday January 6, 2015 at Manchester Memorial Hospital. He was born May 28, 1934 in Carrollton, OH., son of the late Navy Commander Russell Haidet and Grace (Keefer) Haidet.
Peter attended the Porter Military Academy, served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War in the "Silent Service" and later as a Naval Reservist . Peter qualified in submarines on the USS Corporal (SS-346) in 1954 and was a ENFN(SS) when he left the Navy. After the Navy Peter had worked as a Property Manager with the Farley Co. of Hartford and retired in 1994 from the Connecticut Natural Gas Co. as Building Services Manager.
Peter joined us at USSVI Groton Base in 2010, he was a Life and Holland Club member. He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 32 in Unionville and the Manchester Lodge # 73 A.F. & A.M. Peter was an avid car enthusiast who preferred Fords and had owned many Mustangs from his 1964 ½ red convertible to his current 2000 Mustang GT as well as several T-Birds.
In addition to his loving wife he is survived by two sisters, Mary Nilsen of Haddam Neck, Dorothy Morckel of Melbourne, FL., a nephew Russell Nilsen of Haddam Neck and several nieces.
"There is a port of no return, where ships may ride at anchor for a little space.
And then some starless night the cable slips, leaving only an eddy at the mooring place.
Gulls veer no longer, Sailor rest your oar.
No tangled wreckage will be washed ashore."
Hand Salute
ENFN(SS) Peter G. Haidet. . .Rest your oar.
Ready Two
See More

Monday, January 5, 2015

WANTED SUBMARINE ARTICLES FOR NEWSLETTER


NEWS-01: San Francisco Maritime National Park wants submarine articles for newsletter.

Submitted by: Alfred H Singleman Jr on 1/5/2015

------------------------------------------------------

Shipmates,

The San Francisco Maritime National Park Association (SFMNPA) revived their prestigious semi-annual newsletter, The Sea Letter.  Amongst the vessels SFMNPA maintains is the museum boat, USS Pampanito (SS-383). They are requesting contributions for two articles for their upcoming Spring 2015 issue by submarine veterans.

 

Specifically, they seek anecdotal reminiscences about life aboard diesel boats.  The first article being framed as follows:

 
 Recollections of veterans of service in the Fleet Boats of WWII and Korean War: Close quarters, tedium, danger, advanced technology, and uncertainty fostered a unique submarine culture, focused on maintaining and fighting the vessel most efficiently.  Specifics: protocols, command structure, hygienic, social structure, morale, stresses, reliefs, etc.

 
The second article being  is about the evolution of technology and tactics during WWII that enabled the submarine service to become an effective offensive force:

 
Pampanito was designed and operated first and foremost as a weapon.  How did strategy and tactics, as well as systems, technology and culture evolve to enable success?  Communication, detection, weapons, ventilation, energy storage, etc. evolved in response to initial failures, adaptive and disruptive technologies, tactics, and mission creep.

 Written submission length: 500 1,000 words as a MS Word documentphotographs and diagrams enhancing the descriptions are encouraged & appreciated. Shipmates are requested to provide their name, rate/rank, qual boat & year, and USSVI Base to give credit for submissions; ilude contact information should a need for clarification be determined.  Please send materials by email to dsvpilot@hotmail.com / Pete Juhos, District Commander, Western Region District Five.  Deadline: Jan 16, 2015.

Pride Runs Deep!

Pete Juhos

DC - WRD5

 

 

 

USSVI NATIONAL ARCHIVIST


 
 Message from the USSVI Archivist and Librarian Submitted by: Alfred H Singleman Jr on 1/5/2015

 
From the USSVI Archivist Joe Mathis

 
Happy New Year! I am the USSVI National Archivist. I am in charge of retaining records on both the National and Base levels. I have the ability to store base documents digitally and on paper. AIMM has provided a climate controlled building for storage of physical documentation. I was supplied with a portable hard drive to store digital material as well. I prefer digital, its easier to retrieve. I invite National and Base commanders to send me any material they want archivedbase newsletters, by-laws, minutes from base meetings, etc. If you have any questions or concerns about the archives, please feel free to contact me, Joe Mathis at usnjrm@yahoo.com.

 From the USSVI Librarian Joe Mathis

 Happy New Year! In case you dont know, Im in charge of the USSVI/AIMM National Submarine Reference Library. To date, the library has over 4,000 items on inventory. Most of these items were donated by fellow submariners or their families. There are books from all of the United States conflicts from the Civil War to today. The library includes books on both the United States Navy and navies from around the world. I am working diligently to organize and catalog all these publications. I have the USSVI and AIMM libraries separated and in the process of organizing them by conflict. Included in this inventory are the Submarine National Review/American Submariner magazine, the Polaris magazine from the Submarine Veterans of WWII, the Submarine Review from the Naval Submarine League, Proceedings magazine and several other periodicals relating to submarines. I do not have shelf space to have the entire library on the shelves, so I have removed the periodicals and put them in storage. As I organize the remaining library, I will removed duplicate copies from the shelf and also put them in storage. AIMM has provided a climate controlled building for storage of these periodicals and excess books. I have received a few research requests over the past year; mt asking for specific articles from the Submarine National Review/American Submariner magazine. I intend to keep this a research only library. If you have any questions or concerns about the library, please feel free to contact me, Joe Mathis at usnjrm@yahoo.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Ofuna- POW Interrogation Center - Allied POWS in Japan

www.mansell.com/pow_resources/camplists/tokyo/ofuna/ofuna.html
... the American submarines could dive so deep compared to the Japanese sub ... War Museum). POW Research Network Japan ... Ofuna POW Camp - About Ofuna Camp

Saturday, January 3, 2015

WAR VETERANS


Submitted by: William C. Andrea on 1/1/2015

------------------------------------------------------

First, let me wish everyone a "Happy New Year". Secondly, we have qualified for "War Veteran Status" for 2015, by having 90% or more of our membership serve during a wartime. This allows any donations to USSVI to be "Tax Deductible".We must requalify for this status every year, and our current status runs from January 1st to December 31st.

If you were in the Military (even the Reserves)  during the following time frames :Dec 7, 1941 to Dec 31, 1946, June 27 1950 to Jan 31, 1955, Aug 5, 1964 to may 7, 1975 and from Aug 2, 1990 to present, you qualify as a War Veteran.

To insure that you are listed as a "War Veteran", go to ussvi.org and click on the "My Profile" button. Next, click on Up-date PROFILE Next, click on "Naval Career", and halfway down the page, check the box under "Served During a War". You MUST then go to the bottom of the page and click on " Save changes made to this page in order for the change to be registered. While you are in your profile, please check any other parts of your profile that need changing.(Be sure to go to the bottom of each page and save those changes.

 

Thanks, and Happy New Year again

Bill Andrea

NJVC

Thursday, January 1, 2015

John Thomas Brannan USS Sennet (SS-408)


John Thomas Brannan, 89, a longtime Mount Vernon resident, passed away December 27, 2014 at the family home. He was born June 19, 1925 in Wilson Creek, Washington, the son of John W. and Louise Brannan. He graduated from Clarkson High School in 1943 and joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation. He served in the US Navy submarine service in the South Pacific during WWII. He qualified in USS Hammerhead (SS-364) in 1945, served in CSD-301 Relief Crew, CSD-101 Relief Crew and USS Sennet (SS-408), and was RT2(SS) when released by the Navy in 1946. After WWII he graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was a devout Cougar Fan. On February 9, 1950 he married Margaret Bowling. He retired from Shell Refinery in Anacortes after 30 years. He was a Senior Engineer. He was a wonderful husband, great father and an amazing grandfather. He was kind, intelligent and very generous. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Peg. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Ed and Bob, sisters Helen, Marie, Jo and Gladys. He is survived by his sons, Michael Brannan and William P. Brannan, daughters, Mary Brannan, Elizabeth Feller and Molly O'Connor; and ten grandchildren. A Rosary will be Held Friday, January 2, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. with the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. both at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mount Vernon. A graveside service will follow the funeral mass at Hawthorne Memorial Park followed by a reception in the Hawthorne Reception Room. Please share your thoughts of John and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com In lieu of flowers the family requested donations to Immaculate Conception Regional School, 1321 E Division St., Mount Vernon, WA 98274. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA. Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing Company on Dec. 31, 2014

Shipmates,

Received this notice this morning, Jan 1, 2015. I do not have a home address for John T. but you can post to the funeral home.

John served aboard Sennet during the years 1945-1946 as a RT2c(SS).

Ralph

War beneath the Waves

WAR BENEATH THE WAVES

I have some wonderful stories for my book, but I welcome more. I would love to see your photos in my book. The working title, " Submarine Stories of the 20th Century," has been changed by my publisher to  "War Beneath the Waves." I am so excited and love to share these stories with the public that have no idea about submarines and the men who rode them.

I have been involve one way or another for over 30 years with submarine organizations. I  wrote my first book, "Submarine Stories of World War II," to honor my husband who served 16 years in submarines and five years in helicopters - HS-7, and  with other submarine stories of friends who were kind enough to share. I was the  newsletter editor for a short time for the Arkansas Diamond Chapter of WWII ( Also,did some art work for them), and I attended many meetings and conferences over the years.

If you have a story (short or long) and photos to share, please send to
marynida@suddenlink.net
Mary Nida Smith
162 Stamford Drive
Lakeview, AR 72642