A U.S. submarine recently trained with American and allied forces in the Mediterranean Sea as the Pentagon bolsters its forces in the Middle East amid deepening worries of an Iran-Israel conflict.
The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia finished a series of training events with Force Reconnaissance Marines from the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and special operations forces on Monday, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement posted to its website on Friday.
To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives while voluntarily serving in submarine warfare 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. To further promote and keep alive the spirit and unity that existed among submarine crewmen during World War II. To promote sociability general welfare and good fellowship among our members. To pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and it’s constitution.
1. Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base
Bowfin Meeting – We conducted our August meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Base Commander Paul Jurcsak, Vice Commander Tim Sparks, Secretary Brett Kulbis, COB Gary Johnson, and members David Bilek, Allen Clemons, Karl Dye, Nelson Greer, Gary Grisham, Ben McGowan, Ace Parker, Crichton Roberts, Pat Suenaga, Wade Thode, and Joe Winzenried.
Bravo Zulu – Pat Suenaga our 2024 Stanley K. Nichols Award Winner!
Binnacle List – Please keep the all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers, especially Paul Ferguson, Chris Cunha, and John Hatch.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofAugust.
Bill Dillon was a submariner on the USS Sailfish, a radioman first class, and collaborated with the author Stephen L. Moore to tell the harrowing story of how the Sailfish sunk a Japanese Carrier.
Bill Dillion was just 17 when he signed up for military service. He received two Bronze Stars, one with valor, but it’s what he did after the war that he says is most important to him. “During the war I was killing people,” he recounts. “After the war I began helping them.”
Today, he is the sole survivor of the 200 men he served with on the Sailfish, and the last American survivor of the battle of Formosa. Bill served in the Navy from May 1942 to November 1947.
After an undefeated football season, Bill quit high school in his junior year to join the Navy. He was sent to submarine school in New London, CT and then assigned to the submarine the USS Sailfish (SS 192). This submarine was formerly the USS Sgualus which had sunk off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive in 1939. While 26 crew members were lost, there were 33 rescued and the ship was later salvaged and renamed the USS Sailfish.
Bill served on the USS Sailfish from January 1943 until it was decommissioned in 1945. They had 5 Major War Patrols. The Sailfish sunk several Japanese commercial and military vessels, including an aircraft carrier and 2 destroyers. And rescued 12 pilots and crew that had been shot down or run out of fuel during the Battle of Formosa. They took the rescued airmen to Saipan and returned to their combat war patrol.
Bill remained in the service and got married January 5, 1946 to, Janet, his high school sweetheart. Bill received his GED and applied for college the same date and graduated in June 1951 from the University of Florida.
The U.S. space industry was just beginning, and I became a member of the launch team that placed the first U.S. satellite into orbit. He worked on several different programs including 13 down-range tracking sites; developing the first electronic checkout of launch vehicles; the initial working on the GPS system for Assistant Defense Secretary David Packard; served as Solid Rocket Booster Manager for the Air Force Titan 3 Program; and become the Systems Design Manager for the highly secret system of satellite-tracking all vehicles in space. Receiving a major citation.
Bill and his late wife, Janet, were married for 72 years and had 7 children. There are now 12 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren and the family is still growing.
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Pete Miller and Chuck Merkel (far left and far right in photo) of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum present a $26,000 check to Honolulu Community College Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Susan Nishida (middle left) and Chancellor Karen Lee (middle right).
>> Honoring Our Bowfin Crew: Alf Weidner
Alpheus “Alf” Weidner served as a Motor Machinist on the USS Bowfin (SS-287) during War Patrols 8 and 9. He passed away on June 11, 2018, at the age of 93.
Your primary ballot packet has been mailed out today, if you don’t get your’s by July 23, contact your County Elections Division HERE to get a replacement ballot.
Earlier this week the State Office of Elections announced the availability of the 2024 Digital Voter Guide. To be prepared to make an informed vote, please click HERE to not only download your copy of the voter guide but to also see and download a sample of your ballot. Be sure to compare your online ballot sample with the one received in your ballot packet to ensure they are the same.
Make your voting plan to include how you’ll vote, when you’ll vote, and where you’ll vote. Then faithfully implement it!
Fill out your ballot by following the directions on your ballot closely: (a) Completely fill in the box to the left of your choice with a black or blue pen; (b) If you vote for more candidates than allowed in a contest, your votes for that contest will note be counted; (c) If you make a mistake, request a replacement ballot immediately from your County Elections Division or go vote in-person, DO NOT USE WHITE OUT. I also encourage you to take a picture of your completed ballot;
If voting via mail: Be sure to mail in your voted ballot, using the security sleeve and return envelope, in sufficient time to ensure your ballot arrives before 7pm on Saturday August 10th.
If voting in person which I strongly encourage: (a) Early voting is July 29th to August 9th at a County Voting Service Center, times vary but is usually 8am to 4:30pm. Some Counties will have satellite Voting Service Centers (https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/); (b) Primary day voting on Saturday August 10th is from 7am to 7pm at each County’s primary voting service centers.
Key Dates to Remember
July 23: Look for your Primary Election ballot packet to be delivered in the mail. July 29: Voter Service Centers are open through Election Day for voter registration and accessible in-person voting. Visit elections.hawaii.gov for locations, dates, and hours. July 31: Final day for first-time voters to submit a paper Voter Registration Application for the Primary Election. August 10: Primary Election Day. ALL voted ballots must be received by 7:00 PM.
The move follows two other pilot efforts with Naval Submarine Forces, said Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, the service’s outgoing “I-boss.”
The Navy has been experimenting with embedding information warfare officers and sailors on submarines, starting with two pilot efforts off the East Coast. Later this year, it wants to expand the idea to the Pacific, said the service’s IW chief.
“We have been piloting having a permanent integration of an IW officer—as well as IW sailors—on submarines,” Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, leader of Naval Information Forces, told reporters Wednesday.
Members of the USS Barb’s crew hold the submarine’s battle flag aloft after returning from a final patrol in 1945. The train kill can be seen in the bottom-center of the flag. (U.S. Navy).
Submarine: 1. Train: 0.
By Ford Murray, USS Missouri Tour Guide
In 1973 an Italian submarine named Enrique Tazzoli was sold for a paltry $100,000 as scrap metal. The submarine, given to the Italian Navy in 1953 was actually an incredible veteran of World War II service with a heritage that never should have passed so unnoticed into the graveyards of the metal recyclers.
The USS Barb was a pioneer, paving the way for the first submarine launched missiles and flying a battle flag unlike that of any other ship. In addition to the Medal of Honor ribbon at the top of the flag identifying the heroism of its captain, Commander Eugene “Lucky” Fluckey, the bottom border of the flag bore the image of a Japanese locomotive. The USS Barb was indeed, the submarine that “SANK A TRAIN”.
To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives while voluntarily serving in submarine warfare 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. To further promote and keep alive the spirit and unity that existed among submarine crewmen during World War II. To promote sociability general welfare and good fellowship among our members. To pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and it’s constitution.
1. Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base
Bowfin Meeting – We conducted our July meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Base Commander Paul Jurcsak, Vice Commander Tim Sparks, Secretary Brett Kulbis, COB Gary Johnson, and members George Barlett, George Barlett, Rodney Boucher, Karl Dye, Nelson Greer, Ace Parker, Crichton Roberts, Pat Suenaga, and Joe Winzenried.
Welcomed Guests – Ben and Judy McGowan.
Binnacle List – Please keep the all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers, especially Chris Cunha, Paul Ferguson, and John Hatch.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofJuly.
Nominations for Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Officers is now open, and will close on August 3, 2024. Voting will be open from August 4 to 31, 2024. Results will be announced and newly elected officers will be sworn in at the September meeting. Officers to be elected are Base Commander, Vice Commander, Secretary and Treasurer. For more information on officer duties click HERE.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 