The Chairman and Board Members of the United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation (USSVCF) Academic Scholarship Program announce that the 2024-2025 Academic Year Application Period and application website is open.
The USSVCF Scholarship Procedure, and all requirements, is provided for distribution to all USSVI members and to their eligible children, grandchildren and legal dependents. Sponsors, parents, and applicants should read the procedure prior to registration of the applicant to ensure a smooth, accurate and successfully completed application.
To access the application portal, go to www.ussvcf.org click on “More” tab scroll down and click on “Scholarship Application”.
Specific questions should be submitted to the Scholarship Chairman by email or phone.
Applications must be completed on or before 19 May 2024. Awards will be announced in July, 2024 for the 2024-25 Academic Year.
Dr. Alan Fickett, Chairman, USSVCF Scholarship Program scholarship@ussvcf.org 407-256-3638
Ken Earls President USSV Charitable Foundation kenearls.ss@gmail.com www.ussvcf.org 928-308-4488
The U.S. Navy is beginning to integrate its industrial base with those of Australia and the United Kingdom, despite Congress not yet passing several measures to enable the trilateral submarine-building arrangement AUKUS.
Act of valor to preserve the security of the mission – Captain John Cromwell.
John Philip Cromwell was born in Henry, Illinois, on 11 September 1901. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1920, he graduated in June 1924 and served initially in the battleship USS MARYLAND (BB-46).
In 1926, he attended submarine school and was assigned to USS S-24 (SS-129) during 1927-29. Lieutenant Cromwell commanded USS S-20 (SS-125) in 1936-37, then served on the staff of Commander Submarine Division 4. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in 1939 and spent two years in Washington, D.C. with the Bureau of Engineering and Bureau of Ships. In May 1941, he became Engineer Officer for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force. During 1942-43, he commanded Submarine Divisions 203, 44 and 43.
Following promotion to Captain, he went to sea on the USS SCULPIN (SS-191) as prospective commander of a mid-Pacific submarine wolf pack. While attacking a Japanese convoy on 19 November 1943, SCULPIN was forced to the surface, fatally damaged in a gun battle and abandoned by her surviving crew members. Captain Cromwell, who knew secret details of the impending operation to capture the Gilbert Islands, deliberately remained on board as she sank. For his sacrificial heroism in preventing the enemy from obtaining this information, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
CAPT Cromwell’s Medal of Honor citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of a Submarine Coordinated Attack Group with Flag in the U.S.S. SCULPIN, during the Ninth War Patrol of that vessel in enemy-controlled waters off Truk Island, November 19, 1943. Undertaking this patrol prior to the launching of our first large-scale offensive in the Pacific, Captain Cromwell, alone of the entire Task Group, possessed secret intelligence information of our submarine strategy and tactics, scheduled Fleet movements and specific attack plans. Constantly vigilant and precise in carrying out his secret orders, he moved his underseas flotilla inexorably forward despite savage opposition and established a line of submarines to southeastward of the main Japanese stronghold at Truk. Cool and undaunted as the submarine, rocked and battered by Japanese depth-charges, sustained terrific battle damage and sank to an excessive depth, he authorized the SCULPIN to surface and engage the enemy in a gun-fight, thereby providing an opportunity for the crew to abandon ship. Determined to sacrifice himself rather than risk capture and subsequent danger of revealing plans under Japanese torture or use of drugs, he stoically remained aboard the mortally wounded vessel as she plunged to her death. Preserving the security of his mission at the cost of his own life, he had served his country as he had served the Navy, with deep integrity and an uncompromising devotion to duty. His great moral courage in the face of certain death adds new luster to the traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
The Most Successful Medal of Honor Winner Rear Admiral Richard H. “Dick” O’Kane.
Richard O ‘Kane was the commanding officer of the USS TANG during World War II. O’Kane claimed eight ships at the time but post-war analysis increased this to ten ships. On one attack she had targeted two large ships with three torpedoes each and assumed three hits in each. Japanese records actually reported two hits in each with the third of each spread hitting smaller ships in the next column. This surpassed the next highest patrol which was for the USS WAHOO, with O ‘Kane as XO, in the same area the year before.
He was captured by the Japanese when his boat was sunk in the Formosa Strait by its own flawed torpedo (running in a circle) during a surface night attack on October 24–25, 1944 wherein he lost all but eight of his crew, and was secretly (i.e. illegally) held prisoner until the war’s end some ten months later. Following his release, Commander O’Kane received the Medal of Honor for his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” during his submarine’s final operations against Japanese shipping.
CDR O’Kane’s Medal of Honor citation reads in part:
“…For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own 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, CDR. O’Kane stood in the fusillade of bullets and shells from all directions to launch smashing hits on 3 tankers, he 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, CDR 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.”
Samuel Dealey was born on September 13, 1906 in Dallas, Texas, where he attended Oak Cliff High School. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1930. Dealey had duty on the battleshipUSS NEVADA (BB-36) before training as a submarine sailor. In command of S-20 at the outbreak of World War II, he assumed command of USS HARDER (SS-257) upon her commissioning on December 2, 1942. Commander Dealey guided his submarine deep into enemy waters, wreaking destruction on Japanese shipping. On HARDER’S fifth war patrol, Commander Dealey pressed home a series of bold and daring attacks, both surfaced and submerged, which sank three enemy destroyers and damaged two others. For his exceptional gallantry in these actions, Commander Dealey received the Medal of Honor. He was lost with his submarine during its sixth war patrol, when HARDERwas sunk August 24, 1944 by a depth charge attack off Luzon, Philippines. His Medal of Honor citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the USS HARDER during her 5th War Patrol in Japanese-controlled waters. Floodlighted by a bright moon and disclosed to an enemy destroyer escort which bore down with intent to attack, CDR Dealey quickly dove to periscope depth and waited for the pursuer to close range, then opened fire, sending the target and all aboard down in flames with his third torpedo. Plunging deep to avoid fierce depth charges, he again surfaced and, within 9 minutes after sighting another destroyer, had sent the enemy down tail first with a hit directly amid ship. Evading detection, he penetrated the confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base 6 miles away and scored death blows on 2 patrolling destroyers in quick succession. With his ship heeled over by concussion from the first exploding target and the second vessel nose-diving in a blinding detonation, he cleared the area at high speed. Sighted by a large hostile fleet force on the following day, he swung his bow toward the lead destroyer for another “down-the-throat” shot, fired 3 bow tubes and promptly crash-dived to be terrifically rocked seconds later by the exploding ship as the HARDER passed beneath. This remarkable record of 5 vital Japanese destroyers sunk in 5 short-range torpedo attacks attests the valiant fighting spirit of CDR Dealey and his indomitable command.”
Quartermaster 1st Class Richard Breckenridge
Quartermaster First Class Richard Breckenridge received the Navy Cross for heroic actions on 14 August 1942. His citation reads in part…
”For extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving on board the USS CUTTLEFISH (SS-171), during the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters on 27 August 1942. On that date the CUTTLEFISH was underway in enemy controlled waters when the approach of Japanese naval units forced her to crash dive. The wheel of the locks for the hatch leading from the deck to the conning tower became jammed, however, and the hatch would not close sufficiently to keep out the seas. Quartermaster Second Class Breckenridge refused to leave his station and go below until he succeeded in securing the hatch. By his action, Quartermaster Second Class Breckenridge, risking drowning, saved the conning tower instruments from damage from the seas and enabled the submarine to continue on patrol during which 29,500 tons of Japanese shipping were sunk. The conduct of Quartermaster Second Class Breckenridge throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Lawson Paterson Ramage was born on January 14, 1909 in Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1931 and was subsequently commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. From 1931 to 1935, he served onboard several ships, including the USS S-29 (S-134).
During World War II, Admiral Ramage was highly decorated for his actions in combat — being awarded the Silver Star, two Navy Crosses, and the Medal of Honor. Admiral Ramage was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the staff of the Commander, Submarines Pacific during the Japaneseattack in December 1941. In early 1942, he served on his first patrol of the war as the Navigator of the USS GRENADIER. He was awarded the Silver Star as a member of the GRENADIER’S crew for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” while patrolling enemy waters. In June 1942, he assumed his first command — the USS TROUT. Under his command TROUT sank three ships during his four war patrols. He was awarded the Navy Cross for valor for actions while in command of the TROUT at Midway, Truk, the Solomons, and the South China Sea. In May 1943, he assumed command of the new BALAO-class submarine, the USS PARCHE (SS-384). On July 31, 1944, CDR Ramage commanded the PARCHE in a daring dawn assault on a heavily-escorted Japanese convoy, during which the PARCHE sunk two ships and badly damaged three others. For this he was awarded the Medal of Honor which was personally presented to him by PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt on January 10, 1945. His Medal of Honor citation reads:
“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. PARCHE in a predawn attack on a Japanese convoy, 31 July 1944. Boldly penetrating the screen of a heavily escorted convoy, CDR. Ramage launched a perilous surface attack by delivering a crippling stern shot into a freighter and quickly following up with a series of bow and stern torpedoes to sink the leading tanker and damage the second one. Exposed by the light of bursting flares and bravely defiant of terrific shellfire passing close overhead, he struck again, sinking a transport by two forward reloads. In the mounting fury of fire from the damaged and sinking tanker, he calmly ordered his men below, remaining on the bridge to fight it out with an enemy now disorganized and confused. Swift to act as a fast transport closed in to ram, CDR. Ramage daringly swung the stern of the speeding PARCHE as she crossed the bow of the onrushing ship, clearing by less than 50 feet but placing his submarine in a deadly crossfire from escorts on all sides and with the transport dead ahead.
Undaunted, he sent 3 smashing “down the throat” bow shots to stop the target, then scored a killing hit as a climax to 46 minutes of violent action with the PARCHE and her valiant fighting company retiring victorious and unscathed.”
The USS Parche Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to CDR Ramage and the decisive fighting spirit that won the war.
On April 15, 1987, Submarine Base Pearl Harbor reopened a newly renovated 17-story Bachelor Enlisted Quarters capable of housing 516 personnel. This building was dedicated on February 26, 1988 in the memory of MM3 (SS) James E. Smallwood for the sacrifice of his life while performing his duties in the service of his country.
He was posthumously awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Medal for heroic conduct. The citation reads:
“For heroic conduct on June 14, 1960 while serving on board USS SARGO (SSN-583) moored at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While supervising the operation of charging high pressure oxygen into the SARGO’s storage tanks, SMALLWOOD firmly and meticulously carried out the ship’s safety precautions requiring isolation of the charging compartment from the remainder of the vessel. Aware of the potential danger involved, he denied entry of several of his shipmates to the Stern Room and kept the watertight door and bulkhead flappers shut. SMALLWOOD lost his life in a raging fire which broke out during the oxygen charge. Through his steadfast adherence to safety precautions, he undoubtedly prevented further loss of life and a probable major disaster. His courage and outstanding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is sponsoring a veterans benefits seminar & offering claims assistance on June 6th at the Ke’ehi Lagoon Memorial from 8am – 12pm.
Benefits Seminar – 8 to 9am Claims Assistance – 9am to 12pm
USS Conestoga (AT-54) at San Diego, California (USA), circa early 1921, shortly before she disappeared while en route from San Diego to Samoa, by way of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The USS Conestoga was a seagoing tug that spent World War I hauling supplies across the Atlantic, escorting convoys, and towing ships back to port. When the war ended, it was transferred to the Pacific Fleet, and based in San Diego. In March 1921, it was sent to haul coal to American Samoa. To this day, no one knows why the Conestoga never arrived.
The submarine USS R-14 was dispatched from Pearl Harbor to look for the Conestoga or determine what happened to the seagoing tug two months later. It’s a shame the tug was never found, because R-14 really could have used the help getting back to Hawaii.
USS R-14 underway, probably during sea trials in late 1919 or early 1920. Her deck gun has not yet been installed.
R-14 seemed to be in good working order when it left the Hawaiian Islands. It was a relatively new boat, built at the end of World War I and commissioned in 1919. It had already run a shakedown cruise in Connecticut, steamed from the U.S. East Coast to the West Coast via the Panama Canal, and arrived in Hawaii in less than a year.
On its mission to find the USS Conestoga, the submarine ran out of usable fuel around 100 nautical miles away from Hawaii. To make matters worse, it also lost its radio communications equipment around the same time. In the vastness of the South Pacific, it was a terrible situation for a submarine and its crew. It was dead in the water, with no means of calling for help.
Luckily for the sub and the men aboard it, the Naval Academy-trained officers weren’t too far removed from the age of sail, and still learned vital sailing and navigation skills in their academy days. One of the officers aboard the vessel, Roy Trent Gallemore, came up with the idea of going old school to get everyone home: sails.
Acting commanding officer, Lt. Alexander Dean Douglas designed a series of sails, honest-to-God sails, from the crew’s hammocks and blankets. Then the crew tied them to some jerry-rigged bunk bed frames and attached the entire apparatus to the kingpost of the boat’s torpedo loading crane to create a foresail. This gave the boat some movement and control of the rudder.
Next, they made a mainsail using six sewn-together blankets tied to the submarine’s radio mast. Another eight blankets were sewn together and tied to a top boom made from the remaining bunk bed frames. Tying this to the vertical part of the torpedo crane provided a mizzenmast. All three sails together gave the steel submarine a top speed of 2.1 knots, or just about 2.5 miles per hour in a good wind.
Stern view of the shipwreck, colonized with sea anemones.
After a couple of days of sailing on the ocean’s surface, LT. Douglas was able to begin charging the submarine’s batteries. 64 hours later, the R-14 was able to come into port at Hijo Harbor, Hawaii, under battery power. For his innovation in an unusual, but potentially deadly situation, Douglas was given a commendation by his Submarine Division Commander, then-Cmdr. Chester Nimitz.
The crew of R-14 would never have found the USS Conestoga unless they too sunk to the bottom of the ocean. The tug’s whereabouts were lost until it was found by divers in 2009, later confirmed to be Conestoga in 2015. Douglas would stay in the Navy through World War II, commanding a submarine escorting convoys to North Africa.
R-14 spent World War II hunting Nazi submarines in the Caribbean, but the only combat it saw was when U.S. Army artillery mistook it for a German submarine off the coast of Key West, Florida and fired on it. The ship was undamaged.
Mahalo to Crichton Roberts of Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base for providing this article.
The Momsen lung was a early underwater rebreather used prior to and during World War II by American submariners as emergency escape gear.
While serving with the Submarine Safety Test Unit, Charles Momsen began working on a device to help sailors surface. It was officially called the Submarine Escape Lung, it consisted of an oblong rubber bag that recycled exhaled air. The press enthusiastically received the device and dubbed it the Momsen Lung, a name that stuck.
The Lung contained a canister of soda lime, which removed poisonous carbon dioxide from exhaled air and then replenished the air with oxygen. Two tubes led from the bag to a mouthpiece: one to inhale oxygen and the other to exhale carbon dioxide. The device hung around the neck and strapped around the waist. Besides providing oxygen for the ascent, it also allowed a submariner to rise slowly to the surface, thus avoiding decompression sickness (“the bends”).
Between June 1929 and September 1932, then-Lt. Momsen developed the lung with Chief Gunner’s Mate Clarence L. Tibbals and Frank M. Hobson, a civilian employee of the Bureau of Ships. In 1929, Momsen received the Distinguished Service Medal for personally testing the device at a depth of 200 feet (61 m). The Lung saved its first lives in October 1944, when eight submariners used it to reach the surface after Tang (SS-306) sank in 180 feet (55 m) of water in the East China Sea. The Lung was eventually supplemented by the Steinke hood and free-ascent techniques.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 