U.S. Navy Adm. Daryl Caudle, speaks during the relinquishment of command ceremony for U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) aboard Naval Station Norfolk on August 6, 2025. USFFC is responsible for manning, training, equipping and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe.
Admiral Daryl L. Caudle relinquished command of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) during a ceremony held aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 6, 2025.
Presiding over the ceremony was U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, who praised Caudle’s visionary leadership, operational focus, and relentless dedication to enhancing Fleet readiness during a period of rising strategic competition.
“For the last three and a half years, [Adm. Caudle] has served simultaneously in four critical positions – Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Strategic; Commander, United States Naval Forces – Strategic Command; Commander, United States Naval Forces – Northern Command; and Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command,” said Guillot. “In each role, Admiral Caudle served with distinction – persistently advocating for modernization while emphasizing fleet readiness and wartime preparedness.” Read more HERE.
The Periscope is a monthly publication of the Los Angeles-Pasadena Base of USSVI.
What’s Inside General Meeting Minutes Tolling the Boats New Twin-Sonar Dome U.S. Unleashes First UUV F-1 Seen Intact Off San Diego New USSVI Challenge Coins New Batfish Sailor Book Dex Armstrong Chapter News Calendar Events
Commander 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 battleship USS NEVADA (BB-36) before training as a submarine sailor.
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.
The 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.”
He was lost with his submarine during its sixth war patrol, when HARDER was sunk August 24, 1944 by a depth charge attack off Luzon, Philippines.
In a concerted effort to get more students involved in the local trade industry, over 100 high school students from Honolulu Community College’s Summer CTE Academy visited the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum earlier this month to wrap up their five-week summer program. Read full story HERE.
What’s Inside
Collections Spotlight: Frank Joseph Unger Make the Most of the Final Days of Summer
Adm. Daryl Caudle, shown here on April 7, 2023, delivered prepared remarks and answered lawmakers’ questions during a confirmation hearing Thursday.
President Donald Trump’s nominee for the next chief of naval operations faced no major opposition during his confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Adm. Daryl Caudle, who currently leads U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivered prepared remarks and answered lawmakers’ questions.
In his opening statement, Caudle described the United States at an inflection point.
“Our country and its citizens are in the midst of a crucial era, defined by global competition, technological saturation, and unpredictable threats that challenge our American dream,” Caudle told lawmakers.
Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, delivers remarks during a reenlistment and promotion ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial, May 23, during Fleet Week New York 2025.
WASHINGTON — Adm. Daryl Caudle, the White House’s nominee to become the 34th chief of naval operations, said today he would consider pulling the plug on the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN-764), the US Navy submarine so beset with maintenance problems that it has been sitting dockside for the better part of a decade.
“Working with the Secretary of the Navy, I want to take that on, if I’m confirmed, and look at that hard,” Caudle told Senate lawmakers during his confirmation hearing today. “The decision whether or not to actually walk away from Boise is a big one, and I want to make sure I clearly understand the trajectory and trends, but I hear you loud and clear, senator, on how unacceptable it is, how long she’s been in the yards.” Read full story HERE.
The Navy plans to spend up to $250 million to extend and modernize a pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor to serve new ballistic missile and attack submarines coming into the fleet in the next decade.
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (July 12, 2025) – Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during its change of homeport, July 12, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Barnes)
The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) arrived at its new homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, from its previous homeport of Portsmouth, Virginia, July 12, 2025. The Toledo joined Submarine Squadron 7 as their fourth Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine.
“Our crew is excited to finally arrive in Pearl Harbor after completing an important maintenance period in Hampton Roads,” said Cmdr. Dustin Kraemer, commanding officer of the Toledo. “Our crew looks forward to the new chapter for Toledo and the opportunities while operating throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
Capt. Corey Poorman, commander, Submarine Squadron 7, met the Toledo pierside upon arrival to welcome the crew to the island. “The Squadron 7 Ohana enthusiastically welcomes the crew and families of the Toledo with Hawaii’s enriched culture and spirit of aloha,” said Poorman. “Our team looks forward to continuing the training and certification of Toledo’s crew in defense of our nation and its allies and partners.”
USS Connecticut (SSN 22) is docked for its Extended Docking Selected Restricted Availability July 12 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Wendy Hallmark/USN
The USS Connecticut, one of the U.S. Navy’s prized Seawolf class nuclear attack submarines, is set to finally return to service late next year. The Navy previously indicated it could rejoin the fleet this fall. Connecticut is currently at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Washington State for repairs and other work after suffering major damage, particularly to its bow, from a collision with an underwater seamount in the South China Sea in 2021.
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 June meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Base Commander Paul Jurcsak, Secretary Brett Kulbis, Treasurer Pat Suenaga, COB Gary Johnson, and members Dave Atkins, George Barlett, Jim Bazemore, David Bilek, Rodney Boucher, Allen Clemons, Dan Del Monte, Karl Dye, Ben McGowan, Crichton Roberts, Thom Sousa, Wade Thode, and Ken Voorhees.
Welcomed Guests – Mi-ye Bilek, Judy McGowan and Wesley Thode.
Binnacle List – Please keep the all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers, especially Chris Cunha, Paul Ferguson, John Hatch, and Charley Womack.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofJuly. Additionally, newest member Dave Bazemore.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 