On March 11, 2025 Howard H. Watanabe ET1(SS) Retired, embarked on his final patrol upon receipt of his Heavenly Orders from our Supreme Commander. He has shipped out to calm seas and warm breezes to join the company of his shipmates who have gone before him. He is welcomed by our loving God, safely navigating the seas of eternity. Mahalo for your service in Submarines. “Always remembered—Never forgotten”
Known as “Nobber” by his shipmates, Howard was born in 1945, in a Japanese internment camp, in Idaho. He qualified submarines on USS Tiru (SS 416). He also served on USS Catfish (SS 339), and USS Puffer (SSN 652). He retired from the U.S. Navy and resided in Mililani, Hawai’i.
On May 1, Merkel will retire as executive director of the museum, featuring World War II submarine USS Bowfin, within Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Charles “Chuck” Merkel remembers being handed construction drawings for renovations of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum on his first day as executive director in May 2016.
Nine years later, Merkel is set to retire at the museum association’s annual dinner and meeting on May 1. He said completing the $20 million renovation he inherited on Day One was both challenging and rewarding.
April is National Volunteer Month, a time to celebrate the people who bring passion, dedication, and heart to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. These individuals generously give their time, energy, and expertise to preserve our maritime legacy and share it with visitors worldwide.
Whether they are supporting educational programs, conducting tours, or simply offer a friendly conversation, our volunteers play a vital role in the museum’s everyday activities. Their varied backgrounds—from veterans and military families to students and history enthusiasts—provide distinct viewpoints that enhance the experience for every visitor.
Interested in our volunteer opportunities? Click HERE.
What’s Inside
Passing of Former Submarine Commander Harry Mathis
Visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i, will get an extra eyeful in coming months as crews work to restore a pair of historic quays where the doomed battleship was moored on the morning of the 1941 Japanese surprise attack.
The National Park Service Historic Preservation Training Center began restoration work Monday on the second of three pairs of historic quays being rehabbed in a multiyear project.
The Periscope is a monthly publication of the Los Angeles-Pasadena Base of USSVI.
What’s Inside General Meeting Minutes Tolling the Boats Russian Sub Fleet Explained U.S. Nuke Boat Visits Ally Brit Astute-Class Boat Dex Armstrong Chapter News Calendar Events E-Board Meeting Minutes More Funds for Columbia
As pressure rises on the U.S. Navy to boost its shipbuilding capacity, the Pentagon has released a call for a new type of undersea vessel called the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform, or CAMP, an unmanned system built “to maximize operational effectiveness in contested environments,” according to the solicitation released by the Defense Innovation Unit.
This new class of remotely operated vessel aims to take the Navy’s capacity for undersea warfare to the next level — maneuvering in GPS-denied environments at a range greater than 1,000 nautical miles and diving to more than 200 meters underwater during missions, one of which would include dropping “various payloads to the sea floor.”
The Convention of States (COS) movement has long relied on grassroots leadership and the dedication of citizen volunteers to advance its mission of restoring self-governance through an Article V convention. In a significant development for both COS and the veteran community, Navy Veteran and long time COS Hawai’i leader Brett Kulbis has assumed the duties of National Veterans Coalition Director—a role that promises to elevate the voices and concerns of America’s veterans within the movement. He relieved Air Force Veteran Rodney Huckleberry.
Last fall, Gabriel Journey was on his way to the airport on an afternoon in Norfolk, Virginia, when he saw an apartment building catch fire.
Journey, an Electronics Technician (nuclear) aboard the U.S. Navy fast-attack submarine the USS Albany, pulled over and rushed to help. After hearing that people were still in the building, he flagged down a passing police officer and then went to help evacuate others. Leaping into action, he got others to help lift him up onto a ledge to reach a higher apartment. With only limited space to stand, he was able to get to a woman and her son, helping them out of the window and lowering them to the people on the ground. It saved their lives as the fire spread through the building.
For his heroism, Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Journey was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on April 11.
L-R: Pat Suenaga, Karl Dye, Jay Dunn, and Dan Del Monte
USSVI Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Veterans conducted their annual re-dedication of the Submarine Veterans Memorial on the Memorial Walk-Way at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
“The Submarine Veteran plaque was dedicated and placed here on April 18, 2000 and we conduct a small re-dedication ceremony every year on the anniversary of the U.S. Submarine Force,” said Base Commander Paul Jurcsak.
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 April meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Dave Atkins, George Barlett, David Bilek, Rodney Boucher, Allen Clemons, Dan Del Monte, Karl Dye, Gary Grisham, Bill Hicks, Gary Johnson, Paul Jurcsak, Brett Kulbis, Ace Parker, Crichton Roberts, Thom Sousa, Pat Suenaga, Carl Tatro, Wade Thode, and Ken Voorhees.
Welcomed Guests – Dolores Brown, Miya Bilek, Tom Schmidt, Wade & William Thode.
Binnacle List – Please keep all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofApril.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 