Based in large part on research compiled by William T. ‘Doc’ McCance, Past National Historian.

Before the founding of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI), there existed the original United States Submarine Veterans of World War II.  Founded in July 1955, Sub Vets WWII membership was limited to submarine crews and relief crews who were on active duty from 01 December 1941 to 01 September 1945.  Their goal was to perpetuate the memory of their shipmates who had served so ably during the war; that those lost on submarines, in the line of duty, would never be forgotten.

As Sub Vets WWII grew and expanded, so too did the development and deployment of submarines across the globe. Over time it became apparent to some members of Sub Vets WWII that there was a need for an organization that would include American submariners of all eras, gathered in memory of all submariners lost throughout American history. It was also recognized that limiting membership of Sub Vets WWII would mean a limited lifetime for the organization, as only a finite number of WWII submariners existed.

At the 1961 National Convention of the Submarine Veterans of World War II, a proposal was made to open the organization to all submariners, all the better to ‘perpetuate the memory of our departed shipmates.’ The proposal was voted down. Then, following the loss of USS Thresher (SSN 593) in April 1963, the proposal was raised again at that year’s Sub Vets WWII National Convention. Again the proposal was voted down, failing by only two votes.

After contacting past shipmates in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and especially Connecticut, confirming interest in an organization that would admit all submariners from all eras, a group of sixteen WWII submarine vets, led by Dominic ‘Joe’ Negri, organized a meeting in Orange, NJ on 12 October 1963. Agreeing that an organization should exist that would perpetuate the memory of all departed U.S. submariners, these sixteen men developed the Creed and National By-Laws by which a new United States Submarine Veterans organization would abide. It was at that meeting that the organization that would become USSVI was born.

Officers of the new organization were appointed to serve in an acting capacity until regular elections could be held in the summer of 1964. Robert Link was appointed President, Ken O. Walkington was appointed Vice-President, Joe Burges was appointed Secretary and Mike Drucker was appointed Treasurer. The new organization creed read as follows; “To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives 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. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States Government.”

On 24 May 1964, shipmates Joe Negri, Ken Walkington and Joe Marion met with New London attorney L. Patrick Grey III, Captain, USN (Ret.) to legally constitute the U.S. Submarine Veterans as a legal non-profit organization in the state of Connecticut, with a license to operate and conduct business in all 50 states. The organization was officially incorporated and chartered in New London, CT by signatories Joe Negri, Ken O. Walkington and Joe Marion. Additional charter members included Warren ‘Ed’ Gannon, Angelo LaPelosa, Robert Link, Thomas Rowan and Hugh Trimble. They elected former Sub Vets WWII National Commander Bob Link as the first National Commander of USSVI. Joe Negri was elected the first State Commander of Connecticut and Dick Higham was elected the first Base Commander of Connecticut Base #1, later to become known as Groton Base. The small organization would soon grow to include several hundred shipmates scattered throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The first United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. National Convention was organized and held in Atlantic City, NJ from 18 June to 20 June 1964. Acting-President Robert Link hosted the delegates to the convention, representing nine eastern states, at the Traymore Hotel. The guest speaker of the first annual banquet was Commander Charles A. Carlisle, commanding officer of USS Tecumseh (SSBN 628). A new slate of National Officers was elected at the convention. These included Joe Negri as National Commander, Ken O. Walkington as National Vice-Commander, Joe Burges as National Secretary and Mike Drucker as National Treasurer as well as Joe Webb, Dick Higham and Joe Marion as National Directors.

Some of the most noteworthy decisions made at the 1964 National Convention included that membership in the organization would be open to all qualified submariners from 1900 to present and the establishment of the Holland Club to honor members qualified in submarines for 50 or more years.

The second annual USSVI National Convention was held from 13 August to 16 August 1965 at the Schrafft’s Motel in New London, CT.

Fourteen states were represented in the growing organization by 225 members in attendance that year.

Deputy COMSUBLANT Rear Admiral David M. Tyree was the guest speaker, and special honor was given to Ring Bennett, who qualified in submarines in 1906.

A National Convention is still held each year, hosted by a different Base and city each time.

Connecticut Base #1 started meetings immediately after the organization Creed and Bylaws were written in October 1963, initially using space in the Groton Knights of Columbus Hall. 

Attendance at these meetings averaged between 60 and 75 members. In 1966 the membership in Groton decided they needed their own building and a raffle was organized, selling 1000 tickets at $10 each, with the top prize being a gold 1966 Cadillac donated by a local car dealership. This raised the money for the down payment on the former Ancient Order United Workman’s Hall and (later) Groton Playhouse at 40 School Street in Groton, built in 1895. Due to the fact that USSVI had been incorporated in Connecticut and Groton Base owned their own clubhouse building, it was voted that the building be designated the official National Headquarters, a designation 40 School Street retained into the 1980’s.

In May 1969 the magazine Submarine National Review was first published. The purpose of the magazine was to better establish communication and rapport between members across the country, with Ken Walkington and Tom Rowan serving as co-editors. The magazine continues publishing to present day, though in 1990 the name was changed to the American Submariner.

In 1983 a National Scholarship program was established, its goal to contribute to the educations of dependent sons and daughters of USSVI members.

National Life Membership was inaugurated by a vote at the 1984 National Business Meeting (held during the National Convention each year) in Groton, Connecticut. A year later, in 1985, Base Life Membership was voted in at Boston Base, National Life Membership being a required prerequisite.

As the membership of Sub Vets WWII dwindles, USSVI Bases around the country have started taking over the maintenance of the various submarine memorials around the country. In November 2002, Sub Vets WWII officially turned ownership of the National Submarine Memorial East in Groton, CT, which consists of the conning tower of the fleet boat USS Flasher (SS 249) and a Wall of Honor, to the City of Groton. On Memorial Day 2003, care and maintenance of the memorial was passed on to USSVI Groton Base.

In 2008, the responsibility for the care & maintenance of the National Submarine Memorial West in Seal Beach, CA, was turned over to the USSVI LA-Pasadena Base. Likewise, across the country local USSVI Bases have and are assuming the care & maintenance of SVWWII established memorials, and are adding to the count by commissioning additional memorials as well.

In 2008, the National membership voted to completely revamp the National Constitution and Bylaws, and to alter the USSVI Creed, changing the last line to read as follows; “Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.” It was the first time in the 40+ year history of USSVI that the Creed had been altered.

From these beginnings has grown an organization that now includes more than 150 Bases (chapters) across the country with a membership of well over 13,000 members representing every state in the Union and still growing. The membership represents every era of American submarines; from pre-World War II through World War II veterans, post-war veterans, Cold War veterans, and submarine veterans who have fought during the current Global War against Terror.

Chartered in May 1959, United States Submarine Veterans of WW II was limited to submarine crews and relief crews who were on active duty from 01 December 1941 to 01 September 1945 and reside in Hawaii. Their goal was to perpetuate the memory of their shipmates who had served so ably during the war; that those lost on submarines, in the line of duty, would never be forgotten.

From May 1959 through June 1997, members participated in events across Oahu which included attending Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Birthday Balls, commemorating Memorial Day and Veterans Day at the Submarine Memorial, July 4th and Pearl Harbor Day parades, and many other island events.

In May 1988, Oscar nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Tony Curtis affiliated with USSV of WW II Hawaii Chapter. Curtis enlisted in the United States Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Inspired by Cary Grant’s role in Destination Tokyo and Tyrone Power’s in Crash Dive (1943), he joined the Pacific submarine force. Curtis served aboard a submarine tender, the USS Proteus, until the end of the Second World War. On September 2, 1945, Curtis witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from his ship’s signal bridge about a mile away.

In January 1996, USSV of WWII Hawaii Chapter begin conducting monthly meetings at Clean Sweep Lounge, Lockwood Hall, Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor.

In June 1997, United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Chartered, and the USSV of WW II Hawaii Chapter was incorporated into the newly chartered Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base.

Today, USSVI Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base continues the traditions begun by USSV of WW II Hawaii Chapter. In addition to the time honored traditions of commemorating our Brothers of Fin on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, they’ve included actively participating in supporting family events of homeported submarines departing and returning from deployment. As well as welcoming submarines being homeported in Pearl Harbor.

Bowfin History (Chronological)

USSV of WW II Hawaii Chapter and Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Commanders

From   To        Name
??         ??        E.R. Wilson
1960    1961    Kenneth Ickes
1961    1963    Leonard “Len” Crane
1963    1964    Larry Hughes
1967    1968    Herbert Conser
1968    1969    Robert L. Hughes
1969    1970    John Bohreer
1970    1971    W.O. Carroll
1971    1973    Larry Williams
1973    1974    A. A. Anderson
1974    1975    William O. Carroll
1975    1978    H. Larry Williams
1978    1979    Tom Bower
1979    1982    Larry Williams
1982    1985    Stanley K. Nicholls
1985    1987    Herbert R. Conser
1987    1989    William H. Jones
1989    ??        John Stein
2009    2012    David Follo
2012    2013    Ken Joyner
2013                Paul Jurcsak