United States Submarine Veterans of World War II
![]() Logo of SubvetsWW2 | |
Formation | 15 February 1956 |
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Headquarters | Rancho Murieta, California |
Membership | 3,661 (1980) |
National President | Walter 'Gus' Krause |
The United States Submarine Veterans of World War II is a congressionally chartered veterans organization that was established to "perpetuate the memory of those shipmates who gave their lives in submarine warfare" [1] during World War II.
Purpose
In 1956 a group of Plankowners formulated and discussed thoroughly the purpose of a motto of the newly formed organization.[2]
1956 version: "The purpose of this organization is to perpetuate the memory of those shipmates who voluntarily gave their lives in submarine warfare; to further promote and keep alive the spirit and unity that existed among submarine crewmen during WW II; to promote sociability, general welfare and good fellowship among its members; and pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States government."
In 1970 this 'purpose of' or motto was changed to read: "To perpetuate the memory of those shipmates who gave their lives in submarine warfare; to further promote and keep alive the spirit and unity that existed among submarine crewmen during WW II; to promote sociability, general welfare and good fellowship among its members; and pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States government."
History
Formation
The organization got its start on July 4, 1955 [3] when Bud Trimble conceived the idea after futilely searching through veterans' magazines for ten years for a submarine reunion announcement. Being unsuccessful in this endeavor Trimble called his old shipmate Ed Branin and they discussed having a reunion which would include the entire World War II Submarine Service of enlisted men and officers. A two-line reunion announcement was placed in the American Legion magazine Reunions column. Also, a write-up in Walter Winchell's column in the Bethlehem Times-Leader read as follows:
"Veterans of WW II Submarine Service Reunioning in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 23–25, 1955. Any submarine salt interested in salt water taffy, Contact Hugh Trimble, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania."
First National Convention
The First National Convention (Reunion) was held at the Ambassador Hotel in
Events of 1956
Three major events took place in 1956.[5] First was the incorporation of the organization; the second was the Second Annual Convention (Reunion); and third the publication of its very first news bulletin called the Twin Dolphins, published in December 1956. The Twin Dolphins listed the entire constitution and By-laws, a complete list of the charter members, news briefs, and a condensed version of the second (1956) reunion.
The Second Annual Convention (Reunion) was again held in Atlantic City, New Jersey from September 28–30, 1956. Submarine veterans came from all parts of the country, representing every boat active during World War II. As expected,
Although only in its second year of existence, several states had already organized and District Commanders were appointed to the National Executive Board. Membership had increased 100% in less than one year. If a state did not have a chapter aspiring individuals could give their name to the National President and it would be submitted to the Executive Board for approval. It was in this fashion that the organization experienced rapid growth.
Incorporation
The organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey on February 15, 1956. The certificate of incorporation was recorded at Trenton, New Jersey.[6]
Federal Charter
At the 1960 San Diego National Convention the first application was made for a Federal Charter. 21 years later after several attempts a Federal Charter was granted on November 20, 1981 during the Ronald Reagan administration under Title 36 of the United States Code, Chapter 2207.[7]
World War II Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
On February 19, 1943 the U.S. Navy Department Permanent Naval Uniform Board discussed a directive from
The Submarine Combat Patrol insignia could be awarded to crewmen prior to their designation of
Digger hat
The
The hat is credited to Ernst T. Rosing who upon conclusion of the war, brought home an Australian Digger hat. He wore this hat to all meetings and was soon nicknamed Digger by his brother shipmates. During World War II numerous U.S. submarines were operated from Australia from the ports of
Vest
Legacy
World War II
The United States Navy Submarine Service lost 52 submarines,[12] 374 officers and 3,131 enlisted men during World War II. These personnel losses represented 16% of the officer and 13% of the enlisted operational personnel. This loss rate was the highest among men and ships of any U.S. Navy unit.
Less than two percent of American sailors served in submarines, yet that small percentage of men and their boats sank 214
In all, U.S. submarines
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz summarized their efforts after the war by writing:[15]
"We, who survived World War II and were privileged to rejoin our loved ones at home, salute those gallant officers and men of our submarines who lost their lives in that long struggle. We shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the lines against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds."
Status
With members of the organization gradually passing away, many of the organizations State Chapters have closed. Due to this inevitable occurrence many members have chosen to become members and/or joint members with their local
Submarine Memorials
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/USS_Bullhead_Park.jpg/300px-USS_Bullhead_Park.jpg)
The organization was responsible for the construction and placement of numerous memorials and plaques which honored their fallen comrades and the submarines they served on.[16]
- 52 BoatsMemorial, 2010
- Admiral NimitzMemorial Plaque
- Boys Town Memorial, 1962
- Captain Cromwell Memorial, 1973
- Church Window Memorial, 1975
- FremantleSubmarine Memorial, 1967
- German submarine U-505 Memorial
- Hawaii Memorial Plaque, 1976
- Howard W. Gilmore Memorial, 1975
- John P. HollandMemorial, 1975
- K-13 Submarine Memorial
- Lockwood Memorial, 1968
- Los Angeles Submarine Memorial, 1977
- Louisiana Submarine Memorial
- Massachusetts Memorial for Individuals, 1968
- New ZealandMemorial
- Pearl Harbor Submarine Memorial, 1960
- San Diego Memorial, 1976
- Submarine Memorial, Annapolis, Maryland, 1976
- Submarine Room, American Legion Post #3, Lincoln, Nebraska 1968
- Tennessee Submarine Memorial, 1978
- USS Amberjack Memorial, 1970
- USS Argonaut Hall, 1967
- USS Argonaut Memorial, 1964
- USS Arizona Memorial Plaque, 1974
- USS BalaoMemorial
- USS Barbel Memorial, 1960
- USS BullheadMemorial Park, 1979
- USS EscolarMemorial, 1973
- USS Flasher Memorial
- USS Grayback Memorial, 1970
- USS Grayling Memorial, 1976
- USS Gudgeon Memorial, 1963
- USS HerringMemorial, 1976
- USS HerringMemorial Library, 1974
- USS Nautilus Memorial, 1960
- USS Parche Memorial
- USS QuillbackMemorial, 1974
- USS R-12 Memorial, 1963
- USS Runner/Grenadier Memorial, 1972
- USS Scorpion Memorial
- USS Sea LionMemorial, 1974
- USS Seawolf Memorial, 1967
- USS Shark I Memorial, 1965
- USS SqualusMemorial
- USS SteelheadMemorial, 1960
- USS Swordfish Memorial, 1965
- USS Thresher Plaque
- USS Trigger Memorial, 1977
- USS Trout Memorial, 1962
- Australia
- USS Tullibee (SS-284) Mississippi Submarine Memorial, 2003
- USS Wahoo Memorial, 1962
- Vallejo Submarine Memorial
- Vernon Palmer Wall Memorial
Organization
The organization is organized by Regions, States and Chapters. Each Region has a Director and each State has a State Commander. Chapters have their own organized structures with Presidents, Vice Presidents, etc. and are governed by By-laws. Many states such as Texas and Florida have multiple chapters.
National Officers
The nationally elected officers are:[17]
- President
- 1st Vice President
- 2nd Vice President
- Secretary-Treasurer
- Recording Secretary
- Historian
- Public Affairs Officer
- National Chaplains
- Memorial Fund Director
- Scholarship Fund Director
- Polaris Editor
Executive Board
All officers, together with the Immediate Past President, constitute the Executive Board of the organization which has general administrative powers.
State Commanders
Each state in the United States has at least one State Commander.
Regional Commanders
Every region in the United States has a Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director.
State Chapters
The organization is organized by State Chapters. The respective State Commander is responsible for the day-to-day operation of their specific chapter in accordance with their base Bylaws. At the height of its membership the organization had over 100 chapters.
REGIONS[18] | STATES |
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NORTHEAST | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont |
NORTHWEST | Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming |
NORTH CENTRAL | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin |
SOUTHERN | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee |
SOUTH CENTRAL | Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas |
SOUTHEAST | Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina and Virginia |
SOUTHWEST | Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah |
National Office
The National Office is located in Rancho Murieta, California.[19]
Submarine Library and Museum
Founded by Bernard A. Bastura the museum was located in
Membership
The organization currently has 3,661 members broken down into the following categories, minus Perpetual[20]
Regular
Membership is restricted to officers and enlisted men of U.S. Navy submarine crews and U.S. Navy submarine relief crews who were on active duty between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946.
Charter members
Members having been accepted for membership prior to and including the closing day of the second National Convention 1956.
Honorary membership
Upon recommendation of the Executive Board and voting procedure set down in the By-Laws, any person who renders a notable service to the organization may be awarded an honorary membership for the life of the individual.
Life membership
Was only available to members past their 50th birthday.
Perpetual membership
All 3,505 American submariners still on eternal patrol as a result of submarine warfare in World War II were made Perpetual members.
Auxiliary Organizations
- Wives of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II[21]
- Sons and Daughters of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II[22]
Polaris magazine
Polaris
National conventions
- 2015 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 2014 - Burlingame, California
- 2013 - Rochester, Minnesota
- 2012 - Norfolk, Virginia
- 2011 - Springfield, Missouri
- 2010 - Covington, Kentucky
- 2009 - Green Bay, Wisconsin
- 2008 - Helena, Montana
- 2007 - Billings, Montana
- 2006 - Laughlin, Nevada
- 2005 - Salt Lake City, Utah
- 2004 - Houston, Texas
- 2003 - Reno, Nevada
- 2002 - Buffalo, New York
- 2001 - Saint Louis, Missouri
- 2000 - Phoenix, Arizona
- 1999 - Fort Worth, Texas
- 1998 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
- 1997 - Las Vegas, Nevada
- 1996 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- 1995 - Salt Lake City, Utah
- 1994 - Norfolk, Virginia
- 1993 - Los Angeles, California
- 1992 - Indianapolis, Indiana
- 1991 - San Antonio, Texas
- 1990 - Kissimmee, Florida
- 1989 - Sparks, Nevada
- 1988 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- 1987 - Little Rock, Arkansas
- 1986 - Baltimore, Maryland
- 1985 - Portland, Oregon
- 1984 - Chicago, Illinois
- 1983 - Scottsdale, Arizona
- 1982 - Hartford, Connecticut
- 1981 - Sacramento, California
- 1980 - Saint Louis, Missouri
- 1979 - Mobile, Alabama
- 1978 - Norfolk, Virginia
- 1977 - Seattle, Washington
- 1976 - Denver, Colorado
- 1975 - Nashville, Tennessee
- 1974 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
- 1973 - San Diego, California
- 1972 - Breezy Point, Minnesota
- 1971 - Houston, Texas
- 1970 - Hartford, Connecticut
- 1969 - Portland, Oregon
- 1968 - Cincinnati, Ohio
- 1967 - Omaha, Nebraska
- 1966 - New York City
- 1965 - Hawaii
- 1964 - San Francisco, California
- 1963 - Dallas, Texas
- 1962 - Chicago, Illinois
- 1961 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 1960 - San Diego, California
- 1959 - Denver, Colorado
- 1958 - Saint Louis, Missouri
- 1957 - New London, Connecticut
- 1956 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
- 1955 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
Organization closure
SVWWII reaffirmed their plan for a formal organizational closure in Norfolk, Virginia at the 2012 convention. Local chapters will continue to function so long as there is an interest in doing so.
See also
- United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI)
Submarine articles
- List of lost United States submarines
- Submarine warfare
- Submarines in the United States Navy
- List of submarine actions
- List of submarine museums
Notes
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 12.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 18.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 11.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 11-12.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 12-13.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 12.
- ^ "36 USC Chapter 2207". US Code House.gov. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- ^ "Submarine Combat Patrol Pin". Milpersman: 1200–010. August 2002.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 33-35.
- ^ "History of the Australian Digger Hat". Digger History. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 52.
- ^ Roscoe (1949), p. 498.
- ^ Roscoe (1949), p. 491.
- ^ Roscoe (1949), p. 491.
- ^ "WWII Sub Losses World War II". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 117-151.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 267.
- ^ "Membership and Organization". Subvet Paul Willmet. Retrieved August 4, 2010.
- ^ "Department of Veterans Affairs". va.gov. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 266-267.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 235.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 240.
- ^ Bastura (1981), p. 25-27.
Books
- Bastura, Bernard A. (1981). History of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. Middletown, CT: Submarine Library & Museum.
- Roscoe, Theodore (1949). ISBN 0-87021-731-3.
- Wittmer, Hinman, Paul and Charles (2014). UNITED STATES SUBMARINE MEN LOST DURING WORLD WAR II, Edition Five, in six volumes. 17 Elannchester Dr., Manchester, Missouri, For details, see: www.subvetpaul.com): P. W. Wittmer Publications LLC. ISBN 978-0-9771456-7-6.)
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External links
- United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. website
- On Eternal Patrol website
- NavSource Naval History: Submarine Photo Archive website
- U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II : hearing before the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, first session, on H.R. 894 ... June 11, 1981.