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OOGA OOGA

July 2010

PALMETTO BASE SUBMARINE VETERANS

NEWSLETTER

OUR CREED: To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in

the pursuit of 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 of

America and its constitution.

Handwritten on the back reads: "This is the series of "P" Boats built in '38-'39; Pike (SS-173),

Porpoise (SS-172), Permit (SS-178), Shark (SS-174) ,& Tarpon (SS-175). Picture was taken in San

Diego - The Pike & Porpoise are the only ones afloat today." From left to right: Shark, Permit,

Perch, Porpoise, Tarpon & Pike. "This Picture has been Officially released by the Navy

Department."

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Palmetto Base Officers

Base Commander

Tommy Richardson

Vice Commander: Brian Steffen

Jr. Vice Commander: D. W. Eggleston

Treasurer: J. P. Watson

Chaplain: Bob Miller

Webmaster: Mark Basnight

Secretary: Fernando Iglesias

Chief of the Boat: Jim “Snake” Stark

Storekeeper: Brian Steffen

Events Chair: Allen “Buzz” Danielson

Liaison Officer: D. W. Eggleston

Committee Chair: Tom O’Brien

Ship’s Photographer: Jim Null

Bereavement Chair: Randy Browning

Kap(SS) for Kid(SS) Chair: Don Van Borsch

Members

Milt Berky

Randy Browning

James L. Charbonneau

Tracy R. Charbonneau

Judy Cline

Ronald Friend

Charlotte Friend

Julian Galloway

Joseph E. Gawronski

Joseph L. Geiger

Glenn E. Harris

Stoney Hilton

Michael House

John Jeffries

Charlie Kerr

Jim W. Kint

James N. Kirby

George “Scram” Kokolis

John J. Krause

Harold R. Lane

William M. Lindler

Charlie MacKenzie

Eddie McVicker

Mark Morgan

Charles Murray (MOH)

Tom Paige

Larry Peay

Rebecca Richardson

Sam Sanders

Ted R. Schneeberg

James P. Scott

Leonard M. Snell

John Solis

L. E. Spradlin

Jerry Stout

Clarence Teseniar

Larry Thomas

Jeffro M. Wagner

Mark Wright

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June 22, 2010

Attendees Mark Basnight

Milt Berkey

Randy Browning

David S. Castro

D. W. Eggleston

Lonnie Franklin

Julian Galloway

John J. Krause

Jim Null

Tom O’Brien

Larry Peay

Ted Schneeberg

Vince Seay

L. E. Spradlin

James Stark

Brian Steffen

Tommy Richardson

Thomas Tompson

Jeffro Wagner

J. P. Watson

Minutes

• 18 Members and 2 guests were present

• March minutes were voted on and accepted

• Treasurer’s Report ($4,147.64) and Kap(SS) for Kid(SS) ($3,515.43) was voted on and

accepted.

• Base Commander welcomed everyone and discussed the base’s day at Camp Chemo.

• Senior Vice Commander discussed military discounts and passed out a list of

participating merchants.

• Storekeeper showed the members the new base patch, which is a representation of the

base flag.

• Brian Steffen showed the members his new United States Submarine Book, which he

purchased of Amazon.com.

• Randy Browning reiterated the importance of everyone sending the base secretary and

e-mail to fjiglesias@pbtcomm.net or secretary@palmetto-subvets.org to verify your e-

mail address.

• Base Commander and Base Photographer the garage sale to raise funds for the new

float and requested donations from the members.

• Base Commander and Base Photographer told the members that we have a good start

on the new float as the COB purchased a trailer for $350.00 with the understanding that

the base will reimburse him when we have sufficient funds.

• Base Commander and Base Photographer discussed the fly aways and the importance of

based participation.

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• Junior Vice Commander discussed the GA/SC base meeting in Aiken and the new

Regional Commander.

• Junior Vice Commander reminded the membership of the Spirit of Lake Murray Cruise

on September 25th.

• Junior Vice Commander made a motion to make Charles Murray, World War II Medal of

Honor recipient, and honorary base member, which was unanimously approved by the

membership.

• COB thank everybody for their continuing efforts with Kap(SS) for Kid(SS) and requested

volunteers for the July 24th and 25th gun show at the Jamil Temple.

• Base Photographer informed the membership of a National Geographic special about

the USS Florida (SSGN 728) at 8:00 PM on July 24th.

• Lonnie Franklin SC Archaeology Society discussed the Robert Gibbs memorial and

requested the base undertake a joint endeavor with the SC Archaeology Society to

restore it to its former state with bronze screw, anchor and chains.

• Since there was no depth charge material, the hat was passed and $92.00 was collected

for float building fund.

David Castro Clarence Teseniar

Michael House – July 6th

Clarence Teseniar – July 9th

George Kokolis – July 27th

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CAMP CHEMO

Allen “Buzz” Danielsen, Eleanor Null, Jim Null, Tom O’Brien, Tom Paige, Larry Peay, Tommy

Richardson, Krystine Schneeburg, Ted Schneeburg, Jim Stark, Don Van Borsch and Janette Van

Borsch attended Camp Chemo with our Kap(SS) for Kid(SS) Program.

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Although Camp Chemo has passed, we still need to stay focused on this important program.

Although we are not curing cancer, we are contributing to the morale and welfare, not only of

the children we interact with, but their families as well. I ask that each of you contribute

whatever time and resources you can to continue growing this program and to continually keep

each of these children and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

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Dates in American Naval History

July 1

1797 - Naval Regulations passed by Congress

1800 - First convoy duty; USS Essex escorts convoy of merchant ships from East Indies to U.S.

1801 - U.S. squadron under Commodore Dale enters Mediterranean to strike Barbary Pirates

1850 - Naval School at Annapolis renamed Naval Academy

1851 - Naval Academy adopts four year course of study

1911 - Trial of first Navy aircraft, Curtiss A-1. The designer, Glenn Curtiss, makes first flight in

Navy's first aircraft, A-1, at Lake Keuka, NY, then prepares LT Theodore G. Ellyson, the

first naval aviator, for his two solo flights in A-1.

1914 - Prohibition of alcohol begins in the Navy

1916 - Establishment of informal school for officers assigned to submarines at New London, CT

1918 - USS Covington hit without warning by two torpedoes from German Submarine U-86 and

sank the next day

1933 - USS Constitution commences tour of principal U.S. seaports.

1946 - 1st of 2 detonations, Operation Crossroads nuclear test

1951 - Responsibility for the Government of Trust Territories transferred from Navy to

Department of Interior.

1972 - Date of rank of Rear Admiral Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr., who was first U.S. Navy Admiral of

African-American descent.

July 2

1923 - Commissioning of Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC.

1926 - Distinguished Flying Cross authorized by Congress.

1937 - Amelia Earhart disappears in Pacific. Navy conducts extensive unsuccessful search

1945 - USS Barb (SS-220) bombards Japanese installations on Kaihyo Island, Japan; first

successful use of rockets against shore positions.

1946 - Establishment of VX-3 to evaluate adaptability of helicopters to naval purposes.

1950 - USS Juneau and 2 British ships sink 5 of 6 attacking North Korean torpedo boats and

gunboats.

1967 - During Operation Bear Claw, Seventh Fleet Amphibious Force conducts helicopter

assault 12 miles inland at Con Thien.

July 3

1898 - At Battle of Santiago, Cuba, RADM Sampson's squadron destroys Spanish fleet

1950 - USS Valley Forge and HMS Triumph participate in first carrier action of Korean Conflict.

VF-51 aircraft (Valley Forge) shoot down 2 North Korean aircraft. The action is first

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combat test of F9F Panther and AD Skyraider.

July 4

1776 - American colonies declare their independence from Great Britain

1777 - John Paul Jones hoists first Stars and Stripes flag on Ranger at Portsmouth, NH.

1801 - First Presidential Review of U.S. Marine Band and Marines at the White House.

1831 - U.S. concludes indemnity treaty with France.

1842 - First test of electrically operated underwater torpedo sinks gunboat Boxer

1863 - Confederates surrender of Vicksburg, MS, gives Union control of Mississippi River.

July 5

1814 - Sloop-of-war Peacock captures British Stranger, Venus, Adiona, and Fortitude.

1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur's squadron arrives at Tripoli to collect reparations for

seizure of American merchant ships in violation of Treaty of 1805.

July 6

1747 - Birth of John Paul Jones at Arbigland, Scotland.

1898 - Armed Auxiliary Dixie captures Spanish Three Bells, Pilgrim, and Greeman Castle

1908 - CDR Robert Peary sails in Roosevelt from New York to explore Arctic.

1911 - First naval aviation base established at Annapolis, MD.

1920 - Test and first use of radio compass in aircraft off Norfolk, VA

1943 - Night Battle of Kula Gulf results in loss of 2 Japanese destroyers and USS Helena.

1976 - 1st women enter Naval Academy.

July 7

1798 - Congress rescinds treaties with France; Quasi War begins with Frigate Delaware

capturing French privateer, Croyable.

1846 - Commodore John D. Sloat lands at Monterey and claims California for U.S.

1916 - Thomas A. Edison becomes head of Naval Consulting Board which screens inventions for

use by the Navy

1948 - First six enlisted women sworn into Regular Navy. The Navy WAVES in Naval Reserve,

who were the first to transfer to the Regular Navy, were Kay Louise Langdon, Aviation

Storekeeper First Class; Wilma Juanita Marchal, Chief Yeoman; Frances Teresa Dovaney,

Storekeeper, Second Class; Edna Earle Young, Yeoman, Second Class; Doris Roberta

Robertson, Teleman, Second Class; and Ruth Flora, Hospital Corpsman, First Class.

July 8

1778 - Allied French fleet under Comte d'Estaing arrives in America.

1853 - Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails his squadron into Tokyo Bay.

1879 - USS Jeannette departs San Francisco to explore Arctic.

1944 - Naval bombardment of Guam begins.

July 9

1846 - Sailors and Marines from USS Portsmouth occupy and raise flag over San Francisco.

1944 - Organized Japanese resistence ceases on Saipan, Marianas.

1960 - USS Wasp departs Guantanamo Bay to support United Nations effort to calm the newly

independent Congo.

July 10

1934 - USS Houston takes Franklin Delano Roosevelt on first visit of U.S. President to South

America.

1943 - Naval gunfire help Allied troops land on Sicily. It was first extensive use of LST's and

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smaller landing craft to deliver heavy equipment over the beach.

1945 - 14 carriers from Third Fleet carriers begin air strikes on Japanese Home Islands which

end 15 August.

July 11

1798 - Reestablishment of Marine Corps under the Constitution.

1918 - Henry Ford launches first of 100 Eagle boats.

1919 - Pay Corps renamed Supply Corps

1943 - Gunfire from U.S. cruisers and destroyers stop German and Italian tank attack against

Army beachhead at Gela, Sicily.

July 12

1836 - Commissioning of Charles H. Haswell as first regularly appointed Engineer Officer.

1916 - North Carolina is first Navy ship to carry and operate aircraft

1921 - Congress creates Bureau of Aeronautics to be in charge of all matter pertaining to naval

aeronautics.

1951 - Ninth Naval District forces assist in flood relief work in Kansas City through 20 July

1953 - United Nations Fleet launches heavy air and sea attack on Wonsan; Major John Bolt,

USMC becomes first jet ace in Marine Corps.

1988 - SECDEF approves opening Navy's Underwater Construction Teams, fleet oiler,

ammunition ships, and combat stores ships to women.

1990 - Commander Rosemary B. Mariner becomes first woman to command an operational

aviation squadron (VAQ-34).

July 13

1863 - USS Wyoming battled Japanese warlord's forces.

1939 - Appointment of RADM Richard Byrd as commanding officer of 1939-1941 Antarctic

Expedition.

1943 - During Battle of Kolombangara in Solomon Islands, U.S. lost USS Gwin. (DD-433) while

Japanese lost light cruiser Jintsu.

July 14

1813 - LT John M. Gamble, the first marine to command a ship in battle (prize vessel Greenwich

in capture of British whaler Seringapatam)

1853 - Commodore Matthew Perry lands and holds first meeting with Japanese at Uraga, Japan

1882 - Sailors and Marines from 4 U.S. ships land to help restore order at Alexandria, Egypt.

1945 - U.S. warships bombard Kamaishi, Japan; first naval gunfire bombardment of Japanese

Home Islands.

1950 - U.S. Marines sail from San Diego for Korean Conflict.

1952 - Laying of keel of USS Forrestal, the first 59,900 ton aircraft carrier.

July 15

1870 - Act of Congress establishes Pay Corps, which later becomes the Supply Corps.

1942 - First photographic interpretation unit set up in the Pacific.

1958 - In response to request by President of Lebanon, Sixth Fleet lands 1,800 Marines at Beruit

to support Lebanese government against Communist rebels.

July 16

1862 - Congress creates rank of Rear Admiral. David G. Farragut is named the first Rear Admiral

1912 - Rear Admiral Bradley Fiske receives patent for torpedo plane or airborne torpedo.

1915 - First Navy ships, battleships Ohio, Missouri, and Wisconsin transit Panama Canal.

1945 - First atomic bomb test at Alamogordo, NM.

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July 17

1858 - U.S. sloop Niagara departs Queenstown, Ireland, to assist in laying first trans-Atlantic

telegraph cable.

1898 - Santiago, Cuba surrenders to U.S. Naval forces.

1927 - First organized dive bombing attack in combat by Marine Corps pilots against Nicaraguan

bandits who were surrounding U.S. Marine garrison at Ocotal, Nicaraguan.

1944 - Ammunition explosion at Naval Magazine, Port Chicago, CA.

1975 - Docking in spaceof the U.S. Apollo (Apollo 18) and Soviet Soyuz (Soyuz 19) space craft.

This was the first manned space flight conducted jointly by the 2 nations. Former naval

aviator Vance D. Brand was the Apollo Command Module Pilot. The Apollo craft was in

space for 9 days and 7.5 hours. Recovery was by USS New Orleans (LPH-11).

July 18

1775 - Continental Congress resolves that each colony provide armed vessels

1779 - Commodore Abraham Whipple's squadron captures 11 prizes in largest prize value of

Revolutionary War.

1792 - John Paul Jones dies in Paris, France

1813 - U.S. Frigate President captures British Daphne, Eliza Swan, Alert and Lion.

1920 - Naval aircraft sink ex-German cruiser Frankfurt in target practice.

1943 - German submarine shoots down K-47, the first and only U.S. airship lost during WW II.

1947 - President Harry S. Truman delegates responsibility for the civil administration of former

Japanese mandated island to the Secretary of the Navy.

1966 - Launch of Gemini 10 with LCDR John W. Young, USN as Command Pilot. Mission involved

43 orbits at an altitude of 412.2 nautical miles and lasted 2 days, 22 hours, and 46

minutes. Recovery was by HS-3 helicopter from USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7).

1973 - Task Force 78, Mine Countermeasures Force, departs waters of North Vietnam after

completing their minesweeping operations of 1,992 tow hours for the cost of

$20,394,000.

July 19

1812 - USS Constitution escapes from British squadron after 3 day chase off New Jersey

1886 - Atlanta, the first steel-hulled American cruiser armed with breechloading rifled guns, is

commissioned.

1897 - LT Robert E. Peary departs on year long Arctic Expedition which makes many important

discoveries, including one of largest meteorites, Cape York.

1918 - Armored cruiser USS San Diego sunk off Fire Island, NY by a mine laid by U-156.

1940 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs second Naval Expansion Act.

July 20

1846 - First visit of U.S. warships (USS Columbus and USS Vincennes) to Japan is unsuccessful in

negotiating a treaty.

1960 - In first launch of Polaris missile, USS George Washington (SSBN 598) successfully fires 2

operational Polaris missiles while submerged off Florida.

1964 - Four Navy divers enter Project SEALAB I capsule moored 192 feet on the ocean floor off

Bermuda for 11 day experiment.

1969 - Former Navy pilot Neil Armstrong is first man to set foot on the moon. While taking the

first step, he said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Armstrong was Commander of Apollo 11 which during its 8 day mission landed on the

Sea of Tranquility. Recovery was by HS-4 helicopters from USS Hornet (CVS-12).

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July 21

1823 - After pirate attack, LT David G. Farragut leads landing party to destroy pirate stronghold

in Cuba.

1944 - Invasion and recapture of Guam begins.

1946 - In first U.S. test of adaptability of jet aircraft to shipboard operations, XFD-1 Phantom

makes landings and takeoffs without catapults from Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1987 - Navy escorts first Earnest Will Convoy in the Persian Gulf.

July 22

1802 - Frigate Constellation defeats 9 Corsair gunboats off Tripoli.

1905 - Body of John Paul Jones moved to Annapolis, MD for reburial.

1953 - U.S. ships laid down heavy barrage to support UN troops in Korea

1964 - Four Navy Divers (LCDR Robert Thompson, MC; Gunners Mate First Class Lester

Anderson, Chief Quartermaster Robert A. Barth, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Sanders

Manning) submerge in Sealab I for 10 days at a depth of 192 feet, 39 miles off Hamilton,

Bermuda. They surfaced on 31 July 1964.

1974 - Evacuees from the coup on Cyprus arrive on board Navy vessels in the Mediterranean.

Operation ended on 24 July.

July 23

1947 - First Navy all jet squadron (VF-17A) receives its first aircraft (FH).

1948 - USS Putnum (DD-757) evacuates U.N. team from Haifa, Israel and becomes first U.S.

Navy ship to fly the U.N. flag.

1950 - USS Boxer sets record crossing of Pacific to bring aircraft, troops, and supplies to Korea

at start of the Conflict

1958 - USS Nautilus (SSN-571) departs Pearl Harbor for first submerged transit of North Pole.

1993 - Sarah Deal becomes first women Marine selected for naval aviation training.

July 24

1813- Sailing Master Elijah Mix attempts to blow up British warship Plantagenet with a torpedo

near Cape Henry, Virginia.

1944 - Following 43 days of naval gunfire and air bombardment, Naval Task Force lands Marines

on Tinian.

July 25

1779 - Amphibious expedition against British in Penobscot Bay, ME

1863 - U.S. Squadron bombards Fort Wagner, NC

1866 - Rank of Admiral created. David G. Farragut is appointed the first Admiral in the U.S. Navy

1898 - Landing party from armed yacht Gloucester occupies Guanica, Puerto Rico.

1912 - First specifications for naval aircraft published.

1934 - First President to visit Hawaii, Franklin D. Roosevelt, reaches Hilo on board USS Houston

1941 - Bureau of Ordnance issues first Navy "E"certificates (for excellence) for industry.

1943 - Launching of USS Harmon (DE-72), first ship named for African-American.

1990 - USS Cimarron rescues 25 refugees adrift southeast of Subic Bay, Philippines.

July 26

1812 - Frigate Essex captures British brig Leander

1912 - First airborne radio communications from naval aircraft to ship (LT John Rodgers to USS

Stringham)

1942 - CAPT Joy Bright Hancock appointed Director, Women's Naval Reserve.

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1948 - President Harry S. Truman orders desegregation of the Armed Services.

1954 - 3 aircraft from USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) shoot down 2 Chinese fighters that fired on

them while they were providing air cover for rescue operations for a U.K. airliner shot

down by a Chinese aircraft.

July 27

1953 - Koean War armistice signed at Panmunjon, Korea and Korean cease-fire went into effect

at 10:00 PM.

July 28

1915 - Sailors and Marines land in Haiti to restore order

1916 - Navy establishes a Code and Signal Section which initially worked against German

ciphers and tested the security of communications during U.S. naval training maneuvers.

1926 - Team of scientists from Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Carnegie Institution

determine height of the Ionosphere through use of radio pulse transmitter developed by

NRL

1945 - USS Callaghan (DD-792) is last ship sunk by a Japanese kamikaze attack, off Okinawa.

1973 - Launch of Skylab 3, the second manned mission to the first U.S. manned space station,

was piloted by MAJ Jack R. Lousma, USMC with CAPT Alan L. Bean, USN as the

Commander of the mission and former Navy electronics officer, Owen K. Garriott as

Science Pilot. The mission lasted 59 days, 11 hours and included 858 Earth orbits.

Recovery by USS New Orleans (LPH-11).

July 29

1846 - Sailors and Marines from U.S. sloop Cyane capture San Diego, CA

1918 - Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt visits Queenstown, Ireland

1945 - U.S. warships bombard Hamamatsu, Japan.

1967 - Fire on board USS Forrestal killed 134 members of the crew.

July 30

1918 - Units of First Marine Aviation Force arrive at Brest, France

1941 - Japanese aircraft bomb USS Tutuila (PR-4) at Chungking, China; First Navy ship damaged

by Axis during World War II.

1942 - FDR signs act establishing WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

During World War II, over 80,000 officer and enlisted women served in the WAVES.

1944 - Naval Task Force lands Army troops near Cape Opmarai, New Guinea.

1945 - Japanese submarine, I-58, sinks USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in Philippine Sea; 316 out of

1,199 crew survived.

1967 - Fire on board USS Forrestal off the coast of Vietnam results in death of 134 crew.

July 31

1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur concludes agreement with Bey of Tunis to compensate

U.S. for seizure of merchant ships during the War of 1812.

1865 - East India Squadron established to operate from Sunda Strait to Japan.

1874 - Commissioning of USS Intrepid, first U.S. warship equipped with torpedoes

1912 - First attempt to launch an airplane by catapult made at Annapolis.

1964 - All-nuclear task force with USS Long Beach, USS Enterprise, and USS Bainbridge leaves

Norfolk, VA to begin voyage, Operation Sea Orbit, to circle the globe without refueling.

They returned on 3 October.

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Chevrons

Chevron is a French word meaning rafter or roof, which is what a chevron looks like; two

straight lines meeting at an angle just as rafters do in a roof. It has been an honourable

ordinarie in heraldry since at least the Twelfth Century. Ordinaries are simple straight line forms

that seem to have originated in the wood or iron bars used to fasten together or strengthen

portions of shields. Other ordinaries include the cross, the diagonal cross or "x," the triangle,

the "y," and horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines. The chevron was a basic part of the colorful

and complicated science of heraldry. It appeared on the shields and coats-of-arms of knights,

barons and kings.

Chevrons were thus easily recognized symbols of honor. That might by why French soldiers

started wearing cloth chevrons with the points up on their coat sleeves in 1777 as length of

service and good conduct badges. Some British units also used them to show length of service.

In 1803 the British began using chevrons with the points down as rank insignia. Sergeants wore

three and Corporals two. Perhaps they wore them with the points down to avoid confusion

with the earlier length of service chevrons worn with the points up. Some British units also

used chevrons of gold lace as officers' rank insignia. British and French soldiers who served in

our Revolutionary War wore chevrons as did some American soldiers. In 1782 General George

Washington ordered that enlisted men who had served for three years "with bravery, fidelity

and good conduct" wear as a badge of honor "a narrow piece of white cloth, of angular form"

on the left sleeve of the uniform coat.

In 1817 Sylvanus Thayer, the superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, used

chevrons to show cadet rank. From there they spread to the rest of the Army and Marine Corps.

From 1820 to 1830 Marine Captains wore three chevrons of gold lace with points down on each

sleeve above the elbows of their dress uniforms. Lieutenants wore one or two gold lace

chevrons depending on whether they were staff or command officers. Marine

Noncommissioned Officers started wearing cloth chevrons with the points up as rank insignia in

1836. They had been wearing them for three years as length of service badges. In 1859 they

began wearing chevrons in about the same patterns they do today.

Starting in 1820 Army company grade officers and Sergeants wore one chevron with the

point up on each arm. The officers' chevrons were of gold or silver lace, depending on the

wearer's branch of service. Captains wore their chevrons above the elbow while Lieutenants

wore theirs below. Sergeant Majors and Quartermaster Sergeants wore worsted braid

chevrons above the elbow while other Sergeants and Senior Musicians wore theirs below.

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Corporals wore one chevron on the right sleeve above the elbow. By 1833 the Army and

Marine company grade officers had stopped wearing chevrons and returned to epaulettes as

rank insignia. Sergeants of the Army dragoons then began wearing three chevrons with points

down and Corporals two. All other NCOs wore cloth epaulettes to show their rank. From 1847

to 1851 some Army NCOs wore chevrons with the points up on their fatigue uniform jackets but

still used cloth epaulettes on their dress uniforms. After 1851 all Army NCOs wore chevrons

with points down until 1902 when the Army turned the points up and adopted the patterns

used today, two chevrons for Corporals, three for Sergeants and combinations of arcs and other

devices beneath the chevrons for higher grades of Sergeants.

The stripes worn by Air Force members date from 1948. The basic design was one of several

presented to 150 NCOs at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C., in late 1947 or early 1948.

Some 55 percent of the NCOs preferred that design so on March 9, 1948, General Hoyt S.

Vandenberg, then the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, accepted their choice and approved the

design. Naturally, it took some time to obtain and distribute the new stripes so it could have

been a year or more before all Air Force members got them.

Whoever designed the stripes might have been trying to combine the shoulder patch worn

by members of the Army Air Forces during World War II and the insignia used on aircraft. The

patch featured wings with a pierced star in the center while the aircraft insignia was a star with

two bars. The stripes might be the bars from the aircraft insignia slanted gracefully upward to

suggest wings. The silver grey color contrasts with the blue uniform and might suggest clouds

against blue sky.

Most enlisted service members wear chevrons or stripes to show their ranks. The exceptions

are the lowest three grades of Navy and Coast Guard Seamen and the Army Specialists. The

Seamen wear one, two or three diagonal stripes or "hashmarks" on their sleeves. These stripes

first appeared on the cuffs of sailors' jumpers in 1886. Petty Officers and Seamen First Class

wore three stripes, Seamen Second Class two stripes and Seamen Third Class one stripe.

Shortly after World War II the Navy moved the stripes to its Seamen's upper arms, as did the

Coast Guard. Army Specialists wear an insignia that combines a spread eagle and, depending on

the pay grade, arcs--sometimes called "bird umbrellas." The eagle and arcs are mounted on a

patch that suggests inverted chevrons. The badge appeared in 1955 as part of an effort to

differentiate between the Army's technical or support specialists who were not NCOs and the

NCOs.

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USS S-28 (SS-133)

Lost on:

7/4/1944

Lost on July 4,1944 with the loss of 50 crew members. She was conducting training exercises off Hawaii with the US Coast Guard Cutter Reliance. After S-28 dove for a practice torpedo approach, Reliance lost contact. No distress signal or explosion was heard. Two days later, an oil slick was found near where S-28. The exact cause of her loss remains a mystery.

US Navy Official Photo

BC Patch

NavSource.org

Class: SS S Commissioned: 12/13/1923 Launched: 9/20/1922 Builder: Fore River Shipbuilding Co Length: 219, Beam: 22 #Officers: 4, #Enlisted: 34 Fate: Brief contact with S-28 was made and lost. All attempts to establish communications failed. A Court of Inquiry was unable to determine the cause of the loss of S-28. 50 men lost.

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USS Robalo (SS-273)

Lost on:

7/26/1944

Lost on July 26,1944 with the loss of 84 crew members while on her 3rd war patrol. She struck a mine about 2 miles off the coast of Palawan. Three men survived and swam ashore, then imprisoned by the Japanese. Unfortunately, they were put on a Japanese destroyer and lost when that destroyer was sunk.

US Navy Official Photo

NavSource.org

NavSource.org

Class: SS 212 Commissioned: 9/28/1943 Launched: 3/9/1943 Builder: Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co Length: 311, Beam: 27 #Officers: 6, #Enlisted: 54 Fate: Sunk by Japanese mine in South China Sea 26 July 1944. 78 lost, 4 more lost in captivity.

20

USS Grunion (SS-216)

Lost on:

7/30/1942

Lost on July 30,1942 with the loss of 70 crew members while on her first war patrol near Kiska Harbor. She radioed that she sank two sub-chasers and damaged a third, but was never heard from again. Her loss remains a mystery.

US Navy Official Photo

BC Patch

NavSource.org

Class: SS 212 Commissioned: 4/11/1942 Launched: 12/22/1941 Builder: Electric Boat Co (General Dynamics) Length: 312, Beam: 27 #Officers: 6, #Enlisted: 54 Fate: Ordered back to Dutch Harbor after reporting intense ASW activity off Kiska (Aleutians).Grunion was never heard from nor seen again. Reported overdue, assumed lost with all hands 5 Oct 1942. Probably lost Aug 1942. 70 men lost.