Buildings Honor Submariners (PAGE 2)

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Buildings Honor Submariners (PAGE 2)

US NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE, NEW LONDON, CT

US NAVAL SUBMARINE SCHOOL, NEW LONDON, CT

BALLOU HALL

Ballou Hall formerly served as the Engineering Building but is vacant in mid-1993. It is among the six buildings at the Submarine School named for an enlisted man. Chief Electrician's Mate William E. Ballou was born in 1911, and served on surface ships, submarine tenders, and NARWHAL (SS-167). He was lost in TRITON (SS-201) on her sixth war patrol in which she operated north of New Gunea along with AMBERJACK (SS-219), and GRAMPUS (SS-207) which also did not return. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal posthumously for his performance as Chief Electrician's Mate in charge on TRITON's second patrol, and the Silver Star medal for outstanding performance of duty on four TRITON war patrols.

BLEDSOE HALL

Bledsoe Hall houses the Basic Enlisted Submarine School, honoring Master Chief Torpedoman Samuel H. Bledsoe, Jr. He was born in 1919 and enlisted in 1940. He served in ten submarines, including SKIPJACK (SS-184), SEADRAGON (SS-194), QUEENFISH (SS-393), TORSK (SS-423), TAUTOG (SS-199), SABLEFISH (SS-303), JALLAO (SS-368), PATRICK HENRY (SSBN-599), CASIMIR PULASKI (SSBN-633), and JAMES K. POLK (SSBN-645). He was awarded the Bronze Star medal for his outstanding performance as torpedoman in charge in TORSK on her second war patrol in 1945. He died in 1987.

CROMWELL HALL

Cromwell Hall is devoted to the teaching of the Officer's Course. It was named in memory of Captain John P. Cromwell, born in Illinois in 1901, graduated from the Naval Academy in the class of 1924, and the Submarine School in 1927. He served in S-24, ARGONAUT (SS-166), (SM1) a minelayer, BARRACUDA (SS-163), and commanded S-20 in 1937. His wartime billets were all Submarine Division Commands until, in early November 1943, he was ordered to SCULPIN (SS-191) as Wolfpack Commander, should one be formed. On 29 November Commander Submarine Pacific ordered the wolfpack activated but never heard from SCULPIN. It was not until after the war that the survivors of the scuttled SCULPIN revealed that she had been so severely damaged by depth charges on 18 November that (she) was forced to fight it out on the surface with a destroyer - and lost. The Commanding Officer, Commander Fred Connoway, and others were killed, but Captain Cromwell chose to go down with the ship to protect the privileged information he held. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Legion of Merit.

CROSS HALL

Cross Hall is the enlisted dining facility for the Submarine School. It honors Steward First Class Joseph Cross who was born in 1920 and entered the Navy in 1942. He made eight war patrols in TIGRONE (SS-419). He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Navy Commendation Ribbon. He was lost in SCORPION (SSN-589) in June 1968.

DARBY HALL

Darby Hall serves as the primary Engineering Building. It was named in memory of Rear Admiral Jack N. Darby, born in Texas in 1936, a graduate of the University of Colorado in 1958, and the Submarine School in 1961. He served in CAIMAN (SS-323), DACE (SSN-607), THEODORE ROOSEVELT (SSBN-600), THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN-618), and was Commanding Officer of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN-640). He died on 19 January 1987 while Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet. Amongst his decorations were three legions of merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal and two Meritorious Service Medals.

D'ALLESANDRO HALL

D'Allesandro Hall is the Enlisted Men's Club and was named to honor Torpedoman's Mate First Class Vincent L. D'Allesandro. He was ordered to HARDER (SS-257) after Submarine School and was lost on her sixth war patrol on 24 August 1944.

DEALEY CENTER

Dealey center is the Movie Theater and auditorium for the entire Base. It was named in memory of Commander Samuel D. Dealey, born in Texas in 1906, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1930, and Submarine School in 1934. Prior to the War, he served in S-34, S-36, and BASS (SS-164), decommissioning the latter. Early in 1942, he commanded S-20, and in 1942 commissioned HARDER (SS-257) in which he blazed the way by conducting the first of many "down the throat" attacks against onrushing escorts. For these attacks and others during HARDER's six patrols in which she sank 16 ships of 54,000 tons, Sam Dealey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and four Navy Crosses. HARDER was lost when she was depth charged by a minesweeper off the Philippines on 24 August 1944.

ENGLISH HALL

English Hall is utilized for tactical training, with complete team trainers for the ship's fire control parties. It was named in memory of Rear Admiral Robert H. English, born in Georgia in 1888 and graduated from the Naval Academy in the class of 1911. He began his submarine career in 1914 when he reported to the gasoline driven D-3, and was in command when the United States entered World War I. He fitted out and commanded O-4 throughout the war. He held Submarine Division commands prior to World War II, and was Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR and Commanding Officer Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor in the early moinths of the war. He relieved Rear Admiral Thomas Withers as Commander Submarines Pacific in May 1942, effectively organizing the onslaught against the Japanese Naval and merchant ships until he and several of his staff were killed in a plane crash in the California mountains enroute to a stateside conference on 21 January 1943. He was awarded the Navy Cross for the rescue of an officer trapped in O-5 after an explosion, and a posthumous Distinguished Service Medal for his tour as ComSubPac.

FIFE HALL

Fife Hall provides sophisticated Navigation training for students and ships' teams alike. It employs visual re-creations of actual harbors in which submarines operate, offering exercises under all conditions of light and visibility.

It was named in memory of Admiral James Fife, Jr., born in Nevada in 1897, graduated from the Naval Academy in the class of 1918, and the Submarine School the same year. He served in S-3 and R-22, and commanded N-7, R-19 and R-18 until 1923. He returned to sea in 1935 in command of NAUTILUS (SS-168), and was Chief of Staff to Commander Submarines Asiatic Fleet when World War II broke out. Ultimately Jimmy Fife ran the submarine operations out of Brisbane, Australia and was involved in the long battle to correct the torpedo deficiencies. It was during this period that Admiral Fife made many operational moves of his submarines by radio using such calls as "DRUM FROM FIFE", when addressing DRUM (SS-228). After the War, he was Commander Submarines Atlantic Fleet from 1947 to 1950. He retired in 1955 after a tour as Deputy Commander in Chief Mediterranean under Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, RN, and died in 1975. For his wide-ranging service, he was awarded three Distinguished Service Medals. He bequeathed his estate near New London to the US Navy as a recreation site.

FLUCKEY HALL

Fluckey Hall serves as the STS and Fire Control Technician (FT) School building, and also houses the advanced sonar and fire control trainers. It was named in honor of Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, born in the District of Columbia in 1913, graduated from the Naval Academy in the Class of 1935, and the Submarine School in 1938. he commenced his submarine career in S-42 and BONITA (SS-165), and commanded BARB (SS-220) from her seventh through her twelfth war patrols. After the War, he commanded DOGFISH (SS-350), HALFBEAK (SS-352), and SPERRY (AS-12). He was Commander Submarines Pacific from 1964 until 1966.

For his service in BARB, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and four Navy Crosses, and the ship the Presidential Unit Citation. BARB sank 16 ships for a total of over 95,000 tons.

Gene Fluckey won the Congressional Medal of Honor on BARB's 11th war patrol. He was a member of Loughlin's Loopers, a wolfpack. Together, Commander Elliot Loughlin in QUEENFISH (SS-393), Commander Ty Shephard in PICUDA (SS-382), and Gene Fluckey in BARB harassed a large convoy off the China coast in January 1945, firing more than 30 torpedoes in a series of attacks. The pack was finally credited with sinking four ships and damaging two. QUEENFISH and PICUDA departed the area for lack of torpedoes but Fluckey, frustrated in his search for additional targets, decided that an aggressive pursuit close to the coast was required. He was rewarded when he detected many ships in Namkwan Harbor. He penetrated on the surface in water less than 36 feet, firing eight of his last 12 torpedoes, sinking one ship. He escaped unscathed and after missing a freighter with his last four torpedoes returned to Pearl Harbor to a royal welcome. He made one more patrol in BARB, ingeniously sinking ships and craft with deck-launched rockets, and sending a raiding party ashore which blew up a train with large loss of life. He retired in 1972 and was awarded two Legions of merit for post-war service.

GILMORE HALL

Gilmore Hall was the School Administration and principal classroom building for hundreds of submarine officers, but is, in 1993, being converted to house the enlisted nuclear power school.

It was named in memory of Commander Howard W. Gilmore who was born in Alabama in 1902 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1926. He attended Submarine School in 1931, and spent his early career in S-48, SHARK (SS-174), and DOLPHIN (SS-169), after which he commanded S-48. He commissioned GROWLER (SS-215) at the time of Pearl harbor and made four war patrols, sinking over 18,000 tons of shipping before tangling with a patrol boat in a surface action on 7 February 1943. This concluded with GROWLER ramming the patrol boat with Howard Gilmore mortally wounded by gunfire on the bridge, and giving the now-famous order "Take her Down". Lieutenant Commander Arne Shade, Executive Officer, assumed command and brought the damaged ship home safely. For this action, Gilmore was posthumously awarded the Congressional medal of Honor, as well as two Navy Crosses for his other patrols.

GRENFELL HALL

Grenfell Hall serves as the Headquarters for Submarine Group Two.

It was named for Vice Admiral Elton W. Grenfell, born in Massachusetts in 1903, and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1926. He attended Submarine School in 1928, and served in R-4 until 1933. He spent two years in PICKEREL (SS-177) before his tour as Commanding Officer of GUDGEON (SS-211) in which he distinguished himself by sinking the first Japanese submarine, I-173, west of Midway island, and two merchant ships. After being injured in a seaplane accident in Pearl Harbor, he had command of two Submarine Divisions before the end of the War. He was the first officer to serve as Commander Submarines Pacific and Atlantic, completing the latter tour in 1964. He retired in 1965 and died in 1980. He was awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Presidential Unit Citation for his duty in GUDGEON, and a Distinguished Service Medal and three Legions of Merit for post-war duty.

LEWIS HALL

Lewis Hall houses the Radioman Class C School. It was named in memory of Rear Admiral James R. Lewis, born in Indiana in 1929, a 1951 graduate of the University of New Mexico, and a 1953 graduate of the Submarine School. Dick served in POMFRET (SS-391), SWORDFISH (SSN-579), HALIBUT (SSN-587), DANIEL BOONE (SSBN-629), and was Commanding Officer of SCORPION (SSN-589), and PATRICK HENRY (SSBN-599). Subsequently, he commanded Submarine Squadron 14 and Submarine Group Two. He was Deputy Chief for Acquisitions in Naval Material when he died in 1982. He was awarded two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, and the Navy Commendation Medal, and his commands (received) the Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

McNEILL HALL

McNeill Hall formerly housed the Basic Enlisted School but is being converted to use as the Nuclear Field Class A School. It was named to honor Chief Electrician's Mate John R. McNeill who was lost in SCAMP (SS-277) in Empire waters in November 1944. McNeill was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic control of a fire in the maneuvering room of SCAMP on her seventh war patrol in 1944.

MOMSEN HALL

Momsen Hall is the Escape Training Facility, a shallow water pool which replaced the former base landmark, the 100-foot diving tank. Training is conducted for all aspiring submariners using the Steinke Hood, the successor to the Momsen lung.

Vice Admiral Charles B. Momsen was born in New York in 1896, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1919, accelerated because of World War I from his Class of 1920, and attended the Submarine School in late 1921. He spent a short tour in O-13, followed by three command tours in O-15, R-24, and S-1. In the inter-war period, Swede Momsen developed the Momsen Lung for escape from sunken submarines, and later as Commanding Officer of the Experimental Diving Unit in Washington introduced helium/oxygen as the mixture for deep diving, a notable advance. He returned to the Pacific commanding two Submarine Squadrons prior to taking the first wolfpack of CERO (SS-225), GRAYBACK (SS-208), and SHAD (SS-235) on patrol in September 1943. The pack sank three ships and damaged several for which Momsen was awarded the Navy Cross. He subsequently served as Commander Submarines Pacific and Commander Joint task Force 7 in the Atom Bomb tests. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, and three Legions of Merit. He retired in 1955 and died in 1967.

Webmaster Note: 17 July 2002

The following additional info contributed by Robert F. Marble TMCS(SS) USN (Ret) Port Charlotte, FL .

Momsen was responsible for inventing the "McGann" submarine escape chamber (bell) and was assigned the task of rescuing the crew and civilians on board USS SQUALUS (SS-192) after she sank in 240' of water, off Portsmouth, NH in 1939. Following this first and last successful rescue, he was given the task of raising the boat for salvage, which he accomplished, and his divers used helium-oxygen mix for the first time.

You may refer to: "THE RESCUER" by Peter Maas - 1967 or his most recent "THE TERRIBLE HOURS" - 1999.

Webmaster Note: Copy - Peter Maas book review "THE TERRIBLE HOURS" - Use back-button to return

MORTON HALL

Morton Hall is the Base Gymnasium used for a wide variety of events for more than forty years. It was named in memory of Lieutenant Commander Dudley W. Morton, born in Kentucky in 1907, graduated from the Naval Academy in the Class of 1930, and from Submarine School in 1933. He spent four years in S-37, and then successively commanded R-5, DOLPHIN (SS-169) and WAHOO (SS-238). Morton sank 19 ships of 55,000 tons during his six patrols in WAHOO. His fame stems from a daring penetration of Wewak harbor in New Guinea in January 1943 during which an escort was sunk; and a day-long battle against a convoy of four ships of which WAHOO sank three. She successfully penetrated the Sea of Japan twice but her first effort was thwarted by faulty torpedoes; and the second resulted in her loss after sinking one ship on 11 October 1943. Mush Morton was awarded four Navy Crosses, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and WAHOO the Presidential Unit Citation.

NIMITZ HALL

Nimitz Hall houses the Submarine Mission Support Group and the Sonar Technician Submarine (STS) and Electronic Signals Monitoring (ESM) training courses.

It was named in honor of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. He was born in Texas in 1885, and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1905. From 1909 until 1912, he served in several gasoline powered submarines as Commanding Officer of PLUNGER (SS-2), SNAPPER (SS-16), NARWHAL (SS-17), and the first diesel, SKIPJACK (SS-24). In 1912, he became Commander Submarine Flotillas Atlantic, the first COMSUBLANT. In his last submarine tour, he commissioned Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor in 1920.

He took command of the Pacific Fleet on 31 December 1941 in ceremonies aboard GRAYLING (SS-209), and hauled down his flag in MENHADEN (SS-377) in November 1945. He was Chief of Naval Operations from 1945 to 1947, retiring after that tour. He was awarded four Distinguished Service Medals and many other decorations from 19 foreign countries. He died in 1966.

PENNINGTON HALL

Pennington Hall houses the Ship's Control and Diving Trainer. It was named in memory of Chief Electrician's Mate Roscoe C. Pennington who was born in Texas in 1924 and enlisted in 1943. He made six war patrols in SEA DRAGON (SS-194) and SPIKEFISH (SS-404). He also served in TILEFISH (SS-307), CUSK (SS-348), CHIVO (SS-341) and RONQUIL (SS-396). ***His final tour was in THRESHER (SSN-593), as chief reactor technician, in which he was lost at sea April 10, 1963.

(*** Sid Note - 27 Jan. 2001 ---- I have received info that the loss of Pennington in Scorpion is in error. The following line from Rindskopf's monograph was replaced by the text above: "~~His two final tours were in THRESHER (SSN-593), as chief reactor technician, and in SCORPION (SSN-589) in which he was lost at sea in June 1968."~~ )

STREET HALL

Street Hall is the Fire Fighting Trainer, named in honor of Captain George L. Street III. He was born in Virginia in 1913, graduated from the Naval Academy in the Class of 1937, and from the second pre-World War II three month class at the Submarine School late in 1940. He spent three years in GAR (SS-206) completing nine war patrols. He fitted out TIRANTE (SS-420) as Commanding Officer, made two war patrols and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his attack at Quelpart Island in Korea on 13 April 1945, in which TIRANTE penetrated the harbor and sank a transport and two escorts with six torpedoes. He was also awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, and the ship a Presidential Unit Citation. After the War, Street commanded REQUIN (SSR-481), a Submarine Division and Squadron. He retired in 1966.

(Sid NOTES: Update 8 March 2000 -- Newspaper Notices: Death of Captain Street --- His MOH Citation)

WILKINSON HALL

Wilkinson Hall was dedicated in 1993 as the home of the ET, RM, and TM Class A Schools. It honors Vice Admiral Eugene P. Wilkinson, born in 1918, graduated from San Diego State College in 1938 and from the Submarine School in 1942.

Dennis Wilkinson was the Torpedo Data Computer operator in DARTER (SS-227) when she and DACE (SS-247) sank three cruisers and damaged a fourth from the major Japanese Task Force proceeding toward the epic battle with U.S. Forces attacking the Philippines in October 1944. Darter ran aground and her crew was rescued by DACE, after which DACE rendered the DARTER unsalvageable by gunfire (torpedoes having exploded on the reef). Wilkinson completed eight war patrols. Subsequently he served in MENHADEN (SS-377) to which the DARTER crew had been ordered, RATON (SSR-270), and CUSK (SS-348), and commanded VOLADOR (SS-490) and SEA ROBIN (SS-407. He was the commissioning skipper of WAHOO (SS-565), one of the post-war fast attack class, but it was his selection by Admiral Rickover to command NAUTILUS (SSN-571) that made him newsworthy. He proved beyond any doubt the efficacy of nuclear power in submarines, and he showed the way for all highly qualified officers who followed him in the program. He later commissioned LONG BEACH (CGN-9), the first nuclear powered surface ship in the Navy. He was Commander Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet from 1970 to 1972, the last with World War II experience. His final tour was as Deputy Chief of Naval operations for Submarines (Op02). he retired in 1974. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Medal.

VAHSEN HALL

Vahsen Hall houses the Damage Control Wet Trainer which enables damage control teams to practice repair of damaged piping or equipment under realistic conditions of incoming water under the watchful eye of experienced instructors.

Captain George Vahsen was born in New York in 1928, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1952 and from the Submarine School in 1954. He served in TRIGGER (SS-564), SKIPJACK (SSN-585), ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN-601), was Executive Officer of THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN-618), and Commanding Officer of SARGO (SSN-583). His final tour of duty was Deputy Directory of Athletics at the Naval Academy. He suffered a heart attack and died on 24 June 1980. He was awarded two Legions of Merit.

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