This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(October 2022) |
Formation | 12 October 1963 |
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Headquarters | PO Box 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383 |
Membership | Over 13,000 [1] |
National Commander | Wayne Standerfer |
Website | www |
The United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI) is an organization created by a group from the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. They shared a belief in the need for an organization open to all United States Navy submariners, from the very beginning of the Submarine Service to the present and into the future - not limited to just those who served so ably in World War II. They wanted to ensure their shipmates who were killed in action on submarines would never be forgotten.[ citation needed ]
Nearly 4,000 submariners have sacrificed their lives on the altar of American freedoms. It is the primary mission of USSVI to perpetuate their memory through memorials and "tolling the boats" memorial services. Per the USSVI Constitution Article III the Purpose/Creed consists of three sections:
Section 1: 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 of America and its Constitution.
Section 2: In addition to perpetuating the memory of departed shipmates, USSVI provides a way for all Submariners to gather for mutual benefit and enjoyment. The common heritage as Submariners is strengthened by camaraderie. USSVI supports a strong United States Submarine Force.
Section 3: The organization engages in various projects and deeds that bring about the perpetual remembrance of those shipmates who have given the supreme sacrifice. USSVI also endeavors to educate all third parties it comes in contact with about the services United States submariners performed and how the sacrifices of lost shipmates made possible the freedom and lifestyle Americans enjoy today.[ citation needed ]
Prior to the founding of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI), there existed another U.S. submarine veterans association, the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II which still exists today. Founded in July 1955, membership in this organization is limited to submarine crews and relief crews who were on active duty from December 1, 1941, through September 1, 1945. As this organization grew, so did the development and deployment of American submarines across the globe, and it became apparent to many that there was a need and a strong desire for a new organization to include submariners of all eras.[ citation needed ]
Fueled by a desire to form a new association, and inspired by the tragic loss of the USS Thresher (SSN-593) on April 10, 1963, a meeting was set for October 12, 1963. Led by Dominic ‘Joe’ Negri and others, the Charter Meeting of USSVI was held in Orange, New Jersey, with 16 representatives present. The Creed and National Bylaws were established at this inaugural meeting. Officers 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 Walkington, vice-president; Joe Burges, Secretary; and Mike Drucker, Treasurer.[ citation needed ]
On May 24, 1964, shipmates Joe Negri, Ken Walkington, and Joe Marion met with New London, Connecticut attorney, L. Patrick Gray, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired) (who later became the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation), to legally constitute USSVI 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, Connecticut. The signatories were Joe Negri, Ken Walkington, and Joe Marion. Additional USSVI Plank Owners included Warren ‘Ed’ Gannon, Angelo La Pelosa, Robert Link, Tom Rowan, and Hugh Trimble. They selected former United States Submarine Veterans of World War II National Commander Bob Link as their first acting National Commander. Joe Negri was elected the first Connecticut State Commander and Dick Higham was elected the first Base Commander of Connecticut Base #1, which later became Groton Base. This fledgling organization would soon grow to several hundred shipmates scattered throughout Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.[ citation needed ]
The first National Convention was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on June 18–20, 1964. Acting President, Robert Link of Absecon, New Jersey was host to the delegates at the Traymore Hotel. Nine eastern states were represented by Ed Sena from New York, Dick Higham from Connecticut, Elmo Wittig from New Jersey, Thomas ‘Doc’ Smith from New Jersey, Herman Schmidt from New Jersey, Art Clarke from Pennsylvania, Joe Negri and Ken Walkington of Connecticut. Commander Charles Carlisle, Commanding officer of USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), served as guest speaker for the first annual convention. Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood was also a guest in attendance.[ citation needed ]
A new slate of National Officers was elected at the first Convention. Joe Negri was elected National Commander; KenWalkington, Vice Commander; Joe Burges, Secretary; and Mike Drucker, Treasurer. National Directors were JoeWebb, Dick Higham, and Joe Marion.[ citation needed ]
The Groton Base started operating immediately and held meetings at the K of C in Groton. The attendance at these meetings was between 60 and 75 members. Joe Negri was elected the first state commander and Dick Higman was the first Base Commander. About a year later it was determined that they needed their own building and it was voted to sell raffle tickets (1000 tickets at $10 each) for a gold Cadillac to raise the money for the down payment on the present home at 40 School Street in Groton, Connecticut.
The base building on School Street became a reality in 1966. Due to the fact that the Groton USSVI/Base was incorporated within the State of Connecticut and they had their own building, it was voted that Groton become the National Headquarters of USSVI.[ citation needed ]
Nationally elected officers of USSVI are:
The prerequisite for National Office is that a nominee must be a Regular Member in good standing a minimum of thirty consecutive months. The term of office for all national officers is two years or until a successor is elected. No individual can serve more than two consecutive terms as National Commander. Other than the position of National Commander, there are no restrictions on the number of terms an individual may be elected to any office.
The Board of Directors has the control and general management of the affairs and business of the organization. It is composed of the national elected officers, the Regional Directors, the District Commander Of The Year, the District Commanders, the immediate Past National Commander, the President of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Commander of the Holland Club.
Regional Directors (SE, NE, Central, and Western) are directly responsible to the National Commander for the conduct of organizational business within their region. They serve as members of the Board of Directors, members of the Scholarship Committee, and perform other such duties as required by the National Constitution and USSVI Bylaws.
District Commanders serve as non-voting members of the board of directors. They assist the Base Commanders within their respective districts in the performance of their duties, to include providing assistance as required to ensure the proper operation of base meetings and events, recruiting and retention. They appoint all district committees, committee chairmen and appointed officers as required to conduct district business. They also approve the base constitution and bylaws, ensuring compliance with national and state laws regulating the operation of the organization within his district (i.e. chartering, maintaining non-profit status).[ citation needed ]
Base Commanders are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their specific base in accordance with their base bylaws.
USSVI is organized by regions, districts, and bases throughout the United States.
Region | District | Bases |
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Northeast | EN1 | 9 |
Northeast | EN2 | 7 |
Northeast | EN3 | 7 |
Northeast | EN4 | 5 |
Northeast | EN5 | 6 |
Southeast | ES1 | 6 |
Southeast | ES2 | 5 |
Southeast | ES4 | 8 |
Southeast | ES5 | 7 |
Central | CD1 | 14 |
Central | CD2 | 13 |
Central | CD3 | 10 |
Central | CD4 | 10 |
Western | WD1 | 7 |
Western | WD2 | 4 |
Western | WD3 | 5 |
Western | WD4 | 7 |
Western | WD5 | 7 |
Western | WD6 | 8 |
The National Office is located in Silverdale, Washington and manages membership and administrative services.
The National Library is located in North Little Rock, Arkansas at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. The library has a complete set of the following magazines:
USSVI currently has over 12,000 US Submarine qualified members.
USSVI Regular membership is restricted to current and former U.S. military personnel, who have been designated "Qualified in Submarines" by authorized U.S. Navy Command Authority, or are regular members of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II.
All are invited to join their shipmates in "Subvets". More information can be found at the USSVI website.
Regular and Associate Members may become Life Members by paying the National Life Membership fee established in the organization's bylaws. National Life Members will pay no further national dues, but may be required to pay base dues as per base bylaws. A base may offer a member, who is a National Life Member, Base Life Membership, not to exceed the cost of National Life membership.
National Life Membership was inaugurated in 1984 at the National Business Meeting in Groton, Connecticut.
Base Life Membership, in 1985, was voted-in at the Boston Base, available with National Life Membership as a prerequisite.
When an applicant selects a base to join, that base becomes his "primary" base. This is done for National voting reasons. National election ballots are distributed according to a member's primary base. A "dual" member is someone who has also joined other bases as their interests dictate. The member may also vote in local base elections through his "dual" base(s), but national election voting is always only done through the member's primary base.[ citation needed ]
An Associate Member is a person who is not eligible for regular membership but is closely associated with a Regular Member.
Each Associate Member must be sponsored by a Regular Member in good standing and are eligible for Life Membership. Associate Membership is reserved for persons not otherwise eligible for regular membership, but who are related to the Submarine Service by their deeds or actions. All Associate Members must be at least sixteen (16) years of age. This does not preclude any relative of a regular member in good standing from applying for Associate Membership.[ citation needed ]
An Auxiliary to the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. has been established and is known as "The Auxiliary of the United States Submarine Veterans, Incorporated". Any base may adopt an Auxiliary at their own discretion; however, the adopted USSVI Bylaws must be approved by the District Commander prior to implementation. Membership in the Auxiliary is limited to USSVI or SVWWII member's wives, widows, siblings, parents and children not less than 16 years of age.[ citation needed ]
Any Regular Member who has been designated "Qualified in Submarines" for twenty five (25) Years or more and who is a member in good standing is eligible to become a member of the "Rickover Club" within the organization.
The Rickover Club was named after Hyman G. Rickover, an admiral in the U.S. Navy known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," who directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of the U.S. Naval Reactors office. The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709) was named for him.commissioned on July 21, 1984, and deactivated on December 14, 2006. On July 31, 2021 the Navy christened a Virginia-class submarine named USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795) in his honor.
Any Regular Member who has been designated "Qualified in Submarines" for fifty (50) years or more and who is a member in good standing is eligible to become a member of the "Holland Club" within the organization.
The Holland Club was named after John Philip Holland, an engineer who developed the first submarine to be formally commissioned by the U.S. Navy.[ citation needed ]
The base or National Membership Chairman may place any member, who chooses, or is assigned to, a base, and who is a National Life Member or whose National annual dues are current, but whose base dues are in arrears, in a category of Member-at-Large. Members-at-Large whose national annual dues are current or who are National Life Members will retain national benefits (i.e. receipt of national magazine and voting on national issues). A Member-at-Large may affiliate with a base at any time by remitting base dues. A Regular base member may transfer to Member-at-Large Status at any time by making a request to his affiliated base or to the National Membership Chair.[ citation needed ]
The USSVI Charitable Foundation (USSVCF) is administered by a board of directors made up of non-paid elected and appointed members. Expenses incurred by the Charitable Foundation are minimal and consist of expenses such as postage, certificates, website fees, stationery supplies, and informative brochures.
The foundation was approved for tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code on December 5, 2000. To facilitate the many activities that may arise, the foundation is split into various dedicated funds.
American Submariner is the quarterly magazine published by USSVI and is a major benefit that all USSVI members receive. The purpose of the magazine is to keep the membership informed of organizational events the latest developments in the U.S. Navy's Submarine force. It also honors tradition, heritage, and service of all submariners, who proudly earned the designation "Qualified in Submarines", by regularly featuring articles about submarines, their crews, and missions conducted during the eras of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the First Gulf War.
In May 1969, the magazine Submarine National Review came into existence to better establish communications and rapport within the submarine community, with Ken Walkington and Tom Rowan serving as co-editors. It was renamed American Submariner in December 1977. It reverted to Submarine National Review in January 1979 but in July 1991 it was renamed yet again to American Submariner It retained the subtitle of National Submarine Review until 2000.[ citation needed ]
Deep Submergence Vessel NR-1 was a unique United States Navy (USN) nuclear-powered ocean engineering and research submarine, built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics at Groton, Connecticut. NR-1 was launched on 25 January 1969, completed initial sea trials 19 August 1969, and was home-ported at Naval Submarine Base New London. NR-1 was the smallest nuclear submarine ever put into operation. The vessel was casually known as "Nerwin" and was never officially named or commissioned. The U.S. Navy is allocated a specific number of warships by the U.S. Congress, but Admiral Hyman Rickover avoided using one of those allocations for the construction of NR-1 in order to circumvent the oversight that a warship receives from various bureaus.
General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) is a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation. It has been the primary builder of submarines for the United States Navy for more than 100 years. The company's main facilities are a shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, a hull-fabrication and outfitting facility in Quonset Point, Rhode Island, and a design and engineering facility in New London, Connecticut.
Naval Submarine Base New London is the primary United States Navy East Coast submarine base, also known as the "Home of the Submarine Force." It is located in Groton, Connecticut directly across the Thames River from its namesake city of New London.
USS Thresher (SSN-593) was the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered attack submarines in the United States Navy. She was the U.S. Navy's second submarine to be named after the thresher shark.
USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine and on 3 August 1958 became the first submarine to complete a submerged transit of the North Pole. Her initial commanding officer was Eugene "Dennis" Wilkinson, a widely respected naval officer who set the stage for many of the protocols of today's Nuclear Navy of the US, and who had a storied career during military service and afterwards.
USS Clamagore (SS-343) was a Balao-class submarine, which operated as a museum ship at the Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum outside Charleston, South Carolina from 1979 to 2022. Built in 1945 for the United States Navy, she was still in training when World War II ended. She was named for the clamagore. A National Historic Landmark, she was the last surviving example of a GUPPY III type submarine. On 15 October 2022, the USS Clamagore, stripped of sail and superstructure was removed from Patriots Point and towed to Norfolk VA to begin final recycling.
USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN-631), a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the third shipa of the United States Navy to be named for Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885), American Civil War general and the 18th President of the United States (1869-1877).
USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, pioneer of the nuclear Navy, and the only Los Angeles-class submarine not named after a United States city or town. She was initially to be named USS Providence; however, following the retirement of Admiral Rickover, her name was reassigned prior to official christening. SSN-719 was later given the name USS Providence.
USS Corporal (SS-346), a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the corporal, an alternate name for the fallfish, found in streams of the eastern United States.
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. is an American educational organization that accredits private and public secondary schools, primarily in New England. It also accredits international secondary schools and, less frequently, high schools in other U.S. states.
USS Missouri (SSN-780) is the seventh Virginia-class attack submarine and the fourth ship in the United States Navy named in honor of the U.S. state of Missouri. She was completed, and delivered, nine months early and under budget.
Jonathan William Greenert is a former United States Navy admiral who served as the 30th Chief of Naval Operations from September 23, 2011, to September 18, 2015. He previously served as the 36th Vice Chief of Naval Operations from August 13, 2009, to August 22, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from September 29, 2007, to July 29, 2009, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources from September 2006 to September 2007, and commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet from August 2004 to September 2006. He retired from the navy after over 40 years of service. In March 2016, the National Bureau of Asian Research announced that Greenert would become the third holder of the John M. Shalikashvili Chair in National Security Studies at NBR. In April 2016, Greenert was appointed to the board of directors for BAE Systems for a three-year term.
The Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) is located on the New London Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. It is a subordinate command of the Naval Medical Research Command.
The Commander, Naval Submarine Forces is the Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet type commander under the United States Fleet Forces Command.
Henry Goodman Chiles Jr. is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as Commander in Chief, United States Strategic Command (USCINCSTRAT), from 1994 to 1996, the first naval officer to command all of the strategic nuclear forces of the United States.
Steven Angelo White was a four-star admiral who served in the United States Navy from 1948 until 1985. He was the 19th and last Chief of Naval Material.
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" during World War II.
USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795), is a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy and the second such boat commemorating Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, pioneer of the nuclear navy. The boat's sponsor is Darleen Greenert, wife of then Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert. Both the boat's name and her sponsor were announced by the Secretary of the Navy at a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard on 9 January 2015. Hyman G. Rickover's christening occurred on 31 July 2021, and she was commissioned on 14 October 2023, during a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Connecticut.
Captain John Henry Ebersole, M.D., United States Navy Medical Corps was a pioneer in submarine medicine and radiation oncology, selected by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover to serve as medical officer aboard the US Navy's first two nuclear powered submarines, the USS Nautilus and the USS Seawolf. He was the radiologist for NASA that screened the Mercury Seven astronauts for Project Mercury. Ebersole was the radiologist responsible for the x-rays taken during the autopsy of John F. Kennedy on 22 November 1963 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center.
The Submarine Memorial Chapel is a military chapel onboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, United States. Dedicated in 1944, it is the oldest chapel at Pearl Harbor, built in remembrance of all the submariners who died in World War II. It ceased hosting religious worship services sometime in the 2000s, but regular religious services were re-established by a congregation at the chapel in 2015.