August 2024 | Tennessee Submarine Memorial Assoc. News
August 2024
Greetings from the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association.
Thank you for being part of our efforts to build a memorial to United States Submarine Force sailors who gave their lives in defense of the nation.
First we want to thank Charles and Frank Hood, authors of a terrific series of books on the U.S. Submarine Force, for donating their proceeds for the month of July to the Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association. Their generous gift of $1,325.00 will help build a memorial to Submariners in Tennessee.
The Hood’s books describe what it’s like to serve in submarines including first hand stories from scores of submariners. You can check out and buy their books at SubTales.com. Thanks to Frank and Charles for their generosity.
This newsletter serves to update you on our progress and to remind you of the need for your financial support. However, the most important aspect of these monthly newsletters is to highlight the Tennesseans who were lost and the submarines in which they served.
As we compile the lists of boats and men each month it’s easy to get lost digging into their backgrounds and hometowns. It’s easy to spend time imagining what it was like to grow up in Golddust or Speedwell, Lawrenceburg or Harriman or Kennebec, Tennessee, in the years leading up to their service, mostly in WWII. And what was it like to be in the families of these men, when in the dark days of the war, they were visited by a U.S. Navy “casualty office” who delivered news of their loss, and to know that their loved ones would never come home. These are unimaginable losses for those who cared for them, and who lamented the lives never to be lived.
It is these memories we seek to commemorate. Our brothers who never came home.
Let me update you on our progress to build a Submarine Memorial. We continue to work with officials of the City of Smyrna, Tennessee on site selection at Lee Park and final approval for the memorial to be located there. Next steps include selecting an architect to begin work on site design and production of renderings. The art work will be necessary for final site approval and to share with you and other donors as we ask for your donations to make the project happen. We invite you to make your gift now to help with costs of our architect.
The TSMA Board is also focused on the August convention of the U.S. Submarine Veterans in Cleveland, Ohio. As you know the TSMA was founded by the Volunteer Base of USSVI. We’re preparing materials that will help attract support from our fellow submariners who will be coming from every state for a week of fellowship. Look for our TSMA table at the Convention. We’ll report back on the annual meeting of the “Brothers of Phin.”
In Cleveland the USSVI will inaugurate Jon Jaques as the 2024-2026 National Commander. TSMA congratulates Jon, founder of the Volunteer Base and TSMA Advisory Board member, on his selection to this post and we wish him well as he steers a course for American Submarine Veterans.
Please share this newsletter with family, friends and everyone in your network and encourage them to become monthly donors to build a memorial. Your and their gifts will make a Submarine Memorial possible.
Thank you. Off to Cleveland.
Patrick Ryan
President, TN Submarine Memorial Assoc.
Thank you.
TOLLING THE BOATS
Join us in remembering the boats and crews that were lost in the anniversary month of August.
Lost on August 6,1945 with the loss of 84 crew members in the Lombok Strait while on her 3rd war patrol when sunk by a depth charge dropped by a Japanese Army plane. Bullhead was the last submarine lost during WWII.
Electrician’s Mate Third Class William Francis Greaves was born in in Brownville, Tennessee.
USS Flier (SS-250)
1 Lost Tennessean
Lost on August 13,1944, with the loss of 78 crew members while on her 2nd war patrol. Flier was transiting on the surface when she was rocked by a massive explosion (probably a mine) and sank within less than a minute. 13 survivors, some injured, made it into the water and swam to shore. 8 survived and 6 days later friendly natives guided them to a Coast Watcher and they were evacuated by the USS Redfin (SS-272).
USS S-39 (SS-144)
Lost on August 13,1942 after grounding on a reef south of Rossel Island while on her 3rd war patrol. The entire crew was able to get off and rescued by HMAS Katoomba.
Storekeeper Third Class Ike Lankford McClure
Lost overboard August 20, 1976 while standing topside watch aboard the USS Dace (SSN-607). Ike McClure was from Paris, Tennessee.
USS Harder (SS-257)
1 Lost Tennessean
Lost on August 24,1944 with the loss of 79 crew members from a depth charge attack by a minesweeper near Bataan while on her 6th war patrol. Harder had won a Presidential Unit Citation for her first 5 war patrols and CDR Dealey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. Harder is tied for 9th in the number of enemy ships sunk.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Thomas Wooldridge Buckner was from Nashville, Tennessee
USS Cochino (SS-345)
Lost on August 26, 1949 after being jolted by a violent polar gale off Norway caused an electrical fire and battery explosion that generated hydrogen and chlorine gasses. In extremely bad weather, men of Cochino and Tusk (SS-426) fought to save the submarine for 14 hours. After a 2nd battery explosion, Abandon Ship was ordered and Cochino sank. Tusk’s crew rescued all of Cochino’s men except for one civilian engineer. Six sailors from Tusk were lost during the rescue.
TOLLING THE BOATS – SAVE THE DATE
The TSMA and the Volunteer Base (Nashville) of the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc. invite you to join us for the annual “Tolling the Boats” ceremony. The event, commemorating lost U.S. submarines and their crews, will be held at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery (McCrory Lane) on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. [Not the National Cemetery in Madison] We ask that you RSVP so we can accommodate all our guests. For details and RSVP link HERE.
SUBMARINE MEMORIAL COINS
The TSMA is producing “challenge coins” for the Tennessee Submarine Memorial that will serve as “thank yous” when you make your gift. We’ll send a coin to everyone who donates $100 or more or joins the monthly gift list with a donation of $10 or more per month to run for at least one year. Thank you in advance for your support.
MEET THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE TSMA [LINK]
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SUBMARINE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION?
Please contact Patrick.Ryan@TennSub.org
DO YOU KROGER?
The TSMA is registered with Kroger Rewards and earns revenue based on your shopping totals — with no charge to you. Your Cheerios and ice cream will help us build a Submarine Memorial in Tennessee. Check out the Kroger Community Rewards program HERE.
Help Build A Memorial to Tennesseans Lost in Submarine Duty in Defense of the Nation
To make a gift by check: make it to Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association and mail to: 309 Church Street, #107, Nashville, TN 37201.
Thank you.
The Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association is a tax exempt charitable organization and donations are subject to treatment in accordance with IRS 501c3 considerations.
The Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association is approved by the Tennessee Secretary of State to solicit charitable contributions for the purposes of our mission.
Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association
309 Church Street, #107
Nashville, TN 37201
Chairman: Mike Anderson
President: Patrick Ryan
Treasurer: Larry Smith
Secretary: Mike Gorham
Board Member: Vinny McCrum
Board Member: Mike Patzius
Board Member: Bob Woolf
Advisory Board:
Jon Jacques
Email: Info@TENNSUB.org
