USS SCULPIN (SS‑191)
Lest we forget to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. . .
81 years ago, on Nov. 19, 1943, the USS Sculpin (SS‑191), sailed off into history on her final and eternal patrol.
The account of Sculpin's final patrol was given by the surviving members of her crew, who were liberated from Japanese prisoner of war camps after V-J Day. Severely damaged by depth charges after attacking an enemy convoy, Sculpin continued to fight on the surface. When the captain was killed, the crew abandoned ship and scuttled Sculpin. Among those not abandoning ship was CAPT Cromwell, aboard as a potential wolfpack commander, he rode the Sculpin down, fearing that vital information in his possession might be compromised under torture. For this, CAPT Cromwell was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
In all, 42 men were taken prisoner by the Japanese destroyer, but one was thrown over the side almost immediately because he was severely wounded. The group of 38 enlisted men and 3 officers were taken to Truk where they were questioned for ten days. Then they were loaded on two carriers (21 on one, 20 on the other) and started for Japan. Enroute to its destination, the carrier Chuyo, carrying 21 Sculpin survivors, was torpedoed and sunk by Sailfish on 31 December 1943, and only one American escaped.
SAILORS, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmates.

Visit the Perch Base Eternal Patrol page.

VETERANS CRISIS LINE
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves. It is confidential and available every day, 24/7.
Click on the picture, above, to go to the VETERANS CRISIS LINE.

WANT TO CARPOOL?
NEED A RIDE?
The image, above, shows that we have members all over metropolitan Phoenix. Left-click on the image for a larger view. If you are a Perch Base member and would like to consider carpooling, you are willing to pickup another member, or you need a ride to meetings or events, send an email to the webmaster at webmaster@perch-base.org.
The Board of Directors will attempt to match you with another nearby member who has similarly asked to carpool, or is willing to pickup another member. The Board will then provide the name, email, and phone number to the interested members that can then get in touch with each other to make specific arrangements. We are not publicly posting names or personal information to maintain privacy.
Keep in mind that if you wait until the last minute to request a match-up for a particular event, we may not be able to respond in time.

PHOENIX VETERANS DAY
Sixteen Perch Base members and family took the USS Phoenix float to the Annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade presented by the non-profit Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV) on November 11th, 2024.
We met at 8 AM to stage the float at the Firestone Complete Auto Care at 241 W Osborn Rd. Thanks to Firestone for letting us use your store lot (and bathroom!) and then rode the float to the parade starting point.
True to the military theme of "Hurry up and wait!" we arrived at the parade starting point at 9:20 AM, but as entry number 59 (of 84) we finally started to roll at 11 AM. This year’s parade theme was
"Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, Sacrifice Remembered."
Organizers anticipated 45,000 spectators along the parade route. The Celebrity Grand Marshall was Luis Gonzalez. Seven Veteran Grand Marshals, represented each era of military service from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan.)
Read more and view more pictures HERE.

USS ARIZONA MEET & GREET
(Standing l-r:) USS Arizona Legacy Foundation President & CEO Nicole LaSlavic and PCU Arizona (SSN803) Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Thomas E. Digan, Jr.
Several Perch Base members attended a Meet & Greet with some of the crew of the USS Arizona (PCU-803) on November 7, 2024.
The USS Arizona Legacy Foundation hosted 10 Sailors from the USS Arizona SSN-803 for a series of celebrations, educational visits, and community support activities across Arizona. During the visit, they invited Perch Base USSVI to attend a Meet & Greet with the crew, including the Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Thomas E. Digan, Jr, the COB (Chief of the Boat) and 8 other crewmembers, mostly nukes.
The Meet & Greet was held at the Phoenix Bourbon Room in downtown Phoenix.
The mission of the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation is three-fold:
1) Celebrate the addition of the USS Arizona submarine to our Naval Fleet through a series of grand festivities and community events.
2) Educate future generations about the history and significance of Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona battleship, and her gallant men, and
3) Support the crew of the USS Arizona submarine and foster a lasting bond between them and the citizens of Arizona throughout the life of the boat.
Visit the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation website at ussazlegacy.org
Special thanks and credit to CC Clarke for the photos.
View more pictures HERE.

SIERRA VERDE STEAM SCHOOL
Five Perch Base members; John Beckett, Chris Gahan, Bob Gilmore, Dan Marks and Joe Trotter, participated in the Sierra Verde Elementary School Veterans' Appreciation Assembly on Friday, November 8, 2024.
Sierra Verde, a Science, Technology, Engineering And Math (STEAM) school, conducted a Veterans Appreciation Day program.
They fed us breakfast then held an assembly to show their appreciation for Veterans and their patriotism. They really treated us like VIPs!
In past years, we staged the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) parade float at the school. Due to a problem with a failed brake light, the float was in the shop, but we still had items to display and the students asked lots of questions.
View more pictures HERE.

RAY MARSHALL TRIBUTE BANNER
If you didn't see it the first time, you have another chance!
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Life Member and Webmaster Dan Marks is honoring WW2 Submarine Veteran Ray Marshall, who went on Eternal Patrol on on September 10, 2021, at the age of 101 years old. Gilbert, AZ, honored Veterans by displaying Military Tribute banners in the Heritage District along Gilbert Road from May 21st to July 8th to coincide with the display periods of Memorial Day and Independence Day. The banners were taken down on July 8th, but are now back up from November 5th to November 19th to coincide with the display period of Veterans Day.
Ray Marshall's banner is located on the east side of Gilbert Road at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce parking lot at 119 N Gilbert Rd.
ENC(SS) Raymond Marshall, a WW2 veteran, made 12 war patrols on two different boats. Ray joined the Navy in January 1939 and retired as a Chief Engineman in 1959. His first assignment was on the destroyer USS Mahan (DD‑364) from 1939 to 1940, but then was assigned to the Submarine Service in 1940. He qualified in submarines in 1941 on the USS Porpoise (SS‑172). Ray made 12 war patrols during WW2 on two different boats. He served for six war patrols on the Porpoise, leaving as a Motor Machinist Mate First Class, then six more war patrols on the USS Guavina (SS‑362) where he became a Chief Motor Machinist Mate.
View more pictures HERE.

ALICE WOODS
SILVER ANCHOR AWARD
Congratulations to Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Associate Member Alice Woods for receiving a USSVI National 2024 Silver Anchor Award. The awards were announced at the USSVI National Convention held in Cleveland, OH.
The Silver Anchor Award is presented to a Regular or Associate Member in recognition of his/her efforts to support one of the primary objectives of our Creed…to provide a way for all submariners to gather for their mutual benefit and enjoyment.
This Award recognizes the Shipmate’s volunteer support for meetings, projects, and events, including work to recruit new Members and to retain the current membership of the Base, and is intended to recognize recent accomplishments.
Alice was recognized for her coordination of the Shopping Showcase on August 30th & 31st, 2023, during the 2023 USSVI National Convention in Tucson, AZ. In addition to Alice's contribution during the 2023 Convention, she also supports Perch Base. Another recent example is her refurbishment (with Georgianne Gahan) of our wreaths for Perch Base and the WWII Submarine Veterans, used during Memorial Day and the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies.
View more pictures HERE.

USS PHOENIX OVERHAUL
Thanks to Perch Base Life Member Kirby Anderson, who has provided a desperately needed "OVERHAUL" for our parade float USS Phoenix (SSN-702.) Kirby, who qualified in 1982 on the USS Scamp (SSN-588) was a TM2(SS) and is now the Field Service Manager for the West Valley United Rentals facility in Tolleson, AZ. The overhaul has also been supported by Henry Duran, one of the United Rentals employees. Thanks to Kirby, Henry and United Rentals!
The USS Phoenix float is again ready for deployment!. Come and participate in the Sierra Verde STEAM Academy Event (tentative) on Friday, November 8th, for a static display of the float and the Phoenix Veteran's Day parade on Monday, November 9, and see the float in its refreshed glory.
Some of our readers may also be interested in photos from 2007 through 2008 when the float was built. The USS Phoenix (SSN-702) parade float has served us well for over 15 years in parades, static displays and school events. With Kirby, Henry and United Rental's help, it will perform for many more years!
View more pictures HERE.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION
Roadwork will require lane restrictions and full closures on Loop 101, the interchange ramps and cross streets between 75th Avenue to I-17. Work will occur primarily during overnight hours and weekends to minimize traffic impacts, thus may affect travel time to future meetings at Dillon's starting September 27, 2024.
Although there is presently no closure scheduled for our next meeting on October 12, you can check the current status on the ADOT website HERE.
You can also view the live Loop 101 cameras on the AZ511 website HERE.
We will try to keep the restrictions up-to-date on the Sailing Orders page prior to each meeting.

CHRIS GAHAN
SILVER ANCHOR AWARD
Congratulations to Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Life and Holland Club member and Communications Officer Chris Gahan for receiving a USSVI National 2024 Silver Anchor Award. The awards were announced at the USSVI National Convention held in Cleveland, OH.
The Silver Anchor Award is presented to a Regular or Associate Member in recognition of his/her efforts to support one of the primary objectives of our Creed…to provide a way for all submariners to gather for their mutual benefit and enjoyment.
This Award recognizes the Shipmate’s volunteer support for meetings, projects, and events, including work to recruit new Members and to retain the current membership of the Base, and is intended to recognize recent accomplishments.
In addition to Chris' contributions as our Communications Officer, he is also our representative to the United Arizona Veterans (UAV.)
View more pictures HERE.

2024 USSVI NATIONAL CONVENTION
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) and some of their wives & family went to the 2024 USSVI National Convention held from August 19 to August 24, 2024, in Cleveland, OH at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockside. The USSVI Cod Base sponsored the Convention.
This photo shows Perch Base Storekeeper, John Beckett, loading a round in the deck gun aboard the USS Cod (SS-224) Submarine Memorial in Cleveland.
Note the onlookers covering their ears!
View more pictures HERE.

EAGLE SCOUT
COURT OF HONOR
Four Perch Base members: Bob Gilmore, Dan Marks, Glenn Posniack and Joe Trotter went to the Troop 2019 Eagle Scout Court of Honor on July 27, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Recker Rd in Mesa, AZ.
Bob Gilmore, Dan Marks and Joe Trotter were all Eagle Scouts as youngsters. As part of the Court of Honor, Joe Trotter presented certificates of achievement to each of the four Eagle Scouts:
Reid Spencer Nyman
Jayden Cash Boone
Blake Allen Yelverton, and
Clark Isaac Heiselt.
Joe Trotter's presentation included parallels between paths to become and Eagle Scout and to become qualified in submarines. Examples included the long period of study, work, and devotion required, and how the brotherhood of the "Dolphin" and the brotherhood of "Eagles" will last a lifetime for almost all of us - We are submariners for the rest of our life and we are Eagle Scouts for the rest of our life.
Congratulations to these young gentlemen!
View more pictures HERE.

BOB BISSONETTE MEMORIAL SERVICE
USSVI (San Diego Base) Life Member Bob Bissonnette, STCS(SS) (ret), passed away onto Eternal Patrol, on August 21, 2023.
Our condolences to his wife Conniue, family and friends.
Bob was born and raised in Chicago, IL, joined the US Navy and immediately volunteered for submarines, attending Basic Submarine Sonar 'A' and BQQ-5 Operator/Maintenance 'C' School. He received his dolphins September 1984, during an ICEX deployment, 0.6 nautical miles from the true North Pole.
Bob served on USS Gunard (SSN 662), USS Parche (SSN 683), USS Honolulu (SSN 718), USS Richard B. Russell (SSN 687), USS Pogy (SSN 647), USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716), and served as a Ship Sup for Sima Submarine Maintenance Dept. His final tour in the Navy was the Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL) as an Installation Coordinator for ASL TEMPALT equipment. Bob retired after 24 years of service as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.
Since December 2008, Bob had been at the Artic Submarine Lab as a TEMPALT Install Coordinator. He participated in 6 ICE Camps in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Bob had been awarded 3 NCM (Navy Commendation Medal), 4 NAM (Navy Achievement Medal), 2 PUC (Presidential Unit Citation), 4 NUC (Navy Unit Citation), 3 MUC (Meritorious Unit Commendation), 6 GCM (Good Conduct Medal), 2 EXP Medal (Expeditionary), 7 Sea Service, Global War on Terrorist EXP, Global War on Terrorist Service Medal and the Artic Service Ribbon.
Bob had been active in Subvets since 2000, as a Base Commander, Western District Commander, Western Regional Director and Base Chaplain.
Bob came to the Perch Base Annual Banquet on January 19, 2019, and gave a presentation on his 2018 Ice Camp experience.
A Memorial Service was held on June 22, 2024 at the Mission Valley VFW 3787 in San Diego, CA. Perch Base members Don and Marcia Unser attended the Memorial Service on June 22, 2024, and provided these photos.
See more pictures HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.

BASE OFFICER INSTALLATION
Perch Base member Kevin Sheehan was installed as Perch Base Treasurer and Paul Miller was installed as Perch Base Membership Chair on July 13, 2024. Congratulations to Kevin and Paul and thanks to Joe Trotter for his service as the past Treasurer and Chuck Luna for his service as the past Membership Chair.
View more pictures HERE.

ED BROOKS ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Life and Holland Club Member Ed Brooks, LT(SS) (ret), passed away onto Eternal Patrol, Monday, May 20, 2024.
Our condolences to his wife Lee Ann, family and friends.
Ed joined the Navy in 1959 and left in 1978. He served and qualified on submarines on the USS Sea Leopard (SS‑483) as an Interior Communications Technician ICFN(SS) in the Deck Division in 1959. He then went on to Naval Nuclear Power School, and subsequently became a Nuclear Power Plant Operator on board the USS Halibut (SSGN‑587) in the Electrical Division from 1961 through 1964. Ed was commissioned as a Warrant Officer (WO1) in the Electrical Division while assigned to the USS Guardfish (SSN‑612) from 1966 to 1967 as a plankowner and member of the pre-commissioning crew. His next assignment was at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME, as a Nuclear Ship Superintendant from 1967 to 1968, and was promoted to Ensign when assigned to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, as a Nuclear Engineer in the Naval Reactors Representative's Office from 1968 to 1971. He became a LTjg while assigned to the Pearl Harbor Submarine Base as the Base Radiological Control Officer. He was again promoted to LT while assigned to the Submarine Tender USS Hunley (AS‑31) where he served as the Nuclear Repair Officer, QA Officer and Engineer Officer from 1973 to 1977. Ed retired from the Navy in 1978 after serving at Naval Station Charleston, SC, as the Team Leader of the Human Resource Management Detachment.
Ed joined Perch Base in March 1998 and served as our Base Secretary from 2001 to 2006. He participated as a Charter Member of the Gudgeon Base in Prescott Valley, AZ in 2004. At that time, he continued his membership with Perch Base, but became the Base Secretary of Gudgeon Base from 2004 to 2009, also served as the Gudgeon Base Treasurer in 2006, and became the Base Commander of Gudgeon Base in 2008. Ed continued to regularly attend Perch Base meetings as a dual member.
Ed Brooks was well known within USSVI as a master carver. He routinely carved dolphins for raffles and auctions to raise money for the Bases and the USSVI Charitable Fund, which he also was a supporter. He was granted USSVI National Commander's Award, also know as the Robert Link Award at the 2005 USSVI National Convention for his Charitable Fund actions.
Ed was interred at the Prescott National Cemetery, VA Medical Center
See more pictures HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.

ED WOLF ETERNAL PATROL
Perch Base Life and Holland Club Member Edward J. Wolf, END2(SS), passed away onto Eternal Patrol, Monday, May 4, 2024.
Our condolences to his wife Miriam, family and friends.
Ed joined the Navy in 1953 and left in 1957. He served and qualified on submarines on the USS Ray (SSR‑271) as an Engineman (Diesel) Petty Officer 2nd Class, END2(SS) in 1955.
See more pictures HERE.
SAILOR, REST YOUR OAR! YOUR WATCH HAS ENDED.
Your Brothers of the 'Phin Have the Watch.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Shipmate.

PRESCOTT FRONTIER DAYS^® PARADE
Perch Base took the USS Phoenix float up to Prescott, Arizona on July 6th, 2024, for the Prescott Frontier Days^® Parade. The parade had many entries and a very large crowd to watch the parade. We were in the parade with Gudgeon Base. Tucson Base also was there with their USS Tucson (SSN-770) submarine float. Members and family rode or walked in the parade from the 3 bases!
The 2024 Parade Theme was "PRESCOTT TRADITIONS."
Congratulations to the entire group. Arizona Submarine Veterans - Gudgeon Base and Perch Base won as the 3rd place parade entry!
After the parade, we had a BBQ lunch at Tom Warner's home in Prescott Valley.
Thanks to Joe Trotter & CC Clarke for providing photos of the parade.
View more event pictures HERE.

DROP ZONE:
Perch Base Submarine Veterans (USSVI) Life Members Chris Gahan, David Heighway, Carl Miner and Joe Trotter staffed a table at the 2024 Drop Zone event on June 1, 2024, held at the American Leadership Academy Applied Technologies Campus located in Mesa, AZ.
Drop Zone is a one-stop resource fair for veterans, seniors, and residents of Arizona’s 5th District. Participants had access to many valuable resources in one location: VA benefit consultations, health screenings, Taxpayer Advocacy Services, community support organizations, employment assistance, and more!
View more pictures HERE.

WWII ARIZONANS ON ETERNAL PATROL:
The first line of the USSVI CREED is "To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country."
Our Tolling of the Boats ceremony on Memorial Day is conducted at the Mark 18 Torpedo Monument placed by the WWII Submarine Veterans at the National Cemetery of Arizona in the Purple Heart Circle.
On the south end of the Mark 18 Torpedo Monument is a plaque of the Arizona submariners that were lost during WWII.
Follow the links, below, for a biography of each of these Arizona submariners lost during WWII:
Abad, Basil M. S2 Miami
Arney, Buford S2 Florence
Bailey, John B. TM3 Bisbee
Collom, Perry A. TM2 Somerton
Fausset, Eugene R. M3 Peoria
Gonzales, Ermino SC3 Winslow
Gregg, Ira N. CEM Phoenix
McGahan, James E. QM3 Phoenix
McGrath, Thomas P. Lt. Tucson
Orth, Louis R. SC1 Douglas
Porter, James T. MM1 Ltchfld Pk.
Rodrigues, Frank W. S1 Morenci
Rogers, Mervin M. S1 Central
Skjonsby, Verne Lt. Cmdr. Phoenix

MEMORIAL DAY:
Perch Base USSVI participated in the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the National Cemetery of Arizona, including Tolling of the Boats, on Monday, May 27, 2024.
Governor Joy and Howard Doyle conducted the Tolling of the Boats ceremony.
View more details and pictures HERE.

BOAT SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
The purpose of the Boat Sponsorship Program (BSP) is to make the active duty submarine force members aware of USSVI and provide them with information about our activities through sponsorship of the American Submariner to the various Submarine related organizations. After all, these force members represent the future core membership of USSVI.
Perch Base is a sponsor, but did you know that individual members may sponsor each Fast Attack Submarine and/or each crew of the Boomers? Magazines are also sent to VA hospitals, NROTC units, schools and other places. The cost is $30 per year for a total of 12 magazines (three each of the four annual volumes.)
Our Perch Base Holland Club & Life Member Jack Messersmith is the USSVI BSP Program Manager. Let’s make Jack proud. Check your copy of the American Submariner to sign up for the program.

VISIT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
Come and visit, LIKE and FOLLOW our new Facebook Page, USSVI Perch Base Arizona.
Building a successful Social Media network for any organization is no longer a "we’ll think about it" topic. Today, it is a MUST DO for all nonprofit organizations, including United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI) and its Bases. It is critical if we want to expand our membership growth and communicate our unique mission story in an effective and cost-effective manner.

WE TRAINED FOR THIS!
With all the recent activity and cancellations as a result of the Corona Virus, this speaks for itself!

JOIN US AT A MEETING.
We meet the second Saturday of every month at 1200 hours (noon if you’ve been out a while) at Dillon's Restaurant, 20585 North 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308-6821 (Left-click address, or the map above, for a Google map to Dillon's.) Come at 1100 for time to "socialize."
NOTE: Check our SAILING ORDERS page before "dropping in" on a meeting!

LT(jg) GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH
In the upper picture, above, the crew of the USS Finback (SS-230) rescues downed pilot, Lieutenant Bush of Torpedo Squadron 51 on September 2, 1944 after Japanese antiaircraft defense shot down his torpedo bomber between the northeastern end of Minami Jima and the southern tip of Chichi Jima. (Left-click the picture to enlarge.)
In the bottom picture, Rescued pilots and the crew and officers of the Finback. Lt. (jg) George Herbert Walker Bush is second from the left in the front row.
Bush, and 4 other rescued aviators remained on the Finback as "guests" while she tracked and attacked convoys, endured depth charges from Japanese escort ships, and sank two ships (an oiler and small cargo ship). The five ended their stay on the Finback on Midway Island on September 29, after 29 days aboard the submarine (and crossing the international date line).
Read more about how the submarine service performed "Lifeguard Duty" during WW2 in the National Archives HERE.