Arizona Submarine Veterans
Perch Base
Phoenix, AZ
United States Submariners
USS O-5 (SS‑66)
Lest we forget to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit
of their duties while serving their country. . .
101 years ago, on Oct. 29, 1923, the USS O-5 (SS‑66) sailed off into history on her final and
eternal patrol.
She was rammed by the steamer Abangarez near Panama Canal and sank in less than a minute with the loss of 3 men.
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.
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.
EXTRA, EXTRA! Read all about it!
The new MidWatch newsletter is published. Click HERE to
read the new issue.
USS PHOENIX OVERHAUL
Thanks to Perch Base Life Member Kirby Anderson, who has provided a desparately 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.
HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY
Then USSVI National Commander Charles Marin, presents the Perch Base its Charter to Jim Newman and Frank
Rumbaugh -- Commander and Vice Commander -- of the Base on Sept. 23, 1995. The date of the charter, and Base
"birthday," is June 20, 1995.
Read more about the beginning of Perch Base
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.
RAY MARSHALL TRIBUTE BANNER
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, honors Veterans by displaying Military
Tribute banners in the Heritage District along Gilbert Road! Banners will be hung from May 21st to July 8th to coincide with the
display periods of Memorial Day and Independence Day. Banners will be taken down on July 8th and then put back up for 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.
USSVI
60TH ANNIVERSARY
USSVI was chartered on May 22, 1964. May 22, 2024 will be the 60th (Diamond) Anniversary.
Celebrate the event with a patch and/or challenge coin!.
To order the anniversary patch and/or challenge coin, see our Storekeeper, John Beckett, at the next meeting or send him an email
at
storekeeper@perch-base.org
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.
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.
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.
65 U.S. Submarines never returned to port. Click on Eternal Patrol and see pictures and stories of the "boats" that remain at sea . . . forever, on eternal patrol.
Need to reach us or have a question?
communications@perch-base.org
"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.
In addition to perpetuating the memory of departed shipmates, we shall provide a way for all Submariners to gather for the mutual benefit and enjoyment. Our common heritage as Submariners shall be strengthened by camaraderie. We support a strong U.S. Submarine Force.
The organization will engage in various projects and deeds that will bring about the perpetual remembrance of those shipmates who have given the supreme sacrifice. The organization will also endeavor to educate all third parties it comes in contact with about the services our submarine brothers performed and how their sacrifices made possible the freedom and lifestyle we enjoy today."
We honor those submariners
who have never
returned to port
and remain on
Eternal Patrol
IF YOU'VE EARNED THESE...
WE are an organization with but one simple requirement to join
— have you ever worn Dolphins?
(been designated, "Qualified in Submarines.")
All of us have served their country
in the Silent Service
...WE WANT YOU!
Because we are the "SILENT SERVICE," many people are unaware of the services our submarine Brothers of the 'Phin performed in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Thirty submarines served in the Korean War, as detailed on the Korean War Educator website *. Sixty-six submarines served in the Vietnam War, as detailed in a letter from United States Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Also check out the related SubVet_News-2019-030 regarding Agent Orange exposure by Blue Water veterans.
Click on this sentence, or the photo, below, to see how the float was constructed
To honor those who currently serve, and those who went before us, we built this
float that we use in parades and static displays. The float is a 1/15 scale model of the
nuclear powered submarine USS Phoenix (SSN-702,) named after our city.
The Phoenix was a Los Angeles-class submarine that was 362 feet long and,
on the surface, had 32 feet of the ship under water.
If you would like us to bring the USS Phoenix to your parade or event, contact our
Event Coordinator.
Need a description of the Perch Base
float, a scale model of the USS Phoenix (SSN-702)?
Click on the document icon, below, to get the approved
and authentic script suitable for parades or other public events.
Refer the event organizers to Float-Announcer-Script.pdf
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THE WEBMASTER? EMAIL webmaster@perch-base.org