4/16/2023: This review is a special one in that the person who did it was the Editor of my book about the Tunny I wrote and published in 2018.  Former Tunny crewmember Gerry Young spent hours upon hours over an extensive period of time reviewing my writing and made considerable improvement to the book and its contents.  Here is Gerry's review he wrote that was published on the Naval Historical Foundation page at one time: Note that Gerry is a very accomplished writer and author himself.

“USS TUNNY: A History, Tribute, and Memoir”

By Raymond Vance Olszewski

USS TUNNY (SSG-282) Crewmember 1958-1962

Reviewed by Gerry A. Young CAPT, USNR (Retired)

Author of the novel  “Deep Secrets”

This massive book is obviously a labor of love on the part of the author. Much of it is formatted like a scrapbook, covering almost thirty years of naval history. The book covers:

TUNNY’s operations in World War II, where the boat was honored by earning two Presidential Unit Citations, making it one of the most decorated submarines of that war. Two of the Commanding Officers of TUNNY during this period received the Navy Cross.

The operations of the boat after it was converted to a Regulus-missile carrying boat and designated an ‘SSG,’ indicating that it was carrying guided missiles. These Regulus missiles were fitted with nuclear warheads. Along with several other similarly-configured submarines, TUNNY made a number of deterrent patrols in the Northeast Pacific. Those who served on TUNNY and her sister SSG’s and SSGN during those operations are eligible to wear the Deterrent Patrol insignia, as are those who made patrols on SSBN’s. These are the patrols which the author participated in as the ship’s yeoman.

TUNNY’s operations as an APSS (Amphibious Platform Submarine), later changed to LPSS (Landing Platform Submarine). These mostly involved working with UDT or SEAL teams close inshore in both South Vietnam and North Vietnam. The submarine was awarded with a Meritorious Unit Commendation and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (unit award). Both commanding officers of TUNNY during that time received Bronze Stars with a Combat ‘V.’

The final disposition of TUNNY and some sidelights on her legacy, as well as short biographies of the Commanding officers, Executive officers, and Chiefs of the Boat on TUNNY.

This book has a unique way of explaining the history of the boat, with anecdotes or sidebar information that give insights into the actions and personalities of many of those who served on TUNNY when it was an SSG and an APSS. By the time Ray started on the book most of the WWII crew had, as submariners say, gone on their ‘Eternal Patrol,’ so the WWII portion of the book is less able to offer particular insights that reveal the ‘personality’ of the crew. Where possible, Ray has inserted details on many of the officers and enlisted, including anecdotes regarding some specific situations. Some of these involve pranks or unusual actions on the part of the crew.

The author, as a former yeoman, was able to access the personnel records of the TUNNY throughout its career, and to identify which patrols the various crewmembers participated in. He was also able to include information on every one of the hundreds of submariners who served on TUNNY throughout its distinguished career.

The book is a bit overwhelming in its size, but is well worth taking the time to go through. It’s almost 700 pages long, and the page size is almost  twice the size of a typical hardcover book, making this the equivalent of over a thousand ‘normal’ pages. The author was able to include photos and images of various memorabilia, which helps to break up the text and make it more readable.

The main value of the book is to bring a realistic view of what was entailed in the missile patrols and, later, the UDT/SEAL operations. To my knowledge, no other book offers these insights. It’s one thing to make a long patrol on an SSBN, but something else altogether doing it on a diesel boat that must regularly snorkel or surface, and, in the case of the SSG, operating in one of the most difficult weather areas in the world’s oceans.

So far as the discussion of the APSS/LPSS era goes, I should mention that I served on TUNNY from January 1967 to November 1968, as Weapons Officer and as Engineering Officer on her, and can testify that the author portrayed our operations quite accurately.

The primary readers of this will be those who actually served on TUNNY, which is what I believe the author intended. I think it will also be a valuable resource for those who want some unusual insights into diesel submarine operations.

THANK YOU AGAIN, GERRY! YOU 'DA BEST!  Illegitimi non Carborundum

2/4/2023: Received this from a former shipmate who I served with at Naval Air Station Sanford, Florida in the '60s.  Great guy then and even a better one now. This 'seasoned Yeoman Second Class YN2(SS) hopes you enjoy his review of my book.: 

“  I am a Retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4) having served 26 years. Among other things I served onboard the nuclear submarine (a boomer) USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN623)(Blue) and qualified in submarines in December 1965. 

     What was so special about receiving Ray’s book, is that we served together at the Naval Air Station, Sanford, Fl in the early 60’s. Sanford was my first command after a “A”school and I was a “boot” Yeoman Seaman (YNSN) compared to a seasoned Yeoman Second Class (YN2(SS)) sub sailor. How fortunate we hooked up after almost 60 years; and also how blessed to be in our 80’s and not on “eternal patrol.”

     How ironic I went on to be a sub sailor like my shipmate Ray and joined a special class of men who are brothers linked by a camaraderie unknown by many. 

      I not only enjoyed the book but I learned so much about the life of a non-nuclear sub sailor whose service on a diesel submarine is like no other. Their services and sacrifices like those who served in TUNNY should never be forgotten. They so notably earned their saying of “DBF”   Diesel Boats Forever.

      This book is a well thought out researched masterpiece that is an excellent tribute not only to the men who served in TUNNY but also to the submariners throughout the fleet. 

Charles G. “Van” Vanderbrink

CWO4, USN(RET)

Zephyrhills, Florida”

8/10/2021: Received from his son, Tim Turner, this photo of the Charlie Brown Award presented to Lieutenant Ed Turner who served on Tunny during the SSG Era. 

2/7/2021:  From Richard "Dick" Dawe who served on Tunny during the SSG years.  Here is what he had to say after receiving the Tunny History Book.

Ray, Your book is great. I look through it ,almost every night .Thanks for doing such a complete job of researching the Tunnys history. Attached ,are a couple of pictures from the past.  (the photos Dick is referring to were taken by him at one of our annual Luau's there at Bellows Air Force Base.  Who remembers those great times? Click here to take you to that page. 

 

 

 

Ray,
Marion Cartland brought your book on the USS Tunny to our Perch Base USSVI meeting today.
Although I can’t credit performing a “critical review,” I was in awe at the size and apparent level of detail that you put into the book.
Well Done!
Dan Marks,
Webmaster, https://www.perch-base.org

9/4/2020:  Heard from former submarine officer Frank Hood, Base Commander of the Marblehead Base, Marblehead, Massachusetts regarding John Hooper "Hoop" Cutler who departed on Eternal Patrol earlier this year.  Frank a former submarine officer wrote the following about Hoop's Eternal Patrol Memorial Event that was extracted from his email and thought to share it with Tunny readership:  First of all, Thank You for your service on the G Boats.  You guys had heavy sea time and never got the recognition that you deserved. So, from a fellow American and submarine veteran, Thank You. Hoop was a key member of our Base.  A native Marbleheader, he was born, raised, and lived there all his life.He was the Chief of the Marblehead Fire Dept for years. He was respected and loved by all who knew him. Unfortunately, he passed away in late July.  We held our Eternal Patrol Ceremony at the Westside Cemetery where he was laid to rest.  There were about 200 people graveside.  Firemen, Masonic brothers, a local Navy Reserve with flags,  about 21 of us sub vets, and family and friends.  All of these groups had a turn at honoring Hoop, and it lasted over 2 hours. Unfortunately also, there was a driving rainstorm throughout the entire ceremony. We all were soaked to the bone, but not one man complained.  Green Board, Frank Hood. 

Boat Yeo Note:  Frank and his brother Charles co-authored Sub Tales: Stories that Seldom Surface which was published in 2019 and is available for purchase.

Boat Yeo Honor Bio for former Tunny crew member John Hooper Cutler.

8/14/2020:  Heard from Kevin Gorby, former SSN 682 crewmembe,r who writes and sent the photos shown below of some LPSS Memorabilia. He says:   I hope you are well. I was poking through your book this morning as I do from time to time. I was looking at the section of Tunny in the APSS [corrected to LPSS] years. On page 342 you write "Only patches and some coffee cups were known to have been created that contained these insignia. There were no pins or other related items known to have been created." I wanted to share with you my ash tray and lighter from APSS 282. They have been in my collection for about 4-5 years. Obtained separately on Ebay. They look period and authentic although I am no expert. Just wanted to share with you. Always love going to your book as a resource and history. Please let me know the pictures came through okaay. Take care, Kevin. 

Boat Yeo's Note:  I blew up the great photo of the ashtray to capture what I think is the best image of Tunny's LPSS Era Ship's Patch/Insignia.  The other photo to the right is a blow up of the patch that is on the lighter.  Still looking for a good image of Tunny's LPSS Era Ship's Patch if anyone has one.

8/12/2020:  SAD NEWS! Velton Parker, a former Steward's Mate who served on Tunny (SSG-282) departed on Eternal Patrol this day. Velton had been scheduled to go home from the hospital but God took him away.  God speed Velton.  You were a great submariner and truly a wonderful shipmate. More images of Velton can be found in the Tunny SSG Photo Gallery on this website.

7/24/2020:  SAD NEWS! Tunny's last surviving World War II Veteran Frederick Henry Voskuhl has departed on Eternal Patrol.  His obituary and some additional information: 

22 July 2020:  Eureka!  Another piece of USS Tunny (SSG-282)'s history found! USS Tunny (SSG-282) conducted a back-to-back Regulus Missile Deterrent Patrol from 4 November 1961 to 12 January 1962 in the North Pacific Ocean.  This constitued Tunny's 6th Regulus Patrol departing from Yokosuka, Japan and returning to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  For that mission, Tunny and her crew, under the command of LCDR Douglas Stahl, and LCDR Robert D. Melim, received the following Commendation from COMSUBPAC who was Rear Admiral Roy S. Benson, USN.  Herewith the citation for that award:

9 February 1962:  On board during deterrent strike mission for which the following citation was presented this date by Rear Admiral Roy S. Benson, U.S. Navy: 

"The Commander Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in awarding the COMSUBPAC UNIT COMMENDATION to U.S.S. TUNNY (SSG-282) for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For exceptionally meritorious service as a member of the Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet during the Winter of 1961.  In carrying out an assignment of great value to the government of the United States, U.S.S. TUNNY demonstrated outstanding performace which resulted in complete success in her endeavors.  Through the combination of operational readiness, cooperation and reliability, achievements of U.S.S. TUNNY reflect great credit upon her Commanding Officer, officers and crew and are in keeping, with the highest traditions of this force and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ROY S. BENSON

Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Boat Yeo's note:  This citation was found in a copy of Olszewski's personnel records (Page 13) he obtained from the National Archives.  Regret that this did not get into his book, USS TUNNY's History. Everyone's name who made that patrol (#6) can be found in Tunny's History, published as USS TUNNY: A History, Tribute, and Memoir by Ray Olszewski. Everyone one of those individuals would have that in their personnel records as well.

"Hoop" served as a Torpedoman Third Class Petty Officer on Tunny from 1962 through 1963 and made two Regulus Deterrent Strike Patrols, #7 and #8. 

6/12/2020: Received the following from former Tunny Electrician's Mate, Greg Kerkof, who served on Tunny when she was an APSS/LPSS in 1968 and 1969.  Greg reported to Tunny as an EMFN, became qualified in submarines in 6 months time, was promoted to EM3, and made 8 SPECOPS under the commands of Green and Tate.  Here is Greg's email:

Ray,

5/30/2020:  Here is a note from Dennis Urffer who served on Tunny during the APSS Era from 1968 to 1969. :

5/27/2020:  Former Tunny crew member William "Bill" Foley, LT(jg), USNR sent the following comments on the Tunny book and added even more to its history.  Bill, who is now 91, served under both Jim Osborn and Walt Dedrick in the mid-1950s when Tunny was undergoing integration of the Regulus Missile System at Point Hueneme, CA.

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK

The book USS TUNNY is a monumental work. It is a history book, an encyclopedia and a reference manual. Truly a major accomplishment! I can't imagine how much time and effort it must have required to gather all of that information and put it together in this massive, coherent and monumental work.

I was struck by how many ways  my career and yours overlapped, so the book brought back many memories. Both of us spent time in an out of  Yokosuka, Japan; me during time on the USS Iowa before I joined Tunny and you on Tunny. We both went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut, and we share the experience of ascending to the surface from between a 50 and 100 foot depth in the Submarine Escape Tower – an experience one never forgets! I visited Pearl Harbor on several different occasions: in 1948 on the USS Springfield, again in 1952 on the USS Iowa and finally in 1955 on the USS Tunny. You were based there on Tunny.  My first trip into sub-base Pearl was very exciting and something I will never forget. We both spent time in Honolulu at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, although as an officer, more of my recreation time was spent next door at the Moana.  One can't serve on a vessel like Tunny without having it affect their life in a very major way.

I must admit that once I left the navy, however, I gradually forgot about submarines and missiles, because Sputnik went up and off we went with the space race. I left to return to graduate school, which had been interrupted by the call to Korean war duties This time at Stanford University in California. While at Stanford I finished both a Masters degree and PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics and then left there in 1958 for the Hartford, Connecticut, area and joined United Technologies Research Center. United Technologies was very heavily involved in all aspects of the space race. We developed the spacesuits, the solid booster rockets used to launch the space capsule into orbit,  the small liquid rockets used for maneuvering in space,  the fuel cells that powered the space capsule, some of the guidance systems, etc. Once in Connecticut my time was fully taken up by various aspects of the space race and I completely forgot about the missile program. I had a very rewarding career at United and after 30 years retired from there in 1986 and went into business for myself.

MY INTEREST IN TUNNY RETURNS

My first wife, who died a decade ago, and I had four sons.  Number three son is a doctor based in Maine.  He is an army medical corp reserve officer and when the Corona Virus hit in New York City he was called to active duty and sent to one of the hospitals there. While there he had some free time to start digging into military history and looked into both the Iowa and the Tunny, knowing that I had served on both. He's the one who located the YouTube video “USS Tunny launches Regulus” and he sent it on to his brothers and to my current wife. Both my wife and my youngest son spotted my presence in that video and that caused me to start digging back into the archives and the history which is how I found your book about the Tunny. I also pulled up Capt. Osborn's obituary and was really impressed to find out how significant a career he had; it went on for many years after he and I parted company in 1955. Digging back into all of that history has been a very enriching experience for me and it was particularly rewarding to find out what a significant role the Tunny and its sister ships played in the Cold War. At the time I was on Tunny our focus was on developing an operable cruise missile launching system, but we were already looking toward the day when  ballistic missiles and  nuclear powered submarines would be mated and enter service.  In fact, we had more than one discussion with BuShips about the George Washington which they were then designing. As a result, I don't think we appreciated  what a significant future role the Tunny and its sister ships would play for a number of years in our US deterrent strategy. It was rather rewarding to find that in a minor way I had been part of a major  development in the US' strategy and tactics for the Cold War.

MY BACKGROUND

I was a Minnesota farm boy who graduated from high school in 1947 and that fall entered the University of Minnesota to study Aeronautical Engineering. During my program of study I was an    NROTC Midshipman, which led to my graduating in the spring of 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as an Ensign, United States Naval Reserve. At that time I had already completed a year of graduate training in engineering. My first assignment was to the USS Iowa which was in Korean waters. I traveled via troop transport from San Francisco to Japan and picked up the Iowa in Yokosuka, Japan, when it came off patrol in the summer of 1952. That was it's base of operations. I spent the rest of that year and into the following year as a gunnery officer on Iowa in Korean waters. After our tour of duty was completed in Korea, we returned to the United States, passed through the Panama Canal and took up residence in Norfolk, Virginia.

As I joined the Iowa I  applied for Navy flight training. While in Korea we operated with a carrier task force and I became aware of the  life risks of becoming a naval aviator. At that time one out of four people who entered flight training would eventually lose their life in an aviation accident. After reflection on those risks, I canceled my application for flight training once we got to Norfolk and applied for submarine training instead. In January 1954 I entered the submarine school completing training in the end of February 1954. Because of my background as an aeronautical engineer and gunnery officer and the knowledge that the USS Tunny was now developing missile launching capability for the U.S. Navy, I requested and received assignment to the USS Tunny. On Tunny I was officially the Supply Officer with secondary duties as the Electronics Material Officer, Assistant Missile Officer and Assistant Engineering Officer. As you know, submariners all wear several hats.  Because of my background, I quickly became totally engrossed in the Tunny's missile program. I hardly remember anything about my official position as Supply Officer.

LIFE ON TUNNY

On Tunny I quickly found myself working very closely with Capt. Osborn,  George Clegg, who was serving as our missile officer, and Dick Whiteside, who was our engineering officer. My recollection is that George Clegg had actually been to warhead school (I thought that he had been to training for the nuclear warheads, but it is possible it was a lesser training program just for our non-nuclear warheads.) and I used to assist him in preparing the missiles for all of our launches when we were at sea. Also, Jack Welch, who work for Chance Vought, quickly became a close friend. He went to sea with us many times. He and his wife Patty lived across the corridor from us in our apartment complex in Oxnard, California. I remained a close friend of Jack for many years as he rose in rank and eventually became Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force.

I was aboard Tunny when it went to Mare Island to have the Trounce Guidance System installed. It is my recollection that it incorporated the first fully electronic computer installed in a Navy ship for weapons control. When we receive the system there were no procedures for checking the accuracy of  it.  Capt. Osborn and I worked hard to develop such procedures so that we could be sure that the computer was working properly before each missile launch. That effort lead to many late nights when we were in port getting ready for test launches.

 The missiles that we were launching were actually small aircraft with retractable landing gears so that we could do the launch and fly the mission, then an airplane would position itself in formation with the missile and take control of the it via radio link and land it on an airport at some location, generally San Nicolas Island when we were operating out of Point Mugu.  This recoverable feature saved the Navy a lot of development dollars, A Naval Aviator named Robie was our primary chase pilot.  Unfortunately, while on a flight to Texas, his F9F airplane exploded and Robie was killed – a big loss to the project.

In the already mentioned YouTube Video  “USS Tunny launches Regulus” I appear as the Missile Guidance Officer about five minutes and 20 seconds into the video and again for a longer time at eight minutes and 37 seconds. You can see me facing the camera wearing headphones. George Clegg the Missile Officer, is on my left, your right as the viewer, in those videos. On one of the missile shoots we had a gyro failure and the missile instead of turning out to sea  headed for the Hollywood Hills and I was unable get it to turn back on course.   I immediately wanted to dump the missile and destroy it for fear it would hit the land, since it was operating as a low altitude cruise missile. Imagine  what would have happened if we had killed John Wayne or destroyed Warner Brothers! At that point we had the Division Commander, whose name I don't remember, aboard and he resisted my dumping the missile and had the Chase airplane come alongside and see if it could take command,  which he could not. Eventually, as it got close to the coast (with me feeling very uncomfortable because the missile was still airborne and headed right for Hollywood,) he allowed me to dump it into the sea, hopefully not hitting any small  fishing boats that were near the California coast. We got no complaints so I guess we hit nothing! Those were the kind of tense moments that occurred periodically during the development of  missile launch capabilities.

I remember operating out of  Pearl Harbor in 1955 on Tunny. I found it very exciting to actually navigate in and out of historic sub-base Pearl. That was the trip in which Capt. Osborn was replaced by Capt. Dedrick who I had known previously and who I respected a great deal. As already mentioned, we had been consulting with BuShips on how to layout the missile center on the first polaris submarine, the George Washington. At that time it was understood that Capt. Osborn would be the Commissioning Officer on that submarine and he made known to me that he would like me to join him as his Missile Officer when that occurred. By then I had decided I wanted to leave the Navy and return to graduate school and pursue a scientific career. Capt. Osborne was very upset with me for making that decision, rather than remaining in the Navy and joining him on the George Washington.

In September 1955 I completed my qualification in submarines and receive my Dolphins. I don't remember the award event, but assume it was Capt. Dedrick who pinned the Dolphins on me. I left the ship soon thereafter, in August 1955, and moved to Palo Alto, California, to attend graduate school at Stanford University. I did continue to be active in the Naval reserve and was assigned to the submarine Division 12-31, at Mare Island.

My program of studies at Stanford lasted for three years. I remained active in the reserves during that period of time. In September 1956 I was assigned the USS Tunny as my active duty station for training. It was great to return to the old home and to see all of the officers I had served with during the previous two years. At that point in time LCDR Blair was the XO  and CDR Walt Dedrick  was CO.

After leaving California for Connecticut I did not find a suitable reserve billet, so I became inactive.  The Navy did consider recalling me because of  the Vietnam  war, but by then my  research work was considered too vital to  national defense and the Navy dropped the request to return me to active duty.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Some random thoughts on the characters that I got to know on Tunny. Capt. Osborn was a “Nervous Nellie” and rather mercurial in temperament. But a very bright and stimulating person to work with. We got along very well.  Walt Dedrick, on the other hand, was very calm and collected and also great to work with. Sam Bussey as Executive Officer was very laid-back, calm and again easy to work with. The same was true for George Clegg. Gerry Patten had worked with the Los Angeles Police Department before his active naval service and was always known as “Dragnet” because of that association. I didn't remember he became XO, per your book .Our cook seemed to like serving Chocolate Mousse and one  night Dragenet was heard to remark “Not that Moose Shit again!” From then on Chocolate Mousse was known as “Moose Shit” in the Tunny wardroom.

Of the enlisted men on Tunny, Virgil Klotzner was the one I remember best; he was known as “Dutch”. He loved to ride pogo sticks and would put a little propeller spinner on his white sailor hat while he was riding the pogo stick. The Marines at the base gate on a couple of occasions wrote him up for being out of uniform when he showed up with his  propeller hat riding a pogo stick.  At one point Dutch road his pogo stick out in front of a parade in which Gov. Richard Nixon was riding in a horse-drawn carriage. The horses freaked and Dutch was  arrested for disturbing the peace.  As I recall, I had to go to court and bail Dutch out!  He was such a character and always in trouble doing crazy things like that, but a very effective electronics technician! He saved the day for us on multiple occasions when we had a hold during a planned missile launch because the electronics were down!

Such was life on Tunny!

William M Foley, LT USNR

3/21/2020:  Received sad news that a former shipmate to many of us, George Walker Sowards, departed on Eternal Patrol on 20 March 2020.  Here is the email I received from Edris Hanick:  "I wanted you to know that George passed away in his sleep March 20, 2020 from natural causes. He was extremely happy during his last years just being a Dad and Grandpa, and absolutely thrilled when he became a great Grandpa in November.  Also, one granddaughter joined the Army 2 yrs ago, and while he thought she should have joined the Navy he was so proud of her. As I have told you before we have been divorced for 40 yrs,  but it was me that spent the last few months with him. Due to the medical crisis we can not have a funeral or burial at this time, but when the time comes he will be interred at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will follow. His will ended with:  To my sons Mike and Clint, run my business cautiously, profitabily and with tight purse strings--and take care of your mother. Your book was always on the table by his chair and he spent many hours reading and looking. He was a good man and I am sorry for your loss, as well as ours."  A Boat Yeo's Honor to George Walker Sowards who served on Tunny from 1958-1959 has been prepared and mailed to the family.  Click here to see George's Honor and others who have departed on Eternal Patrol.

3/2/2020:  My cousin, Bill Olszewski, who is mentioned on page 33 in USS TUNNY: A History, Tribute, and Memoir wrote the following:  "I found the book very interesting and documents a slice of American history that most people know little about.  With your hard work, long hours and excellent research you were able to write about the USS Tunny, its crew, your experiences and family history.  I recommend your book to all those who are interested in Navy history or being a submariner, friends and family of the crews and of course all of our relatives.  Your book serves as a testament to the dedication of those that served on the USS Tunny which made the United States that much safer.  God bless them and God bless the USA.  Bill and his wife, Joanne live in Milpitas and Bill, himself, served in the U.S. Army.  He is now enjoying retirement afte retiring from CISCO.

2/8/2020: Just received input from my newspapers auto research on the Tunny name and the following articles from the early 1950s showed up.  You can simply download them as they were clipped out of www.newspapers.com. 

Note (1): George E. Cox served on Tunny SSG 282 from 6 March 1953 to 1 February 1955 as an Electronics Technician.

Note (2): Virgil Kirkpatrick served on Tunny SSG 282 from 21 Feb 1956 to 17 December 1956.  He became qualified in submarines while serving on Tunny as a Seaman.

Note (3): Robert C. Kindley served on Tunny from 1953 to 1954 as a Seaman.  He qualified in submarines while serving on Tunny.

Note (4): J.D. Harper was Jerry D. Harper, a former Guided Missileman, who served on Tunny from 1955 to 1957.

Note (5): The Bronze Star receipient was Lieutenant Commander Leland Perley Robinson, USN who served on Tunny during its first two war patrols during WW II. 

1/25/2020:  Happy New Year everyone!  Hope you all are doing well.  I found a news article published in 1970 by the Miami Herald about former Tunny Commanding Officer, John Franklin Tate (You guys remember him, right?).

10/31/2019: The photo shown to the left and the write up found below was initially posted on Facebookto mark the occasion when I stopped by the Community Library located in my home town of Natrona Heights (Birdville) near Pittsburgh, PA.  Vicki and I were returning to Eagan, MN after our two week trip to Savannah and St. Marys, Georgia where I had two book signings, one in St. Marys and one in Charleston at the Tunny's Reunion.  Book sales were excellent and to those who purchased them, most appreciated.  Here is the Facebook post:

"Author Ray Olszewski donated a copy of his book to the Allegheny Community Library, 1522 Broadview Blvd, Natrona Heights, PA on 30 October 2019. In the photo with Ray is Suzy Ruskin accepting it for the Library. Ray, a 1957 graduate of Har-Brack High School (now Highlands) and born and raised in Natrona Heights (Birdville) said it took him 10 years to write the history of the Navy’s first guided missile submarine which he served on from 1958 to 1962 in Hawaii. Ms Ruskin said the 682 page book will be made available to check out for reading. Ray who lives in Eagan, Minnesota is a supporter of the Library and has made monetary contributions in the past to the community library. Ray and Nancy Burns Ingerson were visiting the area after traveling from St Mary’s, GA where Ray attended his book signing event at the submarine museum there. A copy of Ray’s book is also on display at the Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Museum in Tarentum. For more information and book reviews and comments can be found on Ray’s website, www.olszewskienterprises.com. The Naval Historical Foundation recently posted a book review of this book titled USS Tunny: A History, Tribute, and Memoir. at the Foundation's website: www.navyhistory.org." The NHF review was posted by former Tunny crewmember, Gerry Young.  Reviews and comments are welcome.  Click here to take you to the NHF's website."

8/22/2019:  This is not related to a comment but an update. Tunny WW II crewmember, Donald F. Brown, YN, USN departed on Eternal Patrol on 19 August 2019.  Prior to this he was thought to have departed earlier as attempts to contact him and his relations were without success. Until Brown's departure, he and former WW II Tunny Vet Fred Voskuhl were the last remaining veterans from that Era.  Fred resides in Pittsburgh and turned 96 this past March.  Here is an announcement found on the Internt for Brown's passing published by Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

Donald F. Brown, age 94, passed away at Brookdale Senior Living Community, Richland, Washington, Saturday, August 17th, 2019. He passed peacefully from natural causes with family at his side. Don was born on August 27th, 1924 in Yakima, WA, and was the son of Fredrick and Gertrude Brown. Don attended school in Wapato, Washington. He completed his education, graduating from Wapato Senior High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the Submarine Service in support of the World War II effort. After completing his military service, he co-owned and operated Brown and Son’s Bar #213 with his father Fredrick and brother Frasier. He accepted a county job position for Yakima County Highway District at Wapato, WA branch. While there, he also continued operating his business “Don Brown’s Archery Shop.” After years of working in Wapato he retired and moved to the Ahtanum area of Yakima, WA. He enjoyed his continuing passion of building furniture, jewelry making and tending to his Arabian horse “Ebin.”  In 1947 Don married Clara E. Aasen, at the Lutheran Church in Wapato, WA. They celebrated sixty-three years of marriage, July 27th, 2010. Survivors include his son Fred L. Brown and wife RaeAnn of Yakima, WA; daughter Trudy M. Gilman of Prosser, WA; daughter Debbie (Rick) Burk of Kennewick, WA; and Don’s sister Billie Lee of Seattle, WA. Don had 17 grandchildren (and spouses) with 16 great-grandchildren. There are also numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Clara, his son Dennis, age 10, his parents, Fredrick and Gertrude Brown, brother and sisters, Frasier Brown, Edna Wardall, Lela Boucher and Betty Kechley, and of course his horses Ebin & Sox. Visitation service on Thursday, August 22, 2019 from 4 PM to 8 PM at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave. Memorial services will be held at 10 AM on Friday, August 23, 2019 at West Hill Cemetery, Yakima, WA.There are no words that can express our heart’s gratitude as to how caring the team of caregivers including Brookdale Senior Care, Heartlinks Hospice, friends and loved ones were during his final days. As you desire, a donation to Shriner’s Children Hospital can be made in lieu of sending flowers. Floral arrangements may be sent to Keith & Keith 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA.

What the obituary does not tell you is that Donald F. Brown served on Tunny (SS 282) in 1946 as a Boat Yeoman.  He reported to Tunny on 25 January 1946 and was part of Tunny's decommissioning crew.  On 12 December 1946, Brown was transferred to Submarine Administration, Mare Island.  Prior to Tunny, he had served on USS Bream (SS 243) (Dates unknown), USS S-32 (SS-137) (1943-1945), and after Tunny, USS Tinosa (SS 283).  He was a Yeoman Third Class Petty Officer.  The source of the other boats came from USSVI's Deck Log.  Don Brown was one of Tunny's longest surviving crew members who had served on her during WW II.  A photograph of him late in life can be found by clicking here.

8/3/2019: My Dentist, Dr. Skare, of Wood Park Dental, Eagan, MN wrote: "Hey Ray, love chatting with you and congrats on the book you wrote. It's fantastic!" Dr. Skare bought a copy of my book and shared with his father who loves military history.  The book will be on display at the Wood Park Dental Office, 4355 Nicols Road, Eagan, MN. Skare is a GREAT Dentist and his Dental Hygenist, Michele is the best.. 

8/2/2019:  Call received from former Tunny Engineman and former Tunny Tiger Mike Burkholder who's bio can be found on page 348.  Mike who served on Tunny '66-'67 and made Tunny's first three SPECOPS deployments now lives in Indiana and he thanked me for producing the book and gave me a "Well Done" for all the detailed research that went into my book. He is looking forward to meeting me personally in Charleston at the Tunny Reunion 2019.

4/21/2019: Your book is incredible! Love all the history and excerpts ~ your personal story is beautiful! Ensign Megan Rosenberger, USN, USNA 2017. I am proud to say that I was her 'first salute' the day she was commissioned as an Ensign, United States Navy.

3/19/2019: Karen Steelberg met with Rear Admiral and former Director of Naval Intelligence, Samuel Cox and personally presented to him a copy of my TUNNY book. Cox who retired from the Navy became the Director of the NHHC.  He was delighted to have received the book about Tunny and remarked that he could tell it was a lot of hard work.

Ms. Karen Steelberg presents a copy of the Tunny Book to Rear Admiral Sam Cox, USN (Retired), Director of the NHHC on Tuesday, 19 March 2019.

3/15/2019:  Visited the St. Marys Submarine Museum, St. Marys, GA and learned of the Director, Keith Post, plans for the popular venue.  By the way, the St. Marys Submarine Museum is the largest museum of its kind in the south, and the fifth largest in the country with nearly 5,000 square feet on 2 floors.  Keith told me the museum gets about 12,000 visitors a year. One of the features the museums boasts is that it has more than 99% of all WW II War Patrol Reports are housed there.  Some rennovation was being made to the street in front of the museum as well as the businesses that line the frontage of St. Marys Street. The two hour tour and discussion was most enjoyable and it was obvious from Post's enthusiasm that the museum will do well under his direction.  We were then joined for lunch by Vice Admiral Al Konetzi former COMSUBPAC.  And, he bought lunch for us.  During lunch he mentioned former Tunny CO, Bill Green as well as a former boss of mine, Chauncy Hoffman.  The admiral knew both the men very well.  He was most appreciative for the donation I made of my collection of a framed display of the North Pacific Yacht Club ship's patches.  As for Tunny's presence at the museum there was none but now there is and more will be sure to come to be displayed there.

Left to Right: Author Ray Olszewski, Petty Officer Corson, Vice Admiral Al Konetzni, Jr., USN (Retired), and Submarine Museum Director, Keith F. Post. Framed North Pacific Yacht Club (NPYC) display of the ship's patches of the USS TUNNY, USS BARBERO, USS GRAYBACK, USS GROWLER, USS HALIBUT.

Admiral "Big Al" Konetzni, Jr. served as COMSUBPAC 1998-2001.

2/8/2019:  In response to my email Tunny Book Update, Major General Gordon Nash, USMC (Retired) wrote the following: I have enjoyed every page of your book on the USS Tunny.  It is a fitting tribute to the brave Navy men and their families.  I have one minor correction.  My father and his bride were inured at the columbarium at the Naval Academy and not at Arlington National Cemetery. All the best and Bravo Zulu, Gordon Nash.

Gordon is the younger of two sons born to Norman Clarke and Mary Frances Hendrix Nash.  Norm served on Tunny during World War II and as the Tunny Book points out he made the first eight of Tunny's nine combat war patrols. Gordon's older brother, Donald Hendrix Nash a 1969 Naval Academy graduate who retired as a Navy Captain, died in June 2018.  He too is inured at the Naval Academy.

2/8/2019: Lowell Womack of Vestavia Hills, Alabama wrote: The finished product is way above my expectations. I am glad I bought it. Thanks for your work.

Lowell served on Tunny as a Lieutenant (junior grade) in 1962 and 1963 and he made two Regulus Deterrent Patrols.

2/7/2019: Absolutely beautiful book, Ray. I'm proud to own it. Excellent work. Jim 

This note was received from Jim Hendry who served on Tunny as an Sonar Technician in 1964 and 1965 when it was ending its service as an SSG and transitioned to an SS and then on to become an APSS shortly after.

2/3/2019:  Today is Super Bowl Sunday and former Lieutenant John Shaffer wrote me this email:   Ok, Ray;  received it [the Tunny book] in the mail yesterday. Wow, what a deal! It was packaged extremely well, and it is a very professional job. I spent a few hours checking out parts of it. Lots more to check later, for sure. It is an excellent job by you in detail and presentation, and represents a LOT of good work. Thank you for the effort. Time for you to rest your oars and watch some more football! More later; have a good one.  J.

Thank you John Shaffer.  Your contributions to it from the time when you served as Tunny's Missile Officer was a big help and most appreciative.  Enjoy.

1/31/2019:  Received this note from Al Eckert a former Interior Communications Technician (IC) who served on Tunny in 1962.  Al gratiously provided the contents of his personal diary he wrote during the Cuban Missile Crisis deterrent patrol (#7).  Here is what he sent about the book: "Ray, received the book today. What a surprise it was, beautifully wrapped and I couldn't believe how heavy it is. You did a great job on it and I doubt that you will get any complaints about it or the cost of it from anyone who receives it !. Iwant to thank you ever so much for all the information on me that you put in there. It sure made me feel worthwhile as to my time on that great Submarine. Thank you for all the work you put in to make this happen. It's guys like you that keep history current. I will be letting all my family read it as they really don't realize what we've done for service to OUR COUNTRY. Hope you have many more years to enjoy life, and maybe write a book of fiction that sells a million copies book about a Submarine adventure based on some of the information you've uncovered during the making of this book, your friend, Allen.

Thank you very much Allen. I feel as you do that there is not enough history our young generation is receiving in schools these days.  It is guys like us who take the time to explain and share how important it was serving our country to keep it free.  The sad part is that freedom is being slowly taken away every passing day. Glad you liked the book.

1/29/2019:  Received this note from Sandy Karamol, wife of former Tunny crew member and shipmate, Ed Karamol.  "Wow, did not expect it to be so big.  I turned one page and couldn't stop.  There is much for me to read.  I cried when I read about me.  My favorite is the Panther story.  My granddaughter took pictures of the stories.  Her husband was very impressed, also.  You out did yourself Ray.  A true story of history of a great sub and its crew.  Always a sailors wife.  Sandy.

Boat Yeo's Note:  Ed Karamol served as an Electrician's Mate on Tunny during the SSG Era.  Ed and Sandy live in Monclova, Ohio which is located just south of Cleveland. Ed was a member of the Ronquil's Panther Acquisition Team that is covered in Chapter Ten "The Genesis of Tunny's Mascot". 

1/29/2019:  Heard from Doug Stahl and his wife Joy who live in Chonburi, Thailand telling me they finally received their copy of my book.  Doug said, Thank you very much.

Doug Stahl served as Tunny's Executive Officer and later served as Tunny's Commanding Officer during the Regulus (SSG) years. That's Doug in the recent photos shown below of him taken by his wife Joy.

1/27/2019: Heard the following from Vern Calen (APSS/LPSS 66-69) (Gresham, OR):  Yes I did get it. Great book, only one error, I do not have Tunny klaxon! Thanks, Vern.

Boat Yeo's Note:  Only one error? There are probably many more (life of publishing).  Vern's point about not having one of Tunny's Klaxon's is true.  I misrepresented him having it in the book because it was actually Jim Hovis, former Electrician's Mate who served on Tunny from 1966 through 1969 and part of her decommissioning crew. Hovis and I communicated about him having it in August 2016. 

1/26/2019:  Received the following from Judy Sims, wife of Wayne Rogers Sims (1940-2015) who served on Tunny during the SSG years.  Hi Ray,   I just received the book and pictures and I am looking at it right now.   I am very impressed.  This was so much work,  a major undertaking. The picture presentation is beautiful.  I'm gonna have them framed for our girls.  Thank you so much.  You deserve a medal for all your time and effort.   Thanks again. Judy

Boat Yeo's Note.  With regards to 'the picture presentation' Judy asked me for any photos we had of Sims and I put together what I could find and put a Boat Yeo Honor Bio on him for Judy.  Click here to see it. 

1/18/2019: If you missed it, former Tunny CO, Bill Green celebrated his 88th birthday today (18 Jan 2019).  Here is what his son, Lyman wrote when he gave him a copy of the Tunny book:  Dad loves the book!! And granddaughters are happy to check out their grandad’s navy record. Thank you So much! Thank you! Big smile on Dad’s face!! Recent photo sent by Bill.

1/14/2019: Former submariner and historian James L. Christley writes the following, Dear Mr. Olszewski, The book arrived on Saturday.  Thank you very much for your kind gift. I expected, when you first approached me, a book of 20 to 25 thousand words and maybe 150 pages which told the story of Tunny.  Instead you have produced the most wonderful book of submarine history I have read (actually just started) since Clay Blair's "Silent Victory".  It will provide many hours of remembering how it was.  I was not a crew on Tunny but made two diesel boat wespacs in the mid 60's thus can identify with many of the things of the era in your book.  Viewed from the distance of 50+ years I can remember the fun times and wonderful folks better than the other side of the coin and your book brings back these memories.  Thank you!  We had a discussion about the accuracy of the Booklet of General Plans view of the conning tower.  I had never seen the Mk101 fire control Torpedo Data Computer mounted on the starboard side in any other boat or boat drawings.  However, your view and that of those you asked was completely correct.  On page 110 is a photo of the conning tower.  It is taken from the helm stand looking aft.  There, mounted on the starboard side is the TDC.  I like learning new things.  Thanks for this also. Now I wonder how many other boats had this arrangement.  Question:  Will the book, soft bound or hard bound be available for sale?  If so, where and how much.  I would like to bring the book to the attention of folks on two submarine bulletin boards if you have no objections. Again I would like to thank you so very much for your work in generating this book.  I feel like you have set the example of how a submarine's history should be written.  When and if I ever run across another I will see if it comes up to the measure of yours. I am honored to be a part of this effort. Thank you, Very Respectfully, Jim Christley, oldsubs.

Boat Yeo's Notes:  I approached Jim during my construction of the book and he agreed to provide me with the graphics which are included in it. The work Jim did significantly improved the presentation of information. His comments are most appreciative. According to the website found at www.worldcat.org, Jim Christley is listed as either the author and co-author of several books to include the following:  US Nuclear Submarines: the Fast Attack, US Submarines 1941-45, US Submarines 1900-35, US Submarines 1941-45, and US Nuclear Submarines.

1/13/2019: David Buehn (Lynwood, CA) APSS1968. OMG! That is all I have to say.....Awesome book! I know the effort that you had to put forth to complete and publish it. This will definitely transcend our life....and be a testament to our service on our boat, the USS Tunny. I took it to my local Riverside County Veteran Service Guys luncheon a few days ago. They are my advocates for getting my VA benefits. They perused the book for an hour....and none of them wanted to put it down. They were in the Air Force, USMC and Army. They've told me that out of the 18,000 vets that they've helped.....only a handful were "Submariners". It's going to take a few days to read it.....lol! And....thanks for all the personal notes about everyone....it really adds a "face" and "personality" to Tunny. It was a living-breathing boat.  I'm so glad you used some of my pictures. Like the one I took of the SEALS with the SDV on the rear deck. I'd just gotten a new Poraroid camera....and took it. Of course....luckily I'd scanned it to my laptop....as the fire got the original. I still tell people how blessed we were that I'd sent the deck-logs to you.....as the fire would have gotten them, too.

Boat Yeo's Note:  David Buehn is referring to a major fire at his place of business last year.  David also acquired Tunny's Deck Logs and shared them to allow me to identify the dates of the Unconventional Warfare Special Operations (SPECOPS) Tunny conducted in Vietnam and other information of historic value.  The left photo shown below is David taken when he was serving on Tunny during the Vietnam Era. Note that they are on the beach.  The bottom photo is David on the left posing with his former CO (Commanding Officer) William Carbine Green at one of Tunny's reunions. David and his wife, Sheila, live in Palm Desert, California.

1/12/2019: William Joseph Benzick (Le Seuer, Minnesota) SSG 1959-1961 wrote: I received my Tunny book today and want to say how I much enjoyed it. Of course there is much to digest but I want to tell you it is a wonderful publication bringing many great memories back. Thanks for the great work.  

Boat Yeo's Note:  Billl Benzick and the Author were shipmates on Tunny and today both live as 'neighbors' in the Twin Cities.  That is, when Bill and his wife, Linda, escape the cold weather to Tucson, Arizona and Vicki and I hang in there keeping the place warm in their absence. 

1/12/2019: Frank Kalinoski, son of former Tunny Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Alexander John Kalinoski (1952) wrote: Ray, I received your book in the mail this morning.  WOW!!  What an epic you have produced.  You are to be congratulated for a most outstanding effort and achievement - 4.0 with oak leaf cluster!!  I am so happy that I was able to help you in a very small way.  Thank you.  I wish my father was alive.  I am sure he would enjoy this read immensely.  He loved his submarines.  Frank Kalinoski.

Boat Yeo's Note: When I came across the information about A.J. Kalinsoski was a Tunny CO, I reached out using Ancestry.com and found his son, Frank.  Frank provided some of the background information about his father which is included in the Tunny book's bio.  Frank lives in El Cajon, California.

1/12/2019: Edward Wight Willis, Jr. (Jacksonville, Florida) APSS 1967-1969. Ray, I just received my book today and want to tell you and Gerry how blown away I am.  HOLY MOLLY and a bunch more exclamations.  I don't know what I was expecting but this is way over what ever it was I expected.  So.....hell of a good job.  Congrats and BZ's up the 'yeng yang'.  I noted that you worked with Mr. Life.  While I was working with MSC, we pulled into Murmansk, and standing on the pier was Mr. Life.  What a surprise!!! OK, again, great job with the book. EWW.

Boat Yeo's Note:  Ed Willis is know to many former Tunny shipmates as 'Shaggy Dog."  Ed lives with his wife, Jeanne, in Donalsonville, Georgia.

1/12/2019: Robert Jay Block (Sacramento, California) SSG 1957-1959.  Thank you, Ray.  Just got the book and it is beautiful.  Thanks again, Barb would have loved it! 

Boat Yeo's Note:  Bob Block and his wife Barb became one of my very first 'family friends' when I first came to Tunny in 1958.  Unfortunately, Barb passed away this past year.  Bob lives in Mount Vernon, Washington.

1/11/2019:  Robert Dale Duncan (Pocatello, Idaho) SSG 1963-1965.  Ray, I received my book yesterday afternoon - thanks to the packaging department as the book was wrapped so beautifully I had to take a picture of it before I took the ribbons off.  WOW is all I can about the book - I have had a hard time putting it down since I opened the package - just an amazing collection of "boat" info, operational info and last but surely not least is the biographical info of the officers and crew.  I am sure you are very proud of the product you have created, and I am so happy that you found the time to create the product.  GREAT JOB !!!!!!! The photo shows how the books are 'gift wrapped' when they are wrapped in bubble wrap and shipped.

Boat Yeo's Note:  My fellow Yeoman, Bob Duncan and his wife, Holly, live in Cape Coral, Florida.  They reviewed a very early draft of the beginnings of the manuscript which led up to the book's production. Their comments were very helpful 'getting postive and forward motion moving on the book's production.'

1/11/2019:  Alda Babusek is the wife of former Tunny crewmember Richard E. Babusek (Chicago, Illinois) Tunny 1959-1962 and wrote, I just wanted to let you know that the Tunny book arrived yesterday and it is very impressive!  Thank you for all of the trouble you took in getting it to us.  I hope you are successful in your sales.  I will for sure put it out at Dick's reception so that others might enjoy a bit of history.  She added, God bless you and all of your shipmates! Alda and Dick resided in Mission Viejo, California.

Boat Yeo's Note:  Dick Babusek departed on Eternal Patrol on 26 December 2018.  We tried hard to get a copy from the Printer's for him to review, but his departure on that Eternal Patrol came too soon. 

1/11/2019:  Gerry Arnett Young (Kansas City, Missouri) APSS 1967-1968 wrote: I got the books a few days ago, and have spent time going through the book thoroughly.  You're to be congratulated on this achievement.  I can only imagine the hundreds of hours you must have put in to put this together.  A terrific achievement!  I'll be bringing a copy of it to my USSVI breakfast meeting next Tuesday morning.  I'll let you know what their reactions were.  Gerry.

Boat Yeo's Note: Gerry Young volunteered to review and edit my manuscript drafts, actually several times. I cannot find the words to thank him enough for doing this for me. As a THANKS, I gave to him an "Un-numbered Complimentary" copy and a Limited Edition #003 copy of my book, plus a couple bottles of Black Label JD.  Gerry and his wife, Joyce, live in Commerce Township, Michigan.

1/10/2019:  Albert Ege Morgan (Coaldale, Pennsylvania) APSS 1966-1968 wrote, Hi Ray, book arrived today, lot more in it than I thought it would be. Thanks for the great write-up of the APSS years, and over all history.

Boat Yeo's Note:  Al Morgan  came to the Tunny from the Perch and served as an Engineman aboard the Tunny making nine (9) SPECOPS Deployments.  Al resides in Orwegisburg, Pennsylvania.

1/10/2019:  Robert James Roderick served on Tunny 1962-1964.  He wrote, the book arrived yesterday and it is awesome.  Thank you for what you have done. Tunny was my favorite boat period!!!! Have a blessed day.

Boat Yeo's Notes:  Karen is a former Intelligence Specialist who worked with me during those days at Naval Intelligence.  She is now retired and conducted hands on research at NARA for me in Maryland.

I received my copy of your book. Congratulations! What a difference to hold it in my hands in a hardback edition. Below is a post I put on the Tunny page on Facebook. Maybe it will generate a few sales for you. Kevin Gorby, Sr.

"I received my hardback copy of USS Tunny by Ray Olszewski. Congrats to Ray and what a treat of a book for any submarine vet. Ray contacted me a few years ago asking me to send him a scan of the original Tunny logo JJ Jenkins had unselfishly given me. I consider myself the caretaker until it moves on. To my surprise when I went to that section in the book Ray had included a story I shared with him where I had met George Beaman who was a torpedoman on Tunny in WWII and I later had the privilege to give his eulogy at his funeral on behalf of all Tunny sailors. What an honor. Thank you, Ray, and thank you for sharing the history and stories of the 282. You guys need to get a copy!

1/9/2019: Cynthia Sowden who provided editing services on early manuscript drafts.  She wrote, I received your package today, appropriately tied up in Navy blue and gold. Thank you! I didn't expect to receive a copy, so it was a very pleasant surprise. Now my husband Ralph will get to read the book. (He didn't while I was working on it.).  Cynthia's editing services can be acquired by contacting her at:  www.homegrowncommunications.biz.

Boat Yeo's Note:  Husband Ralph was an airdale who served on Navy aircraft carriers.

1/8/2019:  David Newell Kelley (Hartford, Connecticut) SSG (1960-1963) wrote to me about reserving copy #282 a few days after he placed his order for one of my books.  I thought about it and several days later I told Dave that he could have that number.  He had been talking with his wife on 1/6/2019 that he had hoped he could get that numbered book.  She said "no way."  Well, his wish came true. He wrote, "You made my day!"

Boat Yeo's Notes:  Dave, a Sonarman, remembered me and my red hair from the Tunny days sitting in the Yeoman Shack.  Hey Dave, was that you who kept hitting me on the back of my head while I sat in the Yeoman's Shack?

1/4/2019:  William Pollock a former submariner and I exchanged emails about former Tunny CO, John Addison Scott.  He wrote that he was "...well-acquainted with John Scott's exploits in Tunny.  I read all his patrol reports when I was in SUBSCHOOL in New London in 1958.  Unfortunately, I never met him.  I have forwarded your web page to members of his family.  Unfortunately, his son, MacGregor Scott, a Naval Academy graduate and submarine officer passed away a several years ago. His children and his sister and her children are the ones to whom I forwarded your web page link.  I don't know if they will be interested in spending $150 to obtain the book.  If they are you may directly hear from them." 

Boat Yeo's Note:  I told William Pollock that I appreciated his contacting John Scott's family about my book.  I also told him that the patrol reports very seldom mentioned names and that my book provided or filled-in that kind of information about who was serviing at the time on those six combat patrols.  I found a William Pollock served on the USS George Bancroft (SSBN 643) as a Lieutenant (junior grade) from 1968 to 1970. 

1/3/2019:  Mary Wrigely wrote the following message to me on ancestry.com, Hi Ray, just checking in on the publishing status of the book.  I gave my husband the card that you sent and he is so thrilled (as also is his mother - Paul's wife - Marla Myers) to take a look at the book.  Let me know...you've made a few Myers family members very happy for sharing this information.:)

Boat Yeo's Notes:  The family mentioned in this message are related to Paul C. Myers who was a guided missileman who served on Tunny during the SSG era.