During the month of April, the US Navy SILENT SERVICE takes note of its birthday and thanks to CDR STEVE JONES (2183-1992) and RADM W. G. ELLIS (new Member), we were guests at KINGS BAY Submarine Base. We noted that another of our SHARKHUNTERS Members had toured this base a week or two earlier - ADMIRAL FELIX GROMOV (2542-1992), Chief of the Main Staff (CNO) of the Russian Navy.

In the afternoon, CDR JONES gave a special tour of USS MARYLAND (SSBN 738) to myself and a small group of guests, including OBLT. HERBERT WERNER (18-1983). Why would a former German U-Boat Skipper want to tour one of the newest and most modern 'BOOMER' boats in the world? Read on - -

At right: OBLT zS HERBERT WERNER on the bridge of U-953

As our group toured the galley, the chef (and his wife) were preparing the evening meal - home made pizza and home made chocolate chip cookies! The chef's wife made sure that my kids each had a cookie, and a chef's hat. She was a nice lady.

As we reached the ship's library, SHARKHUNTERS made a gift of the book 'IRON COFFINS' to the ship, which HERBERT hand signed on the spot. The ship's Master Chief said that the book would not go onto the shelves of the library until he had read it through and through himself.

This submarine and her crew is a magnificent tribute to the US Navy and her first line of naval defense.

After our tour, we had the afternoon to rest before the formal SUBMARINE BALL that evening.

There were several contenders for the TABLE DECORATION award that evening. Officers of USS TENNESSEE (SSBN 734) had a six-foot-long model (sort of) of their boat with a remote control panel from which they could blast the diving alarm - and they DID - a lot! They could launch foam rubber missiles - and they did..... And they could launch torpedoes - which they aimed quite well at 'moving targets' in the dining room...great shots!

The officers and wives of USS MARYLAND wore cone hats, making them resemble the warheads of the TRIDENT missiles.

The table of the USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN 736) had a huge cardboard FLEET BOAT mock-up on it, which had on the tower USS BARB (SS 220)

The unofficial festivities began when the USS TENNESSEE table opened a concentrated barrage of dinner rolls across the room, catching the folks from USS MARYLAND completely off guard. Before MARYLAND could recover, TENNESSEE followed up with a concerted SILLY STRING attack, which pretty well covered the MARYLAND table - and all in between - with undershots of dinner rolls and drooping SILLY STRING.

When it was time for the toast to the SUBMARINE SERVICE there was a scramble at the TENNESSEE table as they had drank all their champaigne..and all the bottles of wine on the table as well. Much as these officers played hard in good fun, one had to just look above their heads and see the sign they hung over their table:

USS TENNESSEE REMEMBERS THE 52 BOATS AND THE 3,505 MEN WHO DID NOT RETURN

and all around this sign were 52 cut-out submarines, each with the name of one of the 52 American boats that did not return. Pride and tradition could be seen at this table and throughout the room.

These submarine officers are highly trained, totally motivated and absolutely professional submariners and this country can be most proud of them.

The Guest of Honor for the evening was ADMIRAL GALANTIN (new Member) one of the most well-known Skippers of World War II. His USS HALIBUT (SS 232) took such a terrible pounding from enemy depth charges it was a miracle - and a good measure of Skipper and crew - that this boat ever came back to the surface. She was the most severely damaged US Navy submarine to ever survive and return to port. She was so badly damaged that she was never repaired for combat duty.

While the atmosphere of the evening was light and full of fun, the underlying tradition was evident at every turn. These officers are an honor to the US Navy; and we tip our hat to RADM ELLIS for having such a great command; and another tip of the hat to CDR STEVE JONES for preparing a great evening.