Normally, this page is set aside for this segment but not this issue. For various reasons, there will be no First-Person story of the US Navy in KTB #125, but look for it in KTB #126 next month.

Instead however, I think the following letter of Membership PRIDE by JAMES KENNEDY (1908-1991) is a good example of the fun and fellowship we share throughout our group. JIM rode USS BLOWER at the end of World War II, and he was with us in Red China in 1992. Some of his memories are in this letter.

“First, let me say how proud I am to belong to an organization that has two ex-Presidents, RADM EUGENE FLUCKEY with a CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR and four NAVY CROSSES; RADM OTTO KRETSCHMER who won the KNIGHTS CROSS with OAK LEAVES and CROSSED SWORDS, FLEET ADMIRAL VLADIMIR CHERNAVIN who won the 32 POINT BRILLIANT STAR and HERO OF THE SOVIET UNION, ADM FRANK KELSO who in his photo looks like he is wearing the gold DOLPHINS of the Submarine Service.

I started out as a Seaman Apprentice wiping down diesel engines - in the bilges - on USS BLOWER. When people were needed for lookout duty, I volunteered. I loved being on the bridge to see and hear the officers work this magnificent machine. It is a time I will never forget. I was 17 at the time.

We had our share of close calls with fires, hatches not closing right, with water booming into the conning tower - but nothing like the North Atlantic in winter. I just don’t know how they did it!

I was one of the first CT’s (Communications Technician) in the submarine service. People didn’t know what we did or what we were for. I think our rate had a telephone pole over the chevrons. I went to ET school at Treasure Island in San Francisco, California. Boy was that ever a surprise. I was used to submarine food then went to a shore station with Marine guards. The food was bad and so were the Marines but you know, as soon as they saw my DOLPHINS they always smiled and treated us real good.

I didn’t stay in the Navy long because of the decommissioning Fleet Type boats from the war years. I forgot about everything Navy until years later when I met an old shipmate and he told me about SHARKHUNTERS and the KTB Magazine.

I went to China with SHARKHUNTERS with some very famous people such as ROLLIE HASTREITER (2222-1992), an ACE in his own right. With his PBY, he bombed 3 subs. Unfortunately, they were all American subs - fortunately he missed them all.

HARRY’S NOTE - I remember that ROLLIE was still complaining that his Skipper sent down an order that all submarines must be identified before an attack could be initiated. ROLLIE said took all the fun out of it if you had to wait ‘til you could tell if it was ours or theirs. I’ll bet the guys on the boats didn’t see it that way - I’m sure ROLLIE was only kidding. You were kidding, weren’t you ROLLIE?

We had a wonderful time with the group and met some great and wonderful people. Among them DR. ERWIN SCHATZ (1629-LIFE-1990) a LT on U-1306 (ALBERICH rubber coated boat) and his charming wife with her wing in a sling. She was a wonderful lady, he was a gentleman of the first order.

And don’t forget CDR JONES (2183-1992) and his gang on the Chinese ferry boat and the now-famous ‘Tequila Party’; people sleeping in the passageway - and I mean lots of people!

HARRY’S NOTE - It was the Chinese who were sleeping in the passageways, not our SHARKHUNTERS Members. They didn’t get that way until after CDR JONES’ ‘Tequila Party’ which is all on our two tapes that cover this fantastic adventure into the ‘Land of the Forbidden Dragon.’

And it was only two weeks! Just think how great it would be if we could get together in our own home towns.

I can still smell the diesel exhaust!
I can still hear the diving klaxon!
I can still see the Green Board and hear ‘GREEN BOARD; PRESSURE IN THE BOAT!’

When I have a chance to go aboard a museum boat, I have little difficulty naming pipes, valves, machinery etc. It will never leave my memory. I am sure this is a part of the camaraderie.

If you rode a U-Boat, an I-Boat, a Fleet boat - whatever; we are bonded forever. God bless ‘em all, the living and those on Eternal Patrol.

The mind’s picture of a submarine bow cutting through the water is etched indelibly on my sole; and thanks HARRY for bringing it all together.”

Wow! I have never heard it put so well before. Thanks JIM and we look forward to having you with us for our 1997 ‘PATROL IN GERMANY’ later this year.