New Member NICK BROWN (6795-2004) writes:
“I have received my Membership package and I am excited.”

In one of the nicest letters we have ever received from a Member, GÜNTHER HEINRICH (1945-LIFE-1991), Skipper of U-960 (right), wrote this:
“I can assure you that you did and do a good and great service for all submariners in the world particularly for the U-Bootmänner. Go on with your good discipline, accounts and interesting news in the KTBs. Thank you!”

Goodbye USS ORISKANY

CHRIS WILLS (1935-A/LIFE-1991) served aboard this aircraft carrier during his first hitch in the US Navy and so when she came into the yards recently, he took full notice of her. He writes:
“Well, it’s official – the USS ORISKANY (CVA-34) will be sunk off Pensacola, Florida. So much for my opportunity to dive on her. Her cleaning of hazmat (hazardous materials) will be completes in Corpus Christi by the end of summer, then the Navy will officially hand her over to the state of Florida. I understand that it’s impossible to be able to board her due to the major clean up she in undergoing, too bad. I was looking forward to walking her decks one last time. According to the news, the Navy has 24 other ships they are planning on sinking as reefs. Among those, the USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) is rumored to be one of them.”

Tokyo Rose Remembered

Dr. DAVID WEST (6709-2003) on our 2003 “Patrol to North Germany” and from him we read:
Re: page 22, KTB #174 – at last report, Tokyo Rose was living in North Chicago, but prior to WWII, she resided in Los Angeles where she graduated from UCLA in 1940. Following her release from prison, Iva Toguri D’Aquino and her family did move to Chicago around 1960.

I'm sure our readers would enjoy this fascinating tale of international intrigue, naivety, bad luck, poor judgment, government ineptitude, punishment, family devotion and stone cold silence. So lay down your ‘Submarine’ pen and straighten out the record. Iva can be portrayed as a victim, though I’m not sure our military veterans would approve. Articles on the other turncoat Americans of World War II including Axis Sally (Mildred Gillars or Portland, Maine) and Lord Haw Haw (William Joyce a real anglophile but born in Brooklyn) might be of interest to our readers.

Thanks again for the Patrol to Germany and say hello to the family.”

Editor's NOTE – we wonder if she is still living?

RONALD TOTH (5904-A-1999) writes:
“I really enjoy the Sharkhunters Magazine, really good info! And the BEST and MOST ACCURATE history on Germany’s struggle during WW II.”

Deep State of Depression

EDDIE PHILLIPS (220-A/LIFE-1986) jokingly wrote:
“I went into a deep state of depression upon reading about my record of 26 (not 22) sausages being beaten in Nürnberg. STEVE RIHA (2937-1993) deserves the record. Congratulate him for me.”

Okay EDDIE – you’ve just done that. We all admired STEVE for eating 42 of those rich Nürnberger sausages.

EDDIE wants a photo of the famed dragon of Klagenfurt in Kärnten Province of Austria. His camera failed and his photos were ruined.

Please let this HQ know if you have spare photos for EDDIE. Thanks.

For those who don’t know the story of this stone statue in the town square, it is said that this dragon was alive in the medieval ages and roamed all over Europe, but he could only eat virgins. When he got to Klagenfurt – the poor dragon just starved to death!

MIKE KOSS (299-1987) was concerned that he hadn’t that he hadn’t gotten a dues renewal for some time, and he wrote:
“I have not received a bill for quite some time. My concern is that I may miss out on future issues of Sharkhunters. Congratulations for 21 years of loyal service to your Members. The quality of Sharkhunters is such that ‘old salts’ like me stay aboard.”

Band of Brothers

Here is a letter from Lt. Col. JOE FRANCE (6523-2002), and it is pretty much self-explanatory.
“On page 24 of KTB #174, you have Admiral Topp (118-LIFE-1985) attributing the phrase ‘Band of Brothers’ to the pompous ass Horatio Nelson. The phrase could be claimed by the Army although that it is not surprising that an admiral (Topp) would prefer to give the navy credit. It predates Nelson by some 200 years.

You may find it in Shakespeare’s Henry Vth as ‘Harry’ exhorts the troops before the Battle of Agincourt:

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother, be he ne’er so vile,
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurst they were not here.

Unfortunately these sentiments do not apply to any U.S. military adventures since the American revolution!”

Wow! Strong stuff! We bet that we’ll receive some comments…..

It took new Member KEVIN SANDERS (6808-2004) quite a while to come aboard after he learned of Sharkhunters. He wrote:
“Glad to finally be aboard – look forward to meeting you and your wife, plus the membership – a lot to share and glean from one another.

Glad that someone with your enthusiasm and energy plus international presence keeps this group growing, learning, looking for new experiences and knowledge. I am impressed with what has been accomplished and cemented into a well-known and respected group of historians.”

BILL OLSEN (2431-LIFE-1992) has been aboard for many years and currently serves on our Sharkhunters Advisory Board. When he sent in his dues this month, he enclosed a note, which said:
“As always it’s a pleasure and an honor to renew my Membership in Sharkhunters. All ahead standard and good hunting.”

When new Member ERVIN ARMSTRONG (6805-2004) received his ‘Welcome Aboard’ packet, he wrote:
“You were right on target, my package arrived on the day you said it would. Good going! First, I really enjoyed reading what you sent and I’ve increased my knowledge on U-Boats, a subject we both share an interest in.”

DAVID CHWALA (1422-2002) has it right when he writes:
“I finished reading KTB #174 – as always, very informative and interesting. Please pass my compliments along to DICK GAY (6314-2001) on another great article. Where else can you read this stuff?”

EDITOR NOTE – Where else indeed – nowhere else.

From Franciscan Brother JOACHIM LUX (1905-1991),
“All my best! Keep up the great work!”

You bet we will – and thanks to all for your kind words.