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SUBMARINE HISTORY
Posted by John Carcioppolo on April 10, 2000 Captain
H.A. Lincoln's speech
Although I’m a generation removed from World War II, I feel particularly strong ties to the men and women who share this day. I had the privilege of commanding USS NARWHAL (SSN-671), named in honor of the World War II submarine NARWHAL (SS-167). NARWHAL conducted many special operations during the war, and I’ve come to know some of her crew -- men like Frank Fosalo, Dana Raley and Eddie "Blackie" Henig. These men served as our "godfathers" on NARWHAL -- and we listened with intensity to their stories of NARWHAL conducting rescue operations in the Philippines or delivering Special Forces for important recon missions. My mother, Ceclia D. Lincoln worked out in the front office of Secretary of Navy Forrestall’s office during World War II. My father, Captain H. A. Lincoln, commanded two destroyers in World War II, and participated in the last surface action of the war in July of 1945 with Destroyer Squadron 61 as he commanded USS SAMUEL N. MOORE (DD-747) in a night strike against shipping at the mouth of Tokyo Bay. Dad’s roommate at the Naval Academy, teammate on Navy’s 1929-1930 varsity wrestling squad and best friend, was a southern gentleman by the name of Dudley Walker Morton. Known to his friends as "Mush" Morton. CDR Morton and WAHOO delivered punishing damage to the enemy until WAHOO's loss in October of 1943 deep in enemy territory. My wife’s father, CDR Dewey T. Lewis served aboard Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines GRANT, KAMEHAHA and commanded USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (SSBN-600). Elizabeth’s brother, the late LCDR Tom Lewis and I went through Nuclear Power School, Prototype training and Submarine School. Tom served our nation and Submarine Force with distinction aboard fast attack submarines BLUEFISH and as Engineer Officer in BALTIMORE; and most recently on the COMSUBLANT staff as the arctic submarine operations specialist before losing a fifteen-year battle with cancer. So I come before you today proud to wear the Submariner’s Dolphins, respectful of the privilege of wearing the uniform of our country, and with a special reverence for our Submarine Force heritage. Few of us today can fully grasp the depth of change in our country during the last 100 years. This month, as we celebrate the Submarine Force Centennial and reflect on a century of change in submarine technology... the fantastic developments in ship design, propulsion systems, tactics, sensors and weapons -- one constant remains as the life blood or the "force behind the Force", the dedicated people of the Submarine Force. John Paul Jones, often referred to as the "father" of our Navy, said, "men mean more than guns in the rating of a ship." This statement remains as important today as it did during the early days of sail power in our Navy. From USS HOLLAND (SS-1) to USS CONNECICUT (SSN-22), the submariners who operate their ships in carrying out important missions in support of national security policy, to the men and women of the submarine repair facilities, submarine squadron support units, squadron/group and type commander staffs, the submarine training facility staffs, and the families who support their Sailors -- people remain our most precious resource. In 1900, at the dawn of a new century, prominent American Naval leaders recognized submersibles as a real threat to international surface forces and persuaded the Navy to acquire its first submarine. Inventors John Holland and Simon Lake competed their designs. Holland won the design competition and the Navy purchased the Holland VI for $150,000 on April 11, 1900. From that first 64-ton submarine, USS HOLLAND (later designated SS-1) to the S-class of the first World War, the GATO-class of WWII, and today’s sentinels of the deep the LOS ANGELES, OHIO, and SEAWOLF classes, our Submarine Force remains the finest in the world. Groton became the Submarine Capitol of the World, and Submarine Base New London represents the Home of the Submarine Force. Although we operate the oldest and busiest submarine base in the Navy, occupying over 500 acres with more than 400 buildings, 50 tenant commands, and 18 submarines, that’s not why I refer to SUBASE as the "Home" of the Submarine Force. Home, it’s been said, is where the heart is. And I know that SUBASE New London’s heart is really the 10,000 sailors stationed here. Dedicated and committed sailors who daily pour their hearts into training and service to our Submarine Force, the most powerful and capable Submarine Force the world over. They take pride in calling SUBASE New London home and in making SUBASE the preferred home port for Atlantic Fleet attack submarines. Also proud to call SUBASE New London home are all those who have passed through the passageways of the training facilities here. Today, essentially all submariners in the Navy will, at some point in their Navy experience, walk through the halls as students at Naval Submarine School. A center of excellence, Submarine School represents the heart of Submarine Force training and education. So, as we, locally, celebrate this Centennial, this 100 Years: From the Depths - Seapower, we also need to remember our "roots" in honor of our Submarine Force heritage. These roots go deep and live strong in the foundation of HONOR, COURAGE and COMMITMENT HONOR: we honor tradition in the Submarine Force -- so we gather today in honor of our brothers who cannot stand with us. The submariner honors his shipmates in his loyalty -- the term shipmate embodies the meaning of honor in that a submarine crew provides the lifeblood of the ship. Every crewman depends on the other for the safety, operation and survivability of his ship. COURAGE: Time will not allow me to recount the actions of each hero we honor today. Those of us standing here can only try to understand the concept of mostly ordinary men who preformed extraordinary deeds. Following presentation of the Congressional Medal of honor for his skill and bravery in the face of adversity on PARCHE, then Commander Lawson "Red" Ramage responded with "I just got mad". Or when conducting operations deep in enemy territory, and faced with a gravely ill crewmember in need of an appendectomy, young Pharmacists Mate first Wheeler B. Lipes (who had never conducted an operation before) of SEADRAGON responded to his captain’s question about operating to save the man’s life with: "Yes sir, it’s his only chance." From typhoons, shoal waters with uncharted reefs, to depth charge attacks and night surface gunnery actions... every man of the Submarine Force carried out his duty, his duty to his shipmates, the Navy and his country. Courage came in many forms. COMMITMENT: As an all volunteer force, the Submarine Force literally carried the war effort until the nation could recover from the near mortal wounds suffered in Pearl Harbor. In commencing combat submarine operations in World War II, every submariner illustrated their personal investment in training, material condition of their respective ships, and their individual commitment of readiness. I certify to you that these key ingredients -- HONOR, COURAGE and COMMITMENT, live on not just as words in the sailor of today. I see it every day in the faces of our Navy’s most precious resource... the young men and women who stand the watch, ready to carry out the nation’s important work, embrace these core values and understand the significance of the important words. Although we enjoy the blessings of peace, the world remains an unpeaceful place. We must remain ready. Although our Navy has come down in size -- in terms of people and the number of ships/aircraft -- these values of honor, courage and commitment fuel the fires that burn in the hearts of those that wear the uniform of their country’s military. People of my generation owe you, the men and women who carried our country out of dark times, a debt we cannot repay. I hope that in some small way, my service, and the service of those you see in uniform around you, can start to repay some of that debt. Statistics fail to tell the entire story -- for those who saw the final victory during that critical period in our nation’s history of World War II. The valiant efforts and incomparable achievements of United States Navy submariners cannot be summarized in statistics. No graph, spread sheet or tally could measure the leadership of an Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Lockwood, Captain Voge, the skill and cunning of a Morton, O’kane, Ramage, or the supreme dedication of a Gilmore, Pharmacists Mate first Wheeler B. Lipes, or the loyalty of Boatswains Mate first Eddie "Blackie" Henig -- my friend, or the raw guts and courage of every submarine’s crew. From mess cook to admirals, all were captains courageous. Their war record speaks for them, and the obliteration of the forces of evil. With plenty of heart, SUBASE New London also serves as home to part of the soul of the Submarine Force. Inscribed in The Book of Remembrance, resting in an oak repository in the Chapel by the Thames, resides 3,505 names of enlisted and officer submariners who embodied Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom during the second World War. They built the foundation and form the soul for our Force today. For a few minutes today, we’ll pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice... who paid the fullest measure of devotion for their countrymen. We enjoy the blessings of peace and prosperity today because of their vigilance, their devotion to duty, and their tenacious spirit in literally taking the war effort to the enemy’s back yard during a crucial period in our nation’s history. We must never forget their sacrifice,
and the sacrifice of their families, friends and loved ones. They will
remain on "eternal patrol", and we must not let their memory fade away.
And so I consider it fitting and proper for us modern day submariners and
those of us who share the privilege of wearing the uniform of the United
States Navy to pause, to pay our respects to these brave men and their
ships who went in harm’s way for us.
God bless you and the Submarine Force as we clear the bridge, order the lookouts below and dive into the next century. Thank you.
Captain, United States Navy Commanding Officer U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London |