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Buildings Honor Submariners (PAGE 3)

US NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MD

HENDRIX OCEANOGRAPHIC LABORATORY
The Hendrix Oceanography Laboratory is an asset unique to the Naval Academy, providing a wet laboratory with Severn River salt water tanks, and facilities for 24 students conducting individual or team research. YP654 is permanently assigned to the Laboratory for data and specimen collection in Chesapeake Bay. Its work is coordinated with geological, biological, and meteorological laboratories in other buildings. It was dedicated in 1985.

The Laboratory was named for Captain Charles N.G. (Monk) Hendix, a 1939 graduate , and an all-American lacrosse player. Monk graduated from the Submarine School in 1941, and served in S-39, STURGEON (SS-187), CARP (SS-338), and MAPIRO (SS-376), completing 12 war patrols. After the war, he was Commanding Officer of TIRU (SS-416). After attending Scripps Institute, he spent much of his remaining career in oceanography, serving as an Advisor to the Deep Submergence Systems Review Group after the sinking of THRESHER (SSN-593). He retired in 1963, and taught oceanography at the Academy from 1965 until 1976. He was awarded two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and the Navy Commendation Medal. He died in 1976.
 

JOHN F. LABOON CHAPLAIN CENTER
The Laboon Chaplain Center was designated in 1993 in memory of Captain John F. Laboon. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1921, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1943 as a member of the Class of 1944, and the Submarine School in late 1943. He completed five war patrols in PETO (SS-265), the only submarine in which he served. He later decommissioned the ship. He resigned in 1946 and spent the next ten years studying for the Jesuit priesthood. He was recalled to active duty in 1957 as a reserve Chaplain, was the first Chaplain to work with Polaris submarines while on the staff of Commander Submarines Atlantic Fleet, and was augmented into the Regular Navy in 1966, and retired in 1980. "Jake" was awarded the Silver Star for the rescue of a downed aviator while in PETO, and the Legion of Merit for his duty with the Marines. He died in 1988.
 

KING HALL
King Hall was dedicated on 15 April 1981 to honor Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. It serves as the Midshipmen wardroom and now seats 4480, with cooking and serving facilities capable of accommodating the entire Brigade in 20 minutes or less.

The main wing of the mess, as it was called prior to 1901, was designated in the early 1900s by Ernest Flagg, the architect of Bancroft Hall. The new wing added in 1953 to form a "T" increased the seating capacity by 50%.

Admiral King, born in Ohio in 1878, graduated from the Naval Academy in the Class of 1901. He served in a wide spectrum of ships and shore duty assignments until 1922, when he accepted a billet as Commander Submarine Flotilla Atlantic Fleet. However, prior to assuming the duties, he elected to attend Submarine School as a Captain, graduating in June 1922. He then assumed command of Submarine Divisions 3 and 11, and in 1923 returned to New London as Commanding Officer of the Submarine Base for three years, at which time he recommended that the Submarine School course be lengthened from four to six months. He never served in a submarine and was not "Qualified in Submarines". His connection with submarines actually began in 1901 when he had an opportunity, with his classmates at the Academy, to ride HOLLAND (SS-1). He gained fame and headlines as the Salvage Officer in the recovery of both S-51 and S-4 sunk off New England. He became a Naval Aviator in 1927, and had no further submarine duty. He was selected for Flag in 1932 after 35 years of service at the age of 54. He became Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations (COMINCH/CNO) in March 1942 and retired in December 1945. He was awarded the Navy Cross, three Distinguished Service Medals and received awards from 10 foreign countries. He died in 1956.
 

NIMITZ LIBRARY
The Nimitz Library was opened in 1973, supporting the accreditation of the Naval Academy. It contains over 800, 000 volumes, a special collection section which holds much World War II data, and an archives section which holds, among other things, biographies of every Naval Academy graduate. It provides ample study space for the Brigade, and houses the U.S. and International Studies Center, Educational Resource Center, and the Photographic Laboratory.

The Library was named for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz whose biography appears under the Submarine Base/Submarine School section.
 

RICKOVER HALL
Rickover Hall was dedicated in 1975 to house the Division of Engineering and Weapons. It contains laboratories, lecture halls, and classrooms.

It was named for Admiral Hyman G, Rickover who was born in Poland in 1900, and graduated in the Class of 1922. He attended Submarine School in 1930 and served in S-9 and S-48, qualifying in submarines. He was selected as an Engineering Duty Only officer in 1937, and served in diverse billets specializing in electrical engineering until his assignment to Oak Ridge, Tennessee in 1948, which launched him on his meteoric rise in nuclear propulsion. He was retained on active duty in two year increments from 1962 until 1982, at which time he retired with four stars. He was awarded a Gold Medal by Congress, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit and two Navy Commendation Medals. He died in 1986.
 

VANDERGRIFT CUTTER SHED
The Vandergrift Cutter Shed was dedicated in 1976 in memory of Captain Jacob J. Vandergrift. It serves today as the maintenance shop for the famous Naval Academy Sailing Squadron.

Captain Vandergrift was born in 1917 in Pennsylvania, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1939, and the Submarine School in 1940. He was ordered to PERCH (SS-176) and was still aboard as Communications Officer at the start of World War II. He was captured by the Japanese and spent the remainder of the war in prison camps in the Empire. PERCH had been ordered to attack the forces invading Indonesia in March 1942, along with most available Allied forces. She was severely damaged by a lengthy series of depth charge attacks by Japanese destroyers in the shallow water near Soerabaja. After a valiant fight, she found herself unable to dive and on March 1942 was scuttled. All the crew was rescued by Japanese destroyers. Nine of the 62 officers and men died in prison. After refresher training, "Jake" Vandergrift served as Executive Officer of REMORA (SS-487) and Commanding Officer of TILEFISH (SS-307). He later commanded Submarine Division 81, Submarine Squadron 6 and the Tender ORION (AS-18). His last tour was as Commander Naval Station, Annapolis, MD where he was also Commodore of the Naval Academy Sailing Squadron. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his prison ordeal, and the Navy Commendation Medal. He retired on 3 February 1969 and died on 6 February 1969.
 
 

SUBMARINE TRAINING FACILITY, NORFOLK, VA

MILLER HALL
Miller Hall serves as the Fire Fighting and Damage Control Training Facility and was dedicated in 1991.

It was named for Lieutenant Commander Frank Bertram Miller, born in 1903, and enlisted at 15 in 1918. He was at sea in M-1 on Armistice Day in 1918, patrolling off the coast of France. He was serving in S-10 as a Chief Torpedoman when World War II broke out, but it was his other activity which brought him considerable fame.

His first exploit as a diver took place in 1925 when Miller assisted Captain Ernest J. King in the salvage of S-4, and later, the S-51. As an instructor at the Submarine School in 1931 he "saved" Vice Admiral Red Ramage's submarine career by interceding when he failed the escape training exercise. It is fitting that the Submarine Training Facility has honored both of these men. Miller retired as a CTM in 1938 but as a civilian working in the Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, NH volunteered his services in (the rescue efforts after) the sinking of SQUALUS; and made many dives first determining that there were 33 men alive, and later assisting in the operation of the McCann chamber which rescued the crew.

He was recalled to active duty in 1940 and as a Warrant Gunner dove on U-85 off the Virginia Coast - reporting that the U-Boat could dive deeper than its U.S. counterparts. He later flew with the Air Force in Europe, was assigned to the Coast Guard in the Mediterranean, was sunk by a torpedo and endured five months as a prisoner of war.

He was awarded the Silver Star for his performance in the U-85 project. He retired again in 1946 as a Lieutenant Commander and still lives in the Norfolk, VA area, age 89 and hearty.
 

RAMAGE HALL
Ramage Hall was dedicated in 1990 to serve as the Administrative Office of the Command. It contains Engineering Laboratories, Training Devices, and many classrooms.

It was named for Vice Admiral Lawson P. Ramage who was born in 1909 in Massachusetts, and graduated from the Naval Academy in the Class of 1931. After Submarine School in 1935 he served in S-29, and was on the Staff of Commander Submarines Pacific on Pearl Harbor Day. He made the second war patrol of GRENADIER (SS-219), after which he commissioned TROUT (SS-202) in which he sank 6,000 tons on four patrols. He commissioned PARCHE (SS-384), sinking four ships of 26,000 tons. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his daring night action in PARCHE on 30 July 1944 against a convoy of 10 Japanese ships. Ramage fired 19 torpedoes against the melee, remaining on the bridge alone in the face of heavy enemy fire. After the war, he commanded Submarine Division 52 and Squadron 6, was deputy Commander Submarines Atlantic Fleet and retired in 1970 following a tour as Commander Military Sea Transport Service. He was also awarded two Navy Crosses, the Silver Star and Bronze Star and two Distinguished Service Medals. He died in 1990.
 

FRANK ALLCORN THEATER IN RAMAGE HALL
The auditorium in Ramage Hall was named in honor of Captain Frank Allcorn, III, USNR who served as Torpedo Officer of PARCHE (SS-384) for two war patrols in 1943-44 during which she sank nine enemy ships of over 64,000 tons. It was Lieutenant Allcorn's exceptional performance in training his torpedo crews which enabled Commander Lawson P. Ramge to fire 19 torpedoes in an intense 46 minute action under heavy gunfire. PARCHE sank four ships and damaged one with 15 hits. Lieutenant Allcorn was awarded the Silver Star for his service in PARCHE. He lives in Jacksonville, FL in 1993.
 
 

US NAVAL STATION, NORFOLK, VA

MURPHY CENTER
Murphy Center is the Headquarters of the Navy Relief Society on the Naval Station. It was dedicated in 1976 in memory of Vice Admiral Vincent R. Murphy.

Admiral Murphy was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1896 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1917 as a member of the wartime Class of 1918. After tours in surface ships, he completed instruction in submarines on board FULTON (AS-11), and served in R-23 and O-11, commanding the latter from late 1920 until 1923. He was War Plans Officer on the Staff of Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet early in the war, after which he served his last tour at sea as Commanding Officer of ALABAMA (BB-60). He was physically retired in 1946, and promoted to Vice Admiral on the basis of his awards which included the Legion of Merit, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. He died in 1974.
 
 

US NAVAL BASE, CHARLESTON, SC

KOSSLER HALL
Kossler Hall is a bachelor Enlisted Quarters dedicated in 1989 in memory of Rear Admiral Herman J. Kossler. He was born in Virginia in 1911, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1934, and the Submarine School in 1937. He served in ARGONAUT (SM1) and NAUTILUS (SS-168) prior to World War II. During the war, he served as Executive Officer of GUARDFISH (SS-217) for four patrols, and commanded CAVALLA (SS-244) on six patrols, sinking over 34,000 tons, including the carrier SHOKAKU on his first. He commanded a Submarine Division and Squadron. His last tour was as Commander Sixth Naval District in Charleston, from which he retired in 1973. He was awarded the Navy Cross, three Silver Stars, and two Legions of Merit. CAVALLA and GUARDFISH each earned one Presidential Unit Citation. For his support of the public sector in Charleston, he received the outstanding citizen award in 1970. RADM Koessler died in 1988.
 
 

US NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE, KINGS BAY, GA

RABORN HALL
Raborn Hall serves as the Submarine Training Facility for the Kings Bay complex.

It was named for Vice Admiral William F. Raborn, born in Texas in 1905, and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1928. He earned his wings in 1934 and enjoyed a highly successful career both in the air and at sea in carriers. He has been honored by the Submarine Force and Kings Bay for his outstanding performance as the Director of the Strategic Systems Project Office from its inception in 1955 until 1960. He put GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN-598) to sea with the Polaris missile in less than five years, assuring the Navy a secure role in Strategic Warfare. He retired as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Development in 1963. He was Director of Central Intelligence in 1965-66. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star, and the SSPO a Presidential Unit Citation. He died in 1990.
 
 

US NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE, SAN DIEGO, CA

BISHOP HALL
Bishop Hall is a Bachelor Enlisted Quarters dedicated in June 1970 in memory of Chief Torpedoman's Mate Walter W. Bishop. He was Chief of the Boat in SCORPION (SSN-589) when she was declared lost at sea on 5 June 1968.
 

JONES HALL
Jones Hall is a Bachelor Enlisted Quarters dedicated in memory of Chief Quartermaster Sidney W. Jones. He was Assistant Navigator in TANG (SS-306) on her fifth war patrol off Formosa when she was struck by her last torpedo and sunk on 24 October 1944. Jones was the most decorated Petty Officer of the most decorated submarine in World War II, having been awarded two Silver Stars and one Bronze Star Medal, in addition to the two Presidential Unit Citations bestowed upon TANG.
 

KAIN HALL
Kain Hall is a Bachelor Enlisted Quarters complex of five buildings, dedicated in September 1981 in memory of Senior Chief Engineman/DV Robert E. Kain. He was the leading engineman in BONEFISH (SS-582) and was swept overboard and drowned in the South China Sea on 3 March 1981.
 

HARVEY HALL
Harvey Hall is a Bachelor Officers Quarters, containing a wardroom and patio, with a fine view of San Diego harbor entrance. It was dedicated in September 1970 in memory of Lieutenant Commander John Wesley Harvey, born in New York in 1927, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1950, and from the Submarine School in 1952. He served in SEA ROBIN (SS-407), NAUTILUS (SSN-571) on her trip beneath the North Pole, TULLIBEE (SSN-597), as Executive Officer of SEA DRAGON (SSN-584), and Commanding Officer of THRESHER (SSN-593). Wes Harvey was lost on 10 April 1963 in the sinking of the THRESHER off Portsmouth, NH during sea trials following installation of a new weapons system. THRESHER was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation under his command.
 

O'KANE HALL
O'Kane Hall is the Submarine Training Facility, equipped with thoroughly modern training devices and simulators for both basic submarine operations and fire control training.

It was named for Rear Admiral Richard H. O'Kane, born in New Hampshire in 1911, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1934, and from the Submarine School in 1938. He was ordered to ARGONAUT (SM1) from Submarine School and was still serving in her when World War II began. In March of 1942, he was ordered to WAHOO (SS-238) as Executive Officer under Lieutenant Commander D.W. (Mush) Morton until mid-1943, when he fitted out TANG (SS-306) as Commanding Officer. TANG made five highly successful patrols under Dick O'Kane, sinking 24 ships totaling 94,000 tons. On her fifth patrol, a circular run of her last torpedo sank the ship. Only nine men were rescued of which O'Kane was one.

They spent the rest of the war in Japanese prison camps. O'Kane was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, three Navy Crosses, four Silver Stars, and the Legion of Merit. TANG was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.

Subsequent to the war, O'Kane commanded Submarine Division 32, the Submarine School and SPERRY (AS-12). He retired as a Rear Admiral in 1957, and died in 1994.
 

SLATTERY HALL
Slattery Hall is a Bachelor Officers Quarters located adjacent to Harvey Hall. It was dedicated in June 1986 in memory of Commander Francis Atwood Slattery, born in Maine in 1931, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1954 and from the Submarine School in 1956. He served in TUNNY (SS-282) and NAUTILUS (SSN-571) before taking command of SCORPION (SSN-589) in October 1967. He was lost at sea in the sinking of SCORPION off the Azores on 5 June 1968.
 

WILLIAMS BUILDING
The Williams Building is the Submarine Extended Operation Cycle/Selected Restricted Availability Training Building, located on the pier of the Submarine Base. It provides a major capability to San Diego-based submarines which would otherwise have to move to a shipyard for certain repairs.

It was named for Admiral John G. Williams, born in Oregon in 1924, graduated from the naval Academy in 1946 as a member of the Class of 1947, and from the Submarine School in 1949. He served in POMPODON (SS-486), CHIVO (SS-341), and STICKLEBACK (SS-415). He was Commanding Officer of STERLET (SS-392), HADDO (SSN-604) and DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN-626), and the Squadron at Rota Spain. His last tour of duty was as Chief of Navy Material. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of merit, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. He retired in 1983 and died in 1991.
 
 

NAVAL SHIP WEAPON SYSTEMS ENGINEERING STATION
PORT HUENEME, CA

REICH HALL
Reich Hall is the Station's Engineering On-Site Facility which houses electronic simulation of combat systems and many of the equipment and system elements of the programs for which the Station is responsible.

It was named in honor of Vice Admiral Eli T. Reich, born in New York in 1913, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935, and from Submarine School in 1939. After a short tour in R-14, he commissioned SEALION (SS-195) in late 1939, and served as Executive Officer until the ship was severely damaged alongside the pier at Cavite in the Philippines on 8 December 1941, and was scuttled. He escaped Corregidor in STINGRAY (SS-185) and remained on board as Engineer and Executive Officer until late 1943 when he was ordered to commission SEALION II (SS-315) as Commanding Officer.

In three patrols in 1944, SEALION sank over 60,000 tons. Reich was the only Commanding Officer to sink a battleship (KONGO) unassisted. He also rescued 54 British and Australian prisoners of war who had spent several days in rafts off Formosa when their ship RAYUKO MARU was sunk by a wolfpack of which SEALION was a part. After the war, he commanded Submarine Division 100 and Submarine Squadron 8.

From 1962 to 1965, he was Commander of the Surface Missile Project which was key to the development of the "3-T" missile systems. He was Deputy Comptroller of the Navy and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Product Engineering and Material Acquisition. He retired in 1973.

He was awarded three Navy Crosses and the Presidential Unit Citation for his exploits in SEALION; the Legion of Merit and the Army Distinguished Unit Badge for other submarine service; a Bronze Star Medal for ASW duty in Southeast Asia in 1966; and two Distinguished Service Medals for his Missile and Comptroller duties. He lives, in 1993, in the Washington, D.C. area, and has been the leader in the establishment of the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington for the past several years.

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