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| Shipmates,
Yesterday in the mail I received from the SUBASE New London CMC Mike Gross SKCM(SS), and SUBASE New London CO, Capt Ray Lincoln a package with the history of McNeil Hall,. McNEILL HALL, BUILDING 150 Construction of this facility started in the spring of 1942 and was completed in 1943. During World War II, 33,374 Sailors graduated from Basic Enlisted Submarine School. Originally, Building 150 was nicknamed "Gloryhole" after a wooden mock-up of a submarine installed inside with that name. Building 150 was dedicated by Captain C. O. Triebel, Commanding Officer of the Naval Submarine Base on Armed Forces Day, 17 May 1952. It was named in honor of the memory of Chief Electricians Mate John R. McNeill, Jr. and was the first building at the Naval Submarine Base to be named for an enlisted member. Chief McNeill was awarded the Bronze Star and cited for "saving his ship to fight again" after the USS SCAMP SS-277 was severely damaged by enemy aircraft on her seventh war patrol. Chief Petty Officer McNeill was lost in action when the USS SCAMP failed to return from her eighth war patrol on 21 December 1944. McNeill Hall was the home of Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) until the opening of Bledsoe Hall in December 1986. Using the Self-Help Program, personnel from the Electronics Training Department dedicated over 6000 man-hours between January and June 1987 to refurbish the building for the initial convening of the Attack Submarine Non-nuclear Electronics Technician Class A School. There was a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Grand Opening of Attack Submarine Non-Nuclear Electronics Technician Class A School on 1 June 1987. So there you have it. I don't know when they stopped teaching there. I would imagine it was some time in the Early - Mid 90's. After that there was a Reserve CB Unit that used the building for a short period of time, and then it was demolished last fall. (1999) Sincerely, John C. U. S. SUBVETS Inc USSVI-United
States Submarine Veterans Inc |