USS Diodon (SS-349) History

Back to 1960 Previous Picture
Glenn Boothe  gpboothe@email.msn.com 
Monday, May 22, 2000 8:32 PM

Hi Guys
The web sight is looking great. It is wonderful to see those images from the past.

Here is some miscellaneous thoughts (fogged by 40 years) for what it is worth:

I was abord from 10-19-58 until 9-26-60. I reported aboard with CS1 Laurie on the day the boat got to Yokosuka after completing a northern run. Frank Wilson TM2 was aboard then, worked in the fwd room with M.D. Williams TM2 (Tin Nose) and Earl Crowley TM2 (Snarls) and Burelson TM3 (Bones).

The COB was TMC CY Ludden who later retired and the new COB was ETC Gail Roberts.

There was a YNC Carroll and an ENC Ricksicker (?). The leading SO was Ollie Paugh SO1. Also Sammy Stern SO3. Auxillarymen were Matlock MM1, C.C. Williams MM2 or EN2,  David Whalen EN3. (David drew all the cartoons - Soap Dish McLish, etc). I ran into Whalen in Key West in 1964. He had changed rate and was a SO3.

I do not remember engineman George.

PHOTOS
Could the photo, labeled as 1961 entering the nest, be earlier? I don't remember seeing hull numbers on the bow. I think that was about the 1950 era. Also, this photo shows a raised radar mast. I think that was removed much earlier when the ECM mast was installed. It also looks more like backing out of the nest rather then entering (prop wash at about manuvering room)

PHOTOS
I dont't remember a trip to Oregon prior to leaving for westpac in 1960. Maybe I slept through it.

PHOTOS
Could the photo of the boat in Chi Chi Jima lagoon actually be Atami, Japan. I remember Chi Chi as being flatter than the picture appears.

OTHER
The CO was LCDR L.O. Smith and the XO was LT Mc Coneghy.  Do you remember when Red Parsons hash marked the COs (Lube Oil) skivys?   Mistook him for Bones Burelson in the control room one night while rigged for red. When Parsons realized what he had done, he hustled back to the engine room and did not come forward of the after battery for weeks.

Do you remember Christmas 1958 in Sasebo, Japan?  The crew stood topside in the rain while the mayor of Sasebo's interpreter and some local TV dolly got a tour of the boat. But most of the memories are great.

The site gets better every day!

DBF

Glenn Boothe