USS Diodon (SS-349) History
1951 (provided by Don Emily, EM2(SS) and those emailers below)

 DIODON entered San Francisco Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, California, in February for a scheduled overhaul. The ship returned to San Diego upon completion of the overhaul and re-joined the fleet in training exercises off the coast of southern California, remaining in the San Diego area for over a year.

Memories and Shipmates

Charles A. Baltz, RMCS(SS) 1951-1952

May 31, 2000...

Hi Jim,

I am unaware as to the content you want for a contribution to the Diodon Web Page.  Maybe like the time in 1951 the Diodon set a continuous snorkel endurance record when returning from WESPAC.  The wear and tear on the crew's ears and other body parts was something to remember.

Diodon was one of the very first Guppy Two Snorkel submarines. Many things aboard were a new experience to the crew and the US Navy. The ability to pull 5000 amperes from the battery created a few problems in the maneuvering room from time to time.

Battery ventilation always critical in the past in a fleet boat now was a very major deal. Maneuvering speeds of eighteen knots on the half hour running rate created a new ball game as opposed to six knots on a fleet boat.

With the absence of wooden decks the noise level of the deck plating etc became a serious concern. We never could get the Diodon as quiet as a fleet boat.

Experimental visual sonar for the first time etc. etc. etc. At that point in time the fleet boat was the point of reference because that was the latest experience we had.

Things have changed much since those days.

Thank you for the thoughtful memorial note.

Regards,
Chuck Balzcharlesa@cyberis.net

Diodon gets Korean Service Medal 1950-1954

The Gray Ghost of the Korean Coast and our USS Diodon in January of 1951

EM2(SS) Marvin J. Andresick on Diodon 1949 to 1952

 W.  Carey Fields on Diodon Jan 1948 to Jan 1953
(new 06-26-04)

Ted Kane, SO3(SS) on Diodon 1949 - 1952

James Saloney Petralba TN(SS), Diodon Shipmate 1950-1952, departed 22 March 1952
 

CSC(SS) Carroll Sharp qualified on and served on Diodon for one year in 1951 to 1952
(new 01-18-04)

EM Alvin Smith on Diodon about 1945 to 1952 in Nursing Home
(New 03-22-05)

Edgar Smith - Auxiliaryman on Diodon from 1949 to December 1952
(new 04-20-03)

Dave (Trudy) Trudell on the US Diodon from approximately April 1949 to December 1951, passed away of adnocarcenoma (lung cancer) July 2, 2001
 Sailor Rest Your Oars

 

 

 

William Welsh, TMCS(SS) 1950-1953

From: WelshJrRUBIL@cs.com 
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 5:27 PM

Subject: Re: About SS-349

Hi Jim.

I was in Diodon from 7/50 until 3/53. Made the WestPac trip. Was transferred to New London, and stayed on the East Coast  until 7/71.

I retired then as TMCS(SS). I have been in touch with Paul Schultz, he was in Diodon about the same time I was. His E-mail is Diodon1@aol.com 

Are you a  member of Subvets? You can get some good info from them. Has there ever been a reunion ?

I go to the national conventions never saw anyone from the 349. I believe that most of Diodon sailors are on the West Coast.

Keep in touch. By the way I live in Mystic Ct.