About 2 years ago (1998), it was mentioned that Mare Island Base might be invited to visit Mar del Plata by the Argentina Submarine Veteran’s Association (ASA). It will be remembered that a few years ago and starting in the late ‘50s, the United States gave Argentina several fleet type submarines. There was the Chivo, the Lamprey, the Macabi, and the Catfish. The Argentineans have never forgotten these boats, the friends they made, or their time in the U.S.
In the spring of 2000, Harold Brecht, an ex Argentine submariner who qualified on the ex-Macabi and his wife Ana Marie really went to work on this interesting project. Harold is also a member of the Mare Island base. Through his buddy, Miguel Salvatierra in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Brecht, along with Carol Gibson, wife of Ron Gibson the Mare Island Base Commander, brought the trip to fruition.
On October 2, 2000, 6 couples (Harold and Ana Marie Brecht, Ron and Carol Gibson, Dom and Tamra Boncore, Harry and Teresa Farmer, Lon and Carol Schmidt and Jim and Mary Lou Gibson) arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This started 8 wonderful days of friendship and camaraderie in the company of the ASA and their wives. It is interesting to note that these Argentine Submariners are what are called “Subofficals” (in other words, Chiefs), and if you want something to come off without a hitch, call on the Chiefs. It did go off without a hitch!
There is no way to put on paper the way we were treated. After going through customs in Buenos Aires, we were met by two ASA men and their wives, who took charge and helped us to an in-country airplane, for our flight to Mar del Plata, about 400 kilometers south. We would see these fine people a few days later, for a stay in Buenos Aires.
Upon arriving in Mar del Plata we were met by several members of ASA, including Harold Brecht’s best buddy, Miguel Salvatierra, and Alberto Spada, the President of Mar del Plata ASA.
During the days there, we toured the submarine base, the submarine school and their very advanced diving school. We met Captain Alex Kenny (an Irish Argentinean), the base and schools Commandant and had a Bar-B-Que at the Officer’s Club. The Captain served on Catfish (Santa Fe II), in the 1970s, as had Jim Gibson in the 60s. Of course, sadly, the Santa Fe II (Catfish) was sunk in Falkland Islands War.
We were treated to several events at the ASA’s Clubhouse in downtown Mar del Plata. It is an interesting clubhouse. There are many pictures of the their (ex-our) boats. They have made a mock-up of the control room including, what else, a diving alarm and sound powered phones. It surely brought back memories.
During our base visit, Ron Gibson (Commander of Mare Island Base) and Jim Gibson (Commander of Cuttlefish Base) laid a wreath at the memorial of the Argentina Submariners lost at sea. It was a very moving moment. On another day we, along with the ASA members, also paid tribute to the Russian sailors lost on the Kursk.
There are not words in the English language to explain the way we were treated by the men and women of the ASA, both in Mar del Plata and Buenos Aires. It is like we had planted a United States Submarine Veteran’s Incorporated Base in Argentina. Those wonderful people drew us to their breasts and we now feel as though we are one of them and they one of us.
In preparation for the trip, Lon Schmidt, District 10 Commander and Mare Island Base Store Keeper, purchased several items of memorabilia to take with us to give out as souvenirs. Among these items were gold and silver dolphins, dolphin tie clasps, base pins, and other items. During our stay we gave out over 40 sets of dolphins. Even the submarine ball caps that we wore were not safe. I even gave away my dolphins off my uniform. It reminded several of us of visits to foreign ports during our time on active duty. As we were ready to depart Mar del Plata, we saw dolphins almost everywhere we turned.
After our stay in Mar del Plata we returned to Buenos Aires. We were again met by three ASA members who were our guides - and better yet - our new friends. They took us all over the city to include a Bar-B-Que at the Air Force base. We very surprised and elated to have a private concert by the world renowned Argentine Air Force Band. They brought us to our feet with several Glenn Miller tunes along with a good deal of other very popular songs. We were quite thrilled that they would do this for us.
So after eight exhausting days we boarded our plane for a well-deserved rest.
It is very possible that the Argentine Submarine Veterans will visit the United States in the next year or so, and allow us to return the hospitality. Also, several ASA men and their wives are looking into visiting the International Submarine Gala in Taranto, Italy next May.