Albert (Albie) Niess

From American Submariner Magazine

NOW HEAR THIS . . .

Re: Albert (Albie) Niess

by: Russ Van Moppes

In June of '48, as an 18 year old FN striker, I was standing on the deck of the USS Nereus as one of 40 others awaiting assignment to submarines. The Duty Officer read off four names: Zech; Woods; Woodruff and Van Moppes, and told us to report to Volador and Pomodon. The remaining 36 men were assigned messcooking aboard Nereus. The duty officer's name was ZIEZENKOWSKI, and he was no doubt tired of all those assignment lists which continually led off with names beginning with the letter 'A'.

Assigned to Pomodon, and to the after torpedo room for berthing, I met TM2 Albie Niess. With Albie, if it didn't move it had better shine, and if it moved it had better be clean and squared away or it was sent to the after battery to bunk. In reality, TM1 Pennington was in charge of the room, but you would never have known it.

Leaving Pomodon and Albie Niess in Yokosuka in '51 as a squared away EM2, I attended IC School. Then on to Instructors School; NTC; Nuclear Power School; and OTC, and as a newly commissioned Ensign, I reported aboard the Rasher in 1958 as the Commissary Officer. Several of the current Rasher roster were aboard, including the CO, Cal Turk; Reed Grady, XO; Don Walsh; Thom Warburton; Larry Shumaker, and Gib Carter. LCdr. Grady was relieved by Fred Fagin and I had been promoted to 1st Lt., Weapons Officer. Fred asked if I could find a COB for Rasher and I immediately thought of Albie. We found him and the rest was magic.

Albie knew every white hat, their strengths and weaknesses, and how to get the most from every one of them. A model for the wardroom, he was in great part responsible for Rasher winning the Division and Squadron 'E' during that period, as well as for a very successful WestPac cruise.

I have had many blessings and a wonderful life that had it's origins in the mentorship of TMC Albert (Albie) Niess. If there be a 'fish' in heaven, it be a hot, straight and normal run under his guidance.

Albie and Butch

by: Dave Hackett

For whatever it's worth, I would like to pass on something about two real submarine Chief Petty Officers, Albie Niess & Butch Koenig. In 1960 I was 24 years old going on 15, and had a problem of NOT showing up on my duty weekends. One day the XO told me he had enough of my s_ _ _, and that I could explain it to the CO over the long green table.

Later, while cleaning up in the forward battery well, Albie came down wearing dress blues. I said, "Albie, you're going to destroy your uniform. The battery acid will eat holes in it." He said, "Don't worry about my uniform. You worry about getting your act together. You're going on five days basket leave and get your yourself together, come back and be a sub sailor!" I told him the XO was taking me to mast and he said he would speak to the XO.

When I came out of the well, the XO saw me, gave me a dirty look and told me to see the yeoman for my leave papers. I went on leave and kept thinking about Albie crawling around the battery well in his dress canvas. NO WAY was I going back and screw over someone who went out of his way to help me. I know that is what got me started growing up. Butch was my Chief and he and Albie decided that maybe, just maybe, I might make a submarine sailor someday. I hope I made it!

I have served in a lot of boats since then with various duties: PO, CPO, and COB. I have had many Chiefs and COBs, but NONE the equal of Chief Petty Officer Albie Niess and Chief Petty Officer Butch Koenig.