It wasn’t for the glory… life as a Submarine Auxiliaryman

Imagine having this conversation with your nephew who had never been around the Navy. He saw your uniform with the dolphins and heard you saying something about winning the Cold War. This is how the conversation went: “So you were on submarines. What did you do in the war Uncle Bob?” “I kept the air […]

Why it mattered – Voices from the edge of the Abyss (June 1969)

Why it mattered – Voices from the edge of the Abyss (June 1969) Looking back over the years we called the Cold War, the danger and consequences are easier to see now than during the time they were occurring. During much of the period, there were so many changes and movements that pulled our attention […]

USS Daniel Webster SSBN 626 – Old Funny Fins

The years leading up to the Civil War are filled with stories about men who tried their best to protect what was euphemistically called state’s rights and those who were bound and determined to end the scourge of slavery. Daniel Webster was one of those who was committed to ending the practice once and for […]

Submarines sail the world over, but I often find its a small world after all

The other day, I wrote a story about the Henry Clay and included a copy of the welcome aboard pamphlet. Once I published the post, I found out how small the world is. Several people really close to me reached out with their personal stories about the Clay and the commanding officer mentioned. CDR Latham’s […]

Welcome aboard the USS Henry Clay SSBN 625

As visitors and riders come on board a submarine, they are normally herded to a safe place where they will be able to rest while the sailors and officers prepare the ship for underway and a dive below the surface. This visit is rare and has been one of the best ways for the Navy […]

USS Henry Clay SSBN 625 – The Great Compromiser

“I implore, as the best blessing which Heaven can bestow upon me upon earth, that if the direful and sad event of the dissolution of the Union shall happen, I may not survive to behold the sad and heart-rending spectacle. Quote from “On the Compromise Resolutions,” speech before the U.S. Senate, February 5 and 6, […]

Polaris – the US Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile Weapons System

While researching the USS Sam Houston SSBN 609, I ran across a pamphlet that was used to introduce the public to the Polaris missile program. The pamphlet was published when the program was about half way towards completion. The goal was to have all 41 of the boats launched and operational by 1967. That was […]

USS Sam Houston SSBN 609 – The Runaway Raven

Did you ever get so mad as a kid that you ran away from home? Not counting the Navy of course. I would suspect that there are more than a few of my readers that were looking for a way out of something when they signed up to become part of the Navy. No, I […]

USS James K. Polk SSBN 645 Special Edition

This post is a special edition post to accompany the 41 for Freedom Series Post of the USS James K Polk SSBN 645 published on June 2, 2019

USS James K. Polk SSBN 645 – From sea to shining sea

USS James K. Polk SSBN 645 – From sea to shining sea AT first glance, the selection of James K. Polk seems like one of the most unusual choices in the 41 for Freedom naming convention. A one term President that resided over some of the greatest controversies of the age, Polk was President during […]