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 […]

Living on borrowed time

Living on borrowed time. It seems strange to think about the duality of time. On the one hand you have all the time in the world. On the other, there never seems to be enough of it. In the end, we all die. It’s not a gruesome fact, it’s just a fulfilment of the fact […]

USS Andrew Jackson SSBN 619 – One Man With Courage is a Majority

Andrew Jackson was one of my favorite characters from childhood. His story of a backwoods lawyer becoming President is an inspiration to many people since it was the first time in America’s history that a person who was not a member of the founding elite rose to power based on the will of the common […]

USS Simon Bolivar SSBN 641 – “those of us who have toiled for liberty in South America have but plowed the sea.”

In January of 1973, I attended submarine school in New London Connecticut. I had completed basic training and Machinist Mate “A” school and this was my next assignment in the pathway to my first submarine. It’s funny when I think back now how much I was anxious to leave home and get away from school. […]

USS Hunley AS 31 – January 1971

I still have “Hunley dreams”. It’s been nearly twenty five years since I left the Hunley and the Navy but the intensity of my tour on board seems to stir a lot of memories when I should be fast asleep. The Chief Engineer that was my first boss was a bit of a character. […]

A day to remember

I am old enough to remember when Memorial Day was held on the 30th of May. When I was a kid, the ceremonies were large and very well attended. There was always a competition between communities to see who would have the lager parade or the more elaborate service. There were always men in uniforms […]

I loved the ride

May is Military Appreciation Month. All month long, we are encouraged to let our brothers and sisters in arms how much they are appreciated. The month ends with a solemn remembrance of the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice. One group that has always had a little trouble recognizing has been the Silent Service. Its […]

USS James Monroe SSBN 622 – Watchful Waiting

The James Monroe was built in the early days of the Polaris program and typified the boats that were launched during that time. With each successive weapons upgrade, she would be retrofitted with more powerful weapons and equipment to support her primary mission: deterrence. A little over ten years after she was commissioned, Admiral Rickover […]

Polaris A3 Deploys in Atlantic and Pacific (ALL HANDS 1965)

I have to be honest and admit that I never looked inside the missile tubes on either of my FBM submarines. I know there was something inside all of the tubes because of the great deal of work required to keep them ready for use if the President called on us. But as an A-Ganger, […]