Submarine city namesake programs provide a
unique opportunity for civilian citizens to get a first-hand look at submarine operations.
They also give our crews the chance to show the pride they take in maintaining and
operating their boats at the peak of efficiency.
USS Annapolis (SSN-760) provided an
excellent example of a top-quality namesake event when she served recently as the crown
jewel of 350th anniversary celebrations for the city of Annapolis, Maryland, capital of
the "Free State" and home of the U.S. Naval Academy. Enroute to her port call
there, the submarine embarked a group of distinguished representatives of the City of
Annapolis for two nights and three days at sea. For these civilians, it was an
unforgettable experience that showed each of them the full range of submarine capabilities
and the exciting challenges of life onboard. The underway embark was followed up by a
program of public visits while the ship was moored off the Naval Academy.
Namesake operations provide an opportunity to
demonstrate for influential citizens - taxpayers and voters all - what their defense
dollars are doing in the Submarine Force. These visits are enjoyable and fulfilling for
the ship's crew as well, supplying a great morale boost in showing off the boat and what
it can do. The namesake ship program has been ongoing for many years, encouraged by the
highest levels of the Navy Department. Since program participation is the Commanding
Officer's prerogative, not all submarines take part, but maintaining communications with
the namesake city's or state's government, school system, and civic organizations can pay
dividends when the ship is deployed and when recognition of the ship's crew for
significant events can be arranged in port. The Submarine Force Centennial next year
provides a strong impetus for proactive outreach efforts such as the namesake program and
the strong, positive public support they can create for our community.
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Announcing! The
Second Annual Undersea Warfare Photo Contest
 UNDERSEA WARFARE magazine and the
Naval Submarine League are pleased to announce their second Undersea Warfare
Photography Contest. Each entry must be related to the activities of the Undersea
Warfare community. We seek images that reflect the drama, excitement, and beauty of the
undersea world.
Cash prizes will be awarded as
follows: First prize - $500, second prize - $250, third prize - $200, honorable mention -
$50. Everyone is eligible to submit an entry, but the recipient of an award must be the
person who took the photograph.
A limit of three entries per person is
requested. Entries must be black-and-white prints, color prints, or electronic files 300
dpi or higher. The minimum print size is 5"x7". Full captions, photographer's
name, address, and affiliation must be attached to each entry.
Submit entries to: USW Magazine
Photo Contest, Military Editor, Undersea Warfare CNO (N87C), 2000 Navy Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20350-2000.
Entries must be received by 15 April 2000.
All photographs submitted for the contest will become the property of UNDERSEA WARFARE
magazine and may be used in subsequent issues of UNDERSEA WARFARE, regardless of whether
or not they receive an award. Appropriate photographic credits will be given. Winners will
be announced at the June 2000 Naval Submarine League Symposium in Washington, DC, and
publication of the winning entries will be in the Summer 2000 issue of UNDERSEA WARFARE
magazine.
For further details, contact
UNDERSEA WARFARE magazine by phone at (703)604-7833 or (703)413-2150, or email: subwarfare_mag@hq.navy.mil. |
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World
War II Submarine Combat Veteran Retires From Active Duty
by CDR Greg Hilscher, USN  Few of us may have known that until recently, a distinguished warrior who
wore the Submarine Combat Patrol insignia earned during World War II was still serving in
uniform.
Coast Guard Captain Earl Fox, the last remaining World War II
combat veteran on active duty, retired from military service on November 19, 1999 at the
age of 80. As a naval officer, Fox served in the Pacific aboard PT boats and submarines
from 1942 to 1945.
CAPT Fox graduated from the University of Richmond, then
attended  the
Naval  Academy and was commissioned in January 1942. He
initially served aboard PT boats, and commanded PT-22 at Midway during the Japanese attack
in June 1942. Duty next took him to the South Pacific where he commanded PT-349 and a
motor patrol boat squadron in the seas near New Guinea. He also saw action with PT boats
in the Aleutian Islands, where he earned the Silver Star Medal for his action in combat.
In 1943 CAPT Fox applied for submarine duty, and after
completing submarine school in New London and marrying his college sweetheart Reba, he
served on the submarines R-14 and R-20 operating from Key West, Florida.
He next reported to USS Bang (SS-385) in the Pacific
theater. CAPT Fox served as Engineering Officer and acting Executive Officer on Bang
and conducted war patrols from Brisbane and Pearl Harbor during which Bang sank
several Japanese ships and bombarded a Japanese held oil refinery in Indonesia. Bang
was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her superior performance against the enemy.
CAPT Fox left active duty in 1947, but remained in the Naval
Reserve and commanded destroyers during summer cruises. He completed medical school and
worked as a general practitioner in St. Petersburg, Florida until retiring from private
practice in 1974.
After assisting the Coast Guard in an urgent medical rescue
mission, he was urged to join the service, which was then short of medical officers. In
1974 he was granted an age waiver and returned to active duty in the Coast Guard at the
age of 55. He served at various duty stations along the east coast and conducted numerous
search and rescue missions as a flight surgeon. His final assignment was as senior medical
officer at the Coast Guard Personnel Command.
He was honored by President Clinton at the Veteran's Day
Ceremony at Arlington Cemetery on November 11, 1999.
At his retirement ceremony on November 19, CAPT Fox spoke of
how fortunate he was to have survived the battles that claimed so many of his close
friends. He also commended the superb people he served with, both on submarines and during
his Coast Guard career. He and Reba will return to St. Petersburg, Florida to enjoy their
well-earned retirement. |
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| Do you have concerns? Unanswered
questions?
In upcoming issues, a new department, Ask The
Flags, will be taking questions and comments from the Fleet and directing them to
Submarine Force flag officers. Selected questions and responses will then be printed in
Undersea Warfare.
Please submit all items to: subwarfare_mag@hq.navy.mil or call: (703)
604-7833
Undersea Warfare wants to hear from you! |
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