[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4648-S4650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF SINKING OF USS ``THRESHER''

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 102, which was 
submitted earlier today by Senator Sununu.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 102) recognizing the 40th anniversary 
     of the sinking of the USS Thresher.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, this legislation pays tribute to the 129 
officers, sailors, and civilians who lost their lives aboard the USS 
Thresher 40 years ago next week.
  The loss of these brave individuals was a tragedy for the U.S. 
submarine service, for the Navy, and the Nation. Yet out of this 
tragedy, the Navy was able to learn important lessons about submarine 
safety and acted to correct design and construction concerns that 
existed on other subs, and prevent engineering and design flaws on 
future submarines. These measures have served to benefit our Navy ever 
since.
  Built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and commissioned in August of 
1961, the USS Thresher was the lead ship in a new class of nuclear-
powered attack submarines.
  In the fall of 1961 and throughout 1962, the Thresher was put through 
its paces along the eastern seaboard to test its new technological and 
weapons advancements. Once these tests were completed, the Thresher 
returned to New England for an overhaul where she remained until the 
spring of 1963.
  On April 9, 1963, the Thresher departed the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard 
to conduct deep sea diving exercises some 200 miles off the coast of 
New England. In the morning hours of April 10, 1963, after reaching her 
assigned depth, the USS Thresher, signaled her companion surface ship, 
the USS Skylark, that it was experiencing difficulties. Shortly 
thereafter, the crew of the Skylark realized that something had gone 
very wrong as they heard the sound of the Thresher breaking apart.
  In the investigation that followed this terrible accident, the 
conclusion was reached that the Thresher in all likelihood had sunk due 
to a failure in its piping, a subsequent loss of power, and an 
inability to blow the ballast tanks which would have allowed the sub to 
rise. To this day, the remains of the Thresher rest some 8,500 feet 
below the ocean's surface.
  As a result of the Thresher incident, the Navy initiated two 
significant changes to enhance submarine safety. The first of these was 
the SUBSAFE program, which ensured that every submarine in the fleet 
and every future submarine built had to pass a rigorous testing program 
on hull integrity systems as well as pressure-related parts. No sub 
would go into service without a 100-percent certification.
  Second, this tragedy inspired the Navy to encourage a new ocean 
engineering discipline within a handful of prestigious educational 
institutions. Today, engineers in this discipline are trained to design 
and implement systems that can withstand the rigors of a lifetime's use 
in ocean waters.
  Today, I join with Senators Gregg, Snowe and Collins to submit this 
resolution to honor the naval and civilian crew of the USS Thresher.
  This resolution will provide Senate recognition of the 40th 
anniversary of the Thresher incident--April 10--and pay tribute to her 
valiant crew. The resolution also calls on the Senate to express its 
deep gratitude to all American submariners who are on ``eternal 
patrol.''
  Next week, on the 40th anniversary of the Thresher accident, Senators 
Gregg, Snowe, Collins and I will submit another resolution that will 
call on the Secretary of the Army to erect a modest memorial at 
Arlington National

[[Page S4649]]

Cemetery to honor the men and women who were lost on the Thresher as 
well as other nuclear submariners lost at sea.
  The memorial would be designed not to detract in any way from the 
solemn nature of Arlington. In fact, I believe it would provide 
visitors a place of reflection where they can pay their respects to all 
of these brave individuals.
  Our Nation's submarine force is often referred to as the ``silent 
service.'' They are the original stealth fighters, and, as such, 
submarines and their crews have proven to be a critical component of 
our Nation's defense. It is only fitting that we pay tribute to those 
who risk their lives for us as well as those who have paid the ultimate 
sacrifice.
  I encourage my colleagues to join Senators Gregg, Snowe, Collins and 
me in honoring these individuals by supporting both of these measures. 
And I ask for their speedy consideration by the Senate.
  The 129 men of the USS Thresher who lost their lives deserve our 
recognition and our gratitude. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent that 
the names of these men--the 16 officers, 96 crew and 17 civilian 
technicians aboard the Thresher be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               United States Ship ``Thresher'' (SSN 593)

                      In Memoriam, April 10, 1963


                                 officers

     Allen, Philip Harcourt, Lieutenant Commander
     Babcock, Ronald Clare, Lieutenant Junior Grade
     Biederman, Robert Donald, Lieutenant
     Billings, John Hilary, Lieutenant Commander
     Collier, Merrill Francis, Lieutenant
     DiNola, Michael John, Lieutenant Commander
     Garner, Pat Mehaffy, Lieutenant Commander
     Grafton, John Gilbert, Lieutenant Junior Grade
     Harvey, John Wesley, Lieutenant Commander
     Henry, James John, Jr., Lieutenant Junior Grade
     Krag, Robert Lee, Lieutenant Commander
     Lyman, John Sheldon, Jr., Lieutenant Commander
     Malinski, Frank John, Lieutenant Junior Grade
     Parsons, Guy Carrington, Jr., Lieutenant Junior Grade
     Smarz, John, Jr., Lieutenant
     Wiley, John Joseph, Lieutenant Junior Grade


                                ships crew

     Arsenault, Tilmon J., Chief Engineman
     Bain, Ronald Eugene, Engineman Second Class
     Bell, John Edward, Machinist's Mate First Class
     Bobbitt, Edgar Solon, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     Boster, Gerald Charles, Electrician's Mate Third Class
     Bracey, George, Steward Third Class
     Brann, Richard Paul, Engineman Second Class
     Carkoski, Richard James, Engineman First Class
     Carmody, Patrick Wayne, Storekeeper Second Class
     Cayey, Steven George, Torpedoman's Mate Second Class
     Christiansen, Edward, Seaman
     Claussen, Larry William, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     Clements, Thomas Edward, Electronics Technician Third Class
     Cummings, Francis Michael, Sonarman Second Class
     Dabruzzi, Samuel Joseph, Electronics Technician Second Class
     Davison, Clyde Elcott, III, Electronics Technician Third 
         Class
     Day, Donald Clifford, Engineman Third Class
     Denny, Roy Overton, Jr., Electrician's Mate First Class
     Dibella, Peter Joseph, Seaman
     Dundas, Don Roy, Electronics Technician Second Class
     Dyer, Troy Earl, Electronics Technician First Class
     Forni, Ellwood Henry, Chief Sonarman
     Foti, Raymond Peter, Electronics Technician First Class
     Freeman, Larry Wayne, Fire Control Technician Second Class
     Fusco, Gregory Joseph, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     Gallant, Joseph Andrew, Chief Hospitalman
     Garcia, Napoleon Tomas, Chief Steward
     Garner, John Edmond, Yeoman Seaman
     Gaynor, Robert William, Engineman Second Class
     Gosnell, Robert Howard, Seaman
     Graham, William Edward, Chief Sonarman
     Gunter, Aaron Jackie, Chief Quartermaster
     Hall, Richard Charles, Electronics Technician Second Class
     Hayes, Norman Theodore, Electronics Mate First Class
     Heiser, Laird Glenn, Machinist's Mate First Class
     Helsius, Marvin Theodore, Machinist's Mate Second Class
     Hewitt, Leonard Hogentogler, Chief Electrician's Mate
     Hoague, Joseph Hartshorne, Torpedo-man's Mate First Class
     Hodge, James Porter, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     Hudson, John Francis, Engineman First Class
     Inglis, John Penfield, Seaman
     Johnson, Brawner Garth, Fire Control Technician First Class
     Johnson, Edward Albert, Chief Engineman
     Johnson, Richard Lee, Radioman Seaman
     Johnson, Robert Eugene, Chief Torpedoman's Mate
     Johnson, Thomas Benjamin, Electronics Technician First Class
     Jones, Richard William, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     Kaluza, Edmund Joseph, Sonarman Second Class
     Kantz, Thomas Charles, Electronics Technician Second Class
     Kearney, Robert Dennis, Machinist's Mate Third Class
     Keiler, Ronald Dean, Interior Communications Electrician 
         Second Class
     Kiesecker, George John, Machinist's Mate Second Class
     Klier, Billy Max, Engineman First Class
     Kroner, George Ronald, Commissaryman Third Class
     Lanouette, Norman Gilbert, Quartermaster First Class
     Lavoie, Wayne Wilfred, Yeoman First Class
     Mabry, Templeman Norwood, Jr., Engineman Second Class
     Mann, Richard Herman, Jr., Interior Communications 
         Electrician Second Class
     Marullo, Julius Francis, Jr., Quartermaster First Class
     McClelland, Douglas Ray, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     McCord, Donald James, Machinist's Mate First Class
     McDonough, Karl Paul, Torpedoman's Mate Third Class
     Middleton, Sidney Lynn, Machinist's Mate First Class
     Muise, Ronald Arthur, Commissaryman Second Class
     Musselwhite, James Alton, Electronics Technician Second Class
     Nault, Donald Emery, Commissaryman First Class
     Noonis, Walter Jack, Chief Radioman
     Norris, John Daniel, Electronics Technician First Class
     Oetting, Chesley Charles, Electrician's Mate Second Class
     Pennington, Roscoe Cleveland, Chief Electrician's Mate
     Peters, James Glen, Senior Chief Electrician's Mate
     Phillippi, James Frank, Sonarman Second Class
     Philput, Dan Andrew, Engineman Second Class
     Podwell, Richard, Machinist's Mate Second Class
     Regan, John Sage, Machinist's Mate First Class
     Richie, James Patrick, Radioman Second Class
     Robison, Pervis, Seaman
     Rountree, Glenn Alva, Quartermaster Second Class
     Rushetski, Anthony Alexander, Electronics Technician Second 
         Class
     Schiewe, James Michael, Electrician's Mate First Class
     Shafer, Benjamin Nathan, Master Chief Electrician's Mate
     Shafer, John Davis, Senior Chief Electrician's Mate
     Shimko, Joseph Thomas, Machinist's Mate First Class
     Shotwell, Burnett Michael, Electronics Technician Seaman
     Sinnett, Alan Dennison, Fire Control Technician Second Class
     Smith, William Harry, Jr., Boilerman First Class
     Snider, James Leonard, Machinist's Mate First Class
     Solomon, Ronald Hal, Chief Electrician's Mate
     Steinel, Robert Edwin, Sonarman First Class
     Van Pelt, Roger Edwin, Interior Communications Electrician 
         First Class
     Walski, Joseph Alfred, Radioman First Class
     Wasel, David Allan, Radioman Seaman
     Wiggins, Charles Louis, Fire Control Technician First Class
     Wise, Donald Edward, Chief Machinist's Mate
     Wolfe, Ronald Eugene, Quartermaster Seaman
     Zweifel, Jay Henry, Electrician's Mate Second Class


                                civilians

     Abrams, Fred Philip, Inspector, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
     Beal, Daniel W., Jr., Electronic Engineer, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     Charron, Robert E., Electronic Technician, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     Corcoran, Kenneth James, Progressman, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     Critchley, Kenneth James, Progressman, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     Currier, Paul Chevalier, Progressman, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     DesJardins, Richard Roy, Mechanical Engineer, Portsmouth 
         Naval Shipyard
     Dineen, George J., Electrician, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
     Fisher, Richard Kaye, Mechanical Engineer, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     Guerette, Paul Alfred, Engineering Technician, Portsmouth 
         Naval Shipyard
     Jaquay, Maurice Frank, Sonar Field Engineer, Raytheon Company
     Kuester, Donald William, Electronics Engineer, Naval Ordnance 
         Laboratory
     Moreau, Henry Charles, Leadingman, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
     Palmer, Franklin James, Leadingman, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

[[Page S4650]]

     Prescott, Robert Dan, Marine Engineer, Portsmouth Naval 
         Shipyard
     Stadtmuller, Donald T., Field Engineer, Sperry Gyroscope 
         Company
     Whitten, Lawrence Eugene, Electronic Engineer, Portsmouth 
         Naval Shipyard

  Mr. GREGG. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the brave Americans 
who served on the USS Thresher. The nuclear submarine USS Thresher, 
named after a shark, was built with extreme pride by yankee craftsmen 
working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, NH. After 
operations in the Atlantic and Caribbean, she returned to the 
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for overhaul, and then on April 10, 1963 she 
went back to sea for post-overhaul trials. Sadly, during those deep-
diving trials, the Thresher was lost off the coast of New England, 
along with all 96 sailors, 16 officers, and 17 civilians on board, 
falling more than 8,000 feet below the sea.
  The sailors, officers and civilians aboard the USS Thresher made the 
ultimate sacrifice in support of our Nation. They are remembered daily 
throughout New Hampshire, and Maine, and certainly within the U.S. 
Navy. This measure we introduced recognizes the courage and bravery 
these men demonstrated in risking their lives in the development of the 
United States Navy's submarine program, a program which has proven 
invaluable to the American military. The tragedy of the USS Thresher 
demonstrates the inherent danger of submarine service.
  On this the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, it is fitting that the 
Senate remembers with profound sorrow the loss of the USS Thresher and 
her gallant crew of sailors and civilians; and expresses its deepest 
gratitude to all submariners on eternal patrol, who are forever bound 
together by their dedicated and honorable service to the United States 
of America. May our country never forget those who gave their last full 
measure on the USS Thresher.
  Mr. TALENT. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 102) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 102

       Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was first launched at 
     Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on July 9, 1960;
       Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher departed Portsmouth Naval 
     Shipyard for her final voyage on April 9, 1963, with a crew 
     of 16 officers, 96 sailors, and 17 civilians;
       Whereas the mix of that crew reflects the unity of the 
     naval submarine service, military and civilian, in the 
     protection of the Nation;
       Whereas at approximately 7:47 a.m. on April 10, 1963, while 
     in communication with the surface ship U.S.S. Skylark, and 
     approximately 300 miles off the coast of New England, the 
     U.S.S. Thresher began her final descent;
       Whereas the U.S.S. Thresher was declared lost with all 
     hands on April 10, 1963;
       Whereas from the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher, there arose 
     the SUBSAFE program, which has kept United States' 
     submariners safe at sea ever since as the strongest, safest 
     submarine force in history;
       Whereas from the loss of the U.S.S. Thresher, there arose 
     in our Nation's universities the ocean engineering curricula 
     that enables the United States' preeminence in submarine 
     warfare; and
       Whereas the crew of the U.S.S. Thresher demonstrated the 
     ``last full measure of devotion'' in service to this Nation, 
     and this devotion characterizes the sacrifices of all 
     submariners, past and present: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the 40th Anniversary of the sinking of the 
     U.S.S. Thresher;
       (2) remembers with profound sorrow the loss of the U.S.S. 
     Thresher and her gallant crew of sailors and civilians on 
     April 10, 1963; and
       (3) expresses its deepest gratitude to all submariners on 
     ``eternal patrol'', who are forever bound together by their 
     dedicated and honorable service to the United States of 
     America.

     SEC. 2. TRANSMISSION OF RESOLUTION.

       The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this 
     resolution to the Chief of Naval Operations and to the 
     Commanding Officer of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to be 
     accepted on behalf of the families and shipmates of the crew 
     of the U.S.S. Thresher.

                          ____________________