[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.
____________________