Welcome to USSVI History. This page was created to provide USSVI members a history of the Organization from it's inception in 1963 to the present.
USSVI: A History
The Formation Years
Prior to the founding of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI), another U.S. submarine veterans association existed, the U.S. Submarine Veterans of WW II which recently disbanded nationally because of declining numbers. Originally founded in July 1955, membership in this organization was limited to submarine crews and relief crews who were on active duty from Dec.1, 1941 through Sept. 1, 1945. As this organization grew, so did the development and deployment of submarines across the globe, and it was apparent to many that there was a need and a strong desire for a new organization to include submariners of all eras.
Fueled by a desire to form a new association, and inspired by the tragic loss of the USS Thresher (SSN 593) on April 10, 1963, a meeting was set for October 12, 1963. Led by Dominic ‘Joe’ Negri, Ken Walkington and Robert Link, and others, the Charter Meeting of the U.S. Submarine Veterans was held in Orange, NJ, with 16 representatives present. The Creed and National By-Laws were established at this inaugural meeting.
Officers were appointed to serve in an acting capacity until regular elections could be held in the summer of 1964. Robert Link was “appointed” President; Ken Walkington, Vice-President; Joe Burges, Secretary, and Mike Drucker, Treasurer.
On May 24, 1964, shipmates Joe Negri, Ken Walkington, and Joe Marion met with Boston attorney, L. Patrick Gray, Captain, USN (Ret)(who later became the FBI Director),to legally constitute the U.S. Submarine Veterans as a legal, non-profit organization in the State of Connecticut, with a license to operate and conduct business in all 50 states. The organization was officially incorporated and chartered in New London, CT. (signatories: Joe Negri, Ken Walkington, and Joe Marion.) Additional USSVI Plank Owners included Warren ‘Ed’ Gannon, Angelo La Pelosa, Robert Link, Tom Rowan, and Hugh Trimble. Joe Negri was elected the first Connecticut State Commander and Dick Higham was elected the first Base Commander of Connecticut Base #1 (later to become Groton Base.)This fledgling organization would soon grow to several hundred shipmates scattered throughout Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
The first National Convention was held in Atlantic City, NJ on June 18-20,1964. Acting President, Robert Link of Absecon, NJ. hosted the delegates at the Traymore Hotel. Nine eastern states were represented by Ed Sena from New York, Dick Higham from Connecticut, Elmo Wittig from New Jersey, Thomas ‘Doc’ Smith from New Jersey, Herman Schmidt from New Jersey, and Art Clarke from Pennsylvania, Joe Negri of Connecticut and Ken Walkington. Cmdr. Charles Carlisle, Command Officer of the USS Tecumseh, served as guest speaker for the first annual convention. VADM Charles Lockwood was also a guest of honor in attendance.
A new slate of National Officers was elected at the first Convention. Joe Negri was elected National Commander; Ken Walkington, Vice Commander; Joe Burges, Secretary; and Mike Drucker, Treasurer. National Directors were Joe Webb, Dick Higham, and Joe Marion.
Note worthy decisions at the first convention included:
.all elections would be by secret ballot
.membership would be offered to all qualified submariners from 1900 to
present
.the Holland Club was established
.Groton Base was the first base to be chartered and was initially designated as Connecticut Base #1. Since Groton owned its own facility, the ‘Clubhouse’ as it was known, this base was also chosen as the site for the National Headquarters.
At the August 13-16, 1965 National Convention, fourteen states were represented with 225 members in attendance at the Schraft’s Motel in New London, CT. Rear Admiral Tyree was guest speaker for the event and special honor was given to Ring Bennett, who qualified for submarine service in 1906, along with 5 other sailors who qualified before 1929.
In May 1966, the magazine Submarine National Review, came into existence to better establish communications and rapport, with Ken Walkington and Tom Rowan serving as co-editors. It was renamed American Submariner in Dec.1977. It reverted back to National Review in Jan 1979 but in July 1991 it was renamed yet again to American Submariner but it retained the subtitle of National Submarine Review until 2000.
LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE AGES:
1963-64 Bob Link (appointed) New Jersey SouthBase
1964-66 Joe Negri (1st elected) Groton
1966-68 Ken Walkington Groton
1968-70 Tom Rowan Long Island &Hampton Roads
1970-72 Joe Ruddarow, Jr. New Jersey South
1972-74 John E. Lowell, Jr. Philadelphia
1974-76 Henry H. Weber Maryland
1976-78 Don Dougher San Diego
1978-80 Ron Grant Boston
1980-82 Ron Ryan Groton
1982-84 Jim Page Groton
1984-85 Tudor Davis Blueback
1985-87 Edward Lang Boston
1987-88 John Brazil Boston
1988-90 Steve Russo Boston
1990-92 Herb Saunders Boston
1992-94 Frank Whitty Thresher & Groton
1994-96 Charles Marin San Diego
1996-98 Robert Wonsley Blueback
1998-99 Gary Stewart San Diego
1999-00 John Fredricks (acting) Triton
2000-02 Jack Ensminger Tri-State
2002-04 John Peters Bowfin
2004-08 Tom Conlon New Jersey North
2008-10 Pat Householder Seattle
2010-14 Mike Bircumshaw Scamp
2014-16 Al Singleman Saratoga
2016-18 John Markiewicz Jacksonville
2018-22 Wayne Standefer Dallas
OTHER OFFICERS: (if office not listed, it was the same person from previous year)
1964 Ken Walkington, Vice-Commander; Joe Burges, Secretary; Mike Drucker, Treasurer
1967 Joe Burges, Vice-Commander; Warren Gannon, Secretary
1968 Tom Rowan, Vice-Commander; Tom Dangerfield, Secretary
1969 Tom Dangerfield, Vice-Commander; William Haines, Secretary; Wes Aldag, Treasurer
1971 Everett Rosenbloom, Vice-Commander; John Lowell, Secretary; William Roney, Treasurer
1972 Francis Beyers, Vice-Commander
1973 John Donaldson, National Secretary; Edgar Fischer, Treasurer
1974 Al Shoehigh, Vice-Commander; GW Stearns, Secretary; JC Humphries, Treasurer
1976 William Robinson, Vice-Commander; John Baker, Secretary; Daniel Castro, Treasurer
1977 Ron Grant, ice Commander; George Butterfield, Secretary
1978 Jim Page, Vice Commander; Jan Dyer, Treasurer
1979 Jim Ewing, Secretary
1980 Charles Marin, Vice-Commander; Secretary; David Schoaff, Treasurer
1981 Jim Page, Commander; Matt Cola, Secretary
1982 Stephen Russo, Vice Commander; Tom Shields, Secretary
1983 Tudor Davis, Vice-Commander; George Butterfield, Secretary
1984 Ed Lang, Vice-Commander; Clyde Crowder, Secretary
1985 John Brazil, Vice-Commander; Stephen Russo, Secretary
1987 Stephen Russo, Vice-Commander; Herb Saunders, Secretary; Jan Dyer, Treasurer
1988 Herb Saunders, Vice-Commander; Paul Russ, Secretary
1989 Frank Whitty, Secretary
1991 Frank Whitty, Vice-Commander; Paul Russ, Secretary
1992 Charles Marin, Vice-Commander; Robert Wonsley, Secretary; Matthew Cola, Treasurer
1993 Dick Litscher, Treasurer
1995 Robert Wonsley, Vice Commander; Pete McGuire, Secretary
1996 Jack Ensminger, Vice Commander; Aster Riley, Jr. Vice-Commander; Gary Stewart, Secretary
1997 John Andersen, Treasurer
1998 John Fredricks, Vice Commander; Jack Ensminger, Sr. Vice-Commander, .Owen Williams, Jr. Vice Commander; Tom Conlon, Secretary
1999 Randy Little, Vice-Commander
2000 Jim Rolle, Vice-Commander (Appointed)
2001 John Andersen, Sr. Vice-Commander; John Peters, Jr. Vice-Commander; Richard Baker, Treasurer
2002 John Peters, Sr. Vice-Commander; Bud Berg, Jr. Vice-Commander; Jim Strassels, Treasurer
2003 Tom Conlon, Sr. Vice-Commander; Pat Householder, Secretary
2004 Jim Foote, Jr. Vice-Commander; Jon Jacques, Treasurer
2005 Jim Foote, Sr. Vice-Commander; Pat Householder, Jr. Vice-Commander; John Markiewicz, Secretary
2007 Al Singleman, Secretary
2008 Jon Jacques, Sr. Vice-Commander, John Markeiwicz-Treasurer, Mike Bircumshaw-Nat. Jr. Vice Cmdr
2009 Forward can be view by looking at the American Submariner magazines at the National Web site.
CONVENTIONS SITES
1964 Atlantic City - Traymore Hotel
1965 New London - Schraft’s Motel
1966 SubVetsClub - Groton
1967 Long Island-Hempstead Motor Hotel
1968 Cherry Hill, NJ-Country Squire Motor Lodge
1969 Boston-Carleton Inn, Quincy
1970 Chicago-Great City Hotel
1971 Portsmouth, NH-Wentworth by the Sea
1972 San Juan, PR-Hotel Borinquen
1973 Highland, NY-Rocking Horse Ranch
1974 Fort Monroe, Hampton, VA-The Chamberlain
1975 Atlantic City-Chalfonte-Haddon
1976 Albuquerque-Old Town Sheraton
1977 San Diego-Royal Inn at the Wharf
1978 Honolulu-HaleKoa Military Hotel
1979 Elmont, LI, NY-Bermuda Cruise
1980 SubVetsClub- Groton
1981 Portsmouth, NH-Wentworth Resort
1982 Montreal-Que Le Chateau Champlain
1983 San Diego-Holiday Inn/Embarcadero
1984 SubVetsClub- Groton
1985 Bremerton-Bayview Inn
1986 Boston-Copley Square Hotel
1987 Albuquerque-Hilton
1988 Rochelle Park, NJ-Ramada
1989 San Diego-Gosvenor Inn
1990 Montreal-Journey’s End Hotel
1991 Honolulu-Hilton Hawaiian Village/Hale Koa
1992 Norfolk-Quality Inn/Lake Wright Resort
1993 Vallejo-Holiday Inn
1994 Portsmouth, NH-Yoken’s Comfort Inn
1995 Manitowoc, WI-Holiday Inn
1996 Portland-Marriott Inn
1997 Mobile-Holiday Inn
1998 Hagerstown-Ramada
1999 Reno-Peppermill
2000 Atlantic City-Holiday Inn
2001 Peoria, IL-Holiday Inn
2002 Duluth, MN-Holiday Inn
2003 Reno-Reno Hilton
2004 Saratoga Springs, NY-Sheraton
2005 Kansas City-Hyatt Regency
2006 Little Rock-Peabody, Little Rock
2007 Seattle/Alaska Cruise
2008 Ft. Worth-Hilton Ft. Worth
2009 San Diego-Town and Country Resort
2010 Cincinnati-Drawbridge Inn, Ft. Mitchell, KY
2011 Springfield, Missouri, University Plaza Hotel
2012 Norfolk Waterside Marriott Norvolk, VA
2013 Kahler Grand Hotel, Rochester, MN
2014 Hyatt Regency, Burlingame, CA
2015 Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA
2016 Grand Sierra, Reno
2017 Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando
2018 Cruise- Ft. Lauderdale
2019 Renaissance- Austin, TX
2020 Tucson, AZ/Cancelled
2021 Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando
2022 Buffalo, NY
2023 Tucson, AZ (replacement for 2020)
NICE TO KNOW FACTS:
1) Scholarship Committee: Formed in 1982 with Tom Rowan as Chair. Steve Russo took the job in1983 and then Jim Lang in 1985. Ed Lang took the position in 1986 (along with being National Commander) and worked it until 1993. Paul Orstad took command in 1994 and has served continuously (14 years) since then.
2) Fifteen years ago, USSVI had 51 Bases (all of which are still valid) and 3500 members. Today (2020) we have 160+ Bases with 11,800+ members. Only Alaska and West Virginia are without bases, but members living there belong to other nearby bases. You can belong to any Base by paying their dues and applying to them, but one Base must has to classified as your Primary Base. That is for voting rights.
3) In the last 30 years, there have only been 8 Editors of the American Submariner/National Submarine Review: Don Merrigan 91-93, Jim Rolle 93-96, Randy Little 97-99, Jim Terrell 2000-05, Mike Bircumshaw 2005-2008, Gordon Palmer 2009-2012, Chuck Emmett 2013-2018, Mike Bircumshaw 2018-2020. Charles W Senior 2020-Present.
4) Clay Decker passed in May of 2004. He was one of 9 survivors of the USS Tang and spent a year in a Japanese POW camp. He was with Richard O’Kane. He lived in Lakewood Colorado. A history is available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eCU6hhdJ_C-GhVuwiFHMFqTDV-AiSW4D/edit
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