The
California Military MuseumPOC: Mark J. Denger
Phone: (818)240-1775; Email: Permit1@Flash.net
The site of the NATIONAL SUBMARINE MEMORIAL-WEST, which presently honors the 52 submarines lost in World War II, will incorporate two bronze plaques listing the names of every sailor lost on board the two nuclear-powered submarines USS THRESHER (SSN-593) and USS SCORPION (SSN-589) which were lost during the Cold War. The THRESHER-SCORPION MEMORIAL will also incorporate a special "SUBMARINE CENTENNIAL BRICK MEMORIAL WALKWAY." which will not only serve to honor those shipmates lost on board the nuclear-powered submarines USS THRESHER (SSN-688) and USS SCORPION (SSN-589) but all of our valiant Submariners of the U.S. Navy who lost their lives in the service of their country since 1900.
The "SUBMARINE CENTENNIAL BRICK MEMORIAL WALKWAY" will have approximately seventy "Memorial Bricks" listing all 45 submarines lost with all hands; the 14 submarines lost with some of the crew as survivors; the 6 submarines lost with all of its crew as survivors; and the 4 submarines lost under special circumstances. Each of these "Memorial Bricks" will list the boat's name, hull number, the date of loss, and number of men lost. A final "Memorial Brick" will be dedicated in memory of those shipmates who lost their lives to other causes. A "Memorial Brick" will commemorate the "Submarine Centennial, 1900 - 2000" itself and six additional "Memorial Bricks" will recognize the accomplishments of David Bushnell and his submarine TURTLE of the Revolutionary War, 1776; John P. Holland, "Father of the Modern Submarine," and the U.S. Navy's first submarine USS HOLLAND (SS-1); Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, "WWII Submariner"; Vice Admiral Charles A. "Uncle Charlie" Lockwood, Jr., USN, "WWII Submariner"; Rear Admiral Charles "Swede" Momsen, "Submarine Pioneer & Inventor"; Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, "Father of the Nuclear Submarine," and America's first nuclear powered submarine USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571); and Admiral William F. "Red" Raborn, USN, "Father of the Fleet Ballistic Missile" and the first Polaris-armed submarine USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN-598). A sitting area, offset by a small pine tree, will frame this beautifully designed memorial. Within the sitting area will be eight additional "Memorial Bricks" which will honor the Submarine Force's Medal of Honor recipients: TM2(SS) Henry Berault, USN, USS O-5 (SS-66), 1923; CAPT John P. Cromwell, USN, USS SCULPIN (SS-191), 1943; CDR Samuel D. Dealey, USN, USS HARDER (SS-257), 1944; CDR Eugene B. Fluckey, USN, USS BARB (SS-220), 1944; CDR Howard W. Gilmore, USN, USS GROWLER (SS-215), 1944; CDR Richard H. O'Kane, USN, USS TANG (SS-306), 1944; CDR Lawson P. Ramage, USN, USS PARCHE (SS-384), 1944; and CDR George L. Street, III, USN, USS TIRANTE (SS-420), 1945. The small pine tree, which is located directly across from an existing large pine in the middle of the memorial site, will symbolize both the past and the future of the Submarine Service.
"This special memorial project," states Mr. Mark J. Maynard, Director, WORLD WAR II NATIONAL SUBMARINE MEMORIAL - WEST, "will be a welcome addition to the existing fifty-two bronze plaques dedicated to ‘the memory of those shipmates who gave their lives in Submarine Warfare' during World War II and will serve to strengthen the bonds of the past with the present."
The dedication of the THRESHER-SCORPION MEMORIAL and "SUBMARINE CENTENNIAL BRICK MEMORIAL WALKWAY" is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2000, Armed Forces Day at 10:00a.m. as part of the nationwide Submarine Centennial Celebration.
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Join the Los Angeles Area "Diesel Boaters" Chapter of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II and the Los Angeles-Pasadena Base of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., as we pay tribute to the 4,000 men who have been lost in the Submarine Service during the dedication ceremonies of the THRESHER-SCORPION MEMORIAL and SUBMARINE CENTENNIAL BRICK MEMORIAL WALKWAY on Saturday, May 20, 2000 - Armed Forces Day, at 11:00 a.m., at the site of the National Submarine Memorial-West adjacent to the main entrance to the U.S. Naval Weapons Support Facility, Seal Beach, California.
The National Submarine Memorial - West is located near the main entrance to the U.S. NAVAL WEAPONS STATION (NAVWEPSTA), Seal Beach.
Travelers coming north from the San Diego area proceed north on I-5 to the I-405, continuing north on the I-405 until you pass the Garden Grove Freeway SR-22, exiting on Los Alamitos Avenue / Seal Beach Boulevard off ramp. Turn left (south) at the top of the ramp toward Seal Beach. Continue on Seal Beach Boulevard past Westminster Avenue and you will see the NAVWEPSTA on your left. The Main Gate Entrance is on the left side and is the only left turn on that whole stretch of Seal Beach Boulevard after crossing Westminster Avenue.
Travelers coming from Los Angeles should take I-405 south, just past the I-605; or I-605 to the I-405 south; exiting on the Los Alamitos Avenue / Seal Beach Boulevard off ramp. Turn left (south) at the top of the ramp toward Seal Beach. Continue on Seal Beach Boulevard past Westminster Avenue and you will see the NAVWEPSTA on your left. The Main Gate Entrance is on the left side and is the only left turn on that whole stretch of Seal Beach Boulevard after crossing Westminster Avenue.
Don't miss this very special opportunity to put some meaning back into ARMED FORCES DAY.