Memorial Day remembrance of USS Thresher and Scorpion crews

[Kirk]

What does Memorial Day mean to me?

In January of 1962, when I was 19 years old and stationed on the USS Seadragon in Pearl Harbor, I suffered a ruptured appendix and spent a month in Tripler Army Hospital. The Executive Office, Lieutenant Commander John Harvey visited me every week to make sure that I received proper care and had everything that I needed. In addition, the Chief Petty Officer that I worked for and several other shipmates visited regularly. In June I left and reported to Nuclear Power School in Vallejo, CA and then to prototype training in ID in January 1963. About the same time LTC Harvey took command of the USS Thresher. On April 9, 1963 the USS Thresher was lost with all hands, including LTC Harvey and several enlisted men that I knew.

On March 28, 1968, I was discharged. On May 22, 1968 the USS Scorpion was lost with all hands, including several more men that I had known.

 

[Rene T]

What does Memorial Day mean to me?

In January of 1962, when I was 19 years old and stationed on the USS Seadragon in Pearl Harbor, I suffered a ruptured appendix and spent a month in Tripler Army Hospital. The Executive Office, Lieutenant Commander John Harvey visited me every week to make sure that I received proper care and had everything that I needed. In addition, the Chief Petty Officer that I worked for and several other shipmates visited regularly. In June I left and reported to Nuclear Power School in Vallejo, CA and then to prototype training in ID in January 1963. About the same time LTC Harvey took command of the USS Thresher. On April 9, 1963 the USS Thresher was lost with all hands, including LTC Harvey and several enlisted men that I knew.

On March 28, 1968, I was discharged. On May 22, 1968 the USS Scorpion was lost with all hands, including several more men that I had known.

My Dad worked on the Thresher the night before it left the S/Y. Interrogators came to our house to interview him. I think he had to go back into work.
They have a nice memorial for the thresher and it’s crew at the Kittery Me traffic circle

 

[RayIN]

Kirk those experiences had to leave scars. I watched my BIL after Vietnam. He was in the brown water navy in-country. While on R&R in Hawaii with my sister, his boat hit a mine and killed everyone aboard. One of those killed was his replacement.
He never recovered from that incident, but handled the PTSD well. Only once in a great while would he talk to me about something bothering him. He always thought it should've been him.
Have a good and relaxing Memorial Day my friend.

 

[Derby6]

We/I remember. RIP all. Those I served with, those before, and those more recent.
Thank you and your families.