My Posting on http://www.classmates.com   under Military, United States Navy - Afloat - U.S. Submarines (Other) - U.S.S. Diodon (SS 349) - 1967 thru 1968

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Added 09-22-02

Came aboard about end of Jan. '67 as TMSN(SG), graduate of TM "A" school, and Reserve Submarine School. Worked through quals as Deck Force in port, lookout, diving planes & helm underway. Went to WestPac, and got to Hong Kong, B.C.C.

On the way back to Japan, we had fire on board in the middle of a heavy storm at sea, stranded 3 days before being towed back to Yokosuka, Japan.

I remember my oral exam in the back of the Forward Torpedo Room while on patrol. I aced the exam by describing how each of a drop of oil and a drop of water could be moved through the boat this way and that.

I qualified in Aug. '67 and remember while I was sitting as Tubes Aft watch while diving that we hit something and did an emergency surface during maneuvers off of Okinawa with the Japanese Fleet.

Went back to Yokosuka for repairs.

I remember having to clean out the rotting sea growth throughout the superstructure on our return to San Diego. Remember that we almost blew ourselves up in an incident under topside decking near the Forward Torpedo Room escape trunk when painting the boat. 

Remember that we painted the entire sub a grand looking black, and had to repaint it Navy Gray!

Served as Team Leader of Survey Team during sub's overhaul.

Went out of the ship yard at Mare Island on our test dive to test depth, the deepest I had been while on board.

We went back to local ops out of San Diego and then up to Vancouver, B.C. where I spent 3 days liberty in that fine town.

Left Diodon on about Oct. 2, 1968.

Now I am the creator and webmaster of the boat's home page: http://www.diodon349.com/