Torpedoman's Association

Torpedoman's Association

Updated 04-09-18

Since 03-27-09

I, your Web Master, James R. Santos, ex-TM2(SS), USNR. I am a Life Member of the Torpedoman's Association.

Your Web-Master

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Military & Patriotic Orgs I belong to

Updated 05-12-17

Submarines Your Web Master served on

Your Web Master's Parents in late 1945 just before getting married

Your Web Master's Navy & Coast Guard Reserves Service Ranks and Years

Your Web Master's Life Member NAVetUSA Web Page

Your Web Master in his TM days

Your Web Master as TM2(SS) in1969

 

 

 

Free Guestbook

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04-26-15

Craig Johnson

March 10 at 2:01pm

YouTube

For those of us who have been to the submarine base New London

Crash Dive (Drama 1943) Tyrone Power

Against his personal preference, PT boat commander Ward Stewart is made executive officer of the submarine USS Corsair. On leave…

New 06-26-17

 

New 06-15-17

Image result for torpedoman california

New 04-02-17

 

 

New 06-03-17

New 06-03-17

New 03-08-17

New 02-04-17

    home sweet home

New 04-11-16

 

 

New 11-13-17

Torpedomen, do you have any stories, memorabilia, and/or photos to share on our web site?   If so, please contact Web-Master

Patch from my Fleet ASW School, San Diego, CA 1966

 

Qualified in Submarines on USS Diodon (SS-349) under the Yellow Sea on August 15, 1967

Your Web-Master then in 1969, TM2(SS) USN Submarine Reserve

The photo above was taken, as I recall, on board one of those covered Coaxain's Boats (1969, as TM2(SS), USNR).

This was just after I had completed a week end working in the Torpedo Shop on the Sub Tender USS Sperry or USS Nereus.

Another Reservist from my Submarine Reserve Unit 12-9, TM2(SS) Gus Ruiz, snapped this photo. He has since passed away.  He was a photographer by trade, as I recall.

TM2(SS) Gus Ruiz has since passed away

Sailor Rest Your Oar

May He Rest In Peace

He took the photo as we were returning to shore from the tender, which was moored out in the water at Fort Roscans, Ballast Point Submarine Base, San Diego, California.

Please send me a message. I  will reply to your email and let you know where to email me your stories & photos

Updated 10-03-17

1968 to 1971

TM2(SS)

 

Your Web-Master

Your Web Master in 10-12-2003

USNR & USCGR - My Training & Advancement

 

 

SR
Seaman Recruit

 

1965
 

 SA
Seaman Apprentice

 

1965

 SN
Seaman

Actually TMSN(SG)

1966

 TMSN(SS) in 1967

 TM3(SS)
Torpedoman's Mate 
Third Class

1967

 TM2(SS)
Torpedoman's Mate Second Class

1968 to 1971

Bluejacket's Manual
Sixteenth Edition
1965

  

Basic Military Req'ts
NAVPERS 10054-A

1965

  

Seaman
NAVPERS 10120-D

 

1965

  

Petty Officer 3 & 2
NAVPERS 10056-A

1966

  

TM 3 & 2
NAVPERS 10163

 


1967

 (Updated 11-20-15)

1967
TM3(SS)
After Torpedo Room of USS Diodon
 (SS-349)

The fellow torpedoman used my camera to snap this photo, however, I blinked just as he took the photo.
 

1967 on USS Diodon (SS-349) just about to depart Hong Kong B.C.C.  TMSN(SS)

 (New 11-20-15)

1967
TM3(SS)

 

Here I am, clean shaven, in Buckner Bay, TM3(SS), Okinawa, post 55 day surveillance patrol

1967
TM3(SS)
After Torpedo Room of USS Diodon
 (SS-349), Small Arms Petty Officer

 

Image of Torpedo Tube interior, much like the 21" x 24 Foot ones I had to clean on USS Diodon (SS-349) in the ATR.

I did so wearing overalls, laying on a curved coaster in the damp smelling tube, with diesel oil in a bucket and steel wool to scrub to tube interior surfaces.

Not so bad on my stomach, or my side.  Dripping fuel oil onto my face and overalls was the situation while laying on my back to scrub the upper side and top interior surfaces.

Of course, while in the tube, I was rather concerned that one of my shipmates might close the breech door as a joke on me.  Fortunately, that did not happen!

Once I was finished scrubbing, from the breech door end to the inside of the outer tube door surface 24 feet back into the tube, I got out of the tube, rather soaked in fuel oil.

Well, that is the memory to share here.

To contact and Join the TMA contact Gary Adams at ad24history@att.net

 (New 09-20-14)

To contact web master Jim Santos at born_again@att.net  

TMA Application 
HTML document

 (Updated 09-02-15)

USN Torpedoman
On Facebook
 (Updated 05-03-15)

Created 02-11-14 to reduce page load time

Click below years for photos & stories

Menu Book Marks

Navy Torpedomen

U.S. Navy Torpedomen through the Years

Fellow Torpedoman's Mates. if you have any memories, photos and/or memorabilia please send them to me to post here in.

born_again@att.net

James R. Santos, Web Master

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices

Updated 07-16-17

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 2

Updated 07-01-17

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 3

Updated 07-26-17

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 4

Updated 09-30-17

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 5

Updated  11-14-17

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 6

Updated 12-11-17

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 7

Updated  01-19-18

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 8

Updated 04-07-18

General TM and Eternal Patrol Notices Part 9

Updated 04-09-18

25 Top Torpedoman Profiles on Linkedin

(Brought back 08-29-15)

Top 14 Torpedoman's Mate Second Class profiles | LinkedIn

Torpedoman's Mates in Action - Stories & Photos
Updated 10-21-14

The Great DBF Stories of Torpedoman's Mate Bob 'Dex' Armstrong

(New 03-20-14)

Australian Torpedomen trough the Years

(Updated 04-09-14)

British and Canadian Torpedomen through the Years

(Updated 04-18-14)

German Navy Torpedomen through the Years

(Updated 04-08-14)

Torpedoman's Mates with no Specific Year to assign them to

Updated 04-14-16

Torpedoman's Association Newsletters

Updated 02-24-16

Pre-1900 Torpedomen

Created 05-25-17

Updated 06-09-17
1900-1919

Updated 06-04-17

1920-1929

Brought back 08-31-15

Updated 07-14-17

1930-1939

 Brought back and

Updated 06-24-17

1940-1949
Updated 12-20-15
 (COMPLETED ADDED jpg photos & fixed links on photos on 12-20-15)

1940-1949 Torpedomen Part 2

Updated 09-26-17

1940-1949 Torpedomen Part 3
Updated 08-06-17

1950-1959

Updated 06-29-17

1960-1969

Updated 07-27-17

1970-1979

Updated 05-14-17

1970-1979 Torpedomen Part 2

Brought back 08-31-15

1980-1989

Updated 05-11-17

1990-1999 

Updated 05-28-17

2000-2010 & later

Updated 04-17-17

2000-2010 & later Torpedomen

Updated 02-14-16

 

 

Torpedoman Reunions

2015 TM Reunion in D.C.

Created 10-21-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 2

Created 10-22-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 3

Created 10-23-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 4

Created 10-24-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 5

Created 10-24-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 6

Created 10-25-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 7

Created 10-26-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 8

Created 10-27-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 9

Created 10-28-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 10

Created 10-29-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 11

Created 10-30-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 12

Created 10-31-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 13

Created 11-01-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 14

Created 11-02-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 15

Created 11-03-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 16

Created 11-04-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 17

Created 11-05-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 18

Created 11-06-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 19

Created 11-07-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 20

Created 11-08-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 21

Created 11-09-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 22

Created 11-11-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 23

Created 11-12-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 24

Created 11-14-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 25

Created 11-16-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 26

Created 11-19-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 27

Created 11-20-15 

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 28

Created 11-21-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 29

Created 11-22-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 30

Created 11-23-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 31

Created 11-24-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 32

Created 11-25-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 33

Created 11-30-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 34

Created 12-01-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 35

Created 12-02-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 36

Created 12-03-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 37

Created 12-06-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 38

Created 12-07-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 39

Created 12-08-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 40

Created 12-13-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 41

Created 12-14-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 42

Created 12-16-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 43

Created 12-21-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 44

Created 12-22-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 45

Created 12-29-15

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 46

Created 01-04-16

2015 TM Reunion in D.C. Part 47

Created 01-05-16

 

 

Torpedoman's Association Introduction
Info and who to contact to join the TMA
(Updated 05-03-14)

The Torpedoes & More

The Torpedoman's Mates - Rate Info

The Torpedoman's Mates - Stories

The Torpedoman's Association Newsletters

Your Web-Master

Military & Veterans' Page

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The Torpedoes & More

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From:  robert.pallat@yahoo.com

Got this from a friend of mine.  In case your'e interesting in purchasing a Mk14 torpedo, here it is up for sale.  r/ Bob

Subject: FW: MK14 in SGN

Came across this today.  Thought it might fit in your motorhome.

U.S. MK14 TORPEDO

Surplus you just can’t buy anymore! This original inert torpedo was the tool by which brave U.S. Sailors sunk a majority of the 5 million+ tons of enemy shipping in WW2. Having served for 50 years, this torpedo was born in the Depression, suffered bizzare malfunctions in the early part of WW2 including detonating early, penetrating enemy shipping and not exploding, bouncing off the target, turning back on the friendly sub that fired it, and well, a host of sailor lore surrounds this beast. It succeeded well after the 3 major ‘bugs’ were fixed. Finally being retired in the early 1980s. We only have one remaining, and since the Govern­ment completley destroys these nowadays, this may be your only chance to obtain one. Warhead explosive, detonator and cap have been removed. Size: 17 feet long, 22 inches wide $5,000.00 F.O.B. Easton

SARCO, INC.

E-mail: sarcopa@sarcoinc.com

(New 03-10-15)

The Torpedoes
(Updated 01-10-16)

The Torpedo Tubes, Torpedo Rooms, Mines & More
(Updated 11-13-05)

 

A HUMAN TORPEDO

A SHORT HISTORY OF TORPEDOES - 1866 to 1944

COLORADO TORPEDO PROGRAM REALIZES COST SAVINGS

German DESTROYERS - Large Torpedo Boats/Torpedo Boat Destroyers - WWI

Grumman TBF - TBM Avenger - Carrier Based Torpedo Bomber
From: Robert Marble TMCS(SS) USN (Ret) [mailto:redcon1sq@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 10:00 PM
Subject: When you were offline (via Bravenet HumanClick)http;//www.vf31.com/aircraft avenger. html "TBF/TBM Avenger specifications state that it carried one 22" Mk 8 Torpedo (13' long)
It carried a Mk 13 Mod 1 torpedo, weighing 2216#, 13.5' long and 22.42" diameter.  Range  6300 yards, speed 33.5 knots, explosive charge 600# Torpex.
Respectfully,
BUBBLEHEAD BOB
(Updated 11-06-06)

History of the Torpedo Branch of the Royal Navy

(New 02-09-14)

Japanese Nakajima B5N1 and B5N2 (Kate) Carrier Based Torpedo Bomber

Mark 14 torpedoes and submarines
(New 03-27-12)

MK32 TORPEDO LAUNCH SYSTEM
(New 09-30-13)

MK37, NT37 and MK44 TORPEDO
(New 09-30-13)

MK46, MK48, MK54 and ADCAP TORPEDO
(New 09-30-13)

Minecraft Submarine Tutorial (Walkthrough and Torpedo Tubes Tutorial)
Video
(New 09-30-13)

PT Boats, Torpedo Boats

SHIPBOARD TORPEDO HANDLING EQUIPMENT
(New 09-30-13)

Submarine Torpedo Tubes and Firing Systems
(New 09-30-13)

The Story of PT518

The Torpedo Incident

Torpedo at US Sub Vets of Northern CA Lost Boats Memorial
(New 11-13-06)

Torpedo findings from the Internet

Torpedo Squadron Four - The Pacific Theater

Torpedo Town U.S.A. - Chapter 7

Torpedo Tubes

Updated 05-05-14

Torpedo tubes on U.S. submarines in World War II were basically large naval guns that used compressed air rather than explosives to eject their projectiles. Most modern submarines use compressed air to force water into the tube, thus ejecting the torpedo with no possibility of air escaping the tube. One marked difference between any torpedo tube and a gun is that the torpedo itself is self-propelling; the tube generally supplies only the initial impetus for the torpedo. Shown above is a view of the outboard side of a tube in a fleet submarine.
 

Tough Torpedo Bomber
An Adobe PDF document

U.S. Merchant Vessel War Casualties of World War II

When the torpedoes hit the German U-boat it was the biggest bang I’d ever heard’
(New 09-30-13)

The Torpedoman's Mates

Return to Menu

(New 11-05-12)

 

RIGHT ARM RATES

The Blowhole

Dolphin Base, USSVI

July, 2013

Volume 9, Number 9

www.ussvi.org/base/Dolphin.asp 

Established in 1841 and disestablished 2 April 1949, originally signified men of the Seaman branch.

During WWII these rates included Boatswains Mate, Turret Captain, Signalman, Gunners Mate, Fire Controlman, Quarter-master, Mineman, and Torpedoman's Mate. Other ratings wore rates on the left sleeve.

(New 05-15-14)

Torpedoman - Established 1921; changed to Torpedoman's Mate 1942.

(New 04-10-14)

Torpedoman's Mate (abbreviated as TM) was a United States Navy occupational rating. It was disestablished on 1 October 2007.

Surface Torpedomen were merged into the Gunner's Mate rating, while submarine Torpedomen were merged into the Machinist Mate (non-nuclear) rating, becoming MM(W) or Machinist Mates (Weapons).

(New 04-10-14)

From: Jack Duncan [mailto:dryfrog@npgcable.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 3:34 PM
To: Jack Duncan
Subject: Updated Navy Torpedomen within 1940-1949 Torpedomen A & 2000-2010 & later on 04-21-14

Kith and Kin,

 Marlene and I have discovered through our many school presentations for the Joe Foss Institute that much of America has no idea about history or civics while geography is a total unknown.  This is due to a change in the basic precepts of the educational system, especially post-World War 2.  I written a long treatise on that subject that you may ask about.

 Below and through the links posted is a long-overdue compilation of rudimentary and elementary things that should not be lost to history.  Glimpses into the not-too-distance past, for there are those, like me, still alive who lived these adventures.

Thanks to Jim Santos, his expertise with a computer and memories of various old guys like me, perhaps 2 or 3 percent of you will read these memories of old salts.  The rest are simply too busy or their lives are too frenetic and helter-skelter could give a rat's.  That's my challenge!! 

Oh!  And send it on to others who may be interested.

Jack

(New 04-24-14)

From: mfl4759925@aol.com 
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2014 12:01 AM
To: ss349tm3ss@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Updated Torpedoman's Association with updated 1960-1969, 1970-1979, 1980-1989 and 1990-1999 on 08-15-14

Don't forget, that FC settings could be also set manually at the torpedo tube, depth by hand and gyro from the "jeep".
DBF  Michael F. Lintner, TMCM(SS)

(New 09-15-14)

From: BILL BARBARA LITTLE  littlebilleod@msn.com    

Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 4:55 PM
To: james santos
Subject: Torpedo men (old friends)

Hi James;  My name is Bill Little.  I was a gunners mate on the Pine Island in the 60's.  I worked with a lot of the torpedo men.  Was wondering if you might have contact information on L.H. Acuft (TM-2), Tyson (TM-2), Taylor (SM), or  F.A.  Zerwitz  (GMT-2)?  Would appreciate any info. you might have to help me location old buddies.  I am thinking about going to the San Diego reunion in Sept.  My home ph. # is (541) 679-2204.  Thanks Again for your time.  Bill Little.  Feel free to pass my number on. Thx

(New 03-28-14)

From: Donald Hayden imagerybyhayden@att.net 
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2014 7:43 AM
To: diodonsubvet@gmail.com
Subject: Saw your website

Mr. Santos,

Came across the torpedoman website after finding a letter postmarked 1999 from the Association of Torpedoman's Mates (while cleaning storage) and wondered if this was what your organization evolved from.

I was Torpedoman 2nd serving on the USS Allen M. Sumner, DD-592 and the USS Yellowstone, AD-27.

Have some photos from my experiences serving on both. Currently serve as the main photographer for the Sumner reunions.

Thanks,

Don Hayden

(New 07-10-14)
From: timmerman@nvinet.com
Sent: 2/5/2013 11:38:46 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Looking for a picture of my Dad.
 
CTMV  Wesley "D" Timmerman,  Newport Naval Station, RI
Last on USS Kearsarge
Was in Pearl Harbor on the USS Case
Served from 41 to 46.

Thanks, Mark Timmerman

(New 02-10-13)

All DD-762 and DD-391 shipmates are invited to attend SIPS Reunion 7 to 10 May 2006

PT Boat Torpedoman

The Torpedoman's Mates - Rank/Rate Description

 

The Torpedoman's Association Newsletters

Return to Menu

Newsletters in Adobe Acrobat PDF form

Fixed bad link on 10-18-15

 

I, your Web-Master, have gotten emails from 2 people pointing out the the November 2003 issue of the TMA Newsletter contains an error.  Here is the correction:

Ahmad Majied was not a SEAL

AP Uses Fake SEAL to Back Kerry, Slam Bush