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| At random: USS TRITON, the only American made twin reactor submarine ever built, on May 10, 1960, completed the first totally submerged non-trivial circumnavigation of the world when she followed the route of Ferdinand Magellan for 36,000 miles during 84 days beneath the surface. |
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Master and Commander Posts: 1160 Location: NE Florida | Subject: Thursday Obits https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=eternal%20patrol%20by%20ussvi The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted. I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate. THUNMAN .. .. .. It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Vice Admiral Nils Ronald “Ron” Thunman on 27 January 2025 at age 92. Vice Admiral Thunman entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1950 and served as a submarine officer until his retirement in 1988 as Chief of Naval Education and Training. His commands included USS Marysville (EPCE[R]-857), USS Plunger (SSN-595), Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN (SUBRON 15), and Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was the longest-serving Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare (1981–85), responsible for the development of many weapons systems still in use today. The son of Swedish immigrants, Ron Thunman attended the University of Illinois for a year before entering the U.S. Naval Academy on 22 June 1950. According to the Lucky Bag yearbook, he was possessed of “a quick mind and solid character” that “endeared him to his classmates.” Although very athletically inclined, an injury cut short his varsity football career. He was “destined for a great career in the service of his country, but he will never be beyond of lending his fellow man a helping hand.” He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in naval science and was commissioned an ensign on 4 June 1954. After remaining at the Naval Academy for a short period, he reported to the destroyer USS Shelton (DD-970) at San Diego, serving as engineering officer and communications officer. During this period, Shelton made annual deployments to the Western Pacific. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in December 1955. In June 1957, Lieutenant (j.g.) Thunman assumed command of experimental patrol craft (rescue) Marysville, operating from San Diego along the West Coast of the United States, Mexico, and Central America, and conducting experiments related to undersea currents and other projects. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 1958. Selected for submarine duty, he reported to Naval Submarine School, New London, Connecticut, in November 1958 for duty under instruction. In June 1959, Lieutenant Thunman reported to diesel-electric submarine USS Volador (SS-490) as it completed overhaul in San Francisco before returning to San Diego. Serving as engineering officer, he deployed with Volador to the Western Pacific in December 1959. Upon return to the West Coast, Voladorserved as a target for guided missile destroyer leader USS King (DLG-10, later DDG-41) testing the new ASROC MK-44 torpedo system. The test torpedo hit Volador in the sail, punching a hole, while the sub was at periscope depth, fortunately without serious damage or injury. Selected for the Navy nuclear power program, Thunman then reported to Naval Nuclear Power School, Mare Island, Vallejo, California. In June 1961, he reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Windsor, Connecticut, for duty under instruction. In January 1962, he was assigned to Naval Submarine School, New London, as director, Plant Information Division, Nuclear Department. In September 1962, he reported to Naval Nuclear Power School, Bainbridge, Maryland, as director of Reactor Technology Division. In February 1963, Lieutenant Thunman reported to fleet ballistic missile submarine Robert E. Lee (SSBN-601) (blue crew), serving as electrical and reactor control officer, and conducting deterrent patrols from Holy Loch, Scotland. He was promoted to lieutenant commander in November 1963. In December 1963, Lieutenant Commander Thunman was assigned as prospective executive officer of fast attack submarine Snook (SSN-592). In February 1964, he assumed duty as executive officer/navigator of Snook, making a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific that started in March 1965, with port calls at Chinhae, Republic of Korea, and Sasebo, Japan, along with classified operations for which the sub was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation. In February 1966, he reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC, as assistant program manager for the nuclear power program. In February 1968, he reported to the Division of Naval Reactors, Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, DC, for a pre-command training track. He was promoted to commander in June 1968. In August 1968, Commander Thunman assumed command of fast attack submarine Plunger (SSN-595) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Plunger deployed to the Western Pacific in late 1968, becoming the first nuclear-powered vessel to visit Yokosuka, Japan, and provoking protests by Japanese civilians. Plunger conducted several special operations, for which the sub was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation. Plunger deployed a second time, visiting Yokosuka (twice); Guam; Sasebo; Okinawa; Subic Bay, Philippines; and Pusan, South Korea. Upon return to Pearl Harbor, Plunger served as the test bed for SUBROC, a submerged-launched, rocket-assisted torpedo. In July 1972, Commander Thunman reported to Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet as assistant chief of staff for training and readiness. In May 1972, he was assigned as senior member, Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, for Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He was promoted to captain in July 1972. In June 1974, he assumed command of SUBRON 15, the Polaris strategic missile squadron based at Guam. In May 1976, he was designated a rear admiral for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank and assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as assistant chief of naval personnel for officer development and distribution. He was promoted to rear admiral on 1 August 1977 and assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) as director of Military Personnel and Training Division (OP-13) with additional duty as Naval Military Personnel Command special assistant for officer distribution. In May 1979, Rear Admiral Thunman assumed duty as Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at Pearl Harbor. In June 1981, he returned to OPNAV, this time as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Submarine Warfare (OP-02), and in July 1981 he was designated a vice admiral for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank. In November 1985, he assumed duty as Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET). At the time, CNET was comprised of more than 44,000 military and civilian personnel, and some 68,000 students attending classes at 29 different bases on any given day. CNET was responsible for teaching more than 6,000 different courses covering such areas as recruit training, technical skill training, pre-commissioning training for officers, warfare specialty training, and the on and off-duty education program. Vice Admiral Thunman retired in 1988. Vice Admiral Thunman’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (two awards); Legion of Merit (four awards); Navy Commendation Medal (two awards); Navy Unit Commendation (two awards, USS Snook and USS Plunger); Meritorious Unit Commendation; Navy Expeditionary Medal; China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal (two awards); Vietnam Service Medal (three campaign stars); Humanitarian Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; and Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Color). After retiring from active duty, Vice Admiral Thunman served as president of Valley Forge Military Academy in Pennsylvania and chief executive officer and president of CAE Electronics. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Deputy CNOs for Submarine Warfare (OP-02), Surface Warfare (OP-03), and Air Warfare (OP-05) were known as “the barons.” Vice Admiral Thunman was one of them, possibly the longest serving of all, and definitely the longest-serving OP-02 (1981–85), and one of the most powerful and effective. Critics would claim that the “baron” system was good at taking care of the different warfare communities, but not so good at integrating capability across the Navy. Be that as it may, Vice Admiral Thunman achieved remarkable success in advancing U.S. undersea warfare capability, focused primarily on the threat from the Soviet Union. This included shepherding the Tomahawk cruise missile system, the Trident II submarine ballistic missile system, the improved Los Angeles–class fast attack submarine, and design of the Seawolf-class fast attack boat. OP-02 also funded Bob Ballard’s search for the RMS Titanic as cover for an operation to assess the wrecks of the lost submarines USS Thresher (SSN-593) and USS Scorpion (SSN-589). Although Vice Admiral Thunman was aided by the increasing defense budgets after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, many of the advances were due to his exceptional ability to transform vision into action. He was on the cutting edge of technology throughout his career—perhaps too close to the edge when an ASROC test torpedo scored a direct hit on the submarine he was aboard (USS Volador). His career was pretty much right out of the detailer’s ideal notional path—two years of surface duty (required for Naval Academy graduates at the time), selection for submarine duty, and then very rapid selection early on in the Navy Nuclear Power Program. His tours were balanced between ballistic missile and fast attack boats. His tours as executive officer of Snook and commanding officer of Plunger were marked by successful (and dangerous) classified special operations against Soviet and other potential adversaries, each of which earned Navy Unit Commendations. He was highly effective at the tactical level in the cat-and-mouse actions between U.S. and Soviet submarines (the U.S. Navy was the cat) and just as effective at the operational and strategic level. He was a leader in the U.S. submarine operations that played a significant role in leading the Soviets to bankrupt themselves in a vain attempt to counter our advantage. Submarine duty, then and now, required exceptional dedication and sacrifice in time with family, for which the nation should be grateful In his case it truly made a difference, as it helped to bring about an end to the existential threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Rest in Peace, Admiral Thunman. KALDOR .. .. .. Alton Kermit Kaldor was born on June 15, 1943, in Fargo, North Dakota to Morris and Bertha (Forde) Kaldor. He grew up on the family farm outside of Hillsboro, North Dakota. Al attended country grade school and went to high school at Mayville High School in Mayville, North Dakota. Growing up, Al enjoyed spending time with his pet bull Ferdinand on the farm. He would drive his tractor to school and then on the way home would go directly to the field. After graduating from high school in 1961, Al continued to work for Earl and Donna Bakken doing farm work. On September 3, 1963, Al married Iola (Berg) Kaldor at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, North Dakota. They then moved to West Virginia and South Carolina when Al enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the navy for four years on the USS Sam Rayburn submarine. Al was in charge of keeping the oxygen supply moving for the crew. From there he worked in the oil fields in Tioga, North Dakota. Al decided to go to NDSCS. He majored in heating and refrigeration. After that, they moved to Crookston, MN and then to Beulah, North Dakota in 1976. Al and Jim Schaefer started their own business called S & K Electric and Refrigeration. After a few years, Al went out to Dakota Gasification Company until he retired. Soon after retirement, Al and Iola moved to Pine Haven, Wyoming where Al could ski and ride his motorcycle in the beautiful black hills anytime. Al was an active member of his church, Eagles club and city council. He also enjoyed woodworking and archery. Al is survived by his wife of 60 years, Iola; his daughters, Crystal Flemmer of Beulah, ND, Carol (Mark) Hermann of Gillette, WY; his granddaughter, Ashley Flemmer (Renee Ellis) of Fargo, ND, and his grandsons, Cody (Heidi) Herrmann of Gillette and Casey (Jessica) Herrmann of Gillette; his great grandsons, Samuel Ellis of Fargo and Travin Herrmann of Gillette; and his great granddaughters Charlotte Herrmann and Letty Herrmann of Gillette; his sister, Melody (Dave) Bohnsack of Marysville, WA and his brother, Daniel (Dianne) Kaldor of Conroe, TX; and several nieces and nephews across the United States. | ||
| Thomas Courtien |
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| Master and Commander Posts: 1914 Location: Patterson, New York | Subject: RE: Thursday Obits Admiral Thunman had a very interesting and productive career. Thanks for posting it | ||
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