Message from the 52

Since 03-07-06

"From the barnacle covered hulls of 52 lost submarines and from the unmarked graves in enemy soil, comes a voice that has been gone for over 55 years. I died suddenly inside a 300 foot steel fighting ship, along with 75 other submarine Sailors. I am the voice of the starboard controllman, we used to stand watches together. The boat was ripped apart by the terrific explosion of a depth charge, bomb or torpedo from an enemy ship or aircraft."

"Just forward in my watery grave is your shipmate, Buss. He was the throttleman in the after engine room, and in each compartment forward there are the bodies of your shipmates Seaman Jones, Ship's Cook Swanson, Lieutenant Byers and a roll call of names that, in the final tally, adds up to over 3,600 submariners."

"You know, we had a tough and dangerous job to do since we were taking the big war to the back door of our enemy and all the merchant ships they were guarding. My boat was out there doing what was expected of it but, unfortunately, we were at the right place at the wrong time. I was one of the 3,600 men who did not make it home. I missed out on all those nice things that I wanted to do, such as finish my education, get a good job, get married, raise a family and care for my aging parents. I gave my life, along with my shipmates, to make sure that you would have the opportunity to do all those things."

"As the eyes and spokesman for my shipmates and myself who were 'casualties of the war-overdue and presumed lost,' I note that as the years have been slipping by, the number of 'Tolling of the Bell for the lost boats' ceremonies has decreased and there are fewer shipmates attending these events. The fervor of patriotism does not appear to burn as brightly as before."

"I would appreciate if you, today's submarine Sailors, to whom I have passed the 'torch of victory' and heritage of our history, would take a few minutes to pay respect to my sacrifice. I appreciate your sacrifices and wanted to know how I feel. I am watching you with pride. The echo is growing fainter, but I still hear from some of you.

God Bless you, Shipmate."