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-Another Unexpected Surprise-
After my family and I were treated to a most unusual and exciting Submarine
School visit I was later invited back by the last Commander of the Sand Lance
to attend the boats inactivation ceremony. Below is the formal written
invitation from Captain Bud Baker, USN. I most certainly accepted this honor
and was also allowed to bring along a guest. I was not able to attend this
ceremony with any of my immediate family members, so in recalling a special
event, I remembered speaking to my sister Marie (O’Neill) Griffith the day
before we set sail out to sea trials. I had reminded her that many of us were
conscious of the fact that the Sand Lance was the first 637 Class Submarine
to go to sea trials from Portsmouth since the loss of the USS
Thresher. So who was more appropriate to invite then she? We both attended
and recall that time in very special ways. It was then at the inactivation
ceremony where Michael Hewitt (Nuclear Engineering Officer on the
Commissioning Crew) was the guest speaker. He took the time to recognize my
personal accomplishment of earning the first set of Dolphins awarded from the
Sand Lance to an unqualified enlisted crew member.
Source: Personal
Memorabilia
-Inactivation Ceremony Booklet Cover-
Source:
Decommissioning Crew.
Some of the
commissioning crew who attended the inactivation ceremony.
Left to Right: Michael Hess, Harvey Cybul, Bernard O’Neill, Capt. William
Kennington, Nathan Isenhour
Photo by: Mark Henson, IC1/SS
-Miscellaneous Photos-
Sea Trials High
Speed Surface Run
Source: Sand Lance CD ship2.jpg
Sea Trials High
Speed Surface Run
Source: Sand Lance CD ship3.jpg
Source: New
London, CT. Base Store Post Card - 1970
USS SEA LEAPOARD (SS 483) once assigned
to search for USS SCORPION (SSN 598)
The first diesel boat I was at sea on for “Drill duty.”
The weather conditions were so poor we never attempted a dive.
http://www.subnet.com/fleet/ss483.htm
(Source)
A “Sand Lance” is a
type of fish, here, Capt. Bill Kennington holds a Maryland “Rock Fish”.
NICE CATCH!
(Summer - 2002)
26 AUG 1970 Plan Of Day
“The Navy has a Plan for Everything”
Source: Personal Memorabilia
A Treasure Chest
Full Of Memories.
CD Front Cover
CD Back Cover
Anchors Aweigh! My
eldest son: Ryan W. O’Neill.
The Naval Future Is Up To The Youth Of Today.
Photo by: A Proud Father of a “Super Son!”
Bernard F. O’Neill,
MAS/PMP
Mount Airy, Maryland - 21771
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