Captain W. Earle Smith, USN: died 6 September 2019 in Washington, State. Lieutenant Smith served on Tiru from 17Jul59 to 01Jul62. He hosted the 2006 Tiru Reunion. See the Memorial Section for additional information of his Naval service.
Lisbon Photos 1973: Photos of inport Lisbon during NATO Exercise QUICKSHAVE 1973 have been posted in Photo Section of website. All photos graciously supplied by Philippe Seraffon, French submariner, served on the French submarine Espadon (Swordfish) S637.
Captain DeWispelaere, USN: died 17 July 2019. A Memorial Service is scheduled on 10 August at the Carolina Meadows Auditorium, 100 Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill, NC. Details are posted at walkersfuneralservice.com. Captain DeWispelaere was Commanding Officer of USS Tiru SS416 from February 1965 to January 1967. See the Memorial Section of Tiru's website for addition information.
John Ulrich, ETR3(SS) ('65-'66): has posted an inquiry related to Tiru's possible exposure to Agent Orange during WestPac tours. See the INQUIRIES section of website for details.
John Howell: John is currently in hospice care in Shelby, NC. He served on Tiru from '71 to '75 as an EM. He just saw the reunion notification on website. Don Mandrino contacted him and sent him a reunion shirt and hat and John would very much like anyone from the boat to call him or visit. Please call or email Don or Webmaster for phone number. UPDATE: John died on 22 Aug 2019. See Memorial Section for details.
Bob Schmitt: TM3(SS) Schmitt died 2 February 2019. He served on the Tiru 1963-1965 and was active in Tiru's reunion activities. Obituary is in the Memorial section of the website.
Charles S. Fury: MMC(SS) Fury died 31 January 2018. He served on the Tiru during 1975 and was active in Tiru's reunion activities. Obituary is in the Memorial section of the website.
Silent Service TV Series (1950's): now available on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1nESHgqAnY) Great Memories for us old guys. Thanks much for the info - Nelson Greer (Tiru '66-'70).
Allan F. Simmons, Jr: TM2 Simmons (Easy Al) died 6 April 2018. He served on Tiru from Feb 1963 to Oct 1964. Services were held on 13 April, at Rosser Funeral Home, Cleburne, Texas.
Edward W. Simpson: TM2 Simpson died 10 Oct 17 in Temperance, Michigan. A gathering will be from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI, where the Masonic Lodge, #438, F.&A.M., will hold services at 1:00 pm.
Louise Tricker: Wife of Mike Tricker died on 12 Sep 17.
Treasure Report: Updated through 5 Sep 17 posted in Association Section
Submarine DVD: "Submariners: The Men of the Silent Service - From Diesel to Nuclear" released 13 Feb 17 in 2 volume DVD. See www.SubmarineDocumentary.com.
Reunion 2017: Is planned for September in Texas. See 2017 Reunion section for details.
Captain David Thaxton: Lieutenant Thaxton died on 26 January 2017. He served on the USS Tiru as Navigation/Operations officer from about 1969 to 1971. Additional information is available in the Memorial Section.
John Peregoy: TM2(SS) Peregoy died in July 2016, he served on Tiru from 29 January1960 through 26 April 1964. John was an active member of the Tiru Association.
Ben Cross: Chief Machinist Mate George Cross of Kealakekua, died 24 November 2016. Chief Cross served on Tiru from 24 January 1964 through 29 January 1968.
Neal Chaves: I just received and viewed a terrific new documentary "Submariners - The Men of the Silent Service" by Tony Rollo. This film will be released nation-wide as a theatrical version, but this one is a two disc collector set with many extras. A must see!
QMC Andis: Received from son (18 Feb 16):
It is with heavy heart that I wish to report that my father QMC
Richard Lee Andis slipped his moorings of mortality and sailed
into the peaceful waters of eternity. He was COB on the Tiru in
1969. Rest your oars Dad.
68 WestPac Photos Additions: Rick Brandorff has sent us a number of great WestPac 68 photos, the pictures have been added to the photo section. If you can add any captions please send to webmaster(at)usstiru.org. Quick link to photos: usstiru.org/photos/68westpac1/page1.html
Tiru History Request: Dr. Ian Pfennigwerth, Royal Australian Navy (ret) is writing a history of the Australian Navy and is requesting any photos any of us have of Dr. Sakker (RAN)'s arrival/aboard Tiru or other photos when Tiru was visiting Frederickson's reef in November 1966. Please inform the webmaster if you can provide.
webmaster(at)usstiru.org.
Frank R. Hood: FTC(SS) died on 04 October 2015. He served on Tiru from 20Aug58 to 16Jul60.
Ricky Don Grove: Radioman on USS Tiru, Oct 68-Dec 71, died on 11 October 2012 in Huntington, West Virginia. Details to follow.
Gerald F. Tighe, QMC(SS): Last February an Eternal Patrol notice was sent out to members of the Groton Base regarding the passing of Gerald F. Tighe QMC(SS). It was mentioned at that time that a remembrance service would be held later this year. Gerald had served on the USS Archerfish SSN 678. A reunion for the Archerfish is scheduled for the weekend of 9 - 11 October 2015. So...with that thought an Honor Detail request is hereby requested for Gerald. For those who can be present at 1730 at the WWII Memorial East on the 9th, please do so. In case of bad weather, we may retreat to the dining area at the clubhouse.
For those Honor Detail members who can attend, uniform will be long sleeve white shirts, black tie, pants and Vest and garrison caps. Members will muster at 1715, we will go on at about 1730.
Don Mandrino: I just finish reading this novel and I don’t read a lot. But from the time I started I couldn’t put it down,It kept my interest all the way to the end. It‘s called The Trident Deception by Rick Campbell, he has donated his book and some book markers to our Tiru Reunion for a door prize. He a retired Sub Captain and we all can relate to some of the things in that book. He has come out with another book called Empire Rising which I’m going to get. So Please sent this out to all our shipmates if they want something to read about the sub days. I would say it’s between the Hunt for Red October and Crimson Tide.
Sons of the American Legion: Post 440, Newton, Massachusetts, have invited Vietnam Veterans to a complimentary dinner (including guest) on 15 May 2015. (click here for details)
Gerald (Jerry) Tighe: retired QMC, died 7 Feb 2015 in Watertown, Connecticut. Jerry qualified in submarines on USS Tiru SS416, and was active in the Tiru Association. Arrangements are with the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in the May time frame.
Frederick Torres:
Dear Shipmates of Fred Torres,
It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you of Fred's passing on Thursday, Jan. 15. He was on the dial-a-ride bus on his way to his regular dialysis appointment on Wednesday when his heart stopped. Paramedics were called and he was taken to the hospital. An officer of the Whittier Police woke me at 7:30 am to give me the news. Later that day tests revealed that Fred had suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. He was kept on the respirator so that Emlyn and Owen would have time to travel home from Chicago and Fresno to be with him.
He did hang on and we were all able to say our goodbyes. His sister Denise was with us both days and at the end. Friends and family have been surrounding us with love and prayers over the last several days. We have been telling "Fred" stories every time we gather with friends.
His memorial service will be on Saturday, February 28, 2 pm at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 7056 Washington Ave., Whittier. The 42nd Black Watch Highland Society will provide the honor guard and the Welsh Choir of Southern California and the UC Riverside pipe band members will provide much of the music. Fred has been a member of the Black Watch and the Welsh Choir each for over 15 years and they have been a huge part of our lives during that time. Our son Owen is the drum major for the UCR pipe band and when he enquired about a piper for the service, more than one stepped forward. The Navy will present the flag to the family. We intend for this to be a celebration of Fred's life and loves. Any and all who can be present in person are welcome. Those who cannot be physically present will be with us in spirit.
Laura Torres, wife of 32 years
Lou House:
William Lou House, age 84 of Oviedo, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2015. He was born August 9, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia. A gathering will be held on Monday, February 2, 2015 from 10-11 AM with a memorial service beginning at 11 AM at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Oviedo Chapel. Inturnment will follow at Florida National Cemetery.
Captain Marvin Smith Blair: died 4 November 2014. He served on Tiru from January 1950 to June 1953.
2014 Reunion Photos are being postedCaptain Marvin Smith Blair: died 4 November 2014. He served on Tiru from January 1950 to June 1953.
Photos: Grant Harrington ('68-'73) has supplied us with over 100 great photos. They are posted in a rough unsorted format so that you will not have to wait on the webmaster to sort & post them correctly. The file is very large and it may take a long while for them to download. The photos will probably not download in order the first time viewing. Best suggestion is to have a cup of coffee or two or three while downloading. Practice patience! If you have trouble downloading please let webmaster know. Many thanks to Grant for all the efforts he made in scanning and locating the photos. Any names for the guys will be appreciated.
(Click here for download)
Moore, Barbara: died Saturday, 10 May 2014, wife of Robert (Skip) Moore. Arrangements by LowCountry Cremation and Burial Services of North Charleston.
Richard N. Wood: received your registration, would like to contact former shipmates. Details in Shipmates section.
GALLAGHER, Virginia Maureen: 89, of Mount Pleasant, died Wednesday. A kindergarten teacher and widow of John J. Gallagher and mother of Maureen Sharon (Jim's Wife). The funeral is Tuesday, 10 am at Stella Maris on Sullivan's island. Arrangements by McAlister-Smith's Mount Pleasant Chapel.
FTCS (SS) Thomas McGriff: died on 12 February 2014 in Texas. He served on Tiru from October 1959 until August 1961 as an FT3. Chief McGriff was interned in the DFW National Cemetery on 21 February. Obituary will be posted.
EMCM (SS) Samual D Mitchell: died 4 February 2014 in Wenatchee, Washington. He served on Tiru from April 1952 until August 1953. Celebration of life will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Relay for Life "Sam's Team" in care of Key Banks, 102 S. Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA, 98801.
Dohn Frank: died 31 January 2014 at Webster, Texas. He served on Tiru from November 1962 until 1964 and was active in the Tiru Association. (click here for Memorial)
Ever a Submariner: a must read essay on submarine life by Jody Durham has been posted in the Miscellaneous section of the website.
(click here to view)
Fernando Briones: died Saturday 9 November 2013. Fernando served on Tiru in the late 70's until decommissioning as a Mess Management Specialist Second Class. Funeral services at 11am on 14 November 2013 in Parks Funeral Home Chapel, 130 W 1st North Street, Summerville, SC, 29483. Flowers accepted.
James W. Akey: died Friday 8 November 2013. Jim served on Tiru from Feburary 1971 to January 1973 as a Commissaryman Second Class. A Memorial Celebration will be held at 2 pm on !4 November 2013 at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery, OK. In lieu of flowers: Infinity Care Hospice, 6914 S Yorktown St, 115, Tulsa, OK, 74136
Update on USS Clamagore SS343 Repair Project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xyzm6qyNko
Financial Statements: 2012 and proposed 2013 posted in Association section.
Tiru Website Memorial Sections: Has been under repairs for the past couple of months to increase its usability on different web browsers. It should now be functional on Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Google Chrome. Please notify webmaster (webmaster(at)usstiru.org) of any functional and factual problems.
USS Thresher SSN 593: Commemorated in the Congressional Record on the upcoming 50th anniversary of it being lost at sea with all hands on 10 April 1963. At least one ex-Tiru sailor was aboard, Michael Dinola. We had the privilege to have his wife Edna as guest speaker at our 2005 reunion.
(click here for details of commemoration)
Eleanor Fifield: wife of RM1 Fiefield died 28 January 2003. No formal services planned.
James Palmer Sr: died last Thursday 10 January 2013. Jim was a strong supporter of the Tiru Association. He will be dearly missed at our reunions. There will be a graveside service at Pachuag Cemetery, Griswold, CT, next Saturday (19 January 2013) at 1100 followed by a celebration of his life at the VFW, Taylor Hill in Jewett City, CT. Jim served on the USS Tiru from 1953 to 1954.
(click here to view Norwich Bulletin's obituary)
Association Minutes: 2011 & 2012 have been posted in the Association Section of the website.
Hurricane Sandy Info:
Ottoson - minor damage (mother's major damage)
Mandrino - no problems
Fatek - no problems
Scott - lost power
Toth - lost power, no other problems
(Info not verified and from various sources. If any additions to add to list please send to webmaster@usstiru.org)
2012 Reunion: New Photos Posted 19 Sep 12
Norman M. Cobb: World War II & Korean War submariner, died 8 May 2012. After being recalled to active duty, Norman served on Tiru 1956 to 1959. He has been buried at the Willamette National Cemetery, Oregon.
Thomas Lee: EN2(SS), Tiru 1964 to 1968, died on 25 April 2012 and has been buried at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Details will follow.
Website Outage: www.usstiru.org was off line part of 15 Mar 2012 due to a "Denial of Service Attack" against our host server. Believe all is back to normal.
Horse & Cow: James “Jimmy” Looby, 79 of Bremerton and founder of Horse and Cow, passed away on Monday, January 30, 2012. (I guess they forgot about "Bill Looby", the real FOUNDER.) Submitted by Nelson Greer
Videos: Old 8mm films have been converted to digital and are being posted on the website as processed. Contributed by Dewey Cardwell.
(click here to view)
Louise Tricker: Status reports on Louise's health are posted in the password protected section of the website. (latest report 29 Feb 12)
(click here to view)
Senior Chief Electronic Technician Ted Taylor, USN (ret): died4 September 2011 at his home in Renton, Washington. Chief Taylor joined the Navy in 1946 and qualified in submarines aboard the USS Carbonero in 1948. He served on many submarines, including the USS Tiru as a plank owner (1948-9). His support of the Tiru Association has been appreciated.
(click here to view Tiru Association Memorial Obituary)
Photos: New Photos have been posted in the 1960s local ops photo folder. Thanks to Tom Jason. www.usstiru.org/photos/60local/page15.html
Robert Daubenspeck: loyal support of the Tiru Association, died on 7 October 2011. Funeral services will be held at 7:30pm on 11 October at the Wood Mortuary, Greer, South Carolina. (www.thewoodmortuary.com)
(click here to view Tiru Association Memorial Obituary)
Reunion Photos: Some new photos from Frank Mennel and Tom Scott have been posted. We have many more photos for which there is not enough room on the website to post. If anyone would like a DVD with the complete 2011 reunion photos - contact the webmaster (webmaster(at)usstiru.org).
Financials: 2011 Reunion and 2011 Association financials have been posted in the Association section.
1966 Westpac Photos: New photos have been posted, thanks to Art Steinke.
2011 Reunion: Photos continue to be posted.
Louise Tricker: Status reports on Louise's health are posted in the password protected section of the website.
(click here to view)
USS North Carolina SSN 777: A link to photos of interior of this Virginia class SSN are posted in the LINKS section of Tiru's website.
1966 Grounding: New photos from Commodore Sloper, RAN, and narrative from Commander Linton, RAN, have been posted in the Chronological History Section of the website.
Photos Reunion 2010: Are slowly being posted on website. New photos added 5 Sep. Please notify webmaster if any in wrong section.
(click here to view)
Association Information: The minutes and financial statement from the last crew meeting are posted in the Tiru Association section of the website.
(click here to view)
Post Reunion Comments: Read some of the comments received regarding the 2010 Reunion (including a letter from Guest Speaker, Admiral Kamensky)
(click here to view)
Captain Henry Cappello: Commanding Officer of USS Tiru SS416 from June 1952 until June 1954 died on 18 July 2010. Captain Cappello will be buried at sea. A memorial service will be held 6 August 2010 at 11 am at the Falling Waters Club House of the Falling Waters community, 7200 Davis Blvd, Naples, Florida. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of the donor's choice.
(click here for Tiru Memorial Obituary)
Senior Chief John D. Williams: Chief Engineman on Tiru from Mar 64 to Oct 68, died on 25 June 2010 in Maui, Hawaii. Service will be held at Ballard Family Mortuary, Kahului, Hawaii, on Friday 2 July 2010. Chief Williams will be buried at sea.
(click here for Tiru Memorial Obituary)