Message Board

M.G. Colman

Served : 1956-1957

Deceased : 2001

Maureen Tobin

My siblings and I are researching the service time of our late father, Bernard V. Tobin. He entered the Navy in late 1950 or early 1951, and served until October, 1954. He was on the USS Wisconsin, then transferred to the submarine service—we believe he transferred 1952. We have some inkling that he may have served aboard the USS Trutta during his submariner’s service. He was 18-22 while in the Navy, from Florence, a small western Massachusetts town, and went by the nickname “Bun”.

He died of a heart attack in 1978 at a mere 46 years of age. Our mother died in 1986. Dad didn’t talk much of the duties performed during his time in the Navy—when he spoke of those days it was generally to tell us stories about the places he’d seen or the friends he’d made.

Hew was a signalman when he was on the battleship. I believe he had something to do with navigation of submarines because he said he use a periscope. We’re requested his service records. In the meantime, is there a site where we can go to see if he was a crew member of the Trutta? Or to see if any of his former mates have stories they can share with us?

Thank you for any guidance you can give us.

E-mail: mctobin@earthlink.net

Victor Santiago

My name is Victor Santiago and served aboard the Thredfin 1959-61. Griffis was a dear friend as well as others on the 421. I lost contact with him sometime after being discharged in 1961 and my attempts to communicate with him or his relatives have been unsuccessful. If his whereabouts are known, is it possible that my name and e-mail be forwarded?

Thank you.

E-mail: drculebra@gmail.com

Jim Hughes

I am looking for an old shipmate who was on board Trutta May 1960. His name was Richard A. Stettler RM(SS). He transferred in from USS Archerfish SS311. I am looking for station he was transferred to from Trutta. It may have been RM”B” school in Bainbridge, Md. I saw him there in May 1961. He died in 1995. I am trying to make something for his family and need any information you may be able to furnish. Thank you in advance. Jim Hughes, RMC(SS)

E-mail: upscope311@bellsouth.net

I don't know if this helps, but I was recently aware that my father served on the Trutta in active reserve duty sometime around 1955-1957, and possibly before then. His name was Herve Hunt, and he was listed as a Lieutenant Commander. I do have a picture of him and the Captain taken in that time frame.

My father spoke well of his service (active duty from 1946-1950, then active reserve until about 1957-1958) and told me a few stories of his service in the sub fleet. I wish I had know sooner of any other boats on which he served. Unfortunately he passed on in 1992, and I have not begun actively seeking his records until recently.

I recently reviewed a copy of the manual for the diesel-class submarines (USS Perch was depicted in the manual) and have developed a new-found appreciation for the complexity of the vessel and work and knowledge necessary to keep it seaworthy. For this I thank all who have served.

I would appreciate any memories that the crew may have of him.

Roger Hunt
E-mail: roger.hunt@thomson.net

Greetings, My father was a crew member on the USS Trutta in 1956-57 I believe. After the Navy, he became a police officer, retiring as the Sheriff of Orange County. He died of cancer in 2001. I have attached a photo of him. Thanks for the site. It is a part of my father's life I knew very little about. Chris Colman

E-mail: Irishlad58@aol.com

Thanks for building and maintaining this site. I was saddened to learn that my COB, Kondizela, and Chief Sebesta are now deceased. I came to the Trutta directly from sub school as an ICFA in Jan ’63, earned my Dolphins in Dec ’63, and left Trutta for NPS in Jan ’64 as ICFN(SS). Unfortunately some names that I do remember aren’t on the list, and many of the names and faces on the site don’t register. Regards, Neil (Sigi) Signorelli

E-mail: signore331@mindspring.com

Hey Larry I see u finally got chief Marble's picture in, the other picture I set of him is where he is receiving his Holland Club card, that is his 50 year's being Qualified in submarines from the USSVI organization. now get it where we can pull it up like we do the other pictures. Thanks Shipmate.