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academic research fl eet, enabling research programs around the globe. The ship’s fi rst science mission will occur in the North At- lantic Ocean within the next few months.
NAVSEA Remembers USS Thresher From Team Submarine Public Aff airs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Sea Sys- tems Command commemorated the 53rd anniversary of the loss of USS Thresher with a presentation by Bruce W. Harvey at the Washington Navy Yard, April 6. Harvey, son of Lt. Cmdr. John W. Har-
vey, commanding offi cer of the Thresher at the time of the tragedy, was the guest speaker. In a full auditorium, Harvey reminisced
about his father’s life leading up to the U.S. Naval Academy and his time in the Navy until that fatal day on the Thresher. He began with a brief overview of the history of the nuclear submarine force, including historic photos of USS Nautilus, and gave the audi- ence a glimpse of life on board. “This morning I welcome you aboard
as I share some of my thoughts of what the submarine force has meant to me,” said Harvey as he began his presentation. “In my opinion there is no greater deterrent than the submarine force.” After refl ecting on his father’s and
fellow Sailors’ accomplishments in the Navy, he spoke with strong emotion about the Thresher and the events that followed directly after the loss. Harvey held back tears as he showed powerful photos from his father’s funeral and of his mother after
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the tragic event. He also shared pictures of hand written notes from President John F. Kennedy and Father of the Nuclear Navy Adm. Hyman G. Rickover expressing their condolences to the Harvey family. Thresher, commissioned in August
1961, was the lead ship of a new class of nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarines and was the most technically advanced ship in the world. On April 10, 1963, she sank approximately 200 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. All souls aboard were lost that day; 129 U.S. Navy Sailors and civilian workers. Thresher was the fi rst nu- clear-powered submarine lost at sea, and the largest loss of life in the submarine force’s history. As a result of this, the Navy immedi- ately restricted all submarines in depth until the causes of this tragic loss could be fully understood. “It’s been 53 years since we lost Thresh-
er and out of the loss came the SUBSAFE program,” said Rear Adm. Moises DelToro, deputy commander, Undersea Warfare. “Our challenge today, 53 years after the loss of Thresher, is to maintain our vigilance, intensity and integrity in all matters involv- ing the SUBSAFE program and to avoid ignorance, arrogance and complacency.” From this tragic event, the Navy created
a quality assurance program, SUBSAFE, designed to maintain the safety of the nu- clear submarine fl eet. The program imposes a strict quality control process and material control requirements throughout a subma- rine’s service life to help ensure the safety of the crew members. “All of us have an obligation to have
that questioning attitude and to raise a ques- tion in certifi cation of submarines so that we can preclude an accident like that from happening again,” said DelToro. Naval Sea Systems Command uses the
anniversary of the Thresher loss as the basis for annual mandatory SUBSAFE training. During the training, employees are remind- ed of the importance of SUBSAFE and are refreshed on the latest industry safety stan- dards. This training and other observances throughout the submarine community help maintain the safety focus and continually renews the Navy’s safety culture.
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USNS Yuma Keel Authenticated From Team Ships Public Aff airs
MOBILE, Ala. (NNS) -- Austal USA hosted a ceremony, March 29, celebrating the keel authentication of the Navy’s eighth expedi- tionary fast transport ship, the USNS Yuma (EPF 8). The keel was said to be “truly and
fairly laid” as it was authenticated by the Honorable Douglas Nicholls, Mayor of Yuma, Arizona, by welding his initials into the keel plate. Authentication represents a major milestone in the ship’s construction as the keel is the symbolic backbone of a ship. “We are honored to have Mayor Nich-
olls here for this exciting event,” said Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift Program manager, Program Executive Of- fi ce, Ships. “I look forward to working with the mayor, the city of Yuma, and Austal, as the ship continues to progress toward deliv- ery.”
Expeditionary fast transport ships are
non-combatant vessels designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, in- creasing operational fl exibility for a wide range of activities including maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, fl exible logistics support, or as the key enabler for rapid transport. The ships are capable of interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, as well as on/off -loading vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams main battle tank. EPFs support a variety of missions
including the overseas contingency opera- tions, conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supporting special oper- ations forces, and supporting emerging joint sea-basing concepts. Yuma will be capable of transporting
600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an av- erage speed of 35 knots. The vessel will also include a fl ight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. The ship will have airline-style seating for 312 embarked forces with fi xed berthing for 104. As one of the Department of Defense’s
largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the develop- ment and procurement of all destroyers, am- phibious ships, special mission and support ships, and boats and craft.
Emil Fredreksen
Receives Medal of Honor By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph E. Montemarano, Navy Public Aff airs Support Element, Det. Northwest
SEATTLE (NNS) -- Medal of Honor recipi- ent Chief Watertender Emil Fredreksen was fi nally given proper military honors during a ceremony at the Evergreen Washelli Cem- etery in Seattle, March 25.
Fredreksen, a Navy veteran who passed
away more than 60 years ago, was a recip- ient of the rare peacetime Medal of Honor. With a service record that encompasses time on more than 20 ships, he is most notably defi ned by his time on USS Bennington (PG-4), Gunboat 4. On July 21, 1905, the ship was prepar-
ing to sail from San Diego to Panama when at 10:33 a.m., one of its boilers exploded due to an over pressured valve. Records of the incident state that “the ship shook vio- lently for several seconds, large volumes of steam and ashes fi lling most of the living compartments and deck space.” With a total death toll of 66 and 46 severely injured, it was considered the worst peacetime disaster the Navy had seen. He, along with 10 others, was awarded the Medal of Honor for “ex- traordinary heroism displayed in the line of duty.”
“Throughout our country’s history, cou-
rageous men and women of the Evergreen State have answered the call to protect and defend justice, liberty and the freedom we hold so precious,” said David Bloch, on be- half of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “Rising above the call of duty, at the risk of grave injury and loss of life the celebrated few of these fearless service members distinguish themselves as heroes in the eyes of their comrades.”
Fredreksen’s career eventually brought
him to Washington state where, after 33 years of service, he would retire in 1930 from the Naval Reserve. He passed away in 1950 with no ceremony or headstone. With no known next of kin, the hero
was buried and all but forgotten until only recently, said Skip Dreps, of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery Board of Trustees. Through the research of members from
the Medal of Honor Historical Society of the United States, Fredreksen, received proper burial honors and a headstone will be placed upon his grave. “Eleven survivors were awarded our
nation’s highest honor that day, and as the single event in military history where so many Medals of Honor were issued in peacetime, “ said Dreps. “Yet there was only a single undetailed line about their heroism.” Fredreksen is now the seventh Medal of
Honor recipient to be buried at the Evergreen Washelli Cemetery. The rendering of military funeral
honors is a way to show the nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended the country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the fi nal demonstration a grateful nation can provide to the veteran’s family. Honoring those who served is the military’s commitment to recognize the sacrifi ce and contributions of our nation’s veterans.
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