Oct 27, 2022 RADM Butch Dollaga Inspires RADM O’Kane Division, US Naval Sea Cadets  in Vallejo, CA
Channel: nestor aliga
Date: 06/11/2022

Thanks to my fellow USMC Veteran Robert Gargollo for providing the video clips!

REAR ADMIRAL LEONARD C. “BUTCH” DOLLAGA
Chief of Legislative Affairs, US Navy
   United States Navy Rear Admiral Leonard C. “Butch” Dollaga is a native of Vallejo, proudly attended Vallejo City Unified School District schools, was a Hogan High School Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet and graduated in 1986 with honors. In 1990, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds a master’s degree in Engineering Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC. 
   RADM Dollaga’s sea tours include division officer assignments aboard USS Los Angeles (SSN 688); engineer officer aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740)(B); and executive officer aboard USS Cheyenne (SSN 773). He commanded USS Charlotte (SSN 766) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron 12, Groton, CT.
   RADM Dollaga’s shore and staff assignments include admissions officer at the U.S. Naval Academy; technical assistant to the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion; nuclear officer program manager and the submarine officer community manager on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education); Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet prospective commanding officer instructor (Submarine Command Course); chief, program and budget branch on the Joint Staff (J8) Directorate (Program and Budget Analysis Division); and director, Congressional Liaison Appropriations Matters Office (FMBE) on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (FM&C).
   RADM Dollaga’s flag assignments include commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center in Groton, CT, and most recently commander, Submarine Group SEVEN/Task Force 54/Task Force 74 leading undersea operations in both the United States Central Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility.
   RADM Dollaga completed three overseas deployments in Indo-Pacific Command and five strategic deterrent patrols in the Atlantic. The units he served with collectively earned four unit awards, five Battle Effectiveness Awards, and the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy.

RADM Richard O'Kane Division U.S Naval Sea Cadets Corps
https://www.facebook.com/RADM-Richard-OKane-Division-US-Naval-Sea-Cadets-Corps-1545403165751514/ 

Medal of Honor: Navy Rear Adm. Richard O'Kane
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2815832/medal-of-honor-monday-navy-rear-adm-richard-okane/

CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Tang operating against two enemy Japanese convoys on 23 and 24 October 1944, during her fifth and last war patrol. Boldly maneuvering on the surface into the midst of a heavily escorted convoy, Comdr. O'Kane stood in the fusillade of bullets and shells from all directions to launch smashing hits on three tankers, coolly swung his ship to fire at a freighter and, in a split-second decision, shot out of the path of an onrushing transport, missing it by inches. Boxed in by blazing tankers, a freighter, transport, and several destroyers, he blasted two of the targets with his remaining torpedoes and, with pyrotechnics bursting on all sides, cleared the area. Twenty-four hours later, he again made contact with a heavily escorted convoy steaming to support the Leyte campaign with reinforcements and supplies and with crated planes piled high on each unit. In defiance of the enemy's relentless fire, he closed the concentration of ships and in quick succession sent two torpedoes each into the first and second transports and an adjacent tanker, finding his mark with each torpedo in a series of violent explosions at less than 1,000-yard range. With ships bearing down from all sides, he charged the enemy at high speed, exploding the tanker in a burst of flame, smashing the transport dead in the water, and blasting the destroyer with a mighty roar which rocked the Tang from stem to stern. Expending his last two torpedoes into the remnants of a once powerful convoy before his own ship went down, Comdr. O'Kane, aided by his gallant command, achieved an illustrious record of heroism in combat, enhancing the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

The U.S.S. Tang, built at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, was credited with sinking 33 enemy ships, totaling 116,454 tons, making it the most successful US submarine in history both in number of ships sunk and total tonnage. It received four battle stars, two Presidential Unit Citations, and its commanding officer received the Medal of Honor.