May 31, 2021 Memorial Day by US Submarine Veterans, Mare Island Base in Vallejo, CA, USA
Channel: nestor aliga
Date: 01/06/2021

US Submarine Veterans, Mare Island Base
www.ussvi.org/base/MareIsland.asp
   The purpose/creed of USSVI is to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country that their dedication, deeds, and supreme sacrifice may be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments, and to pledge loyalty and patriotism to the USA and its Constitution.
   In addition to perpetuating the memory of departed shipmates, USSVI shall provide a way for all submariners to gather for their mutual benefit and enjoyment. Our common heritage as Submariners shall be strengthened by camaraderie. The USSVI supports a strong U.S. Submarine Force.
   The USSVI, Mare Island Base, meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 12:00 noon at the Veterans Memorial Building at 420 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo, CA  94591 Website: www.ussvi.org/base/MareIsland.asp
Newsletter: http://www.ussvi.org/BaseNewsletters/MareIsland_Newsletter.pdf

1.  Three of the seven Medals of Honor awarded to submariners during World War II were posthumous.
2.  22% of all U.S. submariners became casualties during World War II – the highest rate for any branch of the U.S. military.
3.  All seven of the Medal of Honor submarine skippers during World War II were graduates of the United States Naval Academy.
4.  Torpedoman 2nd Class Henry Breault is the only enlisted submariner to have earned the Medal of Honor.  He also served in the Royal Navy prior to joining the U.S. Navy.
5.  LT Albert David led a team of sailors into the sinking German submarine U-505.  The U-505 produced much valuable intelligence and the submarine is now on display in a museum in Chicago.
6.  Three of the top five submarine commanders (by tonnage of ships sunk) are Medal of Honor recipients – #1 O’Kane, #4 Eugene Fluckey, #5 Samuel Dealey.
7.  O’Kane commanded the Mare Island Naval Shipyard-built submarine USS Tang which has the most successful wartime record of any United States Submarine.
8.  The U.S. Submarine force in the Pacific during World War II comprised less than 2% of the overall U.S. Navy in terms of men, but accounted for more than 55% of all Japanese maritime and naval losses by tonnage.
9.  In addition to the terrible damage inflicted on the Japanese merchant fleet, U.S. submarines also sank 4 Japanese fleet carriers, 4 escort carriers, 1 battleship, 4 heavy cruisers, 9 light cruisers, 38 destroyers, and 23 enemy submarines.
10.  U.S. submarines were also vital in rescuing downed pilots.  Submarines rescued 504 airmen from the waters of the Pacific in World War II.  The USS Finback rescued then-future U.S. president George H.W. Bush in 1944.

   WHEREAS, since our great Nation's birth, our beloved America has been blessed with an infinite chain of dedicated Service members who have served with patriotism, honor, and distinction; and from the bombs bursting in air over New England to the halls of Montezuma, seas of the Philippines, skies of Europe, frozen tundras of Korea, rice paddies of Vietnam, and the mountains and deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, generations of brave warriors have valiantly fought our country’s battles in the land, the air, and sea; and
   WHEREAS, on Memorial Day, we pay tribute to our fallen heroes who fought and died for our beloved country, whose gratitude they will always have, and we remember them today for what they fought for and who they were – proud and dedicated men and women, often far too young, who were guided by a deep and abiding comradeship for fellow Service members, love for their families and friends, and selfless service for our great Nation; and
   WHEREAS, let us always remember and respect our fallen warriors by living up to the ideals they died defending, and it is our charge to preserve liberty, to advance justice, and to sow the seeds of peace with honor, courage, and devotion worthy of our fallen heroes’ legacy, so let us rededicate ourselves to these noble objectives by staying the course and sustaining our gains to prove that our city’s and nation’s best days are still ahead; and
   WHEREAS, on Monday, May 31, two local ceremonies will be held, the first at 9:00 a.m. conducted by the City of Vallejo for the 150th commemoration since 1871 at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery, and the second at 11:00 a.m. conducted by the US Submarine Veterans, Mare Island Base, at the Vallejo Veterans Memorial Park behind City Hall.
   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Robert McConnell, Mayor of the City of Vallejo, and the City Council do hereby declare Memorial Day, May 31, 2021, a day to remember and pray for the souls of those who died in war as they rest in eternal peace, and we urge the citizens of Vallejo to attend our annual Memorial Day ceremonies, to always keep our fallen heroes and their comrades and families close in our hearts, and we ask everyone to participate in a national moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time.