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Plankowner
Posts: 9175
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I just read this from Gil on Ron's board.
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I had my computer shut down and was prepared to leave the house to go west when Georgianna called, Ron Smith passed at 6:15 this morning. America has lost another Hero!
Please let others know, I will be out of contact by computer for a few days.
Gil
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1431
| Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Ron will be missed by all who knew him. Hand salute. |
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2540
Location: Wappingers Falls, NY | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
God Bless him.
Hand salute. Sailor rest your oars.
Patti & John Garry |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 2360
| Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
It was indeed, an honour and a privilege to have met Ron back in 2004 on my tour of the USA. 
May he Rest in Peace.
Paul Hartridge aka Blue from West Oz |
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Old Salt
Posts: 330
| Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/tennyson/crossing_bar.html
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 6180
Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I have one consolation that lives with me today.
That God is near to them, in his own special way.
So God in all Your mercy, keep near Thyself the soul,
Of every Submariner, still on his final patrol.
Lord, this departed shipmate with Dolphins on his chest
is part of an outfit known as the best.
Make him welcome and take him by the hand.
You'll find without a doubt he was the best in all the land.
So, heavenly Father add his name to the roll
of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive
will always keep their memories alive.
This taken from USSVI Eternal Patrol
Warshot, Thank you for your Service and Dedication.  |
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Plankowner
Posts: 9175
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Ron's passing brought this to mind that Bob Harrison wrote about Ron's generation of boat sailor..
SUBMARINERS
There are stories told about knights of old and the shooting of Dan McGrew
And the classic tale of the great white whale still thrills us through and through.
There’s Farragut and John Paul but the saltiest of them all
Were the boys in blue from World War Two who answered Freedom’s Call.
Now I won’t boast so I’ll drink a toast to the boys who went down under.
With Navy pride they fought and died when their boats were ripped asunder.
They learned their trade, our debt they paid in the world beneath the sea
And there they sleep in waters deep, a part of history.
Those noble ships with sonar blips once fought their way to Glory
And the men inside, because they died, left none to tell their story.
Proud Argonaut, you had your shot, you and the Amberjack,
‘Twas near Rabaul you gave your all and never more came back.
Pompano, you and Runner, too, were lost in forty-three.
Your gallant crew went down with you, defending liberty.
The Pickerel too, the sleek Wahoo, the Grampus and the Herring,
The Albacore, all lost in the war, have taken their last bearing.
So many more, subs by the score, went to their watery grave,
In silence deep they lie asleep, the young lads and the brave,
But this I know, somewhere below lie those who paid the price,
Our debt is paid because they made the final sacrifice.
A Poem by:
Robert L. Harrison
Oct. 16, 1997
Greenfield, Indiana
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Senior Crew
Posts: 192
| Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I met Capt Street before he passed and then messed up not meeting another hero once (Ben Bastura), but I've had the priviledge to meet others, such as Art Smith and Ron 'Warshot' Smith and I'm glad that I did. Be at peace shipmate, we have the watch, and hopefully we can do as good a job as you and yours did.
Attention on deck...
Hand salute...
Ready...
Two...
Sadly and respectfully,
Billy Bob
p.s. Here's a little story that fits the Warshot that I've known...
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.
He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate and, as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, could you tell me where we are?'
'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.
'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.
'Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.'
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.
'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'
'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'
'How about my friend here?' the traveller gestured to the dog.
'There should be a bowl by the pump.'
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveller filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.
When they were satisfied, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.
'What do you call this place?' the traveller asked..
'This is Heaven,' he answered.
'Well, that's confusing,' the traveller said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'
'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'
'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'
'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'
Edited by Launcher Lary 2008-09-12 8:52 AM
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Plankowner
Posts: 9175
Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map. | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Thanks BillyBob |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1276
Location: Hopewell Junction NY | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
America has lost another HERO.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar.
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 561
Location: Belleview, Fl | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
While I never personally met Warshot it was an honor for him to call me a shipmate more then a few times in emails that we traded back and forth. I am truly saddend by his passing this morning and sadly now I can say that another one of my hero's has gone on eternal patrol, may you have fair winds and following sea's.
Thank you Ron for all that you have done for the submarine community, you will be missed by all.
Hand Salute
Two
Darrin |
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Old Salt
Posts: 461
Location: Medina, OH | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
My condolences to all who knew Ron via his books, as shipmates, via his contributions to submarine forums and the USSVI. And, of course, to Georgiana and other family. He fought the good fight, finished the course, kept his faith. “THE SUBMARINER” Only a submariner realizes to what great extent an entire ship depends on him as an individual. To a landsman this is not understandable, and sometimes it is even difficult for us to comprehend, but it is so! A submarine at sea is a different world in herself, and in consideration of the protracted and distant operations of submarines, the Navy must place responsibility and trust in the hands of those who take such ships to sea. In each submarine there are men who, in the hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to each other. These men are ultimately responsible to themselves and each to the other for all aspects of operation of their submarine. They are the crew. They are the ship. This is perhaps the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instant during his tour as a submariner that he can escape the grasp of responsibility. His privileges in view of his obligations are almost ludicrously small, nevertheless, it is the spur which has given the Navy its greatest mariners: the men of the Submarine Service. It is a duty, which most richly deserves the proud and time-honored title of…. “SUBMARINER”
Edited by nancy 2008-09-12 9:37 AM
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2693
Location: New Jersey | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Sad news. Thank you for your service Ron. Rest easy, we have the watch.
Sailor rest your oar.
Hand Salute.......
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 2561
Location: Rapid City, SD | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Warshot, when you meet up with a good-looking old fart with a snow-white "Santa Claus" beard, shake his hand. It's Dakota Slim; he read your first book. I'm sure you will have lots in common; lots to discuss; and lots to laugh about.
Another of "The Greatest Generation" sailed off on his final patrol.
I'll miss you both.
Cora |
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Old Salt
Posts: 419
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
So sad.
There's a big hole in my heart now for a man I never met face-to-face.
It could only happen among submariners.
Fair winds and following seas, Warshot. Save me a rack in the alley.
Edited by Park Dallis 2008-09-12 12:09 PM
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1431
| Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Every death of a fellow submariner diminishes us from the time of Bushnell and the Turtle until tha most resent loss of one of our own. We all must die and even though we feel the loss, we are a proud brotherhood who celebrates the life each and every member of the Silent Service. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1835
Location: Boydton, Virginia | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
One of my disapointments in life is that I never got to meet Ron, although I felt I knew him well. We were both torpedomen, agreed politically and enjoyed a good word fight. I wish I had been born 20 years earlier and had sailed with Ron Smith, TM2 (SS).
Thank you for your extrodinary service and for setting a high standard for us all to follow.
Steamboat sends
Steamboat sends |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 590
Location: Colton, NY | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
So long Ron. Say hello to that other old Hoosier, Cuzzin Bob. See you both on the other side some day. Sid ------------------------------------- New Duty Station by Mike Hemming
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Crew
Posts: 98
Location: Lipan, TX | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I had the honor of working with Ron many times on various Cavalla projects; he was truely an HONORABLE man.
My dad (Roy Ator) is currently off line as he is on the road and plans on taking a group of children from the VFW National Home on a private tour of the USS COD in the morning, but I notified him of Ron's passing and he, along with myself send our deepest condolences to the Smith family.
May Ron rest in peace and give a great big Texas hug to Bob Harrison, Old Gringo and Cowboy from me when they greet him at the Pearly Gates!!
Robin Ator-Greer
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Old Salt
Posts: 264
Location: Harrison, NJ | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I met Ron on several occasions at USSVI conventions. He was a good man, a good Shipmate and a great TM. I'll miss him. |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 597
Location: Tucson, Arizona | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
To Ron's family may our "Prayers be Your Comfort and Strength" we all will go on our eternal patrol at one time or another and we know that you will guide a path for us as you did your torpeoes
"Full Speed Ahead"
Dick Jarenski |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 618
Location: Issaquah WA, USA | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
How sad. We briefly saw Ron at the Ft Worth Convention, but he was very weak, and now he is gone. Hand Salute, and thank you for your service! |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1263
Location: Va.Beach,Va. | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Ron,although we never got eyeball to eyeball,I feel like I know you through
our e-mail exchanges.The autographed copies of both of your books will occupy
a special place on my bookshelf and in my heart.
After you drop your seabag down the after battery hatch and stow your gear in the after room,make a fresh pot of coffee so we can share a black and bitter when
BUPERS cuts my orders to the big SUBPAC in the sky.Rest your oars,shipmate,
we have the watch.
Larry,I printed you dog story for my files.I'm sure I'll get some milage on that one. |
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Mess cooking
Posts: 46
Location: east river, South Dakota | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
This is indeed a sad time for all of us left behind. However if I recall correctly, Ron was in a lot of pain. I have to be thankful that that pain has ended. I know we will all miss him greatly, and his wonderful words of wisdom that were shared with us all. The world will be all the poorer for his not remaining within our circle. However it is also a much richer place for his having been in that same circle. |
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Senior Crew
Posts: 157
Location: Clarinda, IA | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Here's a picture that I took of Ron and his wife at the convention. Ron could sit there for about an hour, then would need to go rest for awhile, but then he was right back down seeing his shipmates and signing books. I am glad I was able to get this and some others of him. He was a true hero. On the USSVI pages and the sub memorials pages, if you click on legacy pages and then go to Texas and look up the Seawolf Memorial, you'll see a nice history of how Ron worked to get that memorial site. It was just one of many projects he involved himself in to follow our creed.
Viejo
 (DSC00621 (600 x 402).jpg)
Attachments
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 DSC00621 (600 x 402).jpg (80KB - 688 downloads)
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Senior Crew
Posts: 184
Location: ConroeTexas | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Fair winds and following seas shipmate.
hand salute.
The beagle doc. |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 811
Location: NW Connecticut | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I am still in shock. I have read so many posts and tributes to Ron and I think how fortunite it is that we all had the Honor to know this wonderful man.. Some of us Had the Honor in person and many of us had the honor thru this amazing tool we call the internet and wonderful sandboxes like this Don's and Rontini's and where I first meet Warshot on Ray Stone's BBS.
Not since the days when my Dad was still alive did I have a living WW 2 hero that I could actually talk and or argue with much like I did with Dad. A hero who I could relate to because we had one common tread and that was our beloved "SS" designation. I will cherish his memory forever and every time I return to one of his books to read for the umpteenth time I will feel his presence.
I will truly miss you Mr Smith.. Thank you for the priviledge of letting me know you and the legacy you have left to remind us all how fortunite we are.
God's Speed and Following Seas Shipmate!
Until we all meet again on that distant shore!
Walt Magnavice |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1905
Location: Patterson, New York | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
This is sad news. My empathy goes out to his family, friends, and shipmates.
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1405
Location: Houston, TX (Best state in the US) | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I met Ron in 1995 or 96 when I joined the Tritonbase. We worked together on the Seawolf Model in his garage, worked with Gil, Ron, Big John Fredricks, Neal Stevens, The Ator Family, Doc Beeghly, Myron Howard, and others on getting the Cavalla Restoration Committee and the Cavalla Historical Foundations put together, along with the Rally in 1998 where we had folks from all over the country come down.
Ron was and is a WWII hero and joined the Navy as soon as he was allowed to after the war started. It was men like them that played a significant part of the defeat of Japan. Thank God for heros like Warshot.
Warshot had many good traits, but I think the one that stood out most was his fierce loyalty to friends and shipmates. He never held a grudge and was always ready to help anyone in need.
I feel honored to have know Ron and am fortunate I had the chance to talk with him in Ft. Worth where I had him sign Depths of Courage.
My heart goes out to his family and I will keep them in my prayers.
Thank you, Ron for your sacrifices and service in protection of this great country of ours. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1405
Location: Houston, TX (Best state in the US) | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I met Ron in 1995 or 96 when I joined the Tritonbase. We worked together on the Seawolf Model in his garage, worked with Gil, Ron, Big John Fredricks, Neal Stevens, The Ator Family, Doc Beeghly, Myron Howard, and others on getting the Cavalla Restoration Committee and the Cavalla Historical Foundations put together, along with the Rally in 1998 where we had folks from all over the country come down.
Ron was and is a WWII hero and joined the Navy as soon as he was allowed to after the war started. It was men like them that played a significant part of the defeat of Japan. Thank God for heros like Warshot.
Warshot had many good traits, but I think the one that stood out most was his fierce loyalty to friends and shipmates. He never held a grudge and was always ready to help anyone in need.
I feel honored to have know Ron and am fortunate I had the chance to talk with him in Ft. Worth where I had him sign Depths of Courage.
My heart goes out to his family and I will keep them in my prayers.
Thank you, Ron for your sacrifices and service in protection of this great country of ours. |
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Master and Commander
Posts: 2360
| Subject: Warshot, Stoops and I...
....enjoying a meal, spinning Warries, and ducking for cover with incoming muffins! lol
A great time in the life of Blue from West Oz meeting one of USA's hero's.....a treasured memory.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1165583190029391582ibQJik
Blue *_* |
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COMSUBBBS
Posts: 6180
Location: Summerville, SC | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Dog gone Blue, it looks like Warshot was the only one having a good time. He was probably showing you two how it's done. |
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 602
Location: Visalia, Ca. | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I remember an episode of "The Twilight Zone" like that.
A good one, and a fitting tribute to our Shipmate Ron.
I'll bet Cowboy and Zeke were waiting for him at the Pearly Gates.
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Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 602
Location: Visalia, Ca. | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I remember an episode of "The Twilight Zone" like that.
A good one, and a fitting tribute to our Shipmate Ron.
I'll bet Cowboy and Zeke were waiting for him at the Pearly Gates.
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Senior Crew
Posts: 168
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland. | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
I received an email yesterday telling me about Warshot’s going on Eternal Patrol and it hit me hard. About 4 years ago I was attempting my Cyber-Quals on the Balao Class Boat and he, along with some great guys, helped me a lot, in fact his was the first sig on my card. In time we began writing to each other and one day he sent me an email with a pic of him, in uniform, when he was . It came as a great surprise that we looked like each other at that tender age and it was because of this we began to call each other, “Cousin,” or, “Cous,” for short. At the end of one email he called me, “Shipmate,” and that was the finest compliment I have EVER had in my life. I don’t know what Boat he’s serving on now, but I am very sure it’s the best in God’s fleet.
Respectfully submitted, Hairball.
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Master and Commander
Posts: 1247
Location: Rockingham Western Australia | Subject: RE: Warshot on Eternal Patrol
Godspeed Warshot! |
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Warshot on Eternal Patrol
