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At random: More decorations for valor have been awarded, per man, to the submarine service than any other Navy Branch.

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Coyote

Posted 2026-01-11 4:07 PM (#105857)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1368

Location: NE Florida

Subject: Sunday Obits

https://www.facebook.com/ussvi.eternalpatrol/

The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.

I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.

SMITH .. .. .. Gary Thomas Smith (88) of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
The youngest of four boys, Gary was born to Albert Hamman Smith and Florence Quick of Baltimore, MD. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute for high school, graduating in 1954. From Poly, he attended Johns Hopkins University for one year, where he joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity. The following year, he followed the footsteps of his brothers, Harold, and Kenneth, to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he graduated in 1959 from the 21st Company.
Gary joined the U.S. nuclear submarine program as a young Naval officer. His service during the Cold War took him and his growing family to New London, CT; Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; Honolulu, HI; Charleston, SC; the National War College in Washington, DC, and the Pentagon. He took his final sea tour as Commander of the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS John C. Calhoun based out of Charleston, SC.
Gary also received a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University while working at the Pentagon. After retirement from the Navy Gary worked for several government contractors in the Washington DC area.

Gary was a proud member of the DC Road Runners, completing at least a dozen marathons as well as innumerable 10Ks and half-marathons. With four daughters, Gary was an active supporter of women's sports as a coach, manager, and fan of softball, soccer, field hockey, basketball, swimming, diving, and track. Gary volunteered for many years helping underserved neighbors with their tax filings and as an English tutor for immigrants. He enjoyed spending time with his ten grandchildren, introducing many of them to his favorite sport, golf.
Gary was truly an officer and a gentleman, a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, community member, patriot, and citizen of the world. He will be profoundly missed.
Gary is survived by his wife and his daughters, Maureen, Julie, and Jennifer. He was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Florence, brothers Albert Jr., Harold, and Kenneth, and his beloved daughter, Deborah.

WACHOB .. .. .. Max Hamilton Wachob, of Hambden Township, Ohio, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026. Known affectionately by his family as ‘Hammie,’ Max was a devoted husband, cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He lived a long and adventurous life marked by integrity, courage, humor, and deep love for his family.Max was born on April 28, 1937, in Bells Mills, Pennsylvania, to Charles and Mary (Parr) Wachob. In 1941, the family moved to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where Max was raised as the ninth of ten children. He was preceded in death by his siblings Betty, Fred, Sue, Ed, Harry, Kearney, and Shirley, and is joyfully reunited with them. He is survived by his siblings Sally and Paul (Peggy).After graduating from high school in Punxsutawney, Max proudly enlisted in the United States Navy in June of 1956. He served four years of active duty and received specialized training in San Diego, California, as an Interior Communications Electrician (IC). In this role, he worked extensively with electrical, electronic, and communications systems, including gyros, compasses, and projectors aboard submarines. Max was assigned to the USS Orion (AS-18), a Fulton-class submarine tender, and during his service traveled to ports including St. Thomas, San Juan, and Roosevelt Roads. He was honorably discharged in 1960.Following his military service, Max settled in Chardon, Ohio, where he began a 36-year career with the Chardon Telephone Company. Additionally, he proudly served his community as a police officer for 25 years with the Chardon Police Department, retiring as Sergeant of the Specials in 1987. Finally, Max proudly achieved a 60-year tenure as a Mason of the Burton F. & A. M. Lodge #274 and the F.O.P Lodge #16.In April of 1963, Max met the love of his life, Sandra ‘Sandy’ Zamer. They were married and shared 62 devoted years together, building a close-knit and loving family. Max is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy; his sons Eric (Jennifer) and Brian (Amy); grandchildren Mallory Dolan (Brett), Dillon (Liza), Jax (Kayla), and Mackenzie; and great-grandchildren Avery, Emery, and Henry, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy.Max truly embraced life and found joy in each day. He was always willing to lend a hand, share his time, or put his talents to use for others. He was known for cooking for a crowd’especially his clam bake’his love of camping and travel, reading, and watching classic westerns, particularly Gunsmoke. Annual family reunions in Punxsutawney were among his most treasured traditions. Above all, Max will be remembered as a family-first man, a lover of beer, generous with extra dashes of pepper on every meal, and a lovable prankster who delighted in making others laugh.The family takes comfort in knowing that Max is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, likely playing cards, sharing stories, and enjoying a cold beer as he reminisces on a life well lived.

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