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| At random: The first submarine which actually sank another enemy vessel under combat conditions was the CSS HUNLEY built during the Civil War. The Union frigate HOUSATONIC on blockade station off Charleston, S. C. was the victim. The incident occurred on February 17, 1864. |
 Obit Messenger results for 09/24/08Moderators: Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] | |
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| Plankowner Posts: 5024 Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Obit Messenger results for 09/24/08 - (Danville and Rockingham County) GUSTAFSON, Kenneth R., CDR, USN, Ret., 74, died Thursday, September 18, 2008 at Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden, NC after declining health for 5 years and had been seriously ill for one week. He was born in McKeesport, PA on August 8, 1934 to Emma G. Gustafson currently of Martinsville, VA. He joined the United States Navy in December 1952. After serving in the USS Washtenaw County (LST 66) and USS Torsk (SS 423) as a Quartermaster, he was commissioned in June 1958 at the Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. Following tours of duty in USS Sailfish (SSR 572) and USS Sea Owl (SS 405), he instructed in Submarine Tactics at the Submarine School, New London, Connecticut. He then served in USS Dogfish (SS 350) and in October 1968, he became Executive Officer of USS Hardhead (SS 365). He was assigned as Head of the Submarine Deck and Weapons Safety Branch at the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk, Virginia from April 1970 until June 1971 and then served as Executive Officer of USS Nashville (LPD 13) until May 1973. He was then assigned as a consultant at the Human Resources Management Center, Norfolk, Virginia. In January 1974 he reported as Officer in Charge of the Human Resources Management Detachment, Charleston, South Carolina where he served until assignment as Commanding Officer of USS Butte (AE 27). During his 26 year naval career he received Letters of Commendation, a Battle Efficiency Award, National Defense Service Medals and Good Conduct Medals among others. After retirement from the U.S. Navy, he worked for Miller Brewing Company in Eden, NC for 12 years retiring in 1999. On April 5, 2005 he was inducted into the U.S. Submarine Veterans Holland Club for fifty years as a qualified submariner representing honorable and faithful service to the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his wife, of 7 years, JoAnn York Gustafson of the home, and three daughters, Nancy Ballentine and husband, Glenn of Palmdale, California, Linda Mireles and husband, Robert, of Virginia Beach, VA and Susan Klein and husband, Erik, of Virginia Beach, VA, one sister, Nancy Cline and husband, Paul, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two step-sons and two step-daughters and their families. There will be no local memorial service. The U.S. Navy will conduct a Burial at Sea with full honors at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations be made to U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., Scholarship Fund, Attn: Paul Orstad, 30 Surrey Lane, Norwich, CT 06360-6541. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com. - (San Diego Suburban Newspapers) Master Chief Joel Staggs, USN (ret.) A celebration of life was held on September 16, 2008, at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church to honor Retired Master Chief Joel Staggs. Joel was born on in New York State, and shortly after moved to Washington State where he grew up fishing and hunting with his father and brother, Gene. He graduated from Clover Park High School in Lakewood, Washington, in June of 1960 and enlisted in the Navy in February of 1962. During his career as a submariner, Joel travelled the world at depths that most of us only dream of exploring. In 1967, Joel met the love of his life, Mary Alice, on a blind date on her 21st birthday. Shortly after, they were married. Our parents moved to Honolulu, where Joel progressed his career to become Chief in 1970. Joel and Mary Alice spent their Hawaii years scuba diving, body surfing at Waimea Bay and enjoying their boat and new family life with their two daughters, Sasha and Pamela. The family moved to Ramona in 1975 when Joel was transferred to the Submarine Development Group One, Detachment Bravo. Joel and Mary Alice then welcomed two more children, Joellen and David. Our Dad made Master Chief in 1979. Master Chief Joel Staggs retired from the US Navy in 1987 after more than 26 years of dedicated service, having had the honor of working on the USS Gudgeon, USS Aspro, USS Cavalla, USS Trepang, USS Parche, USS Sand Lance, USS Menhaden, USS Daniel Boone and USS Carbonero. Joel began his civilian career at Draper Laboratory in 1987 where he was honored to work on the DSRV Mystic, and then the USS Dolphin; the world's deepest diving submarine, which was decommissioned in January 2007 and will soon be part of the San Diego Maritime Museum. Our Dad retired from Draper Laboratory in late 2006 and was honored for his life-long accomplishments at a wonderful celebration surrounded by his family and friends. We'd love to share more anecdotes from Joel's illustrious career, but as he would say: "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Joel's life was full of adventure and excitement, mystery and intrigue, success and celebration. He had a great sense of humor and a presence second to none. Joel was larger than life in personality and presence. He was a great husband, father, brother and friend, and was always the first one there for those in need. Master Chief Joel Staggs is survived by his beautiful wife, Mary Alice; daughter, Sasha (James) Wilson, Pamela Staggs, Joellen (Jeremy) Cowden; son, David Staggs; grandchildren, Jacob Wilson and Charlotte Cowden; brother, Eugene Staggs and his wife Diana; nephew, Theron; father-in-law, Martin; and sisters-in-law, Margaret and Katie. Sailor, Rest Your Oars…We love you Dad. - (The Virginian Pilot) DISPENNETTE, Edwin L. "Pierre", 80, passed away September 22, 2008. Born in California, he was the son of the late Stewart and Camille Dispennette. Pierre retired as a master chief from the U.S. Navy after 32 years of dedicated service. He later retired from QED. He was a member of Church of the Ascension Catholic Church, a lifelong member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans and of the U.S Submarine Veterans of World War II, and of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 59 years, Betty Dispennette; five children, Mike Dispennette and his wife Vicki of Hendersonville, N.C., Bob Dispennette and his wife Kathy of Apex, N.C., Jan Dispennette of Hendersonville, John Dispennette and his wife Colleen of Charlotte, N.C., and Lisa Covey of Virginia Beach; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Eugene Dispennette. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Heartland Hospice for the excellent care extended to their husband and father. A memorial Mass will be held at noon Friday in the Church of the Ascension Catholic Church, 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, with Father James Parke officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, D.A.V Chapter 20 or to the Dolphins Scholarship Fund. Altmeyer Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com. | ||
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Great Sage of the Sea Posts: 781 Location: Port Orchard WA | Subject: RE: Obit Messenger results for 09/24/08 Sad the passing of a fellow Aspro shipmate In line with one of the other threads right now Joel was on Aspro when I was there the first time 1970 and was the person that started me wearing Wellingtons which I did for the rest of my career. He will be missed and remember in 2010 when we have the next Spro reunion Fair Winds Shipmate | ||
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| Master and Commander Posts: 1405 Location: Houston, TX (Best state in the US) | Subject: RE: Obit Messenger results for 09/24/08 I am very sorry to hear of Joel Staggs' passing. He was one of the original Cavalla volunteers and even got his picture in an article in the Galveston Daily News. Joel was a great shipmate, and a hard working cavalla volunteer. He certainly had a great sense of humor and a sturdy can-do attitude. My prayers go out to his family. He will be missed. | ||
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