USS Piper Assn Photo Gallery

* * * Photo Gallery * * *

Piper Launch Cover 26 June 1944 Photo courtesy of Obediah Hill

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Launch Tag 26 June 1944 Photo courtesy of Obediah Hill

Piper Commissioning Party Invitation (cover) 19 August 1944 Photo courtesy of Cynthia Byther Kutasy

Piper Commissioning Party Invitation (inside) 19 August 1944 Photo courtesy of Cynthia Byther Kutasy

Robert W. Byther, Seaman 1/c Served aboard USS Piper 24 August 1944 to 11 November 1945 Photo courtesy of Cynthia Byther Kutasy

Robert Byther (standing) in Hawaii with friends Photo courtesy of Cynthia Byther Kutasy

Robert Byther (center) with friends Photo courtesy of Cynthia Byther Kutasy

USS Piper Insignia created by Robert W. Byther circa - August 1945 Photo courtesy of Cynthia Byther Kutasy

USS Piper - Early Days Piper at anchor flying the Flag and Union Jack but notice the lack of hull number. If anyone can identify the place and year the photo was taken, please notify Mike Bray (mikebray@chartermi.net) Photo courtesy of Brandon Johnson

William Arthur Lindblad Circa 1944, 1945 Born 1924, died 1995 Photo courtesy of Carolyn Lindblad Farrer

Arthur Duskin Circa 1944, 1945 Born 1926, died 1981 Photo courtesy of Sanford Duskin

Piper Crew of 1944 Ship's Party at Portsmouth, New Hampshire (presumably the Fall of 1944) The officer to the far right of the first row is Lieutenant USNR Orren A. Holt, who served on Piper during all three war patrols. If anyone can supply more info on this photo, please email Mike Bray: mikebray@chartermi.net. Thank you. Photo courtesy of David Kelly, son of shipmate Robert B. Kelly who served from 1943 to 1945

Piper Crew of 1944 Ship's Party at Portsmouth, New Hampshire (presumably the Fall of 1944) First row, third from right, is Lieutenant USNR Orren A. Holt. Directly behind him is his wife, Dorothy Holland Holt. If anyone can supply more info on this photo, please email Mike Bray: mikebray@chartermi.net. Thank you. Photo courtesy of David Kelly, son of shipmate Robert B. Kelly who served from 1943 to 1945

John Clarkin - Hawaii, 1944 Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

Crew of Piper at Midway, April 1945 This photo was taken prior to departure on 2nd war patrol to the Sea of Okhotsk
John I. Clarkin - Fourth row, 7th from left (wearing jacket).
Robert F. Farison - Fourth row, 9th from left.
Robert W. Byther - Last row, 6th from left.
Photo contributed by John Clarkin, who received the photo from shipmate Burt Ebaugh.

Hawaii, 1945 Standing: "Pablo" and "Wiz". Seated: John Clarkin Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

Officers of the USS Piper - Pearl Harbor - July 1945 Photo copy of Piper Officers, July 1945, 3rd war patrol.
Other than Captain Beach, I cannot identify the other officers. However here is the rank and names:
Lieut. Comdr. E.L. Beach, U.S. Navy; Lieut. G.M. Reeves, U.S. Navy; Lieut. A.R. Christiansen, U.S.N.R.;
Lieut. W.A. Bowman, U.S.N.R.; Lieut. O.A. Holt, U.S.N.R. (back row, far left); Lieut. G.F. Eberle, U.S.N.R.;
Lieut (jg) J.K. Appeldoorn, U.S.N.R; Lieut (jg) W.R. Harrison, U.S.N.R.;
Lieut (jg) L.R. Porter, U.S. Navy; Ensign B.E. Englund, U.S.N.R. Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

Torpedoman "Stinky" Hinton with 2 Jap Prisoners Taken August, 1945 in the Sea of Japan Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

Shipmate (can't remember who) with 2 Jap Prisoners Taken August, 1945 in the Sea of Japan Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

Joe Foglio, X, and "Pablo" (without his beard) Taken September, 1945 enroute to Pearl Harbor Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

Captured U-Boat - 1945 The U 3008 was captured shortly before the war ended. The boat was located at the Sub Base, New London when the photo was taken. Photo by Tom Taylor - USS Piper, 1945-1951

Captain Edward L. Beach CO, USS Piper - 1945 - Third War Patrol Born 1918, died 2002

CDR Alexander K. Tyree CO, USS Piper - 1946-48

Photo courtesy of Tom Taylor - USS Piper 1945-1951

Piper Radio Shack - 1947 Photo courtesy of Tom Taylor - USS Piper 1945-1951

Piper Officers - 1948 Photo courtesy of Tom Taylor - USS Piper 1945-1951

Piper in Portsmouth Drydock - 1948 Photo courtesy of Tom Taylor - USS Piper 1945-1951

Piper - Summer of 1948 This photo was taken in the Summer of '48. We were headed back to the sub base after spending about a month at Gitmo with the Midshipman effort and the swells along the way let Piper send up some spectacular sprays. Photo by Karl Krull

Fleet version of piper 1949

Photo courtesy of Tom Taylor - USS Piper 1945-1951

Vice Adm. M. G. "Duke" Bayne CO, USS Piper - 1955 Born 1921, died 2005

Sub Base New London, Conn - 1954 From Left: Joe Dooley TM2, Ross Morrison ENFN, Richard Kendall TM2 and X Photo courtesy of Ross Morrison

Sub Base New London, Conn - 1954 Top: Richard Kendall TM2, Bottom: X Photo courtesy of Ross Morrison

Nassau - 1954 Francisco Torres EN1 and Robert Batscher QMSN Photo courtesy of Ross Morrison

Nassau - 1954 X, X, Robert Batscher QMSN, Francisco Torres EN1, Shorty Wolters TMC (COB) and John McGee EM3 Photo courtesy of Ross Morrison

Piper Ship's Party - May, 1954 From Left: Gary and Marty Booth, Robert Pipe and Ross Morrison, Manuel Siso and X, Richard Hartfielder and Aletta Butler, Richard Klintman and X, Richard Kendall and X Photo courtesy of Larry Boutelle

Dancers - May 15, 1954 Far Left: Gary and Marty Booth. The gentleman next to them is Ross Morrison. Photo courtesy of Larry Boutelle

Piper Ship's Party - May, 1955 Front row: Rich Collins (cook), Frank Mazzuchi QM1, X, Robert Conradson EN2, X, Dale Carlyon, John Chichon ENC 2nd row: William Carson EN1, Weldon "Gunner" Caudill GMC, X, Charlie Crim EN3, Robert "Brew" Taylor TM1, Shorty Wolters TMC (COB), CDR Joseph Beadles Captain, Richard Klintman FA, Robert "Red" Deming, LTjg Robert Denbigh, LT D.B. Carpenter XO 3rd row: Gerald Rescorla ET2, Shorty McEwen TM2, Clyde Derricott, LT Robert Thompson, Gerhardt Fleischer ENC, Stanley A. Mead EM1, Al Dube, Tom McGirl QM3, Richard Hartfelder IC3, X, Rocky Bridges RM3, Bill Meminger, Earl Davis SD1, Alfred Sims SD3, Gary Booth SN, Frank Torres EN1 Top row: X, Ross Morrison ENFN, Augie Kohler QM1, Bob Pipe, Richard Kendall TM2, Howard Clark QM, Larry Boutelle IC2, Eugene Zakutansky SOSN, X, Barney D. Wixom RMC Photo courtesy of Larry Boutelle

Piper after Guppy and before Hunter Killer conversion Ca 1955 Photo courtesy of Jim Burke

Photo courtesy of Charlie Jones - USS Piper 1954-1957

Piper's Commissioned Officer Contingent - January 1956 Charlotte Amalie harbor, St. Thomas Front: LT Pinto (Peruvian Navy), LTjg Irving Voyer, X, Ensign Uhlman Standing: X, LTjg Robert Denbigh, Capt Joseph W. Beadles, XO Thompson, LTjg Cameron Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper Ship's Party - February 1956 Front: Robert "Red" Deming EN1, Al Dube, Willis Clifford, Bob Pipe, George Locke, X, Lester "Shorty" McEwen TM2, X, CDR Joseph W. Beadles, Jr. Captain, Stanley A. Mead EM1, LT Robert Denbigh, Manuel Siso (cook), Ensign Uhlman, Bob Conradson EN2, John Cichon ENC, X 2nd Row: Claire "Denny" Dinsmoor EMC, Voegtlin EMC, Gene Shirley ET3, Harry "Greek" Alevras (cook), X, X, Barney D. Wixom RMC, Jerome "Shorty" Wolters TMC (COB), LT Robert Thompson XO 3rd Row: Ronald Kimmel FT3, Charles Jones EMFN, Larry Boutelle IC2, Gerhardt Fleischer ENC, Eugene Zakutansky SOSN, Joe Pow SN, Stuart Duckstein MM2, X, George McQuillan EM3, LTjg Cameron, LT Pinto (Peruvian Navy), LTjg Irving Voyer Engineering Officer Back Row: Kenneth LeRoy ET1, Marvin McCamis EM1, Robert Bobowicz IC3, Edward Downey BM1, Edward J. French QMC,Don Zechman TM3, Bud Webster Davis EN3, Jack Drennan EMFN, Pappy Masters RM1, Jerry Rodgers RMSN Photo Courtesy of Larry Boutelle

On Liberty Jerry Rodgers and Paul Azarian in Charleston, SC, during a Piper visit Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Peter Alevras - 1956 This photo is from 1956, and the subject is none other than 1st class stew burner Peter Harry Alevras, the Lebanese dynamo. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Messcooking for Harry Alevras, CS1(SS) - February 1956 Messcooks Joe Pow and Jerry Rodgers Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Squadron Commander and VIP Welcomed Aboard Piper - St. Thomas, January, 1956 Captain Joseph W. Beadles, Jr., stands on the left as he welcomes the VIP's. Lt. Pinto, in the foreground, back to us, is the OOD. Jerry Rodgers is the topside watch. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Torpedo Retrieval Photo taken during Operation Springboard, January 1956 Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Cruising the Caribbean - 1956 On the Bridge:Edward French, QM; Captain Beadles; Lookout Joe Pow On the Deck: Drennan, Boutelle, Robert Bobowicz, Duckstein, Joe Butler Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Havana Cuba, on the pier - 1956 Torpedo guru Joe Dooley gets a shoe shine as he and Harry Alevras have a discourse with Los Cubanos. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Ashore in Havana, Cuba - January 1956 Donald Zechman, Dale Carlyon, Edward French (in dungarees, back to us), Edward Downey, Paul Azarian, Willis Clifford Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Red Lead Seamanship - 1956-57 Joe Pow and Albert Dube demonstrating red lead seamanship. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper Ship's Party - Early 1957 Front row: Robert "Red" Deming EN1, John Pfusch SO1, X, Howard Clark QM3, Edward "Moose" Conwell CS1, X, X, Glen Mathews IC1, X, LTjg Robert Denbigh, LTjg Daniel Donovan 2nd row: X, Eugene Zakutansky SO3, Sterling Ridlon EM1, George Locke FN, X, Hugh Jameson CS2, Jerome "Shorty" Wolters TMC (COB), Robert "Brew" Taylor TM1, Cloyce Eugene Shirley ET3, X, X 3rd row: Robert Conradson EN2, Robert McCary ENC, LT Robert Thompson, Edward French QM1, Eugene Burt SDC, Stanley Mead EM1, Robert Marble TM1, Marion Neue EN3, CDR Joseph Beadles Captain, LCDR Bowcock, Ensign Uhlman, LTjg Irving Voyer, LCDR Oliver Hallett XO Top row: Charles Dorsey HM1, Jefferson Masters RM1, Joe Pow SA, Jimmy Mohon TM3, Edward Ritzhaupt EN1, Jack Drennan EMFN, Jerry Rodgers RM3, Charles Jones EM3, X, X, Barney Wixom RMC Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper Ship's Party - Early 1957 Seated: Joe Pow; Jerry Rodgers; Eugene Shirley; Shorty Wolters, COB (in profile) Standing: George Locke; Jimmy Mohon; Eugene Zakutansky Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Qualified Submariners - 1957 Captain Bowcock pins dolphins on W.W. Barr, SN, and Phil Lecky, EM3, while the crew stands at attention. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Cooking Crew - 1957-58 "Moose" Conwell, head cook and CM3 Beck, who did most of the baking. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Kingston Jamaica 1956 or 57 Baker Beck and Joe Butler on liberty. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Pappy Masters - 1957 Pappy Masters with Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, in the background. Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper Ship's Party - Spring, 1957 First Row Squatting: Robert "Red" Deming EN1, Steward "Bobadoo", Willis Clifford SN, Edward "Moose" Conwell CS1, Albert Dube SN, Ray Colbaugh EN3, Jerry Rodgers RM2, Webster "Bud" Davis EN2 2nd Row Sitting: Donald Wright ET1, Hugh Jamison CS2, Captain C.S. Bowcock, X, LT Dan Donovan, X, Cloyce Shirley ET2, LTjg Cameron 3rd Row: Robert McCary EN1, Robert "Brew" Taylor TM1, X, David Mathis TM1, Hartman QM1, Perry EN1, Paul Azarian EMFN, Skelton QM2, X, LT Gould, Donald Zechman TM3, Hugh Moran EN3, LT Oliver Hallett XO, John Pfusch SO1, X, Charles Dorsey HM1, Kenneth Leroy ET1 Top Row: Charles Jones EM2, X, Stanley Mead EM1, LTjg Irving Voyer, Ensign Uhlman, Howard "Buddy" Clark QM, Eugene Zakutansky SO2, Edward French QM1, E.P. Voegtlin EMC Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Pinocle Tournament - 1957 Steward "Bobadoo" and Ray Colebaugh Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Pinocle in the Crew's Mess - 1957 X (cook), Harold Wallace, George Locke. With his back to us, French Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Pinocle - 1957 Clockwise from front: Joe Pow, Steward "Bobadoo", Ray Colebaugh, Donald Wright, Ensign Uhlman Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Radio Shack - 1957 Bobby Baker and Jerry Rodgers Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper Ship's Party - Early 1958 Front Row (Squatting or Sitting): Manfred "Rudy" Reudiger TM1, Weldon Caudill GM1, David Rollason SN, Captain C.S. Bowcock, LT Rowan, X, E.P Voegtlin, Jr. EMC Second Row (Standing): Skelton QM, George Angelo EN1, Edward "Moose" Conwell CS1, Steward "Bobadoo", Eugene Shirley ET2, Ray Colebaugh EN3, Jerry Rodgers RM2, McDonald EM2, Kelly IC3, Webster "Bud" Davis EN Third Row (Standing): LT Oliver Hallett XO, Robert "Red" Deming EN1, Kenneth LeRoy ET1, Paul Azarian EMFN, Robert Baker RM2, Hartman QM1 Last Row (Standing): Barney Wixom RMC, X, Eugene Zakutansky SO2, Philip Lecky EM3, Clair Dinsmoor EMC Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Phil Lecky Taking Readings in the After Battery Photo Courtesy of Phil Lecky

Ernie Kertzscher RM3 and Joe Clark EMFN Photo Courtesy of Phil Lecky

8,000th Dive - C.O.B. Marble Takes Her Down August 7, 1958 Photo Courtesy of Phil Lecky

Radiomen - 1958 Rodgers, Perkins and Vincent Photo Courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper in waters off Nova Scotia 1958 Photo courtesy of Jerry Rodgers

Piper after Hunter Killer conversion (Note the absence of limber holes along the superstructure as compared to the photo above) 1964

Retrieving Torpedo Photo courtesy of Mike Hubbard

Torpedo Gang Standing: Robert Marble TMC (COB), X, LT Robert Hinton, X, Manfred Ruediger TM1, Willis Clifford TM3, Keith Cisewski TM3, X, Chester Berryman TM2, Floyd Hodge FT1 Kneeling: Lester "Shorty" McEwen TM2, X, Nelson TM2 Photo Courtesy of Larry Boutelle

Piper Chiefs, circa 1959 Robert Marble TMC (COB), Ennis ENC, X, Valera CSC, X, Romnerski YNC Photo courtesy of Larry Boutelle

Ship's Party - 1960

Front Row:
Schott EM2, Tom Whalen TM2, X, X, X, Arnie Miliefsky EN3, X, Kelly IC3
Second Row:
LCDR Ben Sherman CO, X, "Gibby" Gibson, Jim Scales FT1, John Donkus IC1, Gilbert EN, Jim "Mother" Burke CS1, X, John "Scotty" Hendry EM2, Riggins IC3, LCDR Watkins XO
Third Row:
Squad. Commander, X, Aires CS3, Ennis ENC, Bob Kuhn CS2, Chester "Humphrey" Berryman TM2, Monty Glover EN1, Joe Marmaud EN1, LT Fox
Last Row:
Valerie CSC, X, X, X, Rocky ET3, X, Mclaughlin EN3, X

Photo courtesty of John Donkus

Maneuvering Room's No-Leaki-Tiki - 1960 Photo by Charlie Patch

Ready to go on liberty - 1960 "Rip" Spooner, Mike Bray, Richardson, Al Franusiszin, Sharp, Bob Bishop Photo by Charlie Patch

The Boat's "Best Uglies" - 1960-61 Donkus IC1, Valera CSC, "Stash" Polovitch EM2 Photo courtesy of Charlie Patch

Springboard - 1961 Piper nesting in San Juan, softball team warming up Boats nesting inboard to outboard: USS Seawolf (SSN575), USS Argonaut (SS475), USS Piper (SS409), USS Toro (SS422) Photo courtesy of Charlie Patch

Operation Springboard - 1961 Photo by Jim King

Operation Springboard - 1961 USS Triton SSRN-586 entering port Photo by Jim King

Operation Springboard - 1961 Foreground facing away - "Gibby" Gibson, steward and Chester Berryman, TM1 USS Toro SS-422, USS Piper SS-409, USS Argonaut SS-475 Photo by Jim King

Operation Springboard - 1961 Nest of diesel boats tied outboard of USS Seawolf SSN-575 Photo by Jim King

Operation Springboard - 1961 Jim King sporting his goatee Photo by Jim King

Operation Springboard - 1961 Photo by Jim King

Operation Springboard - 1961 Smith, Auxiliaryman; Mike Bray, EMFN and Charlie Patch, ICFN Photo by Jim King

Ten Grander Cake - 1961 Mother Burke tests the frosting Photo courtesy of Charlie Patch

10,000th Dive - 1961 Chester Berryman, Division Commander, Jim Burke, Captain Sherman, "Rudy" Ruediger, Don Del Core, X, "Scotty" Hendry Photo courtesy of Charlie Patch

10,000th Dive - 1961 Division Commander cuts the cake Photo courtesy of Charlie Patch

Ten Grander Card Courtesy of Charlie Patch

10,000th Dive Cover Courtesy of Obediah Hill

Arnold "Satch" Cross and Jim "Mother" Burke - 1961 Photo Courtesy of Cal Sutliff

Chief Engineman Flannigan - 1961 Photo Courtesy of Cal Sutliff

Party at Don Del Core's place in Poquonnock Bridge June 1961 Pat Ryan, SM1 and Wife and ? Photo Courtesy of Don Del Core

Party at Don Del Core's place in Poquonnock Bridge June 1961 Bob Kuhn, CS2 and Wife Sandy and Mother Burke Photo Courtesy of Don Del Core

Celebration of 1,000th Foghorn Blow - 7 September, 1961 Using the Captain's sword, Westall, Starboard Lookout, cuts the cake baked by Mother Burke in celebration of the 1,000th foghorn blow while Piper was anchored off of New London, CT on 7 Septermber, 1961. Photo Courtesy of Cal Sutliff

Shipping Over Ceremony, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard - 1962 USS Piper Commanding Officer, LCDR V.O. Harkness, Jr., administers re-enlistment oath to: A.D. McMakin, MMFN; R.P. Moore, MMFN; W.D. Deryck, MMFN; R.J. Hobel, ICFN; C.H. Munzner, ICFN; L.J. Heckelsmiller, MMFN and J.R. Reeves, EM2(SS). Photo courtesy of Larry Heckelsmiller

USS Piper, October 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

X, "Mother" Burke, Doc Bowman, X, October 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

USS Essex through scope, October 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Tom Calabrese, October 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Tom Calabrese, Tom Kucharski and "Frenchy" Cormier, Karachi Pakistan, November 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Camel and "Beetle" Bailey, Karachi Pakistan, November 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Tom Calabrese and COB Joe Negri, Karachi Pakistan, November 1963 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

USS Piper and USS Tench, Monaco, January 1964 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Tom Calabrese, Mrs and Doc Arnold, Monaco, January 1964 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Doc Arnold, Mrs Arnold and Doc Bowman, Monaco, January 1964 Photo courtesy of Tom Calabrese

Christmas in Monaco, 1963 Photo courtesy of Phil Pattison

Piper in Malta, December 1963 Photo courtesy of Fred Durrette

Princess Grace visits Piper and crew members open Christmas presents, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

Puzzle Time, 1963 Photo courtesy of Phil Pattison

'Pat' Pattison and Piper Shipmates enjoy Karachi Pakistan, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

DeCarolis - Shipmates in Djibouti, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

Wine 'Samplers' Beetle Bailey, Spencer and Floyd Kye, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

DeCarolis - Cundiff and DeCarolis, Lisbon Portugal, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

'Pat' Pattison enjoys City View and 'Pat', Cundiff and DeCarolis Scan the Mountains, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

Port Said and Bum Boats, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

Carter and Gould - LTjg Goodrich, 1963 Photo Courtesy of Phil Pattison

Charlie Schwartz's Wedding
I'm sending a picture that I just got from Charlie Schwartz. Now this was a Piper weekend to remember. I don't know who is next to Charlie, but then comes Tom Kucharski, Frank Whitty, Butch LeBrasseur, and Tony Stomboly. Quite the crew.

Photo courtesy of Frank Whitty

Holland, 1964 I have attached a picture of a "plaque" I bought in Holland. It shows the PIPER tied up inboard of the SEA ROBIN in Rotterdam in 1964, with a picture of a canal and wind mill on the other side. It resides just above my computer monitor where I see it every day.

PIPER, best boat, best shipmates...........ever!

Zoomie

Photo courtesy of Ralph Norman

USS Piper Petticoat Cruise - Ca 1965-66 Here are some photos taken of a Petticoat Cruise during the 1965-66 timeframe. The photos were contributed by Mrs. Herbert Crane who’s husband was XO of Piper at that time. Mr. Crane can be seen in the lower photo entertaining guests.

13,000th Dive - 1966 Seated: Cormier, EM2; Nuvayestewa, MM2; Whittier, IC3; Endoza, TN; Cardier, TM1; Cross, QM2; Waring, EM1
Standing: Burke, CS1 and Bates, EN1 Photo courtesy of Jim Burke

USS Piper SS409 Tom Bartlett, who was on Piper during 1966-67 sent this beautiful photo of Piper. Photo courtesy of Tom Bartlett

Tom Bartlett and Doug Ward - 1966 Photo courtesy of Tom Bartlett

Doug Ward - 1967 Photo courtesy of Tom Bartlett

Phillips, Grispo and Doug Ward - 1967 Photo courtesy of Tom Bartlett

Tom Bartlett - 1967 Photo courtesy of Tom Bartlett

USS PIPER (SS409) Decommissioning Crew - April 1967
Kneeling (Left to Right)
1-Lebrasseur, EN2(SS); 2-Posey, TM1(SS); 3-Lashell, TM3(SS); 4-Grispo, MM3(SS); 5-Osborne, IC2(SS); 6-Ronzeni, EM2(SS); 7-Cimon, SN; 8-Breuhan, STSSA; 9-Endoza, SD3(SS); 10-Gramenz, STSSN; 11-Bellard, EN1(SS); 12-Short, SN; 13-Mills, SA; 14-Wilcox, FN; 15-Alvear, TN; 16-Mangubat, TN(SS); 17-Miller, IC2(SS); 18-Wimberly, SN; 19-Gillespie, SMSN; 20-Erfe,TN; 21-Bullermore, SN; 22-Giles, SN; 23-Pittman, FN; 24-Hamblin, ERT2(SS); 25-Campbell, RM2(SS); 26-Hamrick, SN; 27-Reinhold, SN; 28-Lund, YN3; 29-Decker, SA; 30-Dombrowski, EN1(SS); 31-Haley, FN; 32-Bartholomew, MMFN; 33-Stomboly, EN2(SS)

Standing (Left to Right)
1-Schepp, HM1(SS); 2-Silliker, EM1(SS); 3-Musser, SN; 4-Wood, SN; 5-Clark, STS2(SS); 6-Turner, FN; 7-Phillips, MM1(SS); 8-Carlton, EMFN; 9-Druck, ETR3(SS); 10-Faller, TM3(SS); 11-Smirnoff, RMSN; 12-Barber, QMSN; 13-Lyerly, RM3(SS); 14-Alexander, STSS2(SS); 15-Rosenberg, SKSN; 16-Hyland, SK2(SS); 17-Waring, EM1(SS); 18-Hervey, QMSN; 19-Peltier, CSSSN(SS); 20-Wright, CS1(SS); 21-Paquette, ENCS(SS)(COB); 22-Kovalycsik, MMC(SS); 23-Hayes, YNC(SS); 24-Holst, EMC(SS); 25-Hill, EMC(SS); 26-Pittman, ETC(SS); 27-Yoder, EMC(SS); 28-Smith, QMC(SS); 29-Sestito, ENC(SS); 30-Bates, ENC(SS); 31-CO, CDR Preble; 32-XO, LCDR Jensen; 33-NAV, LCDR Thomas; 34- ENS Haase; 35-ENG, LT Sawer; 36-GUN, LT Spencer; 37-COMM, LTJG Boydell; 38-SUPP, ENS Barker; 39-Cross, QM1(SS); 40-Wiley, RMSN(SS); 41-Ronfeldt, QMSN; 42-Gibbons, EN2(SS); 43-Anderson, TN3(SS); 44-Parsons, FN; 45-Bertlett, FA; 46-Whitty, FTG3(SS); 47-Kenny, TM3(SS); 48-Randall, TM3(SS); 49-Carder, TM1(SS); 50-Zahniser, FA; 51-Scott, IC1(SS); 52-Smith, EM1(SS); 53-Mazuc, EN2(SS); 54-Ward, MM3

Personnel not present in picture
1-Barkman, FTC(SS); 2-Bonham, TM3(SS); 3-Bolbeck, FTG2(SS); 4-Dugan, RMSN; 5-Magurno, EM2(SS); 6-Morgan, RMC(SS)

Photo courtesy of E. J. Wilcox

Lt. A.E. Smith and Piper at Brodhead Naval Armory, Detroit Michigan See Newspaper Clippings link on the News page for story Photo courtesy of Clarence Smith

Photo courtesy of Charlie Jones - USS Piper 1954-1957

Captain Edward L. Beach and Chet Skrocki Photo courtesy of John Clarkin - USS Piper 1944-1945

James C. Burke Also known as "Trigger" Burke and "Mother" Burke Photo courtesy of Jim Burke - USS Piper 1958-1966

Jim and Pat Burke Photo courtesy of Jim Burke - USS Piper 1958-1966

2001 Piper Reunion

First Row
Jimmy Evans, Bill Brann, Michael Lally, John Donkus, Billy Ray Jarrett, Bill (Beetle) Bailey, Terry Welsh
Second Row
John Hendry, Stosh Polovitch, Chuck Halbing, Michael Hubbard, Ernie Kertzscher, Jim Burke, Ray Belliveau, Frank Pertiko, Jim Delaney, Bob Marble
Third Row
Philip Lecky, Clarence Spencer, Jim King, Ed Cushman, William Fuchs, Ken Westall, David Shoaff, Tom Gibbons, Larry Heckelsmiller, Paul Barlow, James Morris, Frank Whitty, Tom Kucharski
Last Row
Bob Lloyd, Frank Mayo, Jerry Rodgers

Photo courtesy of Jim Burke

USSVI Convention, Duluth 2002 Need help on this one Front row: X, X, X, Mike Hubbard, X Back row: X, Al Dube, Larry Heckelsmiller, Gerry Herring, Ken Westall Photo courtesy of Mike Hubbard

USSVI Convention, Duluth 2002 Al Dube, Mike Hubbard and Larry Heckelsmiller Photo courtesy of Mike Hubbard

USSVI Convention, Duluth 2002 Mrs and Ken Westall, Al Dube peeking Photo courtesy of Mike Hubbard

USSVI Convention, Duluth 2002 Larry and Mrs Heckelsmiller, Mike Hubbard, Ken (Sid) Westall, X Photo courtesy of Mike Hubbard

Mini-Reunion, Groton 2003 This was taken at Groton around 2003. From left to right we have Butch LeBrasseur, Ralph "Zoomy" Norman, Frank Whitty, Charlie Schwartz, and Mike Lally. Notice that Joe Negri, who was COB when all of us but Lally were on board in the mid-sixties, is keeping an eye on us. Pretty neat getting him in the picture with us. By the way, this was an impromtu mini-reunion as LeBrasseur, who couldn't make the clambake we'd held in August, was passing through Photo courtesy of Frank Whitty

2004 Piper Reunion John Donkus, Jim King, John "Stash" Polovitch, Charlie Patch Photo courtesy of Charlie Patch

June 2006 Morris Newkirk RMCS(SS) Piper 1961-62, now residing in Norway, paid a visit to Mike Lally. Left to right: Chief Newkirk, his wife and nephew and Mike Lally. Photo courtesy of Mike Lally

June 2006 Jim Burke and Frank Whitty at Jim's home in Whiting New Jersey Photo courtesy of Jim Burke

August 2006 Frank and Dolores Whitty visiting Mary and Jim King in Maine Photo courtesy of Frank Whitty

Reunion Planning Meeting - August 2006 Butch LeBrasseur, Mike Hubbard, Frank Whitty Photo courtesy of Frank Whitty

Visit to the Bray's in the U.P. of Michigan - October 2006 Kathy and John Donkus Photo courtesy of Mike Bray

Visit to the Bray's in the U.P. of Michigan - October 2006 John Donkus and Mike Bray Photo courtesy of Mike Bray

Tom Whalen and John Donkus - October 2006 John and Kathy Donkus stopped to visit with Tom Whalen in Wisconsin during their month-long trip of the country. Photo courtesy of John Donkus

USS Piper Aft Escape Bouy Brass Plaque Sold on E-Bay 26 November, 2006 for $37.33 E-Bay Photo

Piper Reunion - August 2007 The Crew Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 The Ladies Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion, 1960s Crew - August 2007 Front Row: Jerry Harring, Bill Fuchs, Ernie Kertzscher, John Polovitch, John Hendry, Mike Lally, Chuck Halbing, Jim King, Bill Cotter, Arnie Miliefsky, William Bailey Back Row: Jerry Holland, George Sanderson, Clarence Spencer, Mike Bray, Mike Hubbard, Terry Welsh, Frank Whitty Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion, 1950s Crew - August 2007 Larry Boutelle, Richard Sporbert, Richard Collins, Al Dube, Noah Monsour, Howard Clark, Charlie Jones, Ross Morrison, Bob Batscher, James Delaney Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion, 1940s Crew - August 2007 John Clarkin - Aboard Piper for all three WWII war patrols Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 William (Beetle) Bailey and Mike Hubbard Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 John Donkus and Charlie Patch Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Obie Hill talks to Jim "Mother" Burke Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Janice and Phil Lecky Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Fran Hubbard, Dolores Whitty and band members Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Frank Whitty and his son Patrick Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 The Chris Poudrier Trio Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Dolores Whitty, Terry Welsh, Frank Whitty and Larry Boutelle Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Richard Collins, Pamala Ward and Doug Ward Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Todd Miller, Leo Miller and John Clarkin Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Richard Sporbert and Charlie Jones Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Ross Morrison and James Delaney Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Noah Monsour and Bob Batscher Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Richard Collins, Howard Clark and Al Dube Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 John "Stosh" Polovitch, Mike Bray, John Hendry, Mike Hubbard and Mike Lally Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Mike Lally, Terry Welsh, Chuck Halbing, Frank Whitty and Jim King Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Bill Cotter, John Hendry, Mike Lally and Chuck Halbing Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Larry Boutelle and Ross Morrison Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Jerry Holland and George Sanderson Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Mike Hubbard, Jim King, John "Stosh" Polovitch and Mike Lally Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Leo Miller and Clarence Spencer Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Jerry Harring and Frank Whitty Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Mike and Bernadette Bray and the lobster feast Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Jim and Mary King and Linda Patch Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 John and Anita Clarkin, their daughter Lisa and Bill Cotter Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Piper Reunion - August 2007 Richard and Kaye Sporbert Photo by PricePerfect Photos

Note: There are 169 different photos of the 2007 Piper Reunion available from PricePerfect Photos. CLICK HERE for ordering information.

Linda Patch, Pat Brann and Kathy Donkus

Bill Brann, John Donkus and Charlie Patch
October 2007 Mike, Thought I'd send along a few photos of my special Saturday guests. Charlie and Linda Patch were on their way from NY state to their home in NC and decided to stop for a visit. Bill and Pat Brann live not too far from me so I had called them to let them know that Charlie and Linda were stopping overnight and ask that they come in for a visit as well...sort of Mini Piper reunion. We had a great time swapping sea stories..strange how we remember the same story but in a different way. John Photo courtesy of John Donkus

George "Sandy" Sanderson pins dolphins on his son Bruce

Ray and Jill Belliveau, John and Kathy Donkus , Charlie and Linda Patch enjoy fellowship and lunch.
Florida, January 2016

John and Kathy Donkus at the beach.
Florida, January 2016

Charlie Patch, Jim and Mary King
At Young's Lobster Pound, Belfast Maine
August 2019

Kathy and John Donkus - March 2020

Mike, Charlie Patch contacted me this AM to get contact info on Bill Brann. He mentioned your name as well.
Hope all is well with you and family. I don't know if you remember but Bill and I were in the boy scouts together.
His dad was the scout Master. A friend of mine that has a plane and likes to fly, flew me down to NC to an
airport that specializes in barbecue. Charlie lives about 40 miles north of the place and drove down to have lunch
with us. His wife Linda had done a great job on him..slowed him down a bit. Take care, stay healthy. John & Kathy

Photo courtesy of John Donkus

Why not send a photo for all to enjoy. Send an email with an attached digital/scanned photo to mikebray@chartermi.net or, send a photo print and I will scan it and return it to you. Please include names, places, year photo was taken, etc. If you can supply missing info for the above photos, please send me an email.

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