Donnelly Relieves Munns
as Commander, Submarine Force
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christina M. Shaw, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs
NORFOLK, VA -- Vice Admiral Charles Munns was relieved by Vice Admiral John J. Donnelly as Commander, Submarine Force (COMSUBFOR); Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic (COMSUBLANT); Commander, Allied Submarine Command and Commander, Task Forces 46, (CTF 46), 82 (CTF 82), 84 (CTF 84) and 144 (CTF 144) on February 3, 2007 at Vista Point Club on Naval Station Norfolk.
Following the ceremony, Munns retired after 33 years of Naval service. Guest speaker, Admiral Kirkland Donald, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, reflected on Munns' many achievements and his legacy.
“Chuck has displayed a great vision, an ability to organize complete concepts into logical strategies, and endless energy and stamina -- a tireless advocate for his causes. The successes of the commands where he served and the continued success of those commands after he left are a testament to his skills as a leader and Naval officer,” said Donald.
“[Admiral Munns] met the challenges head on, acted responsibly on criticism and put the entire program on track to deliver what we have today -- secure, robust, efficient networks that are the back bone of our services' business practices, acquisition programs, personnel management systems and much more. We haven’t begun to realize the total benefit of what [Admiral Munns] helped deliver to the fleet."
During Munns’ two-and-a-half year tour, the submarine force had deployed 72 nuclear powered fast attack submarines in support of 123 missions for U.S. combatant commands and national authorities. The fleet ballistic missile submarine force has conducted a total of 81 strategic deterrent patrols.
Munns believes in the grand scheme of things he played a minor roll.
“Kristin and I have been honored to have been entrusted with this post, but make no mistake, we have been but conductors; it’s you [Sailors] that have done the work, you that have produced the product,” said Munns.
Donnelly was previously assigned as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He began his Naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, and earned a Master of Science degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1976.
The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project (VHP) in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. The mission of the Veterans History Project is to collect and archive the personal recollections of U.S. wartime veterans to honor their service and share their stories with current and future generations. The Project also collects stories from homefront civilians who worked in support of our Armed Forces.
How can I be part of this important project? You can volunteer to conduct interviews and collect historical documents. You may also organize interview groups and teach others how to conduct interviews. School and scout groups, retirement communities, churches, and other groups are a good place to start.
What kinds of items are included in the Veterans History Project Collection? Donated collections take the form of war veterans’ first-hand oral histories, memoirs, photographs, letters, diaries, official separation documents (DD-214s, etc.), and other historical documents from World War I through current conflicts.
How can I share the story of a deceased veteran?
On behalf of a deceased war veteran, you may submit historical documents like the veteran's collection of photo-graphs, letters, and diaries and memoirs. You will need to complete the biographical data form and a release form for the deceased veteran.
Interview a Veteran. Preserve History. By joining the Veterans History Project, you are contributing to the permanent collections of the Library of Congress and helping to record history.
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
Step 1: Visit the Veterans History Project website and print out an information kit, which gives you guidelines for conducting interviews and writing personal wartime recollections. If you don’t have Internet access, call the toll-free message line at 888-371-5848 to request an information kit.
Step 2: Identify a war veteran or homefront civilian who worked in support of our Armed Forces — from WWI through current conflicts.
Step 3: Record his or her story using an audio or video recorder; assist in collecting
photographs, letters, diaries, maps, etc.; help write a memoir; and complete the registration forms (including biographical and release forms) provided in the information kit. Send materials via FedEx, UPS, DHL, or deliver in person to:
Veterans History Project
The Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave SE
Washington, DC
20540–4615
The Veterans History Project needs your help in this nationwide effort to create a personal and vibrant legacy that honors our veterans and those who supported them. Help to give something back by
recording and preserving
their wartime stories.
Historian’s Corner:
Loss Of The USS Amberjack (SS-219)
February 16, 1943 – 73 Men Lost
Following her second patrol, AMBERJACK’s period of refit, rest and recuperation was cut to twelve days due to the urgent necessity of submarines in the operating areas. She started out on 24 January 1943, but was forced to return to port for the repair of minor leaks experienced during a deep dive.
Again departing Brisbane on 26 January 1943, AMBERJACK, under LCDR J. A. Bole, Jr., started her third war patrol in the Solomons area. On 29 January she was directed to pass close to Tetipari Island and then proceed to the northwest to patrol the approaches to Shortland Basin. Orders were radioed on 1 February for her to move north and patrol the western approaches to Buka Passage.
Having complied with these orders, AMBERJACK made her first miles southeast of Treasury Island on 1 February, sinking a two-masted schooner by gunfire twenty miles from Buka on the afternoon of 3 February 1943. At this time she was ordered to move south along the Buka-Shortland traffic lane and patrol east of Vella Lavella Island.
Making a second radio transmission on 4 February, AMBERJACK reported having sunk a 5,000-ton freighter laden with explosives in a two-hour night surface attack in which five torpedoes were fired. During this engagement Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Arthur C. Beeman was killed by machine gun fire, and an officer was slightly wounded in the hand. On 8 February, AMBERJACK was ordered to move to the West Side of Ganonga Island and on the 10th, she was directed to keep south of Latitude 7-30 ‘S, and to cover the traffic routes from Rabaul and Buka to Shortland Basin. On 13 February AMBERJACK was assigned the entire Rabaul-Buka-Shortland Sea area, and told to hunt for traffic.
The last radio transmission received from AMBERJACK was made on 14 February 1943. She related having been forced down the night before by two destroyers, and that she had recovered from the water and taken prisoner an enemy aviator on 13 February. She was ordered north of Latitude 6-30 ‘S, and told to keep hunting for Rabaul traffic.
All further messages to AMBERJACK remained unanswered, and when by March 10th she had failed to make her routine report estimating the time of her arrival at base, she was ordered to do so. No reply was received, and she was reported as presumed lost on 22 March 1943.
Reports received from the enemy since the end of the war record an attack which probably sank AMBERJACK. On 16 February 1943, the torpedo boat HIYODORI and sub chaser Number 18 attacked an U.S. submarine with nine depth charges in 5-05 ‘S, 152-37 ‘E. An escorting patrol plane had previously attacked the submarine. A large amount of
heavy oil and “parts of the hull” came to the surface. This attack is believed to have sunk AMBERJACK. However, no final conclusions can be drawn, since GRAMPUS was lost in the same area at about the same time. From the evidence available, it is considered most likely that the attack of 16 February sank AMBERJACK, but if she did survive this attack, any one of the attacks and sightings thought to have been made on GRAMPUS might have been made on AMBERJACK.
This vessel was credited with sinking three ships for a total of 28,600 tons, and damaging two more ships for a total of 14,000 tons damaged. AMBERJACK’s first patrol was made in the Shortland- Rabaul-Buka area, as was her last. During this first patrol conducted during the last half of September and the first half of October 1942 she sank a freighter, a transport and a large tanker of 19,600 tons. In addition she damaged a freighter and a transport and made a valuable reconnaissance of several islands in her area. The second patrol of this vessel was in the area west of Bougainville. Although several attacks were made, no damage was done to the enemy.
On the basis of her radio report, AMBERJACK was credited with having sunk a 5,000-ton freighter on her final patrol. The enlisted men’s recreation center at the Submarine Base, Peal Harbor is named for Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Arthur C. Beeman, who was killed in the gun battle of 4 February.
Valentines for Veterans
The following is a letter from VA Secretary Jim Nicholson to "Annie's Mailbox," the syndicated column written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Annie's response is used with permission of Kathy and Marcy. From the Veterans Administration web site.
Dear Annie: Many anniversaries and observances will occur this year that are important to our veterans: Memorial Day and Veterans Day are the best known ones. Another occasion I look forward to each year is the Valentines for Vets program during National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week (February 11-17).
The week encourages Americans from all walks of life to deliver valentines to local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and visit the veterans there.
School teachers use this week to educate our young people about the importance of honoring veterans, especially hospitalized veterans. Community groups, veterans service organizations, professional athletes and others realize the importance of a personal touch, a heartfelt “thank you” and small acts of compassion in the lives of veterans who are patients at VA facilities. Volunteering at VA’s hospitals is one way to participate.
Over the years, Annie, your generous support
and the backing of your readers have helped this program generate more than 10 million cards and letters for hospitalized veterans and tens of thousands of visits from community members. Hundreds of people step forward each year to join the ranks of VA’s volunteers.
Each card and letter is a message of caring for our hospitalized veterans and a sign of respect for their contributions to our country. But what really brightens a hospitalized veteran’s day is a visit from someone who wants to spend a few moments to personally thank them for their military service.
There are numerous opportunities to become a volunteer and thousands of reasons to say “Yes” to this important week. No special skills are required, just the willingness to help those who have served our country.
Becoming a volunteer is easy -- just visit the VA hospital near you. The addresses of our facilities can be obtained by looking in the telephone directory under Department of Veterans Affairs, by calling our toll free number at 1-800-827-1000, by checking our website at www.va.gov and clicking onto “Health Care” or by clicking here.
Valentines for Vets and your readers, Annie, have formed a unique alliance that has brightened the lives of our veterans for many years. Thank you for all that you do for veterans. I look forward to continuing our partnership this year and long into the future.
The Response from Annie’s Mailbox
Dear Secretary Nicholson: Thank you for allowing us to be part of this heartwarming project. We can never repay these courageous veterans for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf, but we can take the time to cheer them up and let them know they have not been forgotten.
Readers, please send valentines to our veterans at VA hospitals, or better yet, drop by for a visit. Teachers, you have always been wonderfully supportive in making this a class project, especially with those adorable handmade valentines. Encourage your students to display their creativity and let them learn firsthand the satisfaction that comes from doing for others. First graders at Territorial Elementary School in Chino Valley, Ariz., crafted handmade valentines, which the veterans loved. The fifth graders at Barrington Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio, sang, “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America” to the veterans, and students from Mount Pisgah Academy in Asheville, N.C., decorated the Medical Center’s atrium with an American Flag and a banner saying, “Honoring Those Who Served.”
Students from Trail, Oregon deliver valentines to patients at
the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center in White City
Every year, members of Camp Fire USA participate in this program, and Salvation Army volunteers distribute valentines, gifts and refreshments to various VA facilities around the country.
The veterans would be thrilled if you could drop off your valentines in person and visit for a few minutes. If you do not live close enough to a VA facility to stop by, you can mail your valentines. Please remember our veterans this Valentine’s Day. We know of nothing else that costs so little and brings so much happiness.
---Marcy and Kathy
ADM Bruce