Pickerel (SS 524) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 7 text:

HIPS' HISTUR Though commenced in 1944, the U. S. S. PICKEREL SS 524 was not completed in time to engage in combat operations during the Second World War. Named for an earlier submarine lost in 1943 while on her sixth war patrol, PICKEREL was still incomplete by the cessation of hostilities in 1945, and remained in that status until 1949 when construction was resumed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The wait was well worthwhile however, for when PICKEREL was commi- ssioned in April 1949 she was considered one of the world's most modern and versatile submarines, designated at that time as a GUPPY , an abbreviation for Greater Underwater Propulsion Power, and assigned to the Pacific Fleet with home port at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. PICKEREL proved her far-ranging prowess in April 1950 by completing an unprecedented 21 day, 5200 mile submerged voyage from Hong Kong to Pearl Harbor utilizing her modernized Snorkle system to provide air for her diesel engines. With the commencement of the Korean conflict, PICKEREL faced her first wartime operations, and the officers and men of her crew earned the Sub- marine Combat Patrol Insignia for actions early in that war. PICKEREUS chief claim to fame however, is the near-vertical surfacing photographed during a 1952 capabilities test and later used to preface the popular TV series, SILENT SERVICEH. During the next decade PICKEREUS operations took her to every corner of the Pacific and included missions of all types. In 1962, PICKEREL was placed In commision, In reserve 1' and entered Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to undergo an extensive conversion to GUPPY III. The installation of improved Sonar and submarine fire control equipments, an increase in fuel oil and fresh water stowage capacities, plus the improvements in habitability standards for her 10 officers and 74 men partially describe PICKEREUS enhanced capabilities as a GUPPY III. . Re-Commissioned in November 1962, PICKEREL reported once more for duty to Commander, Submarine Force, U. S. Pacific Fleet and resumed her increasingly important role in the Nation's defense. Since 1963, PICKEREL has twice earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Viet Nam Service Medal while operating as a unit of the Seventh Fleet, and has repeatedly demonstrated the reasons for her reputation as one of the Submarine Force's most capable and versatile submarines ......

Page 6 text:

DEDICATION For the men vvho go down to the sea in ships, the rewards are manifold. The vistas and cultures of many lands are as familiar to them as those of their native land, and their experiences are the memorable ones given only to those who dare challenge the elements in search of adventure. 'Shipmates are friends a man holds in special regard, because these are friends who have shared with him some of the most exciting and adventuresome years of his life. These are friends Whose names may become lost in the dim light of recollection, but vvhose impact on a sea-going man,s life can never be forgotten, or duplicated by anyone. Friendships forged at sea are lasting and true, especially on small and confined ships like submarines, Where 'Qshipmatev usually means lifelong friend. This book is dedicated to the officers and men of the USS PICKEREL CSS521D Who made the voyage to the Western Pacific from July 1966 to January 1967. It is an effort to preserve in picture and prosethe participants and events of that cruise so that in years to come,'the memory may be better preserved of a time when the men of PICKEREL had important tasks to perform for the Seventh Fleet and for our country, and did them Well. To those who remained behind, this book is also dedicated, and With it goes the thought that any successful ship' owes its success to the logistic support it receives. We Wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for this one logistic commodity the Naval establishment cannot supply, your unrelenting love and concern for our safe return.

Page 8 text:

coMMANDlNG QFFICERH CDR William D. Shaughnessy USN Commander William D. Shaughnessy, USN, was graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1951, as honor man in his class. He served two years aboard the USS HAYNSVVORTH CDD 700D and after attending Submarine School, served three years aboard the USS HARDHEAD CSS 365D as Weapons CHTCGI, Engineer and Navigator. Following a tour of duty as Submarine Division 102 Engineer, he attended the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Where he was awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy. Subsequent tours have included Navigator, Operations Ofhcer and Executive Officer of the USS TROUT CSS 566D g Submarine Opera- tions and Intelligence Officer in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Operations and Readiness Officer on the staff of Commander Submarine Squadron FTE TEEN. Commander Shaughnessy is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Shaughnessy of Belmont, Massachusetts. He is married to the former Patricia M. Crandall of Annapolis, Maryland, and they reside in Pearl City, Hawaii with their five children, Maureen, Williani, Ann, Susan and Mary.