Tirante (SS 420) - Naval Cruise Book

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thing seldom previously nLiberty Launchn. After Change of Command of the to ride small boats to iforth to the tender. used by TIRANTE, the riding of ia changing berths to make room for the Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, we had and from shore as well as back and Everything seemed to go adequately despite the added complications. . The sights to see and the places to go in Naples were many and varied. The NATO Exchange coupled with the Navy Exchange proved to adequatley stock gifts and dwindled necessities, respectively. Rome, Pompii, Herculaneum, Mt. Vesuvius, Amafia, Sorrento and Capri were among the nearby places most traveled. Everyone welcomed and enjoyed the visit in Naples, but as we sailed out Monday morning, M October , we were looking forward to an even more, interesting city---ancient Athena, Greece. During the next operation, Deep Furrow 3-Tl, a NATO Exercise we esperienced a disappointment, that of 'losing EN2 Jeff TOPITS. After becoming ill, he was found to have diabetes and subsequently returned to Key West for further tests and treatment. Our thoughts are with him and our hope is that he will soon be back in as fine a condition as ever maybe even a little slimmer. On 19 October, we pulled into Piraeus, Greece, which is about 15 miles from Athens. After the previous two weeks at sea, land was a welcomed sight again. Getting adapt at monetary exchanging, everyone quickly converted dollars to dracmas and soon were touring such places as the Parthenon, on the Acropolis, Thission, Agora, Temple of Zeus,Academy of Science, Byzantine Museum and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A highlights of Piraeus was a German cruise ship the HAMBURG, which moored near TIRANTE. Compared to our humble and modest 27 years old vessellwe celebrated her birthday on 6 Novemberl, the luxury was absolutely astounding. With the necessary arrangements being made,Tom SIRECI Jr.,AQ2, on USS AMERICA, joined his dad, Tom Sr.,aboard TIRANTE to ride during the upcoming operation Crehearsal for Exercise National Weekl and pulled out with us on Monday, 25 October. As we left Athens,we proceeded south for five days of operations opposing USS AMERICA off of Crete.After a week of evading and attacking the task group Cwhile instructing Tom Jr. in the art of submariningl TIRANTE sailed into Iraklion, Crete for the weekend,t at which time we bade Tom Jr. farewell and he returned to the bird farm. N

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fluent conversation with the Italian Port Director and pilot, I've never seen such an interested towns people as in San Remo. We permitted general visiting each afternonn which placed additional burden on the duty sections, but was obviously appreciated by the Italian and visiting tourists. This time we not only had to contend with changing dollars ,to lire, but had to go a step further and change dollars to franc and vice versa, not to mention changing of lire to francs and back again. Like I said earlier, many more frustrating hours are ahead of us. Leaving beautiful San Remo Friday morning, the 17th TIRANTE headed for Naples, Italy. While en route we were engaged in exercises putting the SS against destroyers, aircraft,and the carrier. I think we got an A plus. As usual with so many adversaries, it is no easy task, but the crew gets better'and better with each operation and overall effectiveness is quite obviously improved. For a little break in the routine and for good cross-training, LCDR Bill DONALDSON, LTJG Ed STINSON,LTJG Charlie GRAGG, TMQCSSJ Dave MARCUM, TM2CSSD Tommy BISHOP,STS2 Cssb Jim REED, and YNQCSSD Phil CPeteD PETERSON got to ride o destroyers and observe them hunting for SAM. They also got to take showers. Sunday September 26 we were visited by Peruvian RADM ECHEANDIA and Paraguan CAPT LEZCANO, both Naval Attaches in Washington D. C.Arriving by helo in the morning and leaving in the afternoon, both followed an iternary showing them some aspect of Submarining. Planning for a flag officer is never to easy--details, details. Finishing our operations 28 SEP-16 NOV Tuesday, we set a course for Naples, ,Italy.Arriving here Tuesday, the 28th of September our up-keep and replenishment period began, this being the logistical halfway point. Swim call was held again for our newly qualified submariners. Participating in this special event were LTJG Ed Stinson, MM3KSSD Danny JONES, SN KSSD Jim HEWITT, STSBKSSD Jim CShortyD SEELBINDER, FTGBCSSJ Randy RHYMAN, SNCSSJ Rich Smith, and SNCSSD Dave Koenig. I include in this letter two special events which we're very proud of and looking forward to on the lst and 2nd of October and they are the nmaking of the Hatn for ENICSSD Gary BARNO and the Hmaking of l lf2 stripesn for CWO2 Elmer MANN. There will be a nwet timen in Naples this weekend. Will tell you more about HNAPOLIH in next letter. Busy was the word for all hands during the Naples visit.A few major items underwent repair, along with the many small things that continously need fixing. We experienced some ., ... ... , ...f.. ML-- 4..ahng..LLuM4 ' I1

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After receiving a message to ENFN Cssb ROSIAK concerning a death in his family, arrangements were made to fly him to the States on emergency leave. pf Our last MED moor of this trip was executed smoothly by LTJG Lance KISTLER in bone chilling cold in Port Mahon. Once moored to the pier, the hunt for our long overdue mail began. By late evening the efforts of many paid off in the form of twelve large bags full. Oh, how fine it was to hear from home, with three more days of sightseeing and shopping under our belts, we departed Tuesday, the 23rd, for Barcelona. Rough seas met us again as we left the harbor. Not to have our long planned for Thanksgiving celebration upset, we submerged' to the calm depth of 200 feet and enjoyed a truely magnificant feast in peace and quiet. Somewhat stuffed, but nevertheless content, we surfaced and completed our transit, arriving in Barcelona the following morning with the weather clear and brisk. The city has a most distinctive, but somewhat garish Cgaudyl architecture style, however, our sights were set on heading home more than to looking at the interesting sights. Among places visited in the city of nearly three million were the Cathedral, Picasso Museum, Lalonju fthe exchangel, Monument of Columbus, replica of the Santa Maria and Montjuich Castle fun Fair. Saturday morning we departed for Rota for our turnover to USS CORPORAL and were on our last leg prior to returning to Key West. After pulling into Rota we began the turnover of pubs and passing on of useful information which went quickly and smoothly. Unfortunately, we must bid farewell to one of our real asset and great shipmates, QTMQCSSD Tommy BISHOP, who will be enrolling in college in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We wish Tommy and his wife Emily, much continued happiness and success. Our crossing may not be the smoothest, due to the winter weather but we'll certainly make it just as quickly and safely as humanly possible. Our scheduled arrival time is set for 1500 on the lhth of December. Marygrace, my wife will be contacting each of you as definite information concerning our arrival becomes available. ' Leaving Rota Wednesday morning the lst of December we operated several hours with the spanish and then commenced steaming full on three towards Key West. Encountering only several days of bad weather, we arrived at the Sea Bouy about 0830, Monday the 13th of December, thus ending our four months, MED deployment. It is wonderful to be home in Key West.