OPENING PRAYER

Lt. Underwood

Chaplain, Submarine Squadron One

Dear Heavenly Father, we seek your smile, and invite your presence and blessings on this gathering this morning. We are blessed already to be witnesses at this Inactivation Ceremony and we thank you for the opportunity to be in the presence of heroes and national treasures.

This heroic crew, and all of the previous TUNNY crews that have protected this nation, deserve this moment of recognition – and we gladly take time to do so.

Your word tells us that to whom much is given, much is required. Well, much has been given to our country, much has been given by this crew, and much has been required of them as well. Help us now, O Lord, to take a few moments to remember their sacrifices, their successes, and the service they have given.

Amen.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Rear Admiral Winford G. “Jerry” Ellis

Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

We are gathered to inactivate one of the ships that has maintained the defense of the United States over the last 25 years. We celebrate the accomplishments of the Americans who manned her during 17 deployments. We honor the achievements of TUNNY”s current Commanding Officer, CDR Eric Nelson, and his exceptional crew.

One of the key moments in this ceremony will come when a simple piece of cloth is removed from the post on which it is hanging. To any who do not know its meaning, this may seem like a rather mundane occurrence. But let me tell you about that one piece of cloth, and I’m not talking about the stars and stripes either. This is a less recognizable symbol to those outside our Navy.

It went to sea in 1942, secured to a post on another submarine named TUNNY. That TUNNY was commanded by a man named LCDR Elton Grenfeld. Those of you who are stationed here know his name. You’ve probably taken advantage of the Grenfeld pool here on Subase. It’s named for that courageous man.

Every time that boat went to sea, this piece of cloth blew in the breeze. And each time it pulled back into port, there it was again. It flew when TUNNY left this port on her first war patrol, and every subsequent war patrol. Nine patrols in all, claiming at least six enemy vessels. It flew when TUNNY headed out to sink the Japanese submarine, the I-42. It flew when TUNNY got underway to rescue downed aviators, both ours and theirs and to conduct raids on the doorstep of our enemy.

It was there when TUNNY returned from conducting reconnaissance for the invasion of Okinawa, from participating in the capture of Saipan, the battle of the Philippine Sea, the assault on Iwo Jima. It flew when TUNNY returned from successful wolf packs, with Blair’s Busters, or Ed’s Eradicators, or Pierce’s Polecats, or Risser’s Bobcats. It flew victoriously when TUNNY returned from running the ??? Strait to operate in the Sea of Japan and to map enemy minefields. And it flew when TUNNY returned to Pearl Harbor after making the last contact with the submarine BONEFISH, that was lost with all hand on June the 18th, 1945 – the last SUBPAC boat lost in WWII.

This piece of cloth flew above TUNNY when she got underway as the nation’s first Regulus missile submarine, the forerunner of our Tomahawk capable submarines, as well as our Trident boats.

It could be seen when TUNNY returned from a string of successful missions inserting and extracting special operating forces along the coast of Vietnam. Only after TUNNY had earned two Presidential Unit Citations and the Meritorious Unit Commendations with 10 stars was it hauled down – when USS TUNNY was decommissioned June the 28th, 1969.

That simple piece of cloth is called the commissioning pennant. It is what identifies a vessel as a ship of the line, a warship operating in the service of the United States of America. It designates those ships whose proud and able crews are prepared to sail into harm’s way in defense of our nation and the principles on which we stand – justice and liberty and freedom.

Every sailor that gets underway on every United States Ship adds to the meaning of that pennant. Every victory has added to its significance, every success has increased its meaning. For it tells all who pass, “This ship serves in the greatest Navy on Earth.”

PRINCIPAL ADDRESS

RADM Karl L. Kaup (Retired)

Commanding Officer, USS TUNNY (SSN 682)

Interesting times really started about 8 years ago. We woke up one morning and found out the world’s number 2 superpower, the Soviet Union, had said, “I quit”. The cold war was over – we had won – and we did not understand all the ramifications of that momentous occasion.

I do know why we’re here today is one of those ramifications, instead of being here maybe five or ten years from now to inactivate TUNNY. I also know that this was the culmination of everything the submarine force has struggled to do in the last 40 to 50 years. We had nipped at the heels and dogged the Soviet Union at every turn. We had countered their every move.

It wasn’t necessarily because of the better technology we had, that may have helped. It wasn’t that we spent more money, I’m not sure we did. It was because of our submariners. Well trained, aggressive, versatile individuals who perform as a crew – as a team that is unequaled in the world today.

And this crew you see here of TUNNY is absolutely one of the tops. They’re one of the best we have. They deserve our sincere congratulations and thanks. They are representative of all the crews, of all the submarines, for the past many years of the Cold War. They are the best this country has to offer.

And frankly, they won the Cold War.

We’re here to inactivate a really fine ship. TUNNY, one of the last really good submarines to be built. Maybe not the fastest, and maybe not the quietest, but for all around capabilities – the Sturgeon class submarine was just absolutely superb.

Now before it appears I’m too parochial, let me just say that I think the improved Los Angeles class is a pretty good submarine. And from what I hear, the Seawolf submarine may be perfect. But not withstanding, we’re going to miss Sturgeon Class submarines. When I went to work at Naval reactors, the long hull 637 was the Queen of the Seas, the absolute ultimate.

I began my correspondence with Lola Aiken (Tunny’s sponsor) in 1979, and we continue to this day. She is a wonderful woman, she would have loved to be with us here today, but she felt the trip would be a bit long – coming to Hawaii from Vermont. She reminded me in her most recent letter that, “from the day the USS TUNNY was christened, I have kept all Commanding Officers, Officers and Crew in my nightly prayers, and I continue to pray for them when they leave the TUNNY. I love all of you, and am proud of my connection with you. God Bless you all.”

I think you understand a little bit more of the secret of TUNNY’s success.

REMARKS

Captain Thomas G. Kyle

Commander, Submarine Squadron One

Noone could have done it better than TUNNY. Ladies and gentlemen, these are the accomplishments of crews like that of TUNNY up to the last few weeks of operations.

We, as Americans, have every reason to be proud; Proud that our nation is committed to the maintenance of security around the world. Proud that our country has the will and resources to equip our armed forces with superb and proud vessels like the one upon which I am standing. But most of all, proud of the fact that we still produce fine, idealistic and incredibly dedicated young men to man these ships – and to conduct operations of this complexity with competence. And to have families willing to support such men, despite having to endure great sacrifices.

REMARKS

Commander Eric K. Nelson

Commanding Officer, USS TUNNY (SSN 682)

TUNNY sets sail tomorrow for her last mission. Like every previous mission, we will carry out our assignments smartly and efficiently. Though the ship may be gone, the TUNNY legacy will live on through all the men that have served with honor and distinction within her steel hull. I, for one, will always be proud to say, “I’m a TUNNY sailor”. Thank you very much.

Commodore, all preparations for Inactivation have been completed. Request permission to commence Inactivation of USS TUNNY…

CLOSING PRAYER

Lt. Underwood

Chaplain, Submarine Squadron One

With the band in the background!

Dear Lord, your word teaches that to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven. A time of love and a time to hate – a time for war and a time for peace. Today – this moment – is the time of peace for the USS TUNNY. She has seen her time of war, her time of extremely arduous sea duties, her times of sorrow, and her times of happiness. And now peace, and rest.

Grant all who have stood her watch peace. All who have watched her slip out of harbor peace. And grant this nation who has relied upon her peace now and forever. Amen