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1955 - USS Cusk (SS-348) Year by Year History

 

Click here to see a list of the USS Cusk crewmembers who came aboard in 1955

16 January 1955, Change of command ceremonies in Port Hueneme

New Cusk CO LCDR Richard M Clark takes command from LCDR Eugene Pridonoff

Cusk crew at ease on deck after the change of command ceremony is completed

Topside Watch in Pearl, 1955

Rare 1955 photo of the three original missile submarines.  Left to right is the first missile boat, Cusk (SS-348) and across the pier is the Tunny (SSG-282) and the Carbonero (SS-337).  Note that only the Tunny still has a missile hanger and ramp.

View of Subron Five submarines and tender at the Change of Command aboard the USS Nereus (AS-17), November 1955.  The Cusk is the second  boat inboard from the Tunny.  This unusual view shows eleven vessels of Submarine Squadron Five (nine submarines, a submarine rescue vessel and a submarine tender) moored side by side for a recent change of command ceremony at San Diego, California. Captain Eugene B. Fluckey, USN, Medal of Honor recipient, relieved Captain Francis B. Scanland, USN, as Commander, Submarine Squadron Five on 1 August 1955. Nested alongside the submarine tender Nereus (AS-17) are: Tunny (SSG-282), Cusk (SS-348), Carbonero (SS-337), Tilefish (SS-307), Spinax (SSR-489), Rock (SSR-274), Remora (SS-487), Catfish (SS-339), and Volador (SS-490), and the submarine rescue vessel, Florikan (ASR-9). Photograph released 3 August 1955

Subron Five Change of Command aboard the USS Nereus (AS-17), November 1955.  Cusk is the second inboard boat.  Subs moored right to left from the Nereus are:
USS Tunny (SSG-282),
USS Cusk (SS-348),
USS Carbonero (SS-337),
USS Tilefish (SS-307),
USS Spinax (SSR-489),
USS Rock (SSR-274),
USS Remora (SS-487),
USS Catfish (SS-339),
USS Volador (SS-490)
and the Submarine Rescue Vessel Florikan (ASR-9)

   

Cusk Captain CDR & Mrs. Eugene Pridonoff cutting

a cake at a ship's party

View from USS Cusk's After

Engine Room hatch while underway

USS Cusk Crew at EM Club

Kodiak, Alaska

USS Cusk Radio Gang

Kodiak, Alaska, 10 March 1955

 

Crewmembers who were aboard the USS Cusk in 1955:

Name First & MI City State Rank/Rate Years on Board Eternal Patrol Date Comments
Garrett E "Lightning" Baker   Ft. Worth TX EM1(SS) 50 - 55

1 April 2019

Qualified in submarines on the USS Carp (SS-338) in 1949 and was a LCDR when he left the Navy.
Bearse Barrie H "Bucky"

Uncasville

CT EN3(SS) 55 - 57    
Brenke, Clarence E   Lafayette LA ENFN(SS) 54 - 56    
Bufford J C "Buddha"     QM1(SS) 54 - 57 15 December 1994  

Jim L Carpenter

Jim L Commerce City CO TM3(SS) 53 - 56 1 November 2019  
Christensen Morris A     LT 54 - 55    
Clark Richard Martin "Dick"     LCDR 55 - 57 2008  7th Captain of the Cusk
Cook, III Harry E Redwood City CA ETR3(SS) 55 - 57    
Dalton Bob Woodland CA ICCS(SS) 55   Retired after 22 years
Davidson John A     EN3(SS) 53 - 55    
Dedrick Walter Eugene     LTJG 46 & 52 - 55 28 September 1997 Plankowner, Executive Officer
Dodd Donald E     QM2(SS) 55    
Dunn Gary L     SA 55    
Herkelkaemper Gerald M     SN 55    
J W Hickman   Biloxi MS IC2(SS) 54 - 57 5 September 2014  
Hukill Henry D "Hank" Elizabethtown PA LTJG 55 - 57 13 July 2006 Retired as a Captain
Johnston Michael O'Neill Tucson AZ ET3(SS) 53 - 56    

Jessie L Kelley

  Castro Valley CA EN1(SS) 54 - 60 1 Sept 2004  
Kunkel  Leo Paul Jacksonville FL ENCS(SS) 45 - 48 & 52 - 58 18 February 2015 Plankowner
Lange Robert G Bellingham WA EN3(SS) 54 - 56    
Lubbes Charles "Chuck"     QMC(SS) 55 - 56 1966  
Lyons Sammie E Ash Flat AR EMCS(SS) 53 - 59 5 October 2004  
Maltsberger Jacob William "Jake" Portland OR SN(SS) 55 - 56    
McNay William L Tucson AZ EMC(SS) 55 - 57    
McGuire Richard A "Dick" San Diego CA SO2(SS) 53 - 55 14 March 2017  
McKinley James Covington KY RM3(SS) 54 - 55 16 November 2012  

Paul O Melton

  Miller's Creek NC EMC(SS) 53 - 57    
Meyer David D "Dave" West Richland WA EN2(SS) 53 - 55    
Moran Patrick J     ENFN(SS) 54 - 56    
Moritz Robert L "Rigger" Virginia Beach VA GM2(SS) 55 - 57    
Nease Jack Walter Hot Springs Village AR SO2(SS) 54 - 57 28 June 2014  
Ornburn Marvin James     EM2(SS) 55 - 57    
Oxrider James Santa Maria ID TM1(SS) 55 - 62    
Pridonoff Eugene "Gene" Yorba Linda CA LCDR 53 - 55 6 November 2011 5th Captain of the Cusk

Gerald "Jerry" Pritzl

  Marshfield WI RM3(SS) 55 - 56 17 Aug 1998  
Redolphi Theodore "Ted"     SN(SS) 54 - 56    
Robinson Bob E "Robby" Nashville TN EN3(SS) 54 - 55    
Rowe

Glenn H Rowe

  Santee SC RM2(SS) 53 - 57 2 September 2014  
Sauk Anthony "Tony" Pascagoula MS FT1(SS) 54 - 56 Date Unknown  
Scairpon Jack Midway AR EN2(SS) 55 - 57    
Shrope Frank Oliver Las Vegas NV CSC(SS) 51 - 56 11 November 2009  
Smith Lyle W Lewiston ID EM2(SS) 55 - 56 2013  
Smith Wayne E Sicklerville NJ YNC(SS) 54 - 56 26 June 2008  
Stahl Douglas "Doug" Honolulu HI LT 52 - 55    

Melborn Strickett

        55    
Sylar Bill Georgetown TN EM1(SS) 55 - 57    
Tow, Sr James D "Jim" Richland WA ETRSN(SS) 54 - 56   Retired as CDR
Vincent William E "Bill" Cupertino CA

EN2(SS)

55 - 57 27 June 2016 Cusk Newsletter editor and publisher
Walther Peter E Polson MT ET1(SS) 51 - 55    

If you have any information, pictures, history, or crewmember names/information from the Cusk in 1955 (or any year), please contact the Cusk Webmaster. Thanks!


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 All information and pictures herein were contributed by, and are the property of crewmembers of the USS Cusk.  It is intended solely for your enjoyment and education, and for preserving the memory and history of this great ship.  If you take anything or make copies, please give proper credit.  Your questions and comments are welcomed, as are any pictorial or historical contributions you might wish to donate or loan. 

Send an email to the USS Cusk webmaster at: USS Cusk Webmaster

This page was last updated: 01/11/19