USS PUFFER (SSN 652)
Online Crew Registry

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Registry Entry Form | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | SS268 | Other | USS Puffer Home

JOSEPH ONDO JR. TMCM/SS(RET)
jondo2804@yahoo.com

Dates: 1968-1971

Comments: GOOD PRECOM TIMES FOR WHAT WAS A STRONG CREW. ..LIKE TO HERE FROM OLD SHIPMATES

Tim Olson
OLYO51@AOL.COM

Dates: July 74 - April 79

Comments: Don, Thank you for putting this together. I found out too late about the Puffer reunion and could not attend (had already made other plans and was out of town that week). This web page sure does bring back a lot of memories and it's great to see so many shipmates have signed on.

Looking forward to hearing from any and all. Anybody know where Mike Rehmeier (QM) is? Lost touch with him in 92 when he was at COMSUBPAC.

Paul R. Ogg
kjoggpr@aol.com

My internet days are just beginning and was pleased to find a page on PUFFER. I was the Commissioning Leading Yeoman and left after our first run out of Pearl. I got to tour the boat before she left for PSNS, and she still looked good. After PUFFER I attended YN "C" School in MD and served in flag billets until I was commissioned in 1977. Tours included SUBPAC & JSTPS in Omaha, recommissioning crew of USS IOWA. Retired in the great Pacific Northwest (Bremerton). Still see Skip Beard.

Any plans for a PUFFER reunion?

Paul R. Ogg (E-mail kjoggpr@aol.com)
360-692-6032

John P.(Jack) O'Brien, LCDR, USNR (Ret.)
Jack@unlimited.com

Dates: 12/77 - 6-79

Harris Olsen ICCS(SS)
Big O
April 79- October 84

I suppose I should write something about my time on board.

It has been some time since I was on Puffer. Actually, it has been a long time. I do not have a clear recollection. I don't remember well the "Excellent" we received on an ORSE, nor the Engineering "E" we received, nor the Battle "Es" (there were many); nor the Navy Unit Commendation, nor the Meritorious Unit Commendation, nor the Navy Expeditionary Medals (there were many). What I remember was the night the Puffer Softball team won the COMSUBPAC Championship against all odds. I remember: Skelton at first, Lopez at second, Sandhoeffer at short, Cross at third, Seliger in left, Keggeris in left-center, Benner in right-center, DiVinni in right, Ward behind the plate, and Anderson on the mound. And, I remember the Puffer shuffle. The most memorable game was the one Puffer played in Western Australia against the girls' softball team. The most memorable time was how we walked that British gal with the T-shirt that advertised some wine with the words: "the last taste of summer." I have returned to Australia a few times. I have never tried that wine, but nothing quenches my memories and wets my lips more than the vision of seeing those five words walking off the ball field and heading home.

I don't remember how hard we worked (sorry, you worked) on the many deployments to the Indian Ocean and North Pacific, nor the long hours you spent on watch, nor the long hours off-watch you spent cleaning, maintaining, repairing, training, etc., nor do I remember the personal sacrifices you made to be out there on deployment. What I do remember is the time we spent ashore. If someone were to ask me what was the most memorable evening in my life, I would smile and reply: The Angeles City Run. It was not so much the time in Angeles City (truly unprintable here) but that little no-electric-power village along the way that used candles to light their festive occasion. I remember us looking at the night sky as Teddy Ward remarked: 'This is what memories are made of.' I never saw as many stars in the sky before that night … and I have never seen as many since. Never! 

After I had long retired form the Naval Service and doing something else, I was asked at a luncheon to comment about the movie "Crimson Tide." I first dispelled the notion that a Commanding Officer of the type depicted in the movie could serve in the Submarine Force. First, I elaborated on quality control of personnel. Then, I told the gathering that 'the finest young men that our country produces ride those boats.' And, I meant it. At the table with the other foreign dignitaries was the CINCPACFLT Public Relations Officer.

 I have done a few things since I left Puffer some15+ years ago. But, as I look back at my time aboard, Puffer truly was '… the last taste of summer …' in my life. I'm glad we spent some time together doing something that our country needed to be done.  

Ed O'Connor
eoc@ocv.com

Rate: IC1/SS

Dates: 4/80-4/85

Message: Just recently happened upon this website. Tried to contact Ellis, Kappes, Crookham & Cummins - no luck! If you read this, send me a line.

Mark Olig
molig1@twcny.rr.com

Mar 83 - Dec 87

Comments: Greetings all ye fellow veterans and visitors to the Puffer's newest home port.

It has been almost ten years since I left the Puffer, but it sometimes seems as though it was just a long augment from a West Pac. I served as an ELT on the Puffer while she was stationed in Pearl Harbor, and then rode her into the shipyards in Bremerton. I don't miss the engine room, but I sure do miss the fun we used to have.

Hats off to Don Cook!!! ( He was always one to build something from scratch!)

Comments: Had a great time at the reunion. Just needed to update my e-mail address.

Comments: Just needed to update my email addres (again). Hope to see all at the next reunion.

Dates: 83-86

Steve Osgood
sosgood@netscape.net

Dates: Dec 90-Jun95

Comments: Joined the Puffer right in the middle of West Pac. Had some great times in Austrailia, Fiji and others. Stood the last EDPO on the fish on the day she was decommisioned. Any old sailors can E-Mail me anytime.

Registry Entry Form | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | SS268 | Other | USS Puffer Home

© 1987-2010
don@usspuffer.org

Last Updated 06/19/2010 18:40