USS PUFFER (SSN 652)
Online Crew Registry

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Jerry M. Pratt AKA"STRETCH"
jlcmn@pionet.net

Dates: 68 -71

Comments: Just wanted to say hello and to see if there are any of my old shipmates still kicking out there somewhere.

I SERVED ABOARD PUFFER WHILE SHE WAS BEING BUILT IN PASCAGOULA UNTIL MARE ISLAND AND SOME IN PEARL. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE OTHER GUYS THAT WAS THERE AT THAT TIME. I NOW LIVE IN OSCEOLA IOWA. (PS) WAS PUFFER STILL CONSIDERED AS THE SHOWBOAT ALL THE TIME SHE WAS IN COMMISSION?

Jack Pecoraro
jackpecoraro@aol.com

Rate: FTG2 SS

Dates: 2/25/71 to 12/16/74

Message: Sailed the first 2 WestPacs with a lot of familiar names from this website. Sorry to hear of the passing of several of my shipmates. Joe Cooper was best man at my wedding in 1975 in Belfair WA. Still am in touch with Dave Nagle and Jerry Kochert (COB) at Christmas time after nearly 30 years. Would like to hear from any old shipmates.

Thomas Pike
farley@budsters.com

Dates: early 1972- late 1974

Comments: Joe Aligood just told me about this site. Thanks for making it available. I joined Puffer straight out of school in 72 and left in april 75. I did tours on Haddock and Bluefish and when I made EMC made the mistake of my career and volunteered to do a tour on surface for the "needs of the Navy". On CVN71 they wanted me to qualify surface warfare and said I would have to remove my dolphins. I refused and celebrated the submarine service birthday on the crews mess with the other 11 fish out of water. I retired in 91 and live in Reno, NV. If you are thinking about a reunion in Tahoe, give me a call, I think I can help.

Tim Polich
tjpo@erols.com

Dates: 6/75 - 5/78

Comments: I had a great time but enough was enough. It has been nearly 20 years since I left the boat. I still see a few folks from the Puffer now and then. I joined the reserves after my first year in college and between my BS '81 and MS '83 in Nuclear Engineering I was commissioned as a reserve Engineering Duty Officer. I'm the XO of a unit now. It would be great to hear from the old Puffer Power and Light Crew.

Comments: I was only onboard a short while but was proud to have served on her. Any other torpedoman who has learned to write (Ron) please contact me.

Joseph Reno Pence
joseph.pence@gsa.gov

Dates: 79-81

Comments: It sure feel's good to see the boat again. It's hard to beleive that's she is gone. JOE

Stewart Powell
psimkins@misslink.net

Dates: Aug75-Aug79

Comments: Just found the Puffer Homepage...Great work! Now living in Abingdon IL. Have worked as an electrician since getting out of service. Have only heard from "Rocket Rod" Kualapai...would love to hear from any of the crew from the good ole days.

James Phelps
james@maxboots.com
Dates: 80-83

Comments: It was great seeing those who attended the last reunion in Las Vegas. Even if some of them wanted to throw me off of the 24th floor.

I do miss the old boat, the places we went (and didn't really go to).

Robert Palmer
robertp@primary.net

Dates: 81-85

Comments: My god what at sight for sore eyes!!! I just HAD to dig out all my pictures!! Anyone who remembers me will soon appreciate my obcession with the camera stuff I bought in Hong Kong!! I have TONS of pictures and will be scanning and uploading them to anyone who wants them!

Highlites of my Puffer Days:

• Blowing the crews shitters inboard to clear a nasty, stubborn clog and finding it was a pair of skivvies with the name BROCK scrawled on them!!!
• Fixing a stern plane hydraulic valve rupture after disengaging from an under-hull survey of a (censored) submarine outside of a (censored) port.
• Surviving a diet of beef tips and lima beans during a 2 week westpac extention.
• Having Teddy Ward refuse to let me eat another cherry from his royal baby belly during shellback initiations.
• Filling out a customs declaration form for $100 of various trinkets from Hong Kong and knowing what was really stowed away! (How the hell did you guys get that damn big tv set thru the weapons shipping hatch?!)
• TACKY ALOHA PARTIES!!!
• Playing tank games on the weapons computers.
• Watching "The Warriors" any one of the 100 times we showed it.
• EVERY DAMN MEETING OF THE HAVANA CABANA CLUB! (Even having last nights burrito supreams and opened, warm beer for breakfast the next day.)
• Setting "The Trap" in the torpedo room for the off-going OOD.
• Wondering who would have put the prussian blue on the periscope eyepiece!!
• Any weeknight at Dirty Dan's or the Red Lion Pizza Parlor.

It is really great to see all these names!! Bruce Avery, Jason Bettis, Jeff Baumgarton, Roger Cummings, Jim Crookham, Rick Geiger, Craig Hanson, Nick (the nuke)Kester, Bob Luetkens, Pat Muldoon, Mark Olig, Jim Root, Glen Smith, Dave Scharf, Ed Voras. What memories!

Hey on that note: Who knows the whereabouts of Mike (handy) Hand, Gordon Kirk, (wild)Bill Breen, Mark Plant, John Crouse, Mr. Chang, (neutron) Newton, Chuck Brock, Avlin Cooley, Doug Loeffler, Cesar Hernandez, "Ghandi", Bob Inks, or anyone else for that matter?

I may be able to make it to Chicago for the reunion, I have a High School reunion in New Jersey the next month.... I live in St. Louis, so Chicago isnt too far.

Comments: Posted By Bob Palmer (81-85): Thought I would take the liberty of posting this for Mr. Digan, the present COMSUBRON16.... Still looks the same. www.subasekb.navy.mil/css16cobw.htm

Comments: Ok I guess some of you have noticed that the link I provided for Mr. Digan is somewhat out of date..... My comment about him looking the same is particularly ironic since it is not him anymore.... Dunno where he went to....

Mark "Rats" Passarelli
Mpasarelli@aol.com

Dates: 81 - 83

Comments: Well, I guess I am "DINK" when it comes to this computer stuff; since I just purchased a laptop july 1st 99. I am amazed at the capability to communicate with you people that I consider to be some of the most important friends I have ever had. I am currently living in Cave Creek AZ, a small town 25 miles north of Phoenix. I am still riding and building harleys, restoring mercedes and dealing in antiques. Anybody coming to Phoenix and needs a place to stay call me at 480 488 1804. Cool to see all the names on this registry, brings back alot of memories. Oh I almost forgot, during the wog initiation the first time I hid, the nukes couldnt figure out where I hid in the engine room. well I am small enough so I went outboard the main an vital hydraulic pumps and slid down the frame bay and had a nap under the vent and supply tank. hope that solves the mistery. mahalo.

LTJG Robert (Mike) Pitkin
pitkinr@tscnet.com

Dates: April 83 to Nov 88

Comments: I see alot of old PUFFER shipmates here. I guess you can tell I'm still in and doing well. I'm currently onboard USS SIMON LAKE (AS-33) at La Maddalena Italy but leave soon to be OIC PSD Bremerton. Love to hear from anyone who wants to write. Mike

Mike

Comments: Any of the old sonar gang, Bad Boy Boyar, Cowboy Bill Loss, Joe Bussa, Gary Kelloge, Ray Storey, Karl, Mike harris, Kevin Youngblood, would be great to hear from you guys.

Dates: July 89 - July 92

Michael Palmer
Nitroxboy@hotmail.com

Dates: Jun92-Decomm96

Comments: aka "Nut"

Thomas H. Probus
tsprobus@tds.net

Dates: June 1982-Nov 1984

Comments: I'm got out of the Navy in Nov 1984 and Returned to active duty in Jan 1989. I'm currently on the USS TENNESSEE (SSBN 734)(GOLD). In Kings Bay Georgia.

Comments: I had a blast on that boat. I made a Westpac and an Ice run. I'll never forget the guys I served with. You guys can email me anytime!

Michael Pfenning "PETEY"
pty71@mindspring.com

Dates: MAY 92 - Decomm

Comments: Holy smokes! After the Puffer I went to the Pogy for 2 1/2 years, BIG mistake that's all I'm gonna say about that. Then I went on to SUBSCOL in good old Groton to be an instructor, I don't have to say what a joy that is. I'd just like to say that I had a blast on the Puffer. Met alot of good friends and had a great time whoopin up on that A-Ganger...... what's his name? Oh yeah, Jethro (John Curtis). Hope everybody is doing well. If your still in maybe I'll run into you out in Groton, I'll be here till June 2002. Laters everybody.

Comments: Just wanted to say hello again, I've ran into a few people since my last update. My new email is PTY71@mindsping.com Hello to Jarrod Smith, Shawn (sandwich action) Wells, Dave Ballz, Mark, Mac, Hondel, Craig, Scottie, Sean, Jethro, Jason, Doc, Nukes, ST's, FT's, A gang, ET's, MS's, SK's, TM's, YN's, have a good life.

Mark Perry
best_friends@earthlink.net

Dates: 12-92 to 7-96

Comments: I would like to hear from any of my past friends. If you have any info on guys who served on board with me, please pass it on and feel free to give my email to them. I was glad to see that Puffer is still living on somewhere.

PS.....Atwell we figured you would have gotten a life by now.....

Comments: Hey guys, haven't talked to you in awhile thought i would update you. I got a divore, now getting remarried on Feb 7, 1999 to a very wonderful woman ...her name is Colleen and we meet on the internet..now have 5 kids and working on a 6th...still live here in WA...still hating the Navy for a few more years...hope everything is going great for you all...my life is getting much better....email whenever you want would like to hear from you

Dates: 1993 -1996