Dear Editor,
On this Memorial Day of 2026, the Green Mountain Submarine Veterans Chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI) remembers the following Vermonters who lost their lives while serving in the Submarine Service during wartime and peacetime.
These men who volunteered to serve in the Submarine Service are always remembered, not forgotten: Richard K. Clough, 26, Randolph, USS S-26 (SS-131), died Jan. 24, 1942; Sam Kane, 19, Burlington, USS Grampus (SS-207), died March 5, 1943; Gene R. Rice, 21, Springfield, USS Runner (SS-275), died July 11, 1943; Frederick M. Briggs, 24, Bristol, USS Cisco (SS-290), died Sept. 28, 1943; Melvin C. Phillip, 25, Moretown, USS Grayback (SS-208), died Feb. 26, 1944; Romeo A. Larame, 21, Burlington, USS Tautog (SS-199), died March 5, 1944; Robert. H. Roby, 24, Bellows Falls, USS Tullibee (SS-284), died March 26, 1944; John F. Durant, 21, Burlington, USS S-28 (SS-133), died July 4, 1944; Leslie A. Wilmott, 18, Montpelier, USS Albacore (SS-218), died Nov. 11, 1944; Alexander Ferrario, 28, Montpelier, USS Growler (SS-215), died Nov. 8, 1944; Charles H. Taylor, 21, Brattleboro, USS Bullhead (SS-332), died Aug. 6, 1945; James P. Ritchie, 22, Burlington, USS Thresher (SSN-593), died April 10, 1963; Edward A. Johnson, 34, Hardwick, USS Thresher (SSN 593), died April 10, 1963; and Michael J. Bailey, 21, St. Johnsbury, USS Scorpion (SSN-589), died May 22, 1968.
If anyone remembers our fellow submariners and would like to contact us, please do by email at cmattoon@vermontel.net. We would like to hear from you. Though we are highlighting our submarine shipmates here who lost their lives while on active duty, we extend to the families of all the Vermont submarine sailors who served in the Submarine Service and have been lost our sincere gratitude and heartfelt sympathy. To all the service members’ families that have lost loved ones through the years, their service and sacrifice in protecting our country is not forgotten; without them we would not have remained free for 250 years.
Sincerely,
C. William “Bill” Mattoon
Green Mountain Base
U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc.