United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.

Section 1: To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds, and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.

Section 2: In addition to perpetuating the memory of departed shipmates, USSVI provides a way for all Submariners to gather for mutual benefit and enjoyment. The common heritage as Submariners is strengthened by camaraderie. USSVI supports a strong United States Submarine Force.

Section 3: The organization engages in various projects and deeds that bring about the perpetual remembrance of those shipmates who have given the supreme sacrifice. USSVI also endeavors to educate all third parties it comes in contact with about the services United States submariners performed and how the sacrifices of lost shipmates made possible the freedom and lifestyle Americans enjoy today.

Prior to the founding of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI), there existed another U.S. submarine veterans association, the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II which still exists today. Founded in July 1955, membership in this organization is limited to submarine crews and relief crews who were on active duty from December 1, 1941, through September 1, 1945. As this organization grew, so did the development and deployment of American submarines across the globe, and it became apparent to many that there was a need and a strong desire for a new organization to include submariners of all eras.

In the American Airlines Lounge at Dallas Love Field in Texas. Seated are, left to right, Phyllis Lockwood, Joe Negri, Ron Smith, and Charlie Cook.

Fueled by a desire to form a new association, and inspired by the tragic loss of the USS Thresher (SSN-593) on April 10, 1963, a meeting was set for October 12, 1963. Led by Dominic ‘Joe’ Negri and others, the Charter Meeting of USSVI was held in Orange, New Jersey, with 16 representatives present. The Creed and National Bylaws were established at this inaugural meeting. Officers were appointed to serve in an acting capacity until regular elections could be held in the summer of 1964. Robert Link was appointed president; Ken Walkington, vice-president; Joe Burges, Secretary; and Mike Drucker, Treasurer.

On May 24, 1964, shipmates Joe Negri, Ken Walkington, and Joe Marion met with New London, Connecticut attorney, L. Patrick Gray, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired) (who later became the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation), to legally constitute USSVI as a legal, non-profit organization in the State of Connecticut, with a license to operate and conduct business in all 50 states. The organization was officially incorporated and chartered in New London, Connecticut. The signatories were Joe Negri, Ken Walkington, and Joe Marion. Additional USSVI Plank Owners included Warren ‘Ed’ Gannon, Angelo La Pelosa, Robert Link, Tom Rowan, and Hugh Trimble. They selected former United States Submarine Veterans of World War II National Commander Bob Link as their first acting National Commander. Joe Negri was elected the first Connecticut State Commander and Dick Higham was elected the first Base Commander of Connecticut Base #1, which later became Groton Base. This fledgling organization would soon grew to several hundred shipmates scattered throughout Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

The first National Convention was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey on June 18–20, 1964. Acting President, Robert Link of Absecon, New Jersey was host to the delegates at the Traymore Hotel. Nine eastern states were represented by Ed Sena from New York, Dick Higham from Connecticut, Elmo Wittig from New Jersey, Thomas ‘Doc’ Smith from New Jersey, Herman Schmidt from New Jersey, Art Clarke from Pennsylvania, Joe Negri and Ken Walkington of Connecticut. Commander Charles Carlisle, Commanding officer of USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), served as guest speaker for the first annual convention. Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood was also a guest in attendance.

A new slate of National Officers was elected at the first Convention. Joe Negri was elected National Commander; KenWalkington, Vice Commander; Joe Burges, Secretary; and Mike Drucker, Treasurer. National Directors were JoeWebb, Dick Higham, and Joe Marion.

The Groton Base started operating immediately and held meetings at the K of C in Groton. The attendance at these meetings was between 60 and 75 members. Joe Negri was elected the first state commander and Dick Higman was the first Base Commander. About a year later it was determined that they needed their own building and it was voted to sell raffle tickets (1000 tickets at $10 each) for a gold Cadillac to raise the money for the down payment on the present home at 40 School Street in Groton, Connecticut.

The base building on School Street became a reality in 1966. Due to the fact that the Groton USSVI/Base was incorporated within the State of Connecticut and they had their own building, it was voted that Groton become the National Headquarters of USSVI.

Nationally elected officers of USSVI are:

• National Commander (NC)
• National Senior Vice-Commander (NSVC)
• National Junior Vice-Commander (NJVC)
• National Secretary (NS)
• National Treasurer (NT)

The prerequisite for National Office is that a nominee must be a Regular Member in good standing a minimum of thirty consecutive months. The term of office for all national officers is two years or until a successor is elected. No individual can serve more than two consecutive terms as National Commander. Other than the position of National Commander, there are no restrictions on the number of terms an individual may be elected to any office.

The Board of Directors has the control and general management of the affairs and business of the organization. It is composed of the national elected officers, the Regional Directors, the District Commander Of The Year, the District Commanders, the immediate Past National Commander, the President of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Commander of the Holland Club.

Regional Directors (SE, NE, Central, and Western) are directly responsible to the National Commander for the conduct of organizational business within their region. They serve as members of the Board of Directors, members of the Scholarship Committee, and perform other such duties as required by the National Constitution and USSVI Bylaws.

District Commanders serve as non-voting members of the board of directors. They assist the Base Commanders within their respective districts in the performance of their duties, to include providing assistance as required to ensure the proper operation of base meetings and events, recruiting and retention. They appoint all district committees, committee chairmen and appointed officers as required to conduct district business. They also approve the base constitution and bylaws, ensuring compliance with national and state laws regulating the operation of the organization within his district (i.e. chartering, maintaining non-profit status).

Base Commanders are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their specific base in accordance with their base bylaws.

USSVI is organized by regions, districts, and bases throughout the United States.

The National Office is located in Silverdale, Washington and manages membership and administrative services.

The National Library is located in North Little Rock, Arkansas at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. The library has a complete set of the following magazines:

• Polaris magazine (which is currently being scanned for archive)
• United States Submarine Veterans of World War II ladies' magazine
• American Submariner magazine (of which about 50% has been scanned for archive)

USSVI Regular membership is restricted to current and former U.S. military personnel, who have been designated "Qualified in Submarines" by authorized U.S. Navy Command Authority, or are regular members of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II.

All are invited to join their shipmates in "Subvets". More information can be found at the USSVI website.

Regular and Associate Members may become Life Members by paying the National Life Membership fee established in the organization's bylaws. National Life Members will pay no further national dues, but may be required to pay base dues as per base bylaws. A base may offer a member, who is a National Life Member, Base Life Membership, not to exceed the cost of National Life membership.

National Life Membership was inaugurated in 1984 at the National Business Meeting in Groton, Connecticut.

Base Life Membership, in 1985, was voted-in at the Boston Base, available with National Life Membership as a prerequisite.

When an applicant selects a base to join, that base becomes his "primary" base. This is done for National voting reasons. National election ballots are distributed according to a member's primary base. A "dual" member is someone who has also joined other bases as their interests dictate. The member may also vote in local base elections through his "dual" base(s), but national election voting is always only done through the member's primary base.

An Associate Member is a person who is not eligible for regular membership but is closely associated with a Regular Member.

Each Associate Member must be sponsored by a Regular Member in good standing and are eligible for Life Membership. Associate Membership is reserved for persons not otherwise eligible for regular membership, but who are related to the Submarine Service by their deeds or actions. All Associate Members must be at least sixteen (16) years of age. This does not preclude any relative of a regular member in good standing from applying for Associate Membership.

An Auxiliary to the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. has been established and is known as "The Auxiliary of the United States Submarine Veterans, Incorporated". Any base may adopt an Auxiliary at their own discretion; however, the adopted USSVI Bylaws must be approved by the District Commander prior to implementation. Membership in the Auxiliary is limited to USSVI or SVWWII member's wives, widows, siblings, parents and children not less than 16 years of age.

Any Regular Member who has been designated "Qualified in Submarines" for twenty five (25) Years or more and who is a member in good standing is eligible to become a member of the "Rickover Club" within the organization.

The Rickover Club was named after Hyman G. Rickover, an admiral in the U.S. Navy known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," who directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of the U.S. Naval Reactors office. The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709) was named for him.commissioned on July 21, 1984, and deactivated on December 14, 2006. On July 31, 2021 the Navy christened a Virginia-class submarine named USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-795) in his honor.

Any Regular Member who has been designated "Qualified in Submarines" for fifty (50) years or more and who is a member in good standing is eligible to become a member of the "Holland Club" within the organization.

The Holland Club was named after John Philip Holland, an engineer who developed the first submarine to be formally commissioned by the U.S. Navy.

The base or National Membership Chairman may place any member, who chooses, or is assigned to, a base, and who is a National Life Member or whose National annual dues are current, but whose base dues are in arrears, in a category of Member-at-Large. Members-at-Large whose national annual dues are current or who are National Life Members will retain national benefits (i.e. receipt of national magazine and voting on national issues). A Member-at-Large may affiliate with a base at any time by remitting base dues. A Regular base member may transfer to Member-at-Large Status at any time by making a request to his affiliated base or to the National Membership Chair.