USS Skates

After finishing his submarine course he was immediately assigned to serve on USS Skate (SSN 578) during the historic rendezvous under ice (romancing undersea) with USS Sea Dragon (SSN 584) and surfaced together at the North Pole through an opening in the ice on August 1962.

During this tour, his number four son, Michael Paul was born on April 1962.

Served as Leading Yeoman responsible for all administrative and personnel matters and keeping records for 112 officers and crewmembers on nuclear submarine. Involved in research and development operations in Arctic Ocean at North Pole and in North Atlantic and Alaskan sea areas. He was a battle planesman learning the practical operation of all submarine systems and was designated as qualified in submarines. He was also designed as qualification petty officer responsible for training other crewmembers on submarine diving operations and hydraulic systems in diving operations.

A newspaper clipping from his hometown of Spring Valley, Illinois they were so proud of their native son who made it to the North Pole that they took picture of him and his proud father dining at the local restaurant and put it on the front page when he was home on leave.

He was advanced to Yeoman First Class.

Above is Fred and fellow members taking time out for coffee break while the ship is cruising under ice to the Arctic.

Above left is USS Skate (SSN 578).

USS Skate and USS Sea Dragon have received numerous congratulatory messages from Chief of Naval Operations (George W. Anderson), Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (Admiral Robert L. Dennison), Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (Vice Admiral Elton W. Grenfell), Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet (Admiral J. M. Sides), and Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (Rear Admiral Bernard A. Clarey).

Here is one of the messages from Admiral J. M. Sides:

"By successful completion of the first combined under ice exercise in the vicinity of the North Pole, you have superbly demonstrated the versatility and capability of the undersea forces of both the Pacific Fleet and Atlantic Fleet under demanding and exacting conditions.

The success of your venture is a tribute to the professional competence of our submariners in particular to the competence of the officers and men of SEA DRAGON and SKATE.

Well done and God speed home. Admiral J. M. Sides."