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At random: The first Japanese prisoner of war captured by the Americans was Kazuo Sakamaki, an ensign in the Imperial Japanese Navy. He was captured on the morning of December 7, 1941. Sakamaki had set an explosive charge to destroy his disabled submarine, which had been trapped on Waimanalo Beach. When the explosives failed to go off, he swam to the bottom of the submarine to investigate the cause of the failure and became unconscious due to a lack of oxygen. Sakamaki was found by a Hawaiian soldier, David Akui, and was taken into military custody. When he awoke, he found himself in a hospital under American armed guard. After the war he returned to Japan and found work with the Toyota Motor Corporation before retiring in 1987. Sakamaki died on November 29, 1999, aged 81.

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Coyote

Posted 2025-03-12 7:29 AM (#105303)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1175

Location: NE Florida

Subject: Wednesday Obits

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=eternal%20patrol%20by%20ussvi

The above link goes to the USSVI (United States Submarine Veterans, Inc.) Facebook page where their members who have gone on “Eternal Patrol” are noted.

I’ll keep my work here going, trying to get others who were not USSVI members. You’re encouraged to look there as well as here! Obviously, there’ll be some I miss and some I duplicate.

SCHLICHTER .. .. .. Captain Ralph Schlichter, a distinguished naval officer and devoted family man, died on February 18, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on January 28, 1943, in Wuppertal, Germany, Ralph's life was marked by unwavering dedication to his country, leadership, and service. After moving to the United States, he graduated from Dan McCarty High School in Fort Pierce, Florida, before attending the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated with distinction and was commissioned as an Ensign in 1964. Following his graduation and after completing nuclear power and submarine training, Ralph began an illustrious career in the U.S. Navy. His early assignments included serving as an engineering division officer on the USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN 633 Blue). During his 29-year career, he assumed significant positions such as Commanding Officer of USS MCKEE (AS-41), USS MINNEAPOLISSAINT PAUL (SSN-708), USS SCAMP (SSN-588), and Executive Officer on the USS OMAHA (SSN-692). As Commanding Officer of USS MCKEE (AS-41), he was the first ship deployed for Operation Desert Storm. He was also instrumental in the early development of nuclear-powered submarines and served on high-level staff assignments, including work with the Naval Nuclear Power Examining Board for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. CAPT Schlichter's career was marked by an exceptional record of service, and he received numerous accolades in recognition of his leadership and contributions. His awards included two Legions of Merit, two Meritorious Service Awards, two Navy Achievement Awards, and multiple other prestigious honors, including the Navy "E" Award and the Submarine Warfare Badge.
After retiring from the Navy, Ralph worked for Carolina Power and Light at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport, NC. From there he spent the remainder of his career consulting in the nuclear power industry.
Ralph also dedicated his time to helping the homeless. He was an integral part in establishing a homeless shelter at St. James Episcopal Church. He continued that work until he helped transfer the shelter to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
Outside of his naval career, Ralph was a loving husband to Judith Kuhn and a proud father of five children: Sunny Callahan (wife Amy and son Harry), Sally Schlichter (daughters Cayla and Susannah Rogers and grandson Mason Rogers), Susannah Aylesworth (husband Owen and children Sadie, Jude, and Jack), Sander Schlichter (husband Robert Gaston), and Schuyler Schlichter (wife Jennifer and children Wyatt, Cole, and Lucy). Ralph and Judy were high school sweethearts, together for 67 years and married for 61 years. He was proud of all his children, ensuring that everyone he talked to know every detail of all their accomplishments. He was committed to his family, and his legacy of service, honor, and love will live on through them. His love for Navy Football was remarkable. He demonstrated his dedication by sitting in the cold rain during his 50th class reunion football game, when everyone else had left to watch at the hotel. This December, he was able to witness the Navy’s victory over Army for one final time.
Ralph Schlichter lived a life of exemplary service, personal integrity, and unwavering dedication. His profound impact on the U.S. Navy and his loving family will be remembered with deep gratitude and respect by all who knew him.
Ralph Schlichter will be interred at the St. Francis Memorial Garden at St. James Episcopal Wilmington, NC, during a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers his family invites you to donate to either St. James Episcopal Church or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilmington, NC, in his honor.

BURSELLI .. .. .. William (Bill) Berselli, age 77, of East Longmeadow passed away in hospice care on March 8, 2025.
Born and raised on Holyoke St in Ludlow, MA to the late Theresa and Frank Berselli, Bill was a gentle, hard working man with the best laugh around. In high school, he was best known for his first car, a 1954 Chevy he named Mr. Blue. He graduated from Ludlow High School in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served for 6 years in the Submarine Service aboard the diesel boat U.S.S. Tigrone 419, and the nuclear submarine SSBN 610, the Thomas Edison. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he settled in East Longmeadow with his family and lived there for the greater part of his life.
After leaving the Navy, Bill obtained his Class A CDL license and drove a truck for Friendly Ice Cream Corp. for many years. He was also a part time instructor for NETTS for 4 years, with a passion for teaching others how to drive "the big trucks". This was a personally very rewarding time in his life, and he was highly praised from students and staff alike for his effective teaching skills. Bill then purchased Totem Trailers in Indian Orchard, which he ran successfully with the help of his brother, Richie. Shortly after selling that business, he started his own trucking company, Berselli Trucking, hauling products for many local companies including Tuckahoe Turf Farms and again for Friendly Ice Cream. He operated that business for over 20 years and one time had 10 company and leased trucks and drivers working for him.
He leaves his daughter, Cheri Ricciardi and her husband Ralph of East Longmeadow, as well as his son, Jason Berselli of East Longmeadow. But he also leaves those he cherished the most, his granddaughters Casey Nicoll of East Longmeadow, Madison McCaffrey of Enfield, CT, Delaney Heath of East Longmeadow and Julianna Berselli of East Longmeadow, as well as those he thought of his own, grandson Vito Ricciardi, and granddaughters Arianna Ricciardi and Amanda Ricciardi. He maintained space in his heart always for his stepsons from a previous marriage, Daniel, Christopher and Jeffrey Austin. A special thank you is extended as well to his two PCA's over the past few years- Teresa Dion of Springfield and Amanda Leger of East Longmeadow, who treated him as if he was their own relative in his greatest times of need.
He was predeceased by his brother Bobby of Virginia, his brother Richie of Belchertown and his brother in laws Armand Garcia of Suffield, CT and Billy Lyons of Holyoke, as well as the mother of his two children, Susan Berselli of Springfield, MA. He will be missed by his sisters Nancy Alty of West Springfield, Carol Garcia of Enfield, CT and his baby sister, Joanne Lyons of Holyoke, and by many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to gather for his visitation on Thursday March 13, 2025, from 4pm-7pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N Main St., East Longmeadow MA. His Funeral Service will be on Tuesday March 18, 2025, at 9:30am in the funeral home, followed by his burial with military honors at Hillcrest Park Cemetery, Springfield MA.

TUCKER .. .. .. Well, he's finally had enough! Ed Tucker, certainly the fittest old man in Essex has finally said, "I'm finished!" After so many flat bike tires, smelly running shoes, and stretched out Speedos, he crossed his final finish line on March 7, 2025. From his birth in Racine, Wisconsin to his journey's end in Essex, Connecticut, Ed lived, worked and competed all over the world. He was a leader within his community, in fitness, and at setting up his life to reflect his values and love of his family. ET lost his father at a young age. This prompted a move to the family roots of New Orleans, then relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area in Marin County. Young Edward was always able "to walk with kings nor lose the common touch." In high school he was a star mathematics student with a pocket protector and a slide rule while spending many afternoons building hot rods with the hoods of the town. Finishing his studies at Stanford University, he followed the family tradition - New Orleans and medicine. Four years of medical school distinguished him from his ancestor, the founder of Dr. Tucker's Traveling Patent Medicines who traveled the South selling his cure-all from a mule-drawn wagon. During the Vietnam conflict, young Ed Tucker was offered a choice of medical evacuation in a Huey or riding atomic submarines in the North Atlantic. This man was no one's fool! Off to Groton, Connecticut he went. Eddie just didn't ride around in submarines. Sometimes he went outside the submarine - deep down in the sea, with a big brass helmet and oxygen piped to him through a tube (yikes!). He even trained Navy Seals to do this (crazy!) After this, SCUBA diving with his son Ted was just recreation, chasing Tommy Tuna. Ed fell in love with New England and never really left. He finished his Psychiatry and Neurology Fellowships at Yale, found a small office with a big roll-top desk on North Main street in Essex, and settled in for the next 47 years. He'd found his passion and his place.
Dr Tucker's love of medicine coupled with his kind nature, intelligence and good sense of humor made healing patients interesting and fulfilling. He'd comment that psychiatry was the foundation for his successful treatment of patients, but his tremendous emotional intelligence was equally important. Ed treated over 12,000 patients, not including the many "sidewalk consults" that his friends and neighbors sought on many an afternoon encounter. He loved those. Meanwhile, Eddie had a lot of living to do.
It all started with tennis. He was New England ranked. In order to stay tennis fit he started to run. Well, if you can run a few miles, of course, you can run a marathon! How about 11, and 3 Boston marathon finishes? With all this fitness it might be nice to bike a little, or a lot. And when he realized that he could add in swimming - BOOM! All this swimming after sharks, biking all over New England and running marathons produced a very fit individual, (some would think a little nuts, too) and there is a sport for them too! Ed Tucker founded the Tiny Tri in Chester, CT., finished his first Ironman Kona in 1984, was one of the top 10 in USAT National Championships, competed for Team USA in multiple World Championships plus tens of local, national and international triathlons. When he wasn't competing, he worked the Ironman medical tent, Team USAT medical, and wrenched for his wife and training buddy, Jeanne Yvonne.
In 2000, the decision was made to educate their son, Ike, in France. What? For the next 10 years Dr Tucker commuted between Essex and a small rural village, Mezel, France. As usual, ET took the challenge to heart. He embraced his newfound international life by packing his small family, dog, 3 bikes and gear into a RAV4 to explore, race and XC ski all corners of the European continent. In 2009 the family decided to return to the USA but not quite all the way back to Essex. Ed was most content to now have only a 4 hour commute as his family was now living in Northern Vermont! Within a few years everyone was reunited in Essex . ET's commute was now 30 seconds as he now lived above his office! Well, he'd earned it. His daily descents were accompanied by his new faithful assistant, Portuguese Water dog, Louis XIV, which became a problem as Dr Tucker could never be quite sure if patients came to see him or Louis XIV. In 2017 the Veterans Administration began sending Veterans to Dr Tucker to be examined for Traumatic Brain Injuries. Treating a Veteran by a Veteran becomes one of the most rewarding and fulfilling periods of Dr Tucker's professional career. Such a fitting end to a remarkable and well lived life.

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