It was a bit embarrassing, but I have to admit that I liked to hear things like that. Before the end of our transit, I was winning about half the chess games with Sergyi. Did he let me win? I couldn't tell you. But our friendship grew, and I knew that I wanted to keep in touch with this man, and perhaps even have some influence on what happened to him once we reached port.
Finally the day arrived when the Chief of the Watch announced on the 1MC: "Surface… surface… surface!"
Ballast tanks filled with rushing air, and we pierced the surface leaving our silent hunting grounds behind for a beautiful, fog shrouded passage under the Golden Gate, up the bay, to dock once again after so long at our Mare Island berth.
We were home at last.
EPILOG
The entire crew of the USS Halibut was assembled in the first few rows of the Rodman Theatre on Mare Island Naval Base. Behind them were their immediate families — wives, children, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters — sworn to secrecy as a condition of being present at this occasion. In addition, a few specially invited guests were present, including one tall gentleman with short-cropped brown hair and slightly Slavic features that tended to disappear the moment you noticed them. He was accompanied by two nondescript men in dark civilian suits who never strayed more than a couple of feet from the guest's side.
The people in the theatre had been waiting for about fifteen minutes, when Master Chief Joe Thornton, Halibut's Chief of the Boat, called out, "Attention on Deck!"
The assembled crew came to attention in rigid silence. The guests straggled to their feet, looking at one another and around the room with curious interest. Only the man in the rear with the short-cropped hair stood like the crew members at stiff attention, eyes straight forward.
A moment later, the Secretary of Defense stepped onto the stage without fanfare or flurry. In a quiet voice that, nevertheless, carried to the back of the room, he asked the guests to be seated, and welcomed the officers and crew and the visitors. Then he opened a leather folder that he had brought with him. Without another word, he started reading from the folder:
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I have today awarded THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (NAVY) FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM TO USS HALIBUT (SSN-587)
For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty as a unit of the Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet. USS HALIBUT successfully accomplished two highly productive and complex submarine operations of immeasurable value to the Government of the United States. The superb professional competence, extremely effective teamwork and exemplary devotion to duty by the officers and men of USS HALIBUT reflected great credit upon themselves, the Submarine Force and the United States Naval Service.
Signed: The President of the United States
You could have heard a pin drop, the room was so silent. Here and there a tear rolled down a cheek. Several men gulped, working to control their emotions. The silence spoke louder than any applause.
Then Master Chief Thornton intoned: Lieutenant J. R. McDowell, front and center."
Immaculately dressed in his summer dress white uniform, and sporting a crutch under his left arm, Mac hobbled to the Secretary of Defense. Mac came to attention, supporting himself with the crutch, but managing to project a military bearing. Secretary Lehman opened another leather folder an aid handed him, and commenced reading:
The Navy Cross is presented to J.R McDowell, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Officer in Charge, Test Operations Group, Submarine Development Group One. While leading the members of this team embarked on the USS Halibut (SSN 587), Lieutenant McDowell performed acts of extraordinary heroism and valor without regard for his own life or safety, thereby ensuring the success of the mission and preserving the lives of his entire team and the combined crew of the submarine. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant McDowell upheld the highest traditions of the Submarine Service and the United States Naval Service.
As the Secretary pinned the medal to Mac's chest, an audible wave of emotion swept through the assembled group.
Then Master Chief Thornton intoned: "Chief Petty Officer Jack Meredith, Petty Officer First Class William Fisher, Petty Officer First Class Harry Blackwell, Petty Officer Second Class James Tanner, Petty Officer Second Class Melvin Ford, Petty Officer Second Class Wlodek Cslauski, and Petty Officer Second Class Jeremy Romain, front and center."
The small group assembled before the Secretary, and came to attention.
The Secretary opened another leather folder an aide handed him, and announced that the identical citation was being presented to each of the individuals:
The Bronze Star is presented to each of the individuals standing before me, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism while serving as a member of the Test Operations Group, Submarine Development Group One. While functioning as a member of this team embarked on the USS Halibut (SSN 587), each of the individuals before me performed acts of extraordinary heroism and valor without regard for his own life or safety, thereby ensuring the success of the mission and protecting the lives of the other team members. By his courage and selfless devotion to duty, each of the individuals standing before me upheld the highest traditions of the Submarine Service and the United States Naval Service.
One by one, the Secretary meticulously pinned the medal to each man's chest. You could hear audible sniffs from the audience. There wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Then Master Chief Thornton intoned: Master Chief Petty Officer Hamilton Comstock, front and center."
Ham strode forward, resplendent in his dress whites.
The Secretary opened another leather folder an aid handed him, and commenced reading:
The Navy Commendation Medal is presented to Hamilton Comstock, Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, for distinguished heroism while serving as Unit Master Chief Petty Officer and Master Saturation Diver, Test Operations Group, Submarine Development Group One. While leading the members of this team under his Officer in Charge embarked on the USS Halibut (SSN 587), Master Chief Petty Officer Comstock performed acts of distinguished heroism and valor, thereby ensuring the success of the mission and preserving the lives of his entire team. By his courage, aggressive leadership, and selfless devotion to duty, Master Chief Petty Officer Comstock upheld the highest traditions of the Submarine Service and the United States Naval Service.
As the Secretary pinned the medal to Ham's chest, an audible "Yes!" could be heard from the onlookers.
And finally Master Chief Thornton intoned: "Lieutenant J.R. McDowell and Petty Officer Second Class Wlodek Cslauski, front and center."
Mac and Ski came forward, with Ski lending a steadying hand as Mac stumbled on the steps to the platform.
The Secretary opened a last leather folder, and announced that the identical citation was being presented to both individuals:
The United States of America, to all who shall see these presents, greeting: This is to certify that the President of the United States of America has awarded the Purple Heart established by General George Washington at Newberg, New York, August 7, 1782, to each of the individuals standing before me for wounds received in action. Given under my hand in the City of Washington on this date. Signed by the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy.