TMC(SS), Ret. 1969 - was on Sabalo Feb-Oct’68
Inspired
by Veterans Day, this is
the second in a series of interviews with and articles
about Middlefield [OR]
residents who have served in the military. -by Rod
Williams [from a local
neighborhood newsletter, “Our Voice”]
Most of you know Clarence "Wally" Wahlstrom. He walks Middlefield every day and has a friendly wave for everyone who crosses his path. Typically, his two dogs keep him company and form their own canine "Neighborhood Watch" crew. That would be Sum (3/4 Pomeranian, 1/4 Papillion) and Matsu (a full-blooded Japanese Chin).
But did you know that Wally was in the Navy from 1948 through most of 1969, working as a torpedo man and making Chief by the time of his retirement? That span of service makes him a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
"Sonny," he was told by a cousin, "if you go in the Navy, volunteer for the submarines. They have the best food."
"And they did," Wally confirmed with a laugh. From that humble beginning, he started his two decades of duty aboard submarines.
"Every year," he reported, "all boats in each squadron would participate in an Operational Readiness Inspection (O.R.I.). Several high-ranking officers and several more Chiefs, all submarine-qualified, would go to sea on each boat in their squadron for a day of drills and observation of the proficiency of the crew and officers. They would spread out in the boat to observe the actions of the crew in Fire, Flooding, Collision, Battle Station, and Man Overboard drills. They would time all of these actions and observe the results.
"This is my story of the USS Caiman SS-323 O.R.I. in 1955."
Standard procedure for diesel submarines was to leave the dock using two engines at 2/3 speed until reaching the buoy at the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Then the speed was reduced to 1/3 putting two more engines on line as the sub reached open water. The crew of the Caiman was dedicated and competitive. All casualties were properly contained in record time and, Wally added proudly, "We won the 'E' for that year." The "E" stood for "Battle Efficiency."
One time, Wally was on his way out to sea, leaving the harbor with an inexperienced Officer of the Day [sic] (O.D.) in charge. At the crucial point where the O.D. was supposed to slow down the boat, he didn't. The bow of the ship went down and water washed up on deck. On the first dip, the water came up around the crew's feet. [i.e. the line handlers on deck] The second time, the wave came in considerably higher.
Wally went overboard on the third dip. "I had on my inflatable rubber life jacket," he reported. Next thing he knew, he was washed up into the air in a sitting position, over the deck, and into the sea. Fortunately, he was thrown clear of the turning screws, but swam hard to avoid being sucked back into them. "As I was swimming, I looked around," he recalled, "and all I could see was shark fins!" Eventually, the sub came to a stop. Wally swam back, was thrown a life ring, and was brought back aboard.
Tired and soaking wet, he approached his captain. "Permission to lay below, sir," he requested per Navy protocol.
"Permission granted, Wahlstrom," replied Captain Gallemore, completely deadpan. "But we'll have a little talk later in the ward room about you leaving the boat without my permission."
Later on, from the safety of the ship, Wally watched the caps and curls of little waves in the water and realized that's what he'd seen when he was swimming for his life, and mistaken for shark fins.
Too many stories to be included in this short space. Humorous stories, like the one about the time he won a contest where the prize was a bottle of whiskey, but Captain Gallemore ordered, "If Wahlstrom happens to win, make it a case of beer." Suspenseful tales about patrols in potentially dangerous enemy waters. And memories of companionship, particularly with Captain Gallemore, with whom Wally remained in contact even after he'd gotten out of the Navy and settled in Florida.
At the end of this interview, I was struck by Wally's detailed memory of the submarines he'd served on and the numerous adventures he'd had during that unique and volatile time in America. By your leave, sir, thank you so much for your time and for sharing some of your Navy experiences with your neighbors.
Sabalo Home Page