SUBMARINEMUSEUMS.ORG Forum

General Boards => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: JTheotonio on June 27, 2008, 09:14:45 AM

Title: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: JTheotonio on June 27, 2008, 09:14:45 AM
Just registered - I'm John Theotonio, COB used to call my Tony for some reason, or well never mind.  Qualified on the USS Picuda (SS-382), back in 1964 in Key West.  Picuda was part of Sub Squadron 12.  Finished up on the USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632).  Torpedoman as you might guess.  Spent almost my entire life in California and about 7 years ago my wife and I moved to New Jersey.  We own a house built in 1730, so it's a bit older than me.  I own two Model T Fords (1911 and 1926).  I seem to collect old things.  The attached picture is one of the two cars infront of our house.  I live in Groveville, NJ, established in 1685, has a population of about 6,000. It's by Trenton, NJ.  And yes the Sopranos do live here...

I'm a member of USSVI, belong to New Jersey South Base (primary), Groton, LIB, and Philladelphia bases.  I edit and publish our base newsletter, Hogan's Alley. I'm the POC and membership coordinator, and just about anything else someone asks me to do.

Thanks to Tim VeArd, Pat Householder, and Bill Lee I was able to set up a Picuda page at DeckLog.  Go here: http://www.decklog.com/SS-382.asp (http://www.decklog.com/SS-382.asp) I'm hoping it will help bring together a lot of old shipmates.
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: Lance Dean on June 27, 2008, 09:37:52 AM
Welcome John, we're glad to have you.

I own a driveshaft out of a Model T....my grandfather needed a super duty "tool" to help him with his rockhounding adventures.   He had a machinist take this driveshaft and make a point on one end and a flat prybar with the other end.  It's about 5' or so in length and is really something special.
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: Darrin on June 27, 2008, 11:22:46 AM
Welcome aboard, Good to see another TM here now.. Does the name Bill Derouin sound familiar from your Picuda days, he was an ET and I think he was on her or maybe it was the Dentuda that I am thinking about??

Darrin
Frmr TM3(SS)
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: JTheotonio on June 27, 2008, 11:50:13 AM
The name is not familiar.  I did a search on his name at USSVI - not listed.  There is a James and a Larry.  Neither served on Picuda or Dentuda.  He may not be a member of USSVI
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: emeacho on June 27, 2008, 12:25:57 PM
Welcome aboard!  I also served on the Von Steuben.  I was on the blue crew from 1976 though 1979.  If you want another hobby, come on down and visit us aboard Torsk in Baltimore.  The last thing we need is another Torpedoman, but we've grown attached to the two we already have.
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: Rick on June 27, 2008, 01:31:27 PM
Welcome from The USS Batfish SS310.  The Batfish was also a memeber of Sub Squadron 12.   You may have seen her once or twice.   I love the house and the Model T's.  MY grandfather also owned several,  was an avid restorer of the vehicles....

Rick
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: Darrin on June 28, 2008, 01:22:04 AM
Larry is Bill's son and I don't know if Bill is a member of USSVI and both of them work on Torsk almost every saturday of the month, Bill is a young 76 now and still maintains our equipment.

HEEEEYYYYYY Chief, what the HELL there are 3 TM's onboard Torsk..... Frank, Brian and myself.... WTFO???? are you claiming that Frank has left the TM Div to be a BM???? or have you forgotten either Brian or myself or better yet knowing you COB you have just relagated me to being a "ground pounder" because I am on Active Duty in the Army now...... 
Title: Re: From the Forward Torpedo Room
Post by: emeacho on June 29, 2008, 12:11:46 PM
OOOOPS!  Forgot about Brian.  Sorry, Brian.  Hard to keep track of all the torpeckermen.