LETTER: Include Vermont submarine service members in Memorial Day remembrance

May 14, 2026

To the community:

On this Memorial Day of 2026, the Green Mountain Submarine Veterans Chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI), remembers the following Vermonters who lost their lives while serving in the Submarine Service during war and peacetime.  These men who volunteered to serve in the Submarine Service are always remembered, not forgotten:

Name Age Hometown Date of Loss Submarine

Richard K. Clough 26 Randolph 1/24/1942 USS S-26  (SS-131)

Sam Kane 19 Burlington 3/05/1943 USS  Grampus  (SS-207)

Gene R. Rice 21 Springfield       7/11/1943 USS Runner (SS-275)

Frederick M. Briggs 24 Bristol    9/28/1943 USS Cisco (SS-290)

Melvin C. Phillps 25 Moretown 2/26/1944 USS Grayback (SS-208)

Romeo A. Laramee 21 Burlington 3/05/1944 USS Tautog  (SS-199)

Robert. H. Roby 24 Bellows Falls     3/26/1944 USS Tullibee (SS-284)

John F. Durant 21 Burlington 7/04/1944 USS S-28 (SS-133)

Leslie A. Wilmott 18 Montpelier 11/07/1944 USS Albacore (SS-218)

Alexander Ferrario 28 Montpelier 11/08/1944 USS Growler (SS-215)

Charles H. Taylor 21 Brattleboro 8/06/1945 USS Bullhead (SS-332)

James P. Ritchie 22 Burlington 4/10/1963 USS Thresher (SSN-593)

Edward A. Johnson 34 Hardwick         4/10/1963 USS Thresher (SSN 593)

Michael J. Bailey 21 St. Johnsbury    5/22/1968 USS Scorpion (SSN-589)

If anyone remembers our fellow submariners and would like to contact us, please do so by e-mail at: cmattoon@vermontel.net.  We would like to hear from you.  Though we are highlighting our Submarine shipmates here who lost their lives while on active duty, we extend to the families of all the Vermont Submarine Sailors who have been lost and have served in the Submarine Service our sincere gratitude and heartfelt sympathy. 

To all the service members’ families who have lost loved ones through the years, their service and sacrifice in protecting our country is not forgotten. Without them, we would not have remained free for 250 years.

Sincerely,

C. William (Bill) Mattoon

Green Mountain Base,

U. S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.