Navy Recognizes USS Dolphin's Modest Hero

Since 01-18-03

 By Journalist 2nd Class Trevor Hoehne, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

 NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA , Calif. (NNS) -- Chief Machinist's Mate (SW) John D. Wise Jr. received the Navy and  Marine Corps Medal (NMCM) during a special awards  ceremony Dec. 18 at the Submarine Memorial on Naval Base  Point Loma, Calif. His heroic efforts aboard USS Dolphin (AGSS 555) garnered the medal.

 "In my 23-plus years, I personally don't know of any examples  of where a submarine Sailor received this award in an  operational scenario," said Capt. Dale Nees, commander,  Submarine Development Squadron 5.

 On May 21, 2002, Dolphin was conducting training exercises  about 100 miles off the San Diego coastline when a torpedo  shield door gasket failed, and water began to flood Dolphin. Due  to high winds and 10- to 11-foot swells in the ocean,  approximately "70-to-85 tons of seawater entered the ship, an  amount dangerously close to the reserve buoyancy of Dolphin,"  said Nees.

 Wise, realizing what needed to be done, dove into the 57-degree  water of the flooded pump room. Not knowing if the room's  equipment had been secured, and with less than a foot of  breathable space in the compartment, he ensured the seawater  valves were lined up allowing the dewatering to commence.

 Once the valves were aligned, he remained in the pump room for  more than 90 minutes in order to keep a submersible pump from  becoming clogged. His courageous efforts prevented the loss of  the ship and crew, according to the citation letter from Adm.  Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations.

 "Everybody was doing their job, and I happened to be at that  spot at the right time. I only did what needed to be done. I was  only thing about getting the water off the boat," Wise said.

 The NMCM is awarded to any person who, while serving in any  capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes  themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with the  enemy.

 For acts of lifesaving or attempted lifesaving, it is required that  the action be preformed at the risk of one's own life. To rise to  this level, it must be clearly established that the act involved very  specific life-threatening risk to the awardee.

 "I believe it was Ernest Hemingway who said, 'a hero is one  who displays grace under pressure.' I don't think anyone will  question the pressure these Sailors felt that evening and into the  early morning. The pressure of knowing their lives were on the  line," said Nees.

 Wise deflected praise on to his fellow shipmates.

 "The medal is for Dolphin. I'm just the lucky one who gets to  wear it," said the Mateo, Calif., native.

Bill Kreher   

Naval Submarine League        (703) 256-0891
Operations Manager       Box 1146                      (703) 642-5815 (FAX)
                        Annandale, VA 22003

C. Michael Garverick
Executive Director
Naval Submarine League  www.navalsubleague.com
(703) 256-0891(V) - (703) 642-5815 (FAX)