My Submarine Warfare Designation
During my career in the U.S. Navy from 1999 to 2019Submarine Qualification Certificate, Electronics Technician Third Class Daniel Edward Osterday
Having successfully completed the rigorous professional requirements for qualification in submarines, having gained a thorough knowledge of submarine construction and operation, having demonstrated reliability under stress, and having my full confidence and trust, I hereby certify that he is Qualified in Submarines.
December 25, 2000
Commander Submarine Group 10, United States Atlantic Fleet, takes pleasure in recognizing ET3(SS) Daniel E. Osterday for having satisfied the demanding technical and professional requisites and demonstrating a thorough and proficient knowledge in submarines and submarine operations during his first patrol on board USS Rhode Island SSBN-740G.
I certify that he is entitled to wear the Silver Dolphins of a United States Navy Submariner and is hereby designated “qualified in submarines.”
December 25, 2000
USS Aspro (SS-309) Launched 7 April 1943 Decommissioned 7 September 1962
According to legend, the Aspro surfaces in the Rhode River only in bad weather when other fishes take refuge near the bottom. Aspro was commissioned on 31 JULY 1943 under the command of LCDR Harry C. Stevenson. She sailed for Pearl Harbor on 17 October and after making preparations for the first seven war patrols, she departed Hawaii on 24 November to waters around Taiwan and Sakishma Gunto. During the course of this patrol, Mr. Stevenson’s eyesight weakened and he was disqualified for sea duty. He recommended his brother, LCDR William A. Stevenson to relieve him. This recommendation was accepted and the event was the first of its kind. On her second patrol, she spotted a large Japanese submarine, I-43. After a long surface pursuit, she draw within range of I-43 and fired four torpedos. This was Aspro’s first confirmed sinking. Over the course of the next five patrols, she claimed 4 sinkings and damaging 3 other ships. On her last two patrols she rescued four downed American aviators and on 3 August 1945 she carried out a daring rescue of another down aviator. Aspro entered Sagami Wan and came within five or six miles of the Japanese mainland to retrieve the pilot, despite Japanese air attacks, she succeeded in saving the American. After the war, Aspro was in and out of commissioning until 1 September 1962 when she was decommissioned and her name struck from the Navy list on 9 October 1962. Twenty years old, Aspro was sunk six weeks later as a target for USS Pomodon (SS-486).
On eternal patrol, dedicated by ET3(SS) Daniel Edward Osterday, U.S. Navy, in honor of earning his Dolphins.
December 25, 2000
Electronics Technician Third Class Daniel Edward Osterday
What is a submariner?
Only a submariner realizes to what great extent an entire boat depends on him as an individual. To a landsman, this is not understandable, and sometimes even difficult for us to comprehend, but it is so!
A submarine at sea is a different world within herself, and in consideration of the protracted and distant operations of submarines, the Navy must place responsibility and trust in the hands of those who take such boats to sea.
In each submarine there are men who, in the hour of emergency or peril at sea, can turn to each other. These men are ultimately responsible to themselves and each to the other for all aspects of operation of their submarine. They are the crew. They are the boat.
This is perhaps the most difficult and demanding assignment in the Navy. There is not an instant during his tour as a submariner that he can escape the grasp of responsibility. His privileges in view of his obligations are almost ludicrously small, nevertheless, it is the spur which has given the Navy its greatest mariners – the men of the Submarine Service.
It is a duty which most richly deserves the proud and time-honored title of – Submariner.
December 25, 2000
