Bob Prater

1967 - 2003

DOB: 9/27/49
Service Dates: 10/67-8/71
Boats Served On:
USS Remora (SS-487)

Why I Joined The Submarine Service (Basic Training, San Diego) 1967: I joined the Navy in October of 67, I was sent to San Diego, Ca for my Basic Training. It was hot and miserable. Marching and running everywhere. The Vietnam War was in full swing and I remember that many of my high school buddies were being returned home in body bags. Although I wanted to serve my country, I had a firm interest in coming back home alive and in one piece, if possible. While in boot camp, we listened to all the instructors about many different schools and duty stations that were offered. When they got to the submarine part, something perked up my ears. It sounded really interesting. But, they said that it was rather tough to get selected and lots of guys got "weeded out" for one thing or the other. They also said that you go "hazardous duty pay". Hmmm .... more money? Now they were singing a tune that I could dance to. So, although I thought my chances were slim, I raised my hand. As it turned out, my battalion that I was in, there were about 112 guys that wanted to give it a shot. I knew right there, my chances were slim or none. As it turned out, only 6 guys were selected. I was one of them. I couldn't be happier. So, at the end of basic training, I was off to New London, Ct. for submarine training. Little did I know at the time, I would be the only one of the 6 to actually graduate. I wasn't sure at the time if I was special or the other guys just knew when to jump ship.

My Two Week Car (Sub School, New London, Ct.) 1967: Sub school was indeed an eye opening experience. For more ways than one. Now, I'm not the sharpest guy on the block, but, I do try hard. I struggled to keep up most of the time. I had made friends with one of the other guys in class and we would study for hours together. We became fast friends. Our instructor was a CPO that I learned to admire. I would listen intently to every word he had to say. Near the end of training, I found out that he had a MGB for sale. Although I knew I couldn't afford it, I thought that I'd take a look. It was a beautiful little 1964, if I remember correctly. I remember that he wanted about $1800.00 for it. Yeah, right. Like I had any chance of swinging that deal. Anyway, I decided to go to the credit union and see what they could do for me. To my surprise, I actually got the money! I was in hog heaven. I got the cash a went back and got it on the spot. Cool! Me with a sports car and a convertible to boot. I was within a week of graduation. I took my friend and we went out for a spin. It was November and damn, was it cold. After a few hours on the road, I went to the DMV to register it. Once at the head of the line, I was told that in that state, I could not register the car in my name because I wasn't 21 years old. However, they gave me a form and told me to get my parents signature and things would be OK. Right. Hey, this is 1967, my parents are in Texas and there's no such thing as "overnight" mail. I was pissed, to say the least. What in the hell was I going to do? Here I was with $1800 invested and I couldn't register it. My best friend came to the rescue. He said he didn't have the money, but, he had $300 he could give me and he'd send me $100 every month if I wanted to sell it to him. I had no choice but to accept his offer. Well, you guess it. That was the last dollar I ever got from that SOB. I guess that put a sour taste in my mouth for ever really trusting anyone again. Live and learn, I guess.

Most Memorable Moment (Remora): The day the Captain pinned my dolphins on me.

Best Liberty Port (Remora): This is a tough one. I really enjoyed almost every place that we went. They all had something to offer. But, I was stationed on the USS Remora based out of Pearl Harbor, HI. Prior to reporting aboard, I had gone to sub school in New London, Ct. It was cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. When I arrived in Hawaii, it was like landing in paradise. I thought things just couldn't get better than this.

The Day I Reported Aboard (Remora): I couldn't wait to report aboard. My shoes were spit shined, my uniform was in perfect condition and I was ready to become one of the select few that punched holes in the oceans of the world. I was informed that my boat was in dry dock. After roaming through the shipyard, I found that she was in one of those floating dry docks. Sea bag slung over my back, I climbed up what seemed to be like 2 miles of steps to the top of the dry dock. My heart was beating and I had grand expectations. Then, there she was. A hundred yard birds climbing all over her like ants. The super structure was off exposing all the pipes and valves. Holes had been cut all over her for one reason or another. Absolutely everything was dirty, dusty and generally totally filthy. I damn near died. Was this where I actually got assigned? My God, what did I do to deserved this? I made my way down a long gang plank to the top of the boat forward of the sail. I froze, snapped a salute to the flag and then to the topside watch. I don't remember who had the watch, but, I do remember this guy laughing his ass off. Without returning my salute, he told me to come aboard and then told me to report to the COB (JD Morgan) aboard the barge. The barge? Huh? He directed me to continue up the other gang way to the other side of the dry dock and then down the ladder to the barge. Then, report to the COB with my orders. I made my way to the barge. This sleeping barge was a pig pen at best. I was afraid to touch anything for fear of getting something. The COB assigned me a bunk and took me to report to the duty officer. He welcomed me and told me to change into my dungarees and report back to the COB. After which, he told me that I was going to be on "fire watch". Someone else came by and led me down to the forward engine room where there was a welder. The instructed me to watch him with fire extinguisher in hand and put out any fires that might be accidentally started. Oh, whoppee. By this time, I was really wondering if I had made a good decision wanting to be attached to a submarine.

Memorable Character: One that comes to mind is Valpoon. This was indeed a character to remember. Valpoon probably weighed in at about 250 pounds. He was a really nice guy, a Hawaiian native. One day while were were in port, there was some maintenance that needed to be done in sanitary #2. It was necessary for him to actually climb in the tank to do what ever it was that he needed to get done. Around noon, Hutch (our cook), told me to go tell Valpoon that lunch was ready. Being a dedicated non-qual at the time, I headed back and yelled down in the tank to him that Hutch says that it was lunch time and he should climb out and eat. After a moment of silence, he yelled back, "Just make me a sandwich or two and hand it down"! I damn near died. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. So, I went back and told Hutch. He made up a couple sandwiches, put them in a bag and gave them to me to deliver. I suppose if I weighed as much as Val did and had to squeeze my butt down that hatch, I'd do the same. On second thought, maybe I'd just wait till dinner or something.

The Day I Regret: You know what they say. Hine site is 20-20. I really didn't grasp what the meaning of that fully. I must admit, there was some times aboard that I'd prefer to forget. But, there were many more great times that I had. On the other hand, they say that people is always in search of greener pastures. So, when my hitch was up, I decided that it was time to cut and run. I counted the days until I got out. The closer to my end of my enlistment approached, the happier I got. Then, the day arrived. All I could think of was that I wouldn't have anyone telling me what to do. Ever again! Boy, was I in for a rude awakening. Shit, it seemed like everyone on the planet wanted to tell me what to do, what to do or something that just rubbed me the wrong way. After a couple of years, I began to reflect back on my life and times that I had while serving aboard my boat. It was a happy time. I have memories that will last forever. With very few exceptions, they guys that I served with were of the highest caliber. Most of which would give you the shirts of their back, even today. I just wish that I could relive these times again. I would have definitely done 20 with a smile on my face.