News Summary
Newport News commemorated the sailors of the USS Scorpion during a memorial service organized by the Knights of Columbus. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the submarine’s mysterious sinking. Family members gathered to honor the bravery of the 99 lost sailors, including those who also lost their lives during the sinking of another troop ship. The event featured tributes, music, and reflections on the collective grief shared among families connected to the tragedy.
Newport News commemorated the 99 sailors lost aboard the USS Scorpion on Sunday during a memorial service organized by the Knights of Columbus council. This ceremony marked the 57th anniversary of the submarine’s tragic sinking, which occurred in May 1968 under mysterious circumstances.
The USS Scorpion sank in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 400 miles off the Azores, at a depth of 10,000 feet. Despite extensive searches and investigations, the exact cause of the sinking remains unknown. The ceremony included reading aloud each sailor’s name and rank, with the bell tolled twice in honor of their service, emphasizing their bravery and sacrifice.
Steve Taylor, a representative of the Knights of Columbus, acknowledged the courage of the sailors who served their country. Several family members of the fallen sailors attended the event, including MaryEtta Nolan, whose father, Walter “Wally” Bishop, held the position of “chief of boat” on the Scorpion. Nolan shared her experience of waiting for her father’s return and the heartbreak upon learning of the submarine’s loss, echoing the sentiments of many families who faced uncertainty before the tragic announcement that the Scorpion was declared overdue.
The memorial ceremony not only honored the sailors of the Scorpion but also paid tribute to four chaplains who sacrificed their lives during the sinking of the Army troop ship Dorchester in February 1945. Additional tributes were made for over 60 submarines lost during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of more than 3,500 sailors overall.
The Knights of Columbus chapter has held memorial services for over 27 years, maintaining a tradition of remembrance for the Scorpion since its sinking. Nolan noted that over the years, her focus has shifted from individual sailors to the collective grief shared among families connected through their loss.
Approximately 14 family members of Scorpion sailors were present at the ceremony, including Laura Petersen, whose father-in-law perished aboard the submarine. Joan Cowan, who lost her husband Robert on the Scorpion, emphasized the bonds that formed among families following the tragedy, highlighting the shared experience of grief they have navigated together.
The late James P. Healy, a former supervisor at Newport News Shipbuilding, was remembered for his long-standing commitment to tolling the bell during these memorial ceremonies, signifying the importance of remembering those who have been lost at sea.
The event featured wreath presentations, the Pledge of Allegiance led by local Scouts, and taps performed by a Knights bugler. Musical renditions of “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace” enriched the solemnity of the occasion. Father Bob Bruno concluded the service with a benediction, invoking blessings for the souls lost aboard the Scorpion.
The USS Scorpion’s sinking continues to be shrouded in mystery. Various theories have emerged over the years regarding its possible causes, including enemy action and dangerous espionage activities linked to John Anthony Walker, who sold naval codes to the Soviet Union. Family members, such as those of Steven Leroy Johnson, who also perished aboard the Scorpion, continue to seek clarity about the sinking’s circumstances.
An investigation by the Navy yielded no conclusive evidence of an attack, leaving many lingering questions for the families regarding what led to the submarine’s demise. Advances in technology have enabled researchers to review the wreckage and audio recordings from the submarine’s last known communications, yet uncertainty persists about the true reasons behind the tragic event.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: USS Scorpion Memorial Service
- Wikipedia: USS Scorpion (SS-578)
- Dignity Memorial: Bill Elrod Obituary
- Google Search: USS Scorpion
- Pilot Online: Evidence Suggests Soviets May Have Sunk Sub Scorpion
- Encyclopedia Britannica: USS Scorpion
