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USS Salamonie or as a means to register your visit to this site.
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Cold War Certificate
If you served anytime between the end of World War II and the end of the Cold War period (2 September 1945 - 26 December 1991) you are eligible to receive this special certificate from the Department of Defense. It is an 8 1/2" x 11" certificate signed by the Secretary of Defense and is suitable for framing. Send the application with a copy of proof of service (DD Form 214 or equivalent) to the address on the form. Allow 10-12 months for receipt.
The USS Salamonie Museum was officially dedicated and a sneak preview conducted on Saturday, May 1, 2004. Attended by about 20 former crew members and their spouses, it was a tremendous success.
A visit to the Knight Bergman Center would make a nice Sunday afternoon trip, don't you think? The Center is located at the intersection of 2nd and Nancy Streets.
The USS Salamonie Museum will be officially open to the public during the Salamonie Summer Festival this summer over the 4th of July weekend. Plan a visit!
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, created by Executive Order 10977 on December 4, 1961, is awarded to those veterans who served overseas in times of crisis and actual combat. The number of operations covered by this medal varies, depending on which article you read or which website you visit. The dates shown on our page come from The Institute of Heraldry, which is the agency which actually designs and distributes the medals.
If you served in Korea or in the territorial waters off Korea for 30 consecutive days or for 60 non-consecutive days after 28 July 1954, you may be eligible for the new Korea Defense Service Medal. You can view and print the application at
"The NEW and only Officially recognized web site of the USS Salamonie"
USS Salamonie Museum is now a reality!
RADM Seiberlich, the last captain of the USS Salamonie, in an interview for The Huntington County TAB writer, Rick Beemer, gives insight into his colorful and rewarding career as a U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine officer.
Also on this page is an article concerning the naming of Old Sal which strengthens the decision to make Warren, Indiana the site of the USS Salamonie Museum. Click here.
Navy retirees, as well as retirees from the other branches of the military can quickly locate their nearest Retired Activities Office by clicking on this link to the Indiana Veterans' Service Officers' Association page. Click here.
Support the Troops
The Department of Defense discourages the publishing or releasing of lists of service members currently serving overseas. Unless you know of someone who is serving, or you know someone who has a loved one serving, it may be difficult to know how to help. Here are some suggestions of how you can continue to support the troops.
Check out these new photos sent in by Stan Cochran, Newport Beach, CA.. Stan took these pictures in mid-Atlantic in 1952 from USS PUTNAM (DD757) while being refueled by the USS Salamonie. Thanks, Stan.
Don't miss out on the new USS Salamonie wristwatch. Check it out in the Ship's Store.
THE 'SNIPES' LAMENT
(Author Unknown)
"Now each of us from time to time, has gazed upon the sea, and watched the warships pulling out, to keep their country free. And most of us have read a book, or heard a lusty tale, about the men who sail these ships, through lightning, wind, and hail..." Read the whole poem here.
The family of Henry Jaworski (43-45) has donated to the Salamonie Museum a model of the U.S.S. Salamonie made by Henry. It took him 2 years to make and is a replica of the ship during the World War II era, with four 5" guns, Sea Plane, and many other details. The model is three feet long, 4 inches wide and 12 inches tall. Click here to see the pictures.
RADM Carl J. Seiberlich, the last commanding officer of the USS Salamonie, passed away on March 24, 2006. Click here to read his obituary.
I recently came across the attached photo in a 1960-1961 USS Little Rock (CLG-4) Cruise Book..... there was no notation as to the ships involved, other than the hull numbers.
In checking out AO26, and finding it was the Salamonie, it triggered a memory of something I dredged up recently regarding past CO's of the Little Rock. As it turns out, the 6th CO of the USS Little Rock (at that time designated CL-92) was none other than Richard S. Craighill, the 12th CO of the Salamonie. It shows that the Sal and the Rock had "connections" other than just fuel transfer lines!
Here's the dates for Craighill's bio as I see it:
CO USS Little Rock CL-92 from 01 Jul 48 to 24 Jun 49
Hullnumber.com recently contacted us. They have linked their web page to the USS Salamonie web site and placed an AO-26 Roster Page at their site at http://www.hullnumber.com.
If you're intested in tracking other ships in the fleet, it's a great reference site. If you'd like to view the AO-26 Roster Page, go to http://www.HullNumber.com/AO-26.
Countless navy veterans are currently suffering from life-threatening illnesses resulting from exposure to asbestos on ships. This material was used because of its fire resistant properties, but is now recognized as a very dangerous substance.
The Mesothelioma Cancer Center is considered one of the Web’s leading resources for veterans and families affected by asbestos exposure. They are very proud of their massive navy-specific section (which can be seen at Mesothelioma and The Navy) as well as their information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for those who have been affected. Asbestos related diseases are not always recognized by the VA, and so they offer assistance to veterans -free of cost- who are applying for benefits. They have a knowledgeable, 20 year veteran on staff who will walk them through the claims process to get them the benefits they deserve.
Because they provide their services at no cost to veterans and families in need, the support of websites like ours is what really drives their organization. We are proud to help by posting their link on our site and hopefully we can help save some lives!
Thanks to Briana Huffer, National Awareness Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Cancer Center, Orlando, Florida for contacting us with this information.
More Important Information For Veterans Regarding Military Asbestos Exposure
The brave and selfless individuals who served our country during World War II and subsequent military conflicts certainly faced a number of occupational dangers. One such danger was that of exposure to asbestos while aboard military ships, such as the USS Salamonie, AO-26. Found within piping insulation, asbestos was present aboard the vast majority of military vessels during this era, and countless numbers of veterans may have been exposed without their knowledge. Previous exposure to asbestos has long been linked to the eventual development of mesothelioma cancer, a fatal disease that has no cure and has changed the lives of thousands of veterans.
Asbestos insulation was not considered dangerous unless it began to corrode due to the natural aging process, or if it was disturbed or damaged. If any type of damage occurred, asbestos products could become friable, releasing tiny asbestos fibers into the air and putting crewmembers at risk of inhalation. If inhaled, the tiny fibers could cling to the pleura, or lining of the lungs, for decades until an afflicted individual may begin to suffer from common mesothelioma symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or a chronic cough.
On average, veterans who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis are between the ages of 55 and 70, and were most likely exposed to asbestos as many as 30 years prior. Once diagnosed, mesothelioma sufferers generally lose their battle with this asbestos-related cancer in less than 2 years.
Any veteran who served on board the USS Salamonie or any other military ship should speak with their doctor and undergo respiratory health tests to determine whether or not they are at an increased risk of developing this disease.
For further information about veteran asbestos exposure, please visit the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center website: www.maacenter.org.
Special thanks to Samantha Catalano, Public Outreach Coordinator for the
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center for contacting us about this site.
