200 Signatures in a little over a day! Thank you all! I would like to express appreciation to Ted. A Hamilton and John Cordle, and Chris Price, who all offered a comment of support, and Steve Hollenczer, John Piccirillo, and John Fischer, who all donated so that the peition could be seen by more!
The goal of this petition remains the same. Let us get this enough attention that even the SECNAV and whomever they appoint to name ships knows that we respectfully request a boat named after a Medal of Honor recipient!
I have added to the petition three reasons to communicate why naming a ship after Breault is an excellent idea. Feel free to take this and share it on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or wherever you are able!
On October 28, 1923, TM2 Henry Breault shut his only means of escape off a doomed submarine to save his shipmates. For his actions, Breault would receive the Medal of Honor on March 8, 1924, his citation reads:
“For heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the U.S. submarine O-5 at the time of the sinking of that vessel. On the morning of 28 October 1923, the O-5 collided with the steamship Abangarez and sank in less than a minute. When the collision occurred, Breault was in the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch, he saw that the boat was rapidly sinking. Instead of jumping overboard to save his own life, he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate who he knew was trapped in the boat, closing the torpedo room hatch on himself. Breault and Brown remained trapped in this compartment until rescued by the salvage party 31 hours later.”
This article will discuss the benefits of naming a submarine after Henry Breault, the only enlisted submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. I can think of no better manner to connect submariners to their heritage than by naming a submarine after him. I have written several emails recommending this and have had no traction, I hope this petition will gain enough publicity to get a VIRGINIA-class submarine named after Breault. There are three primary reasons I think this will be of great benefit to the USN today.
Henry Breault’s legacy represents the essential duty of the submariner: Ship, Shipmate, Self.
Breault received the Medal of Honor for attempting to save the ship and when he realized nothing more could be done, doing everything he could to save his shipmates. In so doing, he saved the life of at least one of his shipmates (Lawrence Brown), and likely purchasing time for another (Charles Butler) to escape. Breault’s willingness to “cast all personal safety aside” as described by his commanding officer, Harrison Avery, became the driving spirit of the submarine force. In periods of distress, we put the ship and our shipmates above ourselves.
“Fish Don’t Vote:” Breault lived in several states who support the submarine force.
Allegorically, Rickover told someone at a dinner party that submarines were named after locations rather than fish because “fish don’t vote.”
Breault has significant ties to several states he lived in. He was born in Putnam, CT, but moved to White Plains, NY in his childhood. He enlisted from VT, offering an address in Grand Isle, VT. When he was in, he spent time in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in CA, and referred to Marysville, WA, as home in official paperwork. When he passed, he was stationed in Newport RI, where he also attended RTC and TM “A” school.
Breault’s service emphasizes the contribution these states have made to the success of the submarine force and if connected, will allow several major regions in the US to benefit from the namesake.
The Potential USS Henry Breault will aid in recruiting and recognition efforts.
When I was active-duty, I would think of Henry Breault when I hear the line in the Sailor’s Creed, “I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.” I remembered seeing the museum exhibit at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, CT, (colloquially referred to as The Nautilus Museum).
In an era where the USN and many branches struggle with recruitment and retention, the publicity generated towards naming a submarine after an enlisted Medal of Honor recipient could only benefit these efforts.
Conclusion
The VIRGINIA-class submarines were intended to be named after states. That trend has deviated recently, with planned boats being named after regions (Long Island) or cities (Miami and San Francisco). John Warner, Hyman G. Rickover, and John B. Dalton either have VIRGINIA-Class submarines named after them or will have submarines named after them. Before that, Jimmy Carter, Mendel Rivers, Henry M. Jackson and so many other boats have been named after dignitaries (think the 41 for Freedom).
Why not the enlisted submariner, who, by virtue of his Medal of Honor, represents the enlisted submariners? If followed through, the potential USS HENRY BREAULT would connect sailors to their heritage, could recognize the efforts of several states to the submarine force, and aid in recruiting and recognition efforts.
Petition: