"Thank you for putting up this wonderful page in commemoration of the men of the Snook.

 

My father, Herman J. Greilich, would, in all likelihood, have been in this picture but for a genetic accident - his teeth weren't straight enough for the submarine service.  Back during the war, it was possible to sign up with a buddy and get posted to the same ship.  My Dad's best friend in the world was John S. Parker of New York City.  They grew up together, and decided to enlist in the USN before the war started.  They wanted to go for the submarine service.  Johnny passed the physical, but my father didn't.

 

In his later years (he passed away in 1992), my father often recalled Johnny, and the inconsolable loss he felt over his death.  Johnny was a wonderful man.  Very intelligent, could sing extremely well, and was an inventor with an idea for a perpetual motion machine.  Even though I never met him, his presence hovered over us.  I have a photo of him somewhere and will look for it.  I cannot recognize him among the photo of the crew - he could be any one of several people.  God, they were all so young and with their lives before them.... Thanks again."

Glenn Lee, Northfield, Minnesota - (old email address)

 

"My mother, who was John's sister, would talk about Herman ....John's best friend very often.  I actually heard the same story about John and Herman wanting to enlist together from my mom.  I've attached another picture of my uncle which is the only one I have of him as an adult.  I could not locate him in the crew photo, which is a shame, but I do have one story that I remember being told.  My Uncle was about 1/2 inch too short to meet the height requirement for the Navy so he would hang from a bar and have his friend Herman sit on his feet to try to stretch him!  Your guess is as good as mine as to whether this is true.  It has been amazing looking through the website. Thank you!"

Niece: Sharon Labuda - slabuda823@aol.com

Niece: Diane Chiappone - dchia1128@yahoo.com