Close Navigation ×
Perch Base Event Photos

Upcoming Events

Eternal Patrol

The "MidWatch"
Arizona's Silent Service Memorial

Arizona's Silent Service Memorial.

Meeting Minutes

Videos

Perch Base Officers

Base Awards

Links

About Perch Base

USS Perch War Patrols

Flash Traffic

SubVet Application

Eagle Scout Program

Base Newsletters

Policies/Procedures

Useful Base
Documents and Forms.

Docs & Forms
Board of Dir. Login
☰ Nav Menu
Click on our Perch Base logo to return to the home page

Perch Base
Ray Marshall's
100th Birthday

USSVI logo

Click on the logo or these words to go to the United States Submariners home page.

Monday, August 3, 2020, ENC(SS) Raymond Marshall, a WW2 veteran who made 12 war patrols on two different boats, was 100 years old. We celebrated his birthday the day prior, on Sunday 8/2/2020, due to traffic considerations and availability of his neighbors that are working folks and would be unavailable on Monday.
The celebration was, for most attendees a drive by affair, because of COVID‑19 concerns. Ray, his daughter Marion, and his son-in-law Ron are all in the high risk group and have been self isolating for months.
Those 3 were under a shade structure in front of the house and NOBODY, including the base members that were there as part of the work crew, got any closer than that shade structure to them. There were no handshakes, hugs, high fives or kissy facing. Anyone out of their vehicles were required to mask up and to the extent possible maintain social distancing.
The Perch Base USS Phoenix (SSN‑702) float was there parked on the street near the house bearing a birthday banner.

In addition to the photos, below, follow this LINK to a YouTube video of Ray Marshall's 100th Birthday Drive‑By.

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

The fine print, "and STILL the best looking guy in the room"

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Ray and Charles Tobias

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Ray and his daughter, Marion Marshall

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Ray and his son-in-law, Ron Lloyd

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Ray with with Miss Gilbert 2020, Danielle Skranak (fyi, an Army veteran) and Gilbert Town Councilmember Bill Spence (fyi, a submarine veteran Lieutenant Commander Nuclear Engineering Officer, serving nearly 24 years on seven submarines and two aircraft carriers.)

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

(l-r) Base Commander Howard Doyle, Ray Marshall, Miss Gilbert 2020 Danielle Skranak, Gilbert Town Councilmember Bill Spence, Base COB Carl Miner.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

(l-r) Base Commander Howard Doyle, Ray Marshall, Miss Gilbert 2020 Danielle Skranak, Gilbert Town Councilmember Bill Spence, Base COB Carl Miner, Base Webmaster Dan Marks.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

(l-r) Perch Base members Glenn Posniack and Doug La Rock.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Base Vice Commander George Woods.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

The parade begins including 4 Gilbert Police vehicles and 2 Gilbert Fire vehicles.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Perch Base member Glenn Posniack.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Perch Base Event Coordinater Don Unser and Secretary Marcia Unser.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Perch Base member Don Robertson.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Perch Base member John Zaichkin.

Ray joined the Navy in January 1939 and retired as a Chief Engineman in 1959. His first assignment was on the destroyer USS Mahan (DD‑364) from 1939 to 1940, but then was assigned to the Submarine Service in 1940. He qualified in submarines in 1941 on the USS Porpoise (SS‑172). Ray made 12 war patrols during WW2 on two different boats. He served for six war patrols on the Porpoise, leaving as a Motor Machinist Mate First Class, then six more war patrols on the USS Guavina (SS‑362) where he became a Chief Motor Machinist Mate.

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Ray Marshall's qual boat, the USS Porpoise (SS‑172). Ray rode this boat on 6 war patrols while assigned between 1940 to 1943.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

Japanese Naval Radio Station on Enubuj Island, Kwajelein Atoll, Marshall Islands. The two tripod radio masts are estimated to be 120’-150’ high and 250’ apart. Taken thru the periscope of Porpoise (SS‑172). Photographed 10 May 1943 while Ray was on board.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

The USS Guavina (SS‑362). Ray rode this boat on 6 war patrols while assigned between 1943 to 1947.

Ray also served on the following other submarines:
USS Brill (SS‑330)
USS Sealion (SSP‑315)
USS Wahoo (SS‑565)
USS Bergall (SS‑320)
USS Blenny (SS‑324)

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

USS Brill (SS‑330) 1947.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

USS Sealion (SSP‑315) 1951-52. Rating changed from Chief Motor Machinist Mate to Chief Engineman. The SSP designation is "Submarine, Transport".

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

USS Wahoo (SS‑565) 1952.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

USS Bergall (SS‑320) 1952-1956.

August 2020 Ray Marshall 100th Birthday Drive-By

USS Blenny (SS‑324) 1957-59. Ray served as COB (Chief of the Boat.)

An autobiography from Ray Marshall, originally published in the USSVWWII NJ Gudgeon Chapter "Surface!" Newsletter of April/May 2008.

View the autobiography

Ray Marshall's daughter, Marion, sent a very touching Thank You card.
Click on the Thank You card to read the card.

View the Thank You card
View the Sailing List
Return Home

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR THE WEBMASTER?  EMAIL webmaster@perch-base.org