Arizona Silent Service Memorial |  honoring those who served

 

Last Update:  April 24, 2021

The Arizona Silent Service Memorial (ASSM)

    

     Through the efforts of a small number of former submariners over a 5-year period, the ASSM stands today as an aesthetically pleasing and visually dramatic monument that is available to the public on the Capitol grounds of the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona. This unique memorial is dedicated to those who have served, are currently serving and to those who will serve in submarines, as their service is a uniquely challenging assignment in the United States Navy.  The monument also recognizes and pays tribute to submarines and their crews of other nations. 

     The monument offers many features and one in particular that centers on replica of a nuclear submarine breeching the water's surface.  The center piece's design was the creative genius of former U.S. Navy Quartermaster Chief Petty Officer Danny Ray Moss, U. S. Navy (Retired).  Dan created a model of the center piece of the monument that was inspired from his own 20-year U.S. Navy submarine service as well as the historic 48 degree ascent of the USS Pickerel on 1 March 1952.  Dan was also influenced by a statue on display at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland designed and created by Sculptor P. Wagner who was commissioned to create a tribute celebrating the U.S. Navy's submarine force 100th Centennial. 

     Dan's design captured both the ascent and standalone structure in his model shown below.  Dan's vision was carried forward with the help and efforts of members of the Perch Base Chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans, Incorporated.  Some of those individuals stand with Dan and his model showing their support. For the next three years, Dan's leadership established the organization of the Arizona Silent Service Memorial Foundation and launched an aggressive fund raising campaign that evventually raised the necessary funding as well as the approval of the Arizona State's Administration to place the monument on the Captiol grounds. 

 

The U.S. Naval Academy's Submarine Monument that reads in part: Centennial of the United States Navy Submarine Force 100th Anniversary. Dedicated to those who serve beneath the seas Families and Support Personnel.
  • Front Row (Left to right):
    • Dan Moss
    • Jim Denzein
    • Tim Moore
    • Kenny Wayne
  • Back Row (Left to Right):
    • Chuck Emmett
    • Howard Doyle
    • David Fledderjohn
The ASSM Center Piece dedicated 17 April 2021 stands today as the only submarine monument at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza located on the Capitol's grounds in Phoenix, Arizona.
1 March 1952
11 April 2000
2014
17 April 2021

 

     With the help and able assistance of local businesses and talent, the design and construction of the monument and grounds it stands on began and accomplished within 5 years.  This resulted in several features that include:  The Center Piece, 2,100 Square Foot Paver Base, Retaining Wall, Podium, Memorial Benches, and numerous symbols, plaques, and emblems associated with the submarine force.

 

MONUMENT FEATURES (TAKE THE TOUR)

~

MILESTONES ACHIEVED

ASSM Milestones
Summer 2013 ASSM Concept Defined, Presented, and Accepted by Perch Base Chapter. ASSM Foundation Committee Established  
4 February 2014

ASSM Senate Bill 1401 introduced to State Legislature

 
24 April 2014

SB 1401 signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer

 
8 July 2014
ASSM 501(c)3 Status Approved
 
2015 Website Establlshed  
January 2020 Memorial Construction Begins at Local Construction Firms  
22 June 2020
ASSM Approved by Arizona State Administration
 
3 August 2020
ASSM Ground Breaking Ceremony held at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza and Construction Begins on site.
 
27 August 2020 ASSM Center Piece arrives and placed in the monument's space. Click here to take you to the 5:30 minute video.  
28 September 2020

Lei Cutting and Dedication Ceremony

held at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza

 
17 April 2021
Official Dedication Ceremony - Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza
 

 

ASSM MONUMENT FEATURES PAGE.

Memorial Submarine Replica

MEMORIAL LOST BOAT WALL

MEMORIAL BRICK PAVER WALK AREA

A 4,200 brick paver walk area

Click here for the ASSM Brick Paver Index

MEMORIAL BENCHES

MEMORIAL PLAQUES, SYMBOLS, SEALS, and BENCHES

identify them all and explain what they are and what is engraved on them.

The Great Seal of the United States of America

The Great Seal of the United States Navy

(Need to check the version used on monument as there are many)

Gold Dolphins (Officer Personnel)
Silver Dolphins (Enlisted Personnel)
The Arizona Silent Service Memorial Dedication Plaque

Arizona Submarine Veterans Memorial Plaque

The plaque shown pays tribute to those submarine veterans who served and were from Arizona. The names are linked to extended biographies. 

Name
Rank/Rate
Era
Submarine
Arizona State Hometown
Enlisted - RM2
WW II
USS Scamp (SS-277)
Tucson
Enlisted - SA
WW II
USS Capelin (SS-289)
Florence
Enlisted - TM2
WW II
USS Robalo (SS-273)
Bisbee
Enlisted - RM2
Pre-WW II
USS S-4 (SS-109)
Globe
Enlisted - TM2
WW II
USS Albacore (SS-218)
Somerton
Enlisted - GM3
WW II
USS Swordfish (SS-193)
Peoria
Enlisted - CS3
WW II
USS Grampus (SS-207)
Winslow
Enlisted - EMC
WW II
USS Runner (SS-275)
Phoenix
Officer - LCDR
WW II
USS Pompano (SS-181)
Tucson
Enlisted - SN
WW II
USS Argonaut (SS-166)
Tucson
Enlisted - EM3
WW II
USS Harder (SS-257)
Show Low
Enlisted - CS1
WW II
USS Growler (SS-215)
Douglas
Officer - LTJG
WW II
USS Gudgeon (SS-211)
Tucson
Enlisted - MM1
WW II
USS Albacore (SS-218)
Litchfield Park
Enlisted - SN
WW II
USS Scamp (SS-277)
Morenci
Enlisted - SN
WW II
USS Harder (SS-257)
Central
Enlisted - MM2
WW II
USS Gudgeon (SS-211)
Morenci
Enlisted - QM3
WW II
USS Snook (SS-279)
Phoenix
Verne Leslie Skjonsby
Officer - LCDR
WW II
USS Wahoo (SS-238)
TBD
Memorial Dedication Plaque
Seals and Symbol Sponsors
Lost Boat Sponsors
The Arizona Silent Service Memorial Committee Members Dedication Plaque
Memorial Podium
Dedication Bench
Dedication Bench

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Website developed and maintained by Ray Olszewski USS TUNNY (SSG-282) 1958-1962 Boat Yeoman YN1(SS) and IS1(SS) USSVI Life Member and Author of USS TUNNY: A History, Tribute and Memoir.