2008 Ben Bastura Award Nomination

The members of the USS Columbia Base unanimously nominate Herman G. “Herm” Smith for the 2008 Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award.

Herman G. “Herm” Smith was born 18 February 1922 in Richmond, Missouri. Graduating Richmond High School in 1939 he opted for a six year enlistment in the US Navy on 5 September 1941. Yet unknown to him at the time, just three months later America and Herm would be involved in a war before he completed Boot camp and Electrician’s Mate’s School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

Having joined the navy Herm volunteered for Submarines. Selected and approved during the Boot for Submarine Training, he entered Sub School in new London Connecticut. Graduating Sub School, Herman was sent to Mare Island to serve aboard the USS Salmon Class USS Stingray (SS186) a Portsmouth Boat commissioned three years earlier. Herman qualified in Submarines on USS Stingray as EMFN in 1942.

Herman made five War patrols out of Pearl on Stingray then spent two months on a relief crew in Brisbane, Australia. Later he was assigned to a “new construction” aboard the USS Hardhead (SS365) in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Herman made six War Patrols on the Hardhead out of Fremantle, Australia and Subic Bay, Philippines for a total of eleven patrols on his two boats. He retuned to the United States in September of 1945, to serve three months of Stateside Duty.

On December 23^rd 1945, Herman was transferred to the Gato Class USS Carbonero (SS337) making two Asiatic tours before his discharge on September 7 1947 as EM1 (SS).

With the Carbonero added to his list of boats, Herman rode the three most productive, most produced; most recognized and most respected Submarine yards in America during WWII.

Herman Smith and Ben Bastura were contemporaries. They knew each other, liked each other and never felt they were in a submarine museum competition with each other! What they did was a labor of love and a walk through their museums is proof enough that was the sole objective for their construction of their museums.

They communicated often and helped each other in mutual development of their lovingly erected museums. Their memories and memorials to their departed shipmates, as well as to those never met are remembered by the existence of their artifacts collected and preserved for future generations.

His friend never wore the Silver or Gold Dolphins, but he had the enthusiasm and love for the Submarine Service as any who wore them and no one could have love the Submariner Service as any who wore them and no one could have loved the Submariner Service and it Sub Sailors more! Sadly, on March 29^th 2003 the family of submariners lost one of their most beloved members, Mr. Ben Bastura!

If there is a place in heaven for those that were submariners, both Ben and Herman will be there making sure it is worthy of those that have and will arrive! And who could find two better suited for that position?

What Herman and Ben accomplished was to build a Historical Submarine archive for the future generations not yet born, Herman’s downstairs museum room has enough pictures, books and other submarine related artifacts and memorabilia for it to be rightfully calling a miniature museum. Seldom has anyone made such tireless contribution to the presentation of Submariner artifacts and History as Herman has.

An old photograph on the wall shows Herman wearing his navy uniform. The young man in the picture bears some resemblance to the smiling white-haired Vet recalling stories from sixty years ago. A sign on the wall reads: “There are two kinds of Ships: Submarines and Targets”

After discharge, Herman Joined the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a Brakeman. After 18 months he was offered an opportunity that would become his life’s work as a Chief of a Missouri Highway Department Survey Party.

He joined US SubVets WWII in 1980 and was a Missouri State President for two years.

He is also a Past President for the WWII Muddy O Chapter, Having held that office for three years; in 2004 he joined Sub Vets, Inc, and was inducted as a member of the Holland Club having qualified some 60 years ago.

Never tiring his steadfast and continued dedication to support the submariner lore, Herman joined SubVets, Inc 1/12/2004. He continues to be an active participant of the Jefferson City’s USS Jefferson City (SS579) Submarine Committee acting as a liaison between the City Council and the Boat. Herman and Marjorie, his wife of 38 years lived in Jefferson City Missouri and have five children, eleven grand children and two great grandchildren. Herman mused; I don’t have to worry about not having an enough to do!”

Herman’s walls show his personal museum of Submarine History, including paintings, pictures of submarine models, submarine embroidered pillows and including flags and a submarine related throw rug. There are a few Continental Navy replica flags covered pillows gracing the room with color and history of which there is more than enough to keep most anyone’s interest, even the least avid submarine visitor for hours, if not days in this museum! However, anyone in the vicinity of Jefferson City should take the time to visit the Herman Smith’s Submarine museum… but, first,  contact him so that Herm and the visitors are able to take in all Herm has to display!

Herm’s nomination by the members of the USS Columbia Base was influenced by his personal development, dedication and financial support; largely coming from his own personal resources to support an historical Archival Museum, open at no cost to all who are interested in visiting his museum, and learning about what it has to offer. So much of what Herm has accumulated is no longer available in any condition

As one leave Herm’s museum, a nagging question also comes to mind. Herm is 82 years old. Who will take care of maintaining his museum and completing his project, thus making his final vision a reality, if he is no longer able to maintain it?

If we pass on this opportunity to present Herm with the Ben Bastura Historical Achievement award, will we have the opportunity to do so at some future time? Or will we present it posthumously as we did with Ben?

We need to begin the process now and not wait for a process to give him the recognition he deserves and help Herman to maintain the vision that he and Ben shared, and do it while the few remaining,  who could do it, are still with us. It was too late to recognize Ben except posthumously, but it is not too late to recognize Herm now… as was noted earlier in this nomination!

Today, Ben Bastura’s name is engraved on a plaque to be given to every winner of the Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award as long as the award is a part of our Awards Program. That in itself is a tribute to Ben for what he has done although give posthumously!

Were Herman Smith to be presented the 2008 Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award, both (Herman and Ben) names would be forever.