Raymond Kuhn ETCM(SS) COB 1962 - 1966

At the decommissioning ceremony for the USS SARGO (SSN 583) one of the honored guests was a mustang submariner who never went to submarine school as a student. He was the Submarine Force's Grand Silver Dolphin for a number of years, serving 41 years on active duty, including COB of Sargo. ETCM(SS) Ray Kuhn enlisted in the Navy in September 1944 from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he had been building ships during the first part of World War II. He wanted to serve in submarines but instead saw combat on Saipan. He next put the aircraft carrier USS VALLEY FORGE (CV 45) into commission then, without the benefit of submarine school, duty on board USS CABEZON (SS 334). From Cabezon he went to USS CAIMAN (SS 323) for five years followed by duty aboard USS CHIVA (SS 341). In July 1958 he attended nuclear power school in New London and prototype training at Idaho Falls. This was followed by a tour as staff instructor at the prototype. In 1961 he reported to USS SARGO (SSN 583) as prospective Reactor Controls Division LPO. Sargo, however, had a RC LPO but needed a COB so he became Sargo's third COB. Kuhn took Sargo through her first refueling overhaul at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. He next went to USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER (SSBN 656) as COB of her commissioning crew. His son was a machinist mate aboard the G.W. Carver at the same time. The master chief then served as COB on USS DOGFISH (SS 350) and USS BERGALL (SSN 667) before serving his final tour as command master chief for Submarine School. Witnessing Master Chief Kuhn's final reenlistment ceremony were his son, then a retired MMCM(SS) himself, and nephew, an MMC(SS) at the time. On 21 Mar 2005 Master Chief Kuhn departed on Eternal Patrol.

USS SARGO (SSN 583)		USS CABEZON (SS 334)		USS CAIMAN (SS 323)		USS G. W. CARVER (SSBN 665)		USS DOGFISH (SS 350)		USS BERGALL (SSN 667)