Eternal Patrol: Tom Rice

Tom Rice at the 2011 Tolling of the Boats Ceremony

Thomas G Rice, 96, of Everett Washington departed on Eternal Patrol on April 10, 2012. Tom was a member of the Holland Club, USSVI Seattle Base and SVWWII Lockwood Chapter. Tom joined the USN in 1934 and earned his dolphins aboard USS S-23 in 1935. He served aboard nine submarines in a career that ran 31 years long and retired a mustang LCDR.

In terms of longevity of qualification, Tom was tied for second place within USSVI, the shipmate in first place being Frank Kimball (1932) of USSVI Hawkbill Base. Charlie Odom of SVWWII, USSVI Smoky Mountain and Volunteer Bases (1935) remains in second place for longevity.

Hand Salute, Shipmate! You were a kind and gentle man, and a pioneer of the submarine force. You will be missed, shipmate, and we will keep your memory alive.

Sailor, Rest Your Oar.