Amsterdam in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 2, 2011
1. Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M Marker
Inscription.
Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M. .
Submarine Combat World War II United States USS Squalus 192 Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M . A Survivor of the Submarine U.S.S. Squalus, which sank on May 23, 1939 off the coast of Portsmouth, NH. A faulty main induction valve caused the engine rooms to fill with sea water trapping 26 sailors who drowned. Thirty three others were in the forward section of the Submarine where water-tight doors held back the water. All 33 were rescued by using a rescue bell, designed by Swede Momsen but never used until this disaster. The bell was lowered 3 times to the depth of 240 ft. and secured to an escape hatch bringing up 25 men to the surface. The bell was lowered a fourth time to bring up the remaining eight. Dan Persico, just 21 years of age, was in the last bell. Disaster struck again. The down-haul cable, attached to the bell jammed and couldn't be freed. This cable was then cut leaving the bell attached only to the surface by a single cable that became frayed except for one strand. After several attempts to attach a new cable failed, the bell was raised slowly by hand to prevent breaking the one remaining strand. The final eight men were brought safely to the surface. Chief Persico received the Bronze Star, the Submarine Combat Pin, and Battle Stars during World War II. He also served in the Korean Conflict. When Dan retired from the U.S. Navy he returned to Amsterdam, NY where he lived.
Donato (Dan) Persico died on January 26, 2001. .
Submarine Combat World War II
United States USS Squalus 192 Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M
A Survivor of the Submarine U.S.S. Squalus, which sank on May 23, 1939 off the coast of Portsmouth, NH. A faulty main induction valve caused the engine rooms to fill with sea water trapping 26 sailors who drowned. Thirty three others were in the forward section of the Submarine where water-tight doors held back the water. All 33 were rescued by using a rescue bell, designed by Swede Momsen but never used until this disaster. The bell was lowered 3 times to the depth of 240 ft. and secured to an escape hatch bringing up 25 men to the surface. The bell was lowered a fourth time to bring up the remaining eight. Dan Persico, just 21 years of age, was in the last bell. Disaster struck again. The down-haul cable, attached to the bell jammed and couldn't be freed. This cable was then cut leaving the bell attached only to the surface by a single cable that became frayed except for one strand. After several attempts to attach a new cable failed, the bell was raised slowly by hand to prevent breaking the one remaining strand. The final eight men were brought safely to the surface. Chief Persico received the Bronze Star, the Submarine Combat Pin, and Battle Stars during World War II. He also served in the Korean
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Conflict. When Dan retired from the U.S. Navy he returned to Amsterdam, NY where he lived.
Donato (Dan) Persico died on January 26, 2001.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1864.
Location. 42° 56.046′ N, 74° 11.801′ W. Marker is in Amsterdam, New York, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Bridge Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is set back in the Veterans Memorial Park, to the left of the memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amsterdam NY 12010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 2, 2011
2. Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M Marker
The marker is at the base of the pine tree, to the left of the Veterans Memorial.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 2, 2011
3. Amsterdam's South Side Veteran's Memorial Park
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 825 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
