HON. GEORGE J. HOCHBRUECKNER
in the House of Representatives
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1989

Mr. HOCHBRUECKNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to invite special tribute to a group of individuals who will gather on April 16, 1989, to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the downing of the U.S.S. Pringle. These survivors of that fateful day, April 16, 1945, will come together to remember their part in the noble history of the U.S.S. Pringle, and that of those who did not survive the sinking of the ship. In particular, I would like to recognize a constituent of mine, Mr. Charlie Bubnis of Setauket, NY, a survivor of the U.S.S. Pringle who, with his wife Marjorie, will host this important gathering to remember of the U.S.S. Pringle and her crew.

The U.S.S. Pringle was built in Charleston, SC, and launched on May 2, 1942. As a unit of the Fletcher class, the Pringle measured 375 feet overall, 39 feet across the beam, with a displacement of 2,050 tons. Its main battery consisted of 5-inch 38 caliber single-mount guns and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes. The U.S.S. Pringle was named for the late Vice Admiral Joel Robert Poinsett Pringle and was launched by Mrs. Pringle.

With a distinguished record at war in the Pacific, the Pringle was responsible for sinking a trio of Japanese destroyers, a Japanese submarine, and nine enemy planes. In addition, the Pringle assisted in the destruction of countless other planes and several Japanese submarines. The U.S.S. Pringle was also credited with heavy destruction of enemy land installations.

The U.S.S. Pringle was awarded 10 battle stars for its role in many operations: the consolidation of the Solomon Islands, antisubmarine assessment, the Luzon operation, the Iwo Jima operation, the Okinawa operation, the New Georgia group operation, the Bismarck Archipelago operation, the Treasury Bougainville operation, the Marianas operation, and the Tinian capture and occupation.

On April, 16, 1945, a kamikaze pilot sunk the U.S.S. Pringle, leaving 69 men dead and many wounded. A group of the ship's survivors has gathered each year in the fall to remember the Pringle and the 3 dangerous years they spent in the Pacific theater. In the fall of 1989 the group plans to gather in San Diego.

More than 15 survivors are expected to attend the reunion party, coming from as far away as Canada, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Relatives of men who died aboard the Pringle have asked to come so they may hear stories and remembrances about their loved ones.

The bond the survivors of the U.S.S. Pringle have formed and renewed over 44 years is remarkable and deserves our recognition. In light of their loyal service to their country and their continuing remembrance of the vessel and crew which so nobly served in the Pacific, I ask that my colleagues join me in saluting Mr. Charlie Bubnis and the other survivors of the U.S.S. Pringle.

Tribute to the USS Pringle