Three Reasons to Name a Submarine in Honor of Henry Breault

On October 28, 1923, TM2 Henry Breault shut his only means of escape off a doomed submarine to save his shipmates. For his actions, Breault would receive the Medal of Honor on March 8, 1924, his citation reads:

“For heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the U.S. submarine O-5 at the time of the sinking of that vessel. On the morning of 28 October 1923, the O-5 collided with the steamship Abangarez and sank in less than a minute. When the collision occurred, Breault was in the torpedo room. Upon reaching the hatch, he saw that the boat was rapidly sinking. Instead of jumping overboard to save his own life, he returned to the torpedo room to the rescue of a shipmate who he knew was trapped in the boat, closing the torpedo room hatch on himself. Breault and Brown remained trapped in this compartment until rescued by the salvage party 31 hours later.”

Breault remains the only enlisted submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. There has never been a naval vessel named after Breault and I believe in his centennial year, it is now time to change that.

This article will discuss the benefits of naming a submarine after Henry Breault, the only enlisted submariner to receive the Medal of Honor. I can think of no better manner to connect submariners to their heritage than by naming a submarine after him. I hope this petition will gain enough publicity to get a VIRGINIA-class submarine named the USS Henry Breault.

Henry Breault’s legacy represents the essential duty of the submariner: Ship, Shipmate, Self.

Breault received the Medal of Honor for attempting to save the ship and when he realized nothing more could be done, doing everything he could to save his shipmates. In so doing, he saved the life of at least one of his shipmates (Lawrence Brown), and likely purchasing time for another (Charles Butler) to escape. Breault’s willingness to “cast all personal safety aside” as described by his commanding officer, Harrison Avery, became the driving spirit of the submarine force. In periods of distress, we put the ship and our shipmates above ourselves.

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“Fish Don’t Vote:” Breault lived in several states who support the submarine force.

Allegorically, Rickover told someone at a dinner party that submarines were named after locations rather than fish because “fish don’t vote.” Breault has significant ties to several states he lived in. He was born in Putnam, CT, but moved to White Plains, NY in his childhood. He enlisted from VT, offering an address in Grand Isle, VT. When he was in, he spent time in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in CA, and referred to Marysville, WA, as home in official paperwork. When he passed, he was stationed in Newport RI, where he also attended RTC and TM “A” school. Breault’s service emphasizes the contribution these states have made to the success of the submarine force and if connected, will allow several major regions in the US to benefit from the namesake.

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The Potential USS HENRY BREAULT will aid in recruiting and retention efforts.

When I was active-duty, I would think of Henry Breault when I hear the line in the Sailor’s Creed, “I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.” I remembered seeing the museum exhibit at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, CT, (colloquially referred to as The Nautilus Museum). In an era where the USN and many branches struggle with recruitment and retention, the publicity generated towards naming a submarine after an enlisted Medal of Honor recipient could only benefit these efforts. It shows we remember the sacrifices they have given and the sacrifices they will have to make to "protect freedom and democracy around the world."

There is precedent to name a boat after an individual based on their contribution to the USN. The VIRGINIA-class submarines were intended to be named after states. That trend has deviated recently, with planned boats being named after regions (Long Island) or cities (Miami and San Francisco). John Warner, Hyman G. Rickover, and John H. Dalton either have VIRGINIA-Class submarines named after them or will have submarines named after them. Before that, Jimmy Carter, Mendel Rivers, Henry M. Jackson and so many other boats have been named after dignitaries (think the 41 for Freedom).? I highly recommend Breault be considered among those dignitaries.

Conclusion

If followed through, the potential USS HENRY BREAULT would connect sailors to their heritage, could recognize the efforts of several states to the submarine force, and aid in recruiting and retention efforts. In a time when sailors are so needed, let us remind them we remember them.

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Petition:

https://www.change.org/p/name-a-virginia-class-submarine-after-medal-of-honor-recipient-henry-breault?