Patrick J. Yanahan

Pat was an ET2 who served on the USNS Michelson in 1963. He eventually worked on both the Bendix G-15D computer and the bottom mapping sonar (SASS) that was installed while the Michelson was in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.


Michelson Photos 1963

Sunning on a Med Cruise

In the summer of 1963 we were making our port of call in Barcelona, Spain. After previously cruising up in the North Atlantic and multiple visits to Belfast, this was a welcome change. This is a picture of the crew taking a break while underway.

Front row from left:
David D. "Doc" Cowley HM1, Larry Ortt ETR2, Patrick J. Yanahan ET3, Peter "Jim" Dietor ET1 (kneeling), Terry B. Sloan QM3, Douglas Hanahan QM2, Jerry R. Hayes IC3 and Andrew N. Douglas SOG2.

Next four guys behind from left:
Leopold A. "Lou" Avallone ETR2 (with beard), John V. Wheeler ETR2 (with hat), John A. Hansen ETR3 and Albert M. Forget YN1 (seated).

Back row from left:
Printess "Ray" Tullos ET3 (on air mattress), Martin J. Rombach ETR2 (kneeling, with cap), Robert E. Hobbs QM2 and LTJG E.E. Emmons (kneeling).

A Little Refreshment in Barcelona

The night life in Barcelona went on into the late hours of the evening because of the hot afternoons. Dinner was always very late in the evening.

L to R, Front row:
I don't remember this guy, Pat Yanahan ET3 (with glasses), Jerry Hayes IC3, I dunno.

Back Row:
Andy Douglas (identified elsewhere on the website as SOG2), I think one of the MSTS officers (chief mate maybe), LTJG Emmons (with beard).

More Refreshment in Barcelona

Much time was spent just relaxing and watching the Spanish people walk by – especially the pretty ladies.

L to R: Pat Yanahan ET3, Marty Rombach ET and Larry Ortt ET.


Other Photos

Polaris Missle Launch

It always amazed me that after going to the special sonar school (SASS) and refloating the Michelson in Brooklyn Navy Yard with this new gear, I was transferred to the Naval Ordinance Test Unit at Patrick AFB (Cape Canaveral). This was a fantastic duty station where I was part of the group that monitored the telemetry of the live launches.

This photo shows the first surface launch of a Polaris A-2 missile. Yes it did burn some of the paint off the top of the USS Henry Clay SSBN-625. I am on the helo deck of the destroyer with the two portable vans of monitoring equipment with all of the vertical antennas. Since I had a lot of SSB and radio/antenna experience, I was in charge of the voice and underwater communications.

Pat and Bonnie Yanahan Today

After the Navy I went back to study electronic engineering at the University of Illinois. After a few years, I realized that I was a better communicator and writer than an engineer. I went to work for some of the large advertising agencies while going to night school to get an advanced business degree. I started a marketing consulting company that specialized in high technology products and worked for clients all over the world. My partner of over 40 years and I have two grown children and still live near Chicago.

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