UNSUNG HERO
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Frank Erwin Goerlich BM1. |
There was a small nucleus of men who put up with the lack of advancements as they had to compete with the fleet sailors who were working in their rates daily and also many of the rates were frozen with no opportunity for advancement if they did pass exams. This small nucleus of men was faced with many extra duties besides those outlined in the Naval Warfare Publications such as lifeguard duties, cable jobs and many demonstrations for the public. Even though it was mundane, these jobs did provide experience in coordination with other Units, and the demolition and underwater work on the cable jobs provided invaluable experience. This small nucleus of men who stayed in the Teams was subjected to hardships as mentioned, but they also provided experience and knowledge to impart on the new trainees that reported on board. Without their expertise, the Teams would not have been able to function. As previously stated most Officers and Men were on board for a short duration and had to rely on the "old timers" who had some WW II or Korean combat experience. Of this nucleus CDR Fane had a specialized group called SUBOPS, or the Submersible Operations Platoon. These men were his pride and joy and were the ones he presented to visiting dignitaries for show. They were also the envy of the rest of the men in the Teams. The SUBOPS men were involved in Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E), specifically working with the forerunner of the Submersible Diving Vehicle of today.
This small group of men consisted of Frank Goerlich, Walter Otte, George Giannotti, Jerry Darrah, Lou De Lara, Leonard McLarty, Bear Track Allen and a few others that escape my memory; these men were assigned for their expertise with equipment and their water capabilities, not necessarily their behavior on the beach. In the Teams, Harry Tindall, Lou Wagner, Steve Bourecksky, Clarence Betz, Melvin Christensen, Tom Spence, Bugs Bolin, Bud Juric, Bill Wettenkamp, Tex Modesett, Ben Supplee, Leo Hamel, Ken Specht, Harry Miller, Charlie Niergarth, Gator Parks, Lonnie Price, George Rush, Finns Foley, Al Huey, Rusty Campbell, Ray Abreu, Tizz Morrison, Don Rose and a few others made up the glue that kept the Teams functional.
One has to think about all of the exotic equipment
and weapons that are being used by the
One of these men of special note is Frank Erwin
Goerlich BM1. Frank Goerlich was born on December 7, l931 in
During this period, CDR Fane was busy writing his
book, NAKED WARRIORS, and getting involved in movies. CDR Fane took his elite
group over to
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Water World Magazine, Aug. 1955 |
A little more background on Frank Goerlich before going on. Frank was a real hunk of a man; he was about 5'10" tall and weighed in at 220 lbs. The calves of his legs measured 21 inches. His strength was unknown as he could lift with the best of them and he was what I called a Gentle Giant. He was easy-going and always had a twinkle in his eyes. His first son, Frank, was born in l957 and he was a proud and devoted father and husband.
In l959, UDT-11 sent a detachment to
This job also required
blasting through a
coral reef. When on the inland side of the reef it was quite easy, but once
through the reef, all the water washed back out through the channel. It was
difficult to maintain your position when planting explosives. They finally
banded the 50 lb. blocks on a board. Carrying this load of explosives through
the surf wasn't easy and Frank always took the lead. Next, the sand bags were
placed on top of the explosives. The men were having difficulties in the
channel one day when Capt. Roe said to just relax and it will roll you through
the channel. Well, that afternoon Capt. Roe and Phil Potter (Western Electric
Engineer) went out and got caught in the wash and they relaxed. The end result
was that Potter's watch was cut off his wrist and Capt. Roe received massive
coral cuts on his thighs. He was good-natured, and grinned saying, " that channel really is rough". He placed toilet
paper around his leg and said " You didn't know
it's good for more than wiping with, did you?" He went to the base
dispensary and they couldn't get the paper off; they had to roll it and take it
off with tweezers. The men all grinned and said, "You didn't know TP was
just for wiping did you?" Capt. Roe, being a Master Diver, they were not
sure of his reaction, but he grinned took it well. The group
ended up with lots of coral cuts and have scars to this day. They took
the opportunity in 1997 at the
Upon returning to
Coronado, Frank was
TAD to the Training Unit and was an excellent Instructor. After six months he
returned to the team and the diving department. In July 1960, he had a second
son, Kenneth. Shortly thereafter, Charlie Steinmetz said to check on Frank in
the diving locker as he was kicking the trashcan and muttering to himself. Upon
going down, I saw Frank walking back and forth with his head down and he was
muttering, "I'll cut it off, I'll cut it off." I asked what was wrong
and he looked up and said "Arlene went to the doctor for her six-week
checkup, and she's pregnant!" That evening when Arlene came in to pick up
Frank, I mention the episode to her. She grinned and said, "Yes, I know.
This morning he threw his nightclothes into the commode instead of the clothes
hamper." At the l997
To support the Training
Unit and Naval Operations Support Group (NOSG), men were temporarily assigned from
the operational Teams for a six-month period. Frank was in an operational
platoon, in the Training Unit on numerous occasions, and later was TAD to NOSG
to work with Ken Specht in RDT&E. Frank was a dedicated instructor and he
took a special interest in the trainees to ensure that they were properly
motivated to make a good team member. I had temporarily assigned three outstanding
men in
Upon Frank's return from the Training Unit, Ken Specht
requested Frank's help in the development of the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV)
Program that he was conducting in NOSG. Frank was working in this program when
he retired on 2 December l968. He continued working on Special Warfare Projects
(SDV) at OPI in
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Frogman Visit - Inter-American Defense Board Representatives Brigadier General Marco A. Villamizar, left, chief of Delegation, Columbia, and Major General Jose A. Cortese, right, Chief of Delegation, Uruguay, pose with Frogman Frank E. Goerlich, BM2, during an Underwater Demolition Team Demonstration at the Amphibious Base July 24. |
Frank was also a prankster. I remember one time when I was the project manager at OPNAV and made a trip to inspect the SDV. Frank had been driving the SDV for over an hour. He asked if I wanted to take a test-run. They rounded up a wet suit for me (several sizes too large) and we took off. The water was extremely cold and I was glad when the test-run was over, as my teeth were chattering. Frank just grinned. I understand that he had done the same thing to Tom Hawkins at a later date.
Another time they were testing the MK 8 at
Haiwee Reservoir in the winter and some of the other
Frank was involved with some phase of SDV development
from the early SUBOPS time frame and continued intermittently until l976. From
late l970 until l976 he worked for
Frank transferred to Sky
Top, the ballistic
missile test site in l976 where he helped with the testing of the Polaris and
Trident Missiles' first and second stage motors. He retired again in 1986 and
continued to live in
Frank will be remembered for his dedication to his wife and
sons, and as an example to others. He would take his sons fishing and to the
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Arlene and Frank Goerlich, UDT-11, 1962 |
As mentioned earlier,
Senator J. Robert Kerry (D Neb.) was in Class 42 when Frank was his instructor. Senator
Kerry on 15 May l998 wrote, "To the family of Frank Goerlich, Frank was
one of my instructors and teammates many years ago when I served with him in
the Navy. I wanted you to know how sad I am to learn of his passing. He made a
deep and lasting impression on me as a man of strength, integrity, and
character. He taught me I could do far more than I believed possible. A lesson
I have used almost every day since. Life without him will be difficult, but
please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely J.
Robert Kerry." Another excerpt from Bob Forrester who was division
Head of the
These tributes to Frank could be echoed from just about everybody that Frank worked for, and worked with. He was always an example for others to follow. He was a leader of men and always strived to give his utmost time and devotion to the job at hand. A true hero in every respect, it was an honor to know and work with Frank Erwin Goerlich.
Frank is survived by his wife of 43 years, Arlene, their sons Frank Jr., Kenneth, and David. He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Frank Mathew, Heather, Kimberly, Tiffany, and Daniel. Frank Goerlich is listed on the original program for the l985 Veterans Day as a Sponsor and firmly believe in the museum.
THIS ARTICLE IS MY WAY OF PAYING TRIBUTE TO ONE OF THE UNSUNG HEROS
Franklin W. Anderson CDR/USN Ret. (e-mail)