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U-505 Naval History Program: 7th Annual Fulfillment Ceremony
In cooperation with the Museum of Science and Industry and with the generous support of Pritzker Military Foundation, the Museum & Library supports the training of Navy Chief Petty Officer (CPO) selectees by hosting and sponsoring activities related to the USO of Illinois' U-505 Naval History Program.
The first of its kind in the nation, created by the USO of Illinois, the program connects the American public with future U.S. Navy chief petty officers in a mutually beneficial partnership between the American public, military learning institutions and the naval population at the nation’s only Navy boot camp—Naval Station Great Lakes, just north of Chicago.
CPO selectees travel to MSI and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library for a day of training on the history and artifacts related to the U-505—the only German U-boat captured during World War II—and to conduct research on naval leadership. Now located in a 35,000-square-foot exhibit at MSI, the vessel is extremely relevant to the U.S. Navy experience and serves as a national war memorial for those who lost their lives in the two battles of the Atlantic during World Wars I and II. U.S. submariner veterans also join in the training to impart their knowledge and experience to the selectees, building connections between future Navy Chief Petty Officers and past generations.
Navy Chief Petty Officers serve as not only technical experts, but as exemplary leaders who possess high personal and professional standards. CPO selectees then volunteer at the U-505 Submarine exhibit for several days in early September, answering questions and engaging museum guests with various submarine-related artifacts. Museum guests have an opportunity to not only learn about the U.S. Navy’s heroic effort during World War II and how those actions changed history, but to also gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the men and women serving in uniform.
2017 U-505 Program Winning Essay
Defining Our Past and Guiding Our Future, by David F. Hernandez
The United States Navy uses heritage to connect Sailors to their past, teach values, and enhance pride in service to our country. This is important if we are going to expect Sailors to fight and die for their country in future battles. (Cox, 2016) The U.S. Navy has a moral obligation to remember those fallen in battle or lost at sea, so the families of those Sailors know that the sacrifice of their loved ones is never forgotten. (Cox, 2016) It is this sense of pride and heritage that enables today’s Sailors to answer the call and honor those that went before them. One such event that still inspires people today is the capture of the German submarine U-505 during World War II.
Commanded by Captain Daniel V. Gallery, American forces captured the U-boat on June 4, 1944 and entered Naval history by capturing an enemy vessel at sea for the first time since the War of 1812. (Hickman, 2017) The historic capture yielded the Enigma machine codebooks, and other secret materials which helped the Allied codebreakers decipher German codes and locations of other U-boat operating areas. (Johnson, 2016) With the largest amphibious assault in history planned at Normandy merely two days after the capture, the Allied forces would receive more resources with convoy commanders routing shipping away from known U-boat locations. (Hickman, 2017) These locations were known thanks to information found onboard the captured U-505 and greatly inhibited the effectiveness of German submarine patrols from that point forward.
Rear Admiral Gallery later went on to say that the U-505 Submarine must be an inspiration for future generations of Americans, bringing them home to the realities of war and the chances their fathers took to preserve their liberties. (Loyola Phoenix, 2012) Today Sailors and civilians remember what those brave men did in 1944 and learn why it mattered. This is evidenced by the millions of people that visit the war memorial in Chicago, IL every year to celebrate their heritage and honor the men who captured a German U-Boat risking their lives so many years ago. History like the U505 remains intact and relevant thanks to the men and women dedicated to preserving naval history, and refusing to forget the sacrifices made by our fathers.