GROTON, Conn. - It was a day of reminiscence and surprises as the family and friends of the late Rear Admiral Richard H. O'Kane, World War II submariner and Medal of Honor recipient, made their way around Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) Oct. 9.
The tour was truly an emotional experience for the group. Although Rear Adm. O'Kane and his wife, Ernestine were very devoted to the Navy their entire lives, their son and daughter, James O'Kane and Marsha O'Kane Allen never really knew the extent to which their father was known throughout the fleet. What they learned of Rear Adm. O'Kane's great leadership they heard from veterans who had known or served with him, such as Bill Leibold who is currently the last surviving crew member from Tang.
"He really appreciated my father's leadership," said James O'Kane.      
The tour of SUBASE, that James O'Kane described as "above and beyond," gave the family and friends the opportunity to see first-hand what the Admiral accomplished and how he is still remembered by Sailors today.
The family was grateful to the crew of USS New Hampshire (SSN 778). Rear Admiral O'Kane was a New Hampshire native having been born in Dover in 1911. Command Master Chief (SS) Glen Kline, New Hampshire Chief of the Boat, took time out of his day to give the O'Kanes a personal tour of his boat. This was not only the family's first time on a Virginia Class submarine, but their first time on a nuclear powered submarine.
"This was a chance for them to reconnect with the lifestyle and history of Admiral O'Kane," said Kline.
The family was especially surprised when Kline revealed the name of the ship's galley, O'Kane Café. When naming the galley, the crew found a native of the state of New Hampshire who would be a perfect fit.
"They didn't have to look very far when they found Admiral O'Kane. He is a hero within the submarine force and from New Hampshire, so what better example to use," said Kline.
The tour also included a visit to the Submarine Force Library Museum where the O'Kanes got to see, for the first time, the exhibit in the Medal of Honor gallery dedicated to their father. They also visited the museum archives where they actually got to hold some of the relics saved from Rear Adm. O'Kane's time in the Navy.
Following the tour, the group was joined by the leaders of SUBASE for lunch at Cross Hall Galley, where Captain Marc Denno presented James O'Kane and Marsha O'Kane Allen with old photographs of the family with the late Rear Adm. O'Kane.
The day concluded with the dedication of Building 429 as the new O'Kane Hall. James O'Kane spoke to attendees and showed his gratitude for the tour and the building dedication. "It's been our honor," he concluded.