Larry joined THRESHER Base in May 1997, and became a National Life Member in December 2000.

Seaman Recruit Oiler had just turned 17 when he was sworn into the Navy on 2 January 1963. Upon completion of basic training in San Diego, CA, Seaman Apprentice Oiler was transferred for further training to the Submarine School in Groton, CT. Following graduation, he was assigned to USS GRAMPUS (SS 523) in Norfolk, VA, where he qualified in submarines in June 1964. After serving in the Main Propulsion Division of GRAMPUS, Larry transferred in October 1966 as an MM2(SS).

His next duty assignment was USS SAM RAYBURN (SSBN 635), homeported in Charleston, SC, where he started in the Auxiliary Division of the Gold Crew. Larry made MM1(SS) shortly after reporting aboard; he served as part of the Gold Crew until the Blue and Gold Crews combined for Overhaul in January 1970. While on RAYBURN Larry qualified on every Auxiliary Division Watch Station and as Chief of the Watch and Diving Officer of the Watch; he was the Auxiliaries Division Leading Petty Officer when he transferred from RAYBURN.

Larry's next job came in May 1972 when he was assigned to Instructor Duty in the Engineering Advanced Training Division of the Submarine School at New London, CT. In 1974, Chief Oiler was selected for transfer to Classified Special Projects, where he was advanced to Senior Chief shortly after arriving.

In 1976, Larry was selected for the Limited Duty Officer Program and stayed in Special Projects for another 2 years. In 1978, he transferred to the COMSUBPAC Staff in Hawaii, where he served as the Material Officer for Auxiliaries, for Deep Submergence Platforms and for Diving Systems. Now a full Lieutenant, Larry departed the COMSUBPAC staff in 1981 for duty at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. While at Portsmouth, he served as the Attack Submarine Type Desk Officer for the first year and a half of his tour, and then as the Off-Yard Repair Officer for the last year and a half. Larry completed his active duty career at the shipyard, where he retired from the Navy in early 1984.

Larry says he had a fun Navy career. He completed 13 years as an enlisted man and 8 years of commissioned service; he advised us that the most interesting tour was his four years in Special Projects. He participated in some very interesting, exciting and fun operations, all of which are highly classified. Larry was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal for his key role in two of these operations.

After retiring from the Navy in 1984, Larry returned to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a civilian employee. He worked as a key waterfront manager in the Operations Department as a Senior Ship Superintendent, PM Shift Repair Officer and as the Operations Planning Branch Manager. In 1993, Larry left the Shipyard to acquire a job with a local engineering firm. Upon his departure, Larry was presented the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for his significant contributions towards improving maintenance processes.

Larry worked as a Senior Engineering Technician for several submarine engineering firms located in the Portsmouth/Dover, NH area from 1993 until late 2001. These firms provide life cycle support for the submarine Navy. Among their products is maintenance documentation for all submarine classes and for some Deep Submergence Systems/Equipment. In December 2001, he returned to Federal Service working as an Engineering Technician at the Submarine Maintenance Engineering Planning and Procurement (SUBMEPP) Activity located at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Larry's current job involves the development of maintenance documentation for the new VIRGINIA (SSN 774) Class submarine. Larry tell us he still finds working on submarines interesting; he has been involved in submarines since he went aboard his first ship when he was 17.

Larry hails originally from McConnelsville, Ohio. In November 1971, he married the former Patricia Roy of Dover, NH. They will have been married 30 years as of November 2001. The Oiler's have two children. Their daughter Kim was born on Valentine's Day in 1973, and is a 1996 graduate of the University of Maine. Their son Ryan was born in 1977. Ryan (Sergeant Oiler) completed a four-year tour of duty with the United States Marine Corp in August 2000. He is currently working towards a degree in Criminal Justice at a local college; he is seeking a career in law enforcement.

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Last updated by Kevin Galeaz on March 15, 2007 19:41
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