formerly of haverhill — Ed Marshall Putnam, III, formerly of Haverhill passed away Friday, February 01, 2013 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill.
He was born in Haverhill on Aug. 6, 1950, son of Joanne Gertrude (Bailey) Morgan of Haverhill and the late Ed. M. Putnam, II.
Ed attended Haverhill Trade school and worked for various companies including Bernie Shoe, Haverhill Cable TV and a family owned and operated variety store. In 1969, because of the established military draft, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his initial training at Great Lakes he volunteered for submarines. There, he was introduced into his 20+ years of military service.
His first assignment into the “Silent Service” was aboard an updated WWII diesel boat, the USS Bang (SS 385). There he learned the ropes and earned his DOLPHINS (the submarine insignia) as being “Qualified in Submarines.” His second assignment, the USS Gato (SSN 615), was no less demanding as this started a new endeavor on board nuclear submarines. His third assignment, USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN 619) where he earned the Strategic Deterrent Patrol Insignia. But his fourth assignment, USS Bremerton (SSN 698), was a career turning point. With his Commanding Officer’s approval and recommendation, Ed qualified as “Diving Officer of the Watch.” Not uncommon for a senior enlisted to qualify this watch station, but Ed was not yet promoted to Chief Petty Officer. On a home port change from Connecticut to Hawaii, he was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal. In Hawaii, he crossed decked to his fifth assignment, USS Patrick Henry (USSBN 598), headed back to Bremerton, WA. Once there, the ship was assigned as a training platform for the Navy Seals.
After decommissioning the USS Patrick Henry, Chief Petty Officer Putnam volunteered for overseas duty on board the forward deployment submarine tender, USS Orion (AS 18) in La Madalina, Italy. All his administrative skills learned from previous assignments were put to test as Submarine Ship Superintendent. During the first Naval barrage on Lybia, he was awarded a 6th Fleet Letter of Commendation. His final tour of duty was back at the Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT. He was assigned as the Assistant Planning and Estimating Division Officer. Here he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.
Not mentioned above, his other awards include: Navy Commendation Medal, Commander Submarine Force – Atlantic Fleet; Good Conduct Medal (5 awards); National Defense Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3 awards); Overseas Ribbon (2 awards); Letter of Commendation, Commanding Officer USS Patrick Henry; Letter of Commendation, Commander Submarine Squadron Seventeen.
After retiring in 1990, Ed worked mainly in the utility field as an operator and maintenance technician from New Jersey to Indiana. He retired from his last employment at the Submarine Base, Groton, CT, in 2011, where they earned the Unit Meritorious Ribbon.
In addition to his mother, Ed is survived by his three brothers; Jeffrey L. Putnam of Hampton Beach, NH; Dale G. Putnam and his wife Gale of Newton, NH; and Philippe W. Putnam of Haverhill. He is also survived by two nephews and two nieces. Ed was also predeceased by his “fur-children” Mary, Ruthie, Peaches and Scarlet.
Please no flowers. Donations may be made to your local dog shelter and ASPCA Organizations, along with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Here are a few of Ed’s Favorites: Toy Poodle Rescue, P.O. Box 274, Dover, MA 20230 http://toypoodlerescue.net ; Adopt-A-Pet, Box 7, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 http://www.adoptapet.com ; The Grace Foundation of Northern California, PO Box 4692, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 http://thegracefoundation.com; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: “Reeling in a Dream: Timothy P. Roberts” 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his calling hours on Tuesday, Feb. 5th from 2-6 pm at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. Funeral Services will follow at 6:15 pm at the Funeral Home. Spring interment will be in the Union Cemetery in Newton, NH. Condolences to his family may be made at
www.farmerfuneralhomes.com
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