submitted by Megan Phyfe Barrett Myers
One of the many local veterans on the Memorial Wall at Wood Park in the Village of Hoosick Falls, is the late Joseph Manoogian, Jr. Manoogian was an Armenian-American born in Troy in 1933 who enjoyed being a swimming instructor and showing off his expertise in swimming and diving.
Manoogian enlisted into the United States Navy in 1950 for Submarine Duty. During this period, he continued his education, which included the completion of Basic Submarine School and US Fleet Sonar School. In due course he became the Leading Sonarman Chief of the Watch, all stemming from his love for the water. Manoogian actively served during the Korean War and Vietnam.
Beginning in 1958, during his first 21 months of service, Manoogian served on the Seawolf, the world’s second nuclear powered submarine. On the Seawolf, he was involved in setting the world record for being fully submerged for 60 consecutive days in a submarine in operation, without access to the earth’s atmosphere. Manoogian additionally served on board during underway visits of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Secretary of Defense James McElroy and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gates. During that year he and crew members risked crossing the equator in pursuit of the Santa Maria cruise ship which was temporarily under control of Portuguese Pirates who were holding hundreds of passengers on board.
Further accomplishments on the submarine included successfully traveling beneath the ice through the Arctic Circle during 1969. Along with all of these significant achievements, Manoogian proudly received extensive commendations, awards, medals and bronze stars.
Manoogian settled with his family in the Village of Hoosick Falls after an honorable discharge in 1970. Subsequent to his passing in 1987, his ashes were spread across the Atlantic Ocean from a sailing US Navy Ship. He was the grandfather of many, including Zachary P. Myers and Shawn P. Myers of Babcock Lake, Grafton.