submitted by Chris Meyer, Deputy County Executive
The late Joseph Manoogian, Jr., a United States Navy Veteran whose service included maritime service during both the Korean War and Vietnam War, was recognized by Rensselaer County’s Honor-A-Deceased Veteran Committee and County officials on Monday, January 14, 2013, during services at the County Office Building.The son of Armenian genocide survivors who emigrated to the United States in 1920, Manoogian, Jr., entered into service to his nation on March 6, 1950, at the age of 17, one credit shy of receiving his high school diploma. During recruit training, Manoogian, Jr. completed the coursework to be issued his GED and proceeded to volunteer for submariner duty, which required extensive qualification programs.
Throughout a Navy career spanning approximately two decades, Manoogian, Jr., was assigned to sometimes multiple tours aboard a half dozen submarines, including the USS Quillback, the USS Seawolf, the USS Bang, the USS Skipjack, the USS Halfbreak and the USS Sea Leopard. Aboard the world’s second nuclear powered submarine, the USS Seawolf, in 1958, Manoogian, Jr., participated in a record-setting assignment when the ship continued fully submerged operations for 60 days and travelling a distance of 14,500 nautical miles.
Additional tours of note include crossing the equator aboard the same ship during 1961 while in pursuit of the cruise ship Santa Maria which had been seized and was under the control of Portuguese Pirates and, when aboard the USS Sea Leopard during 1969, travelling beneath the ice of the North Pole through the Arctic Circle while operating in the northern hemisphere.
For his honorable service to our nation throughout his Naval career, Manoogian, Jr., was authorized to receive five Good Conduct Awards, multiple Bronze Stars and the National Defense Service Medal. He received more than a half dozen commendations and participated in official visits by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Secretary of Defense James McElroy and Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gates.
After marrying Patricia Jean Brown on July, 4, 1954, Manoogian, Jr., helped to raise a family that included daughters Debra and Karin in the Village of Hoosick Falls while continuing in his service to our nation and later through employment with the United States Postal Service.
“Joseph Manoogian, Jr, dedicated his life to the service of his nation and was highly decorated for his valiant actions,” said Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino. “His service, and the service of the men and women of our armed forces have throughout our nation’s history ensured our freedoms and way of life.”
“Joseph Manoogian was a patriot who provided outstanding service to the U.S. Navy, earning assignments to some of the most important and prominent military assignments during the Cold War. Those assignments included being stationed on the world’s second nuclear submarine, the USS Seawolf, and numerous commendations and awards,” said Chairman of the Legislature Martin Reid.
“Joseph’s twenty-year naval career showed his dedication to serving and protecting his country and his commitment to excellence. Following his military service, Joseph continued to serve the community and raised a large and respected family,” added Vice Chairman of the Legislature Stan Brownell.
In addition to Reid and Brownell the ceremony honoring Joseph Manoogian Jr. was attended by Congressman Paul Tonko, representatives of Congressman Chris Gibson and State Senator Kathleen Marchione, Assemblyman John McDonald and County Legislators Gary Pavlic, Mark Fleming and Edward Manny.
