CTICS(SS) George Thomas (Tommy) Cox

CTICS(SS) Thomas CoxGeorge Thomas “Tommy” Cox passed away at age 80 on 19 February 2023 from Parkinson’s and kidney diseases. During his 20-year U.S. Navy career, Senior Chief Cox advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer and qualified in the Submarine Service. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, and Cold War as a Field Operator for the National Security Agency (1962-75) and assignment to a Central Intelligence Agency Special Project team (1975-79).

His Navy awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, eight Navy Unit Citations, two Meritorious Unit Citations, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, the National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbon, and multiple Letters of Appreciation/Commendation

Subsequent to his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Tommy served as a Child Support Enforcement District Supervisor for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in Aroostook County (1983-2003). He received a Distinguished Service Award and a Joint Maine Legislative Resolution honoring his service to the State of Maine. He also was employed in New London, Connecticut, four years for A&T Technical Services, Inc., in defense industry, and he worked two seasons as a Registered Maine Guide for Northern Hideaway guiding bear hunters. He thanks God for the miles, many not paved.

Tommy graduated from Caribou High School in 1960. He earned his Associate of Science Degree (Summa cum Laude) from Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth, Virginia (1972), and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Maryland (1975). Tommy also completed 39 semester hours of post graduate study at the University of Maine, Presque Isle and graduated from a myriad of Navy and State training courses.

Tommy was a life member of Post 9389 VFW in Caribou, the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USS Maine and Groton Bases), the Fleet Reserve Association, and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. He was a member of American Legion Post 0136 in Stockholm, the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, the National Rifle Association, the Fort Fairfield Rifle and Pistol Club, and the TKE Fraternity. He was a past secretary/treasurer of the International Police Combat Pistol Association and won designation as PPC Expert. He served two years on the Holy Rosary Parish Council and as was a member and chair of the Caribou Zoning Board of Appeals (1987-91).

Tommy’s passion was his music. He created a unique genre of music honoring the U.S. Submarine Service producing three albums of military music and one spiritual album; he wrote and published a book entitled “Tango Charlie” regarding his music. He sang professionally for fifty years.

“There is a port of no return, where ships may ride at anchor for a little space and then, some starless night, the cable slips, leaving an eddy at the mooring place. Gulls will veer no longer, Sailor, rest your oar, no tangled wreckage will be washed ashore.” (Lost Harbor)

Never quit! Dive, Dive! On Eternal Patrol! Resurgam!


A Tribute by CTICS(SS) Lew Bearden, USN (Ret.)

Tango CharlieTommy Cox was born in Caribou, Maine in October,1942 and was called to serve the Supreme Commander February 19, 2023.

The 80 years in between were filled with many accomplishments, most of that while serving his country either in a federal or state capacity. His love for music began at an early age. While he was still in high school, he began playing and singing locally, and even collaborated in writing a few songs. This love of music would continue for the rest of his life and eventually intertwined with his love of serving his country.

After joining the Navy in 1960, Tommy attended Cryptologic Technician (CTR) school in Pensacola and from there he studied Russian Language at the Naval Intelligence School, Anacostia, MD. This language training would prove to have the greatest impact on his Naval service and lead to his submarine service, which in turn proved to be the impetus for most of the songs that he wrote, sung and for which he became famous. His submarine songs were inspired by events either he personally experienced or that impacted the entire submarine community.

Tommy had many assignments, among them: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Kami Seya, Japan; and at least 11 U.S. submarine deployments in a Direct Support role (including USS LAPON (SSN 661), his favorite). He received many personal and unit awards, but two of his most prized were the Submarine Dolphins pin that he earned while serving on USS LAPON, signifying he was a qualified submariner, and his selection to attend the Associate Degree Completion Program (ADCOP). He was also proud of being inducted into the Holland Club of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. (USSVI) in honor of his completion of 50 years being qualified in submarines. His outstanding service in Direct Support resulted in his being selected and assigned to a special project for submarine operations.

Tommy Cox became famous in the entire U.S. submarine community through his submarine songs, but he was also famous in the cryptologic community for his devotion and dedication to serving his country and playing a significant role in the U.S. Navy in winning the Cold War with the Soviet Union. He was a dedicated husband to his wife, Sandra, and their three children: Billy, Cher, and Jimmy.

On a Personal Note

I met Tommy Cox in 1961 when we both attended Russian Language School at the Naval Intelligence School, Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington, D.C. We quickly became friends and remained so until his recent call to serve with the Supreme Commander. Neither one of us had any idea of how closely entwined our lives would be during the next 62 years. Our love for music was the first thing that drew us together, but our devotion to the U.S. Navy and Cryptologic service was just as strong. A few years after language school we both showed up at Kami Seya, Japan. We were both married then and Tommy and Sandy had their first child, Billy. Kathy and I had our first later during that tour.

When I transferred to Assistant Commander, Naval Security Group (ACNSG), Ft. Meade, MD, Tommy was already there. We were both in the Submarine Direct Support organization and made a deployment together on USS SEA DEVIL (SSN 664), later to become my qual boat. During this time, we spent a lot of time playing and singing at each other’s homes, entertaining (or punishing) the wives and children while dinner was being prepared.

Friends began asking us to bring our guitars when we came to parties. We formed a music business and started playing at local bars (especially The Tack Room) and lounges to pick up a couple of bucks while doing something we both loved. We called ourselves “Tom and Lew, The Country Two”). There is a lot more I could tell, but I will save that for another day over a beer at one of our NCVA Reunions. Tommy was a great friend and shipmate and I miss him dearly.


A Tribute by CWO4/CTICM Jim Reeb, USN (Ret.)

The former U. S. Naval Security Group, the U.S. Navy’s submarine force, and our nation lost a rare treasure on February 19th this year when Tommy Cox, age 80, passed away in his beloved state of Maine. I also lost a cherished and beloved brother-in-arms.

I first met CTI2 Tommy Cox when he arrived at the Direct Support Division at NSGA Ft. Meade in 1968, and we were team members during the first special patrol of USS LAPON (SSN-661) during the summer of that year. We were both 26 years old and became instant friends. Tommy subsequently made two more patrols on USS LAPON and qualified in submarines aboard her on June 4, 1969, my 27th birthday. As my career unfolded, I was detailed into the analysis and special projects arena and never obtained the coveted submarine dolphins. To my knowledge, Tommy was the first CT linguist to qualify in submarines with full consent of the of the Naval Security Group, which had previously, for security reasons, forbade any of us from doing so.

CTICS(SS) Cox receives the JSCM

My three sons grew up listening to Tommy’s submarine songs, but it was my 2nd son, John (Buzzy), who became the most enamored to them. Buzzy followed in my footsteps by joining the Navy, attending Russian language school, and becoming involved in submarine operations. Buzz idolized Tommy, and finally got to meet him when we attended the USSVI convention in New London in 2003. A bonus at that event was the attendance of, and conversations with, the legendary Captain “Whitey” Mack of USS LAPON fame. Buzz qualified in Submarines in 1997, and retired as a Chief Petty Officer (CTIC) in 2005 after completing 18 submarine missions. He took Tommy’s songs with him on every patrol. Sadly, Buzzy passed away in 2017, but I just know he greeted Tommy in heaven on February 19, 2023.

My youngest son, Jason, also followed in my and Buzzy’s footsteps by attending Russian language training. Jason also loved Tommy’s music. He qualified in submarines in 1997, completed 19 submarine patrols, retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer (CTICM) in 2011.

According to Tommy’s input to the Navy Together We Served website and by my count, Tommy served in the following submarines and participated in an aggregate of 15 submarine patrols as follows:

YearBoatNr. Deployments
1967 USS BARBEL (SS-580) 1
1967 USS SCAMP (SSN-588) 1
1967 USS GUARDFISH (SSN-612) 1
1968 – 1969 USS LAPON (SSN-661) 3
1969 USS SEA DEVIL (SSN-664) 1
1970 USS GREENLING (SSN-614) 1
1970, 1974, 1975 USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN-663) 3
1972, 1973 USS BERGALL (SSN-667) 1
1976, 1977 USS SEAWOLF (SSN-575) 2
1978 USS PARCHE (SSN-683) 1

Tommy was one of thousands of Cryptologic Technicians who served in submarines during the Cold War, all of whom brought their individual talents to bear. But Tommy brought another skill on board: HIS MUSIC! In all, he produced three albums of military and submarine songs, and 1 spiritual album. Additionally, he published a book in which he described the impetus for most of his songs. This book also contains fascinating details of his life and career. In his book, you will also get to see some beautiful photos which are attributed to “Personal Collection”.*

I always told Tommy that his voice and guitar style reminded me of a combination of Elvis and Johnny Cash, and he never refuted my description. However, it did make him smile when I did it. To be sure, he put his heart into every song, and pretty much covered all aspects of his life and occupation. I loved Tommy Cox, and when I last spoke with him a few weeks before he entered hospice care, I told him so, and he reciprocated.

I feel very confident in saying that Tommy’s music and accomplishments inspired thousands upon thousands of folks, particularly those who chose to serve in submarines. He has left a proud legacy. Fair winds and following seas, my brother. I look forward to reuniting with you in Heaven, some sweet day.

Tommy was a consummate professional cryptologist and an excellent example for those with whom he served. He was a great friend and shipmate and will be missed by many who served with and knew him.

Rest in peace, Senior Chief: We have the watch, you stand relieved.


USS Lapon

*Tango Charlie, Riverdale Books (August 31, 2006). ISBN-13: 978-1-932606-16-4, ISBN-10: 1932606-16-5, Library 0f Congress Control Number: 2006933398