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