Artifacts from USS Ling returned after 30 years (found on e-bay)

This brass wheel and aluminum checkoff list, apparently stolen from the USS Ling nearly 30 years ago, were recovered after turning up on eBay.

HACKENSACK — Two items presumed stolen from the USS Ling submarine almost 30 years ago have been returned to the New Jersey Naval Museum after turning up on eBay for five days. A brass wheel and an aluminum compartment checkoff list, both missing from the Ling since the early 1980s, were returned to the museum by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Monday. The relics were presented during a special ceremony with more than two dozen members of the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. The Ling was a 1940s-era Balao-class submarine.

"I never thought I'd have an opportunity to stand in front of true heroes like all of you and give you something back that belongs to you," Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli told submarine vets with the state's Gudgeon Chapter. Sgt. Sharon Malone, Detective David Agar, Lt. Andrew Donofrio and research analysts Daniel Andruilli, Danielle D'Annibale and Andre DiMino used old-fashioned investigative police work and cyber skills to track down the man who had put the items on eBay. The unit had received a tip that the USS Ling-tagged objects had turned up on the site.

The man who had the items was living in Orange County, N.Y., and said he had bought the artifacts at a garage sale in River Edge about 30 years ago. The man is not being prosecuted, and Molinelli does not believe he was involved in the disappearance of the goods, both in pristine condition and put on the site three weeks ago. "It really wasn't difficult to find the identity of the seller … and get the items back from his house," Molinelli said after the ceremony. "Giving this back to the submariners today is also one of respect for those who have served this country. It put a bright light in their lives." Malone, a former U.S. Marine who served during Operation Desert Storm, never expected the case to surface in her lap. "We were surprised when we heard about it, but we were glad we were able to resolve it," she said.

The items were being sold for $1,999 on the site. The checklist book is specific to each submarine, giving instructions for dive, surfacing and emergency operations, said John M. "Jack" Carbone, a member of the museum. The public can report goods they believe to be stolen to law enforcement, but a small percentage are actually pilfered, Donofrio said. "But as we can see in this case, reporting it works," he said. Agar was one of those who went to the home of the man who listed the goods on eBay. In less than 24 hours of being notified, authorities were at the man's door. "He was very happy to give the items back to us," Agar said. "He was very surprised to see us … but happy to give them back."

Authorities do not have the definitive location of the garage sale 30 years ago, but police and Gudgeon Chapter President Basil Kio are just satisfied they'll be back on the Ling. "We're very proud of this boat," said Harry Charles Lang, 84, a former Hawthorne resident and reserve division submariner when the Ling was moored in Brooklyn. "I have a lot of nostalgia for the USS Ling.

( This brass wheel and aluminum checkoff list, apparently stolen from the USS Ling nearly 30 years ago, were recovered after turning up on eBay.)

I wonder what happened to the stuff on the 637 class subs.

The sail of my first boat ended up in Arco Idaho of all places

2 posted on 07/25/2010 12:59:57 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)

Between the devil and the deep blue sea ... What a number...

My boat, the USS Jallao (SS-368) was sold to Spain and then eventually scrapped for razor blades.

I have been wanting one of the soviet submarine clocks for sometime. I have one of the soviet submarine stopwatches.

5 posted on 07/25/2010 1:12:22 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)

Razor blades indeed.

I didnt know you was a bubblehead. There a re a lot of them on FR.

“Death from below”

6 posted on 07/25/2010 1:14:01 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)

Oh yeah... the freaking devil boat.

That raised my eyebrow when I got assigned her.

7 posted on 07/25/2010 1:15:21 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)

That would be like having a chaplain from the church of satan praying over you on the battlefield... no thanks, i’ll just die quietly please.

Turned out to be a great boat.

Best Captain ever George Roletter

I told him to take the boat deep. He said You have 2 hours.

Man, Talk about pressure.

9 posted on 07/25/2010 2:38:15 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)

10 posted on 07/25/2010 2:43:44 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)

11 posted on 07/25/2010 2:48:49 PM PDT by mylife (Opinions $1 Halfbaked 50c)

The Cyrillic writing on the clock that you posted was TAIFYN which is “typhoon” to us.

12 posted on 07/25/2010 4:39:02 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)

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