Joseph Truitt Talbert, Jr. USN (Ret) embarked on eternal patrol from his home on Friday, November 30, 2012. He was a true Coronadan. He began and ended his life in the town he loved so much.
His father’s Naval career took the family; CAPT Joseph T. Talbert, Annie, and sister Jan, away to Washington, DC, Panama, and France but always returning to Coronado. Here Joe attended Junior High and then graduated from Coronado High School in 1950. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated from there in 1956.
Following graduation, he reported to the destroyer USS Floyd B Parks. Following that assignment he began the most meaningful period of his 26 year Navy career, Submarine Service. Following Submarine School he served on the submarines USS Redfish, USS Salmon and USS Theodore Roosevelt. His duty aboard the Roosevelt brought him to New London, CT where he met Emily Haugen. They were married in December 1962. Subsequently he served aboard USS U.S. Grant, USS Carbonero, and Executive Officer of USS Sterlet. He served as the last Commanding Officer of the USS Razorback in San Diego. He later was directed to decommission his ”boat” and turn her over to the Turkish Navy.
Other Navy assignments have included Air Command and Staff College, National War
College, ASW Officer on the staff of COM7THFLT based in Japan, SECDEF(ISA), OPNAV, and as a Political -Military Strategic Planner in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He received numerous medals and awards for his initiative and performance of duty in several capacities.
Joe retired from the Navy in 1979, returned to Coronado, and began a 25 year second career with several civilian companies supporting the Navy. He was also the Technical Advisor on the book, The Encyclopedia of American Submarines. He was enormously excited about participating in the events surrounding the return of his former command, USS Razorback, to the United States where it is installed as the centerpiece of The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in N. Little Rock, AR. He also served as President of the local chapter of the U.S. Naval Submarine League and remained an active participant in activities of the Naval Academy Class of 1956.
Joe contributed much time and energy to beloved community. He served on the Citizen’s Advisory Panel to the City Council, the Coronado Planning Commission, as an early supporter and chair of Coronado’s Annual Motorcars on MainStreet, and was Chairman of the Coronado Centennial Celebration Committee in 1986.
His hobby of building ship models began early, and flourished in retirement. One could usually find Joe in his garage, aka the Shipyard, building Navy ship models for family and friends.
Joe is survived by his wife, Emily, their three sons, Jay, Stephen (Jennifer), Peter, and five grandchildren, Jimmy, Truitt, Lawson, Kristen and Langley.
A Memorial service was held on December 11, 2012 at Christ Episcopal Church Coronado, His ashes will be placed at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, and buried at sea off the USS Razorback.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. (www.aimm.museum)
