By John Kelly
Sunday, July 9, 2006

I am writing in the hope that you may assist me with my problem. I am an ex-crew member of the USS Pompon, a World War II-era submarine. The sub was decommissioned in Charleston, S.C., in 1960 and sold for scrap metal. For reasons unknown, the starboard propeller of the Pompon was saved and is now on display on a concrete block at the Torpedo Factory's riverfront in Alexandria. I had been in contact with the city regarding the placement of a plaque in front of the propeller, and I was told that they were "working on it." However, I haven't heard a word from them in over a year.

-- Emilio Prencipe, Odenton

The USS Pompon (SS-267) was built by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. of Wisconsin and sent down the Mississippi River in a floating dry dock in 1942. Presumably it was named for the species of fish known as the pompon ( Anisotremus surinamensis ) and not for the little balls of fluff on the heels of ladies' socks or the cadres of girls who cavort in front of high school marching bands (though either of those would surely have confused the Japanese).

The sub sank several enemy vessels during World War II, including a 742-ton cargo ship, but also suffered the indignity of nearly being sunk by one of its own torpedoes. During a melee off the coast of Sakhalin Island, "one of her own 'fish' perversely circled and just missed the stern," says a report on the Naval Historical Center's Web site.

The seven-foot, four-blade propeller -- all 2,800 pounds of it -- now sits behind the Chart House restaurant. The question is: Why? The Pompon had no special connection to Alexandria. Apparently the city just wanted to display some sort of marine artifact and put in a request in the 1980s to the Naval Historical Center at the Navy Yard. It was plucked from the stock of propellers, anchors, ship's bells and sub conning towers.

However it ended up in Alexandria, Emilio Prencipe and other former crew members would like people to know it came from their submarine.

"It was incredible," Emilio said of his time as an interior communications electrician aboard the Pompon in the late 1950s. "The camaraderie is just unbelievable."

The word "POMPON" is stamped in quarter inch-high letters on the prop, but Emilio thinks a plaque would be more appropriate. His request has been a victim of a larger push to revamp signs throughout Alexandria. It's the kind of sprawling project in which a tiny plaque for a sub screw can get lost.

Answer Man has now put the matter on city officials' radar. Here's hoping a plaque can go up by April, when former Pompon crewmen will reunite in Manitowoc, where their beloved vessel was built 64 years ago. Don't make Answer Man go down to the waterfront with a Sharpie.

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Julia Feldmeier helped research this column. Questions:answerman@washpost.com.