Chief Sonarman

UNITED STATES NAVY

Ellwood Henry Forni was born on October 28, 1928, in Baltimore, Md. He attended local public schools there, and enlisted in the Navy on May 21, 1948. During his recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill., he volunteered for submarine duty and reported to the Submarine School at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Conn., in August, 1948.

Successfully completing the course of instruction, he was assigned to his first Submarine, the U.S.S. Sennett (SS 408). It was while serving in Sennett that Ellwood became qualified as a submariner and received his silver dolphins. He then attended the Navy's Fleet Sonar School at Key West, Fla., and after graduation, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Sea Cat (SS 399).

Service in the submarines U.S.S. Quillback (SS 424), U.S.S. Guavina (SS 362) and U.S.S. Sea Poacher (SS 406), followed until October, 1959. He was then selected for training at the Guided Missile School, Dan Neck, Va.

After this training, Ellwood was assigned to the nuclear-powered submarine U.S.S. Tullibee (SSN 597), where he received a letter of commendation from the commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, for his outstanding assistance and performance of duty during the "inservice trials" of the U.S.S. Tullibee.

He had also earned the Navy's Good Conduct Medal with four stars; National Defense Service Medal, a letter of commendation from the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Thresher (SSN 593) and a letter of commendation from the commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

On August 4, 1961, Ellwood was assigned to the U.S.S. Thresher.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mildred M. Forni of Mystic, Connecticut; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edmund F. Forni, Sr., and a brother, Edmund, Jr., all of Pikesville, Maryland.