Captain J. H. Patton, Jr., U. S. Navy (Retired), served on five nuclear-powered attack submarines, two ballistic-missile submarines, and commanded the USS Pargo (SSN-650). A frequent Proceedings contributor, he was the technical consultant to Paramount Pictures for the film version of The Hunt for Red October, which was based on a book first published by the Naval Institute Press in 1984—now in its 39th printing.

Articles by James H. Patton

ASW Is Back

By Captain James H. Patton Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired)
February 2004
This time it is not driven by the threat to transatlantic sea lanes of communication from large numbers of Soviet submarines, but by recognition of the ability of much smaller ...

Make the SSGN Truly Transformational

By Captain James H. Patton Jr, USN (Ret.)
August 2002
President George W. Bush's statements on transformation of the U.S. military rarely are associated with specific programs, with two exceptions—the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle and the conversion of Ohio ...

Subs Must Connect with the Fleet

By Captain James H. Patton Jr., USN (Ret.)
June 2002
The submarine force needs to develop common communications capabilities with surface forces if it wants to be plugged in to today's naval operations. This new communications link should not, however ...

Nobody Asked Me But…Stealth Saves Lives

By Captain James H. Patton Jr., U.S. Navy (Retired)
June 1999
We face thorny and complex decisions about the U.S. military's role in Kosovo. So far, the execution of Operation Allied Force suggests that we intend to use armed force in ...