Wayne J. Mehl

Wayne J. Mehl, from San Francisco, California, served on board the submarine USS Growler (SSG-577) from March 1961 until the submarine was decommissioned in 1964. He was a lieutenant. During his years on the submarine, Mehl served as the engineer, the nuclear weapons officer and the qualification officer. His duties ranged from maintaining Growler’s three diesel engines and other mechanical components to working with the Regulus I missiles. As the nuclear weapons officer, his role was to arm the Regulus I missile prior to launch.

Before his time in the Navy, Mehl went to Stanford University, where he met his wife, Helen. After separating from the Navy, he continued his education at Stanford. He went to work for the ROLM Corporation. Mehl became active in Beyond War, an anti-war movement that seeks to bring about a future without war.

The Museum recorded an oral history interview with Mehl (OHP.137), and a separate interview with his wife, Helen (OHP.138), in 2017.