“Talon Tuesdays” is an article series appearing on InsideGMT periodically on Tuesdays.  It features articles from the Talon development team regarding the game’s design, development and upcoming release of the Talon 1000 expansion. Since Space Empires:4x Replicators is also releasing soon and there is crossover between the two development teams, Replicator articles will be featured as well.

Talon Tuesday Issue #43: Naming Ships After Veterans

One of the side effects of all the new ships in Talon 1000 (over 150 new units) is that they all needed names.  While we had fun naming them, it was suggested that we name some of the ships after current military veterans.  Here is the thread:

https://boardgamegeek.com/article/25147094#25147094

Considering one of the sides in Talon is the Terran Confederation, which represents all the nations of earth, it seemed like a sensible thing to adopt names from those who served in militaries all around the world.  If we can name a ship the Patton, we can name another one after a different person who served in the military.  For the purposes of suspension of disbelief, these ships can be named after famous people who have not yet lived/served.  This does take place well in the future, after all.  Put another way, if naming a ship after a current veteran bothers you, please consider these to be future famous generals.   🙂

We did not want this to be the dominant theme, so I decided (somewhat arbitrarily) to limit the veteran names to 10 ships.  I took the names that were suggested in the above thread and chose randomly.  They are detailed below along with the named vessel and the background on the name.  There are some good stories to boot.

The text in italics was submitted on BGG by the nominator.

The DDE (SP=45) is the first of the “Veterans” class.  It is a destroyer escort with a limited fire arc.  There are 4 ships in this class.

Birchall – Suggested by Nick West (notquitekarpov on BGG) – I’ll put forward my Great Uncle, Frederick George Birchall, Squadron Leader RAAF, 1939-1946.  He was killed in Action, whilst attached to 1 Australian War Crimes Section.  He was assassinated by Japanese-led communist insurgents whilst investigating Japanese War Crimes after the War.

Baird – Suggested by Sean (SeanFR on BGG) – I’d like to nominate a fellow Australian soldier if I may.  Cameron BAIRD VC, MG CPL, Special Operations Command – Commando, Australian Army.  Enlisted Jan 2000 – KIA 22 Jun 2013, Khod Valley, AFG whilst serving with the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). CPL Baird was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for his conduct on 22 Jun 13. He was also awarded a Medal for Gallantry in 2007 for actions in AFG and was awarded a NATO Meritorious Service Medal posthumously on 20 June 2014.  A hero and true inspiration to service men and woman deployed to AFG at the time, including myself.

Rivera-Diaz – Suggested by Dan Rivera (coyotelaughs on BGG) – My Father: A man who joined the army at 17 and spent 30 years in the military, raised 4 kids, and when he retired went back to school and followed his bliss and became a Chef. A man that would give you the shirt off his back and ask if he could give you anything else.  SGM Isabello Rivera-Diaz Jr, US Army, 1972-2002.

Lizak – Suggested by Ed Lizak (Cincinnatus on BGG) – SGT Edward Lizak, US Army, 2004-2005.  Technically most of my time was US Army Reserve and Ohio National Guard but I was deployed overseas 2004-2005 so that’s what I count as the most important part.

The DDP (SP=59) is the second of the “Veterans” class – also with 4 ships.  It is a destroyer with a different load out.  The Torpedo is gone and in its place are two Phasers.  The “P” stands for Phaser.

Goodfellow – Suggested by Christopher Mills, former Royal Marine Commando 2001-2007 – Charles Goodfellow, served with the Queens Royal West Kents at Kohima in Burma,WW2. The loveliest person you could ever meet and my grandad!

Cawley – Suggested by Digger Maferal (Scouter on BGG) – James Wilford Cawley, Staff Sergeant, USMC, 1986-2003.  My best friend KIA AlFahar Iraq 03-29-03.  He was a platoon Sgt with Fox Co 2nd battalion 23rd Marine Regiment attached to First Marine Regt 1st Mar Div.  Died in combat during invasion of Iraq. I was 100 feet away from him.  He earned a Navy Commendation with V for valor.  It would honor him and his family to have a ship named for him.

Teoro – Suggested by Eric Teoro (7eat51 on BGG) – Eric Teoro, U.S. Air Force, 1989-1994.  My Dad served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, as did other relatives. Uncle/Great-Uncle served during WWII. Grandfather served in Italian military during the 1910s, and ancestors served before him going back generations. It was an honor to carry on the legacy they handed down to me.

Walters – Suggested by Eric Walters (ericmwalters on BGG) – Eric Walters, U.S. Marine Corps (Colonel), 1980-2010 & Ray Walters, U.S. Navy (Captain), 1955-1981

Two more Transports were also included in the expansion.  These are the same as the Transports in the base game.

Hale – Suggested by K S (wamsp on BGG) – In WWII, my grandpa served in the US Air Force and my grandma served in the German Wehrmacht. They met after the war and I always thought their relationship was a nice symbol of US-German post-war relations – or should I say, the history of the Terran Confederation.  I think the “Elmer & Inge Hale” could be a nice ship name.

Brown – This covers two entries:

Suggested by Justen Brown (jaybeethree on BGG) – Waldo Brown, U.S. Army, 1942-1946.  

According to my grandfather’s public service records, he voluntarily enlisted in 1942 as a private in the warrant officers branch… as a white man! My grandfather was, as far as I know, black but he was very light skinned and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of him with hair so he very well could’ve passed as white throughout most of his life. And for myself – Justen Brown, U.S. Navy, 2005-2011.

Suggested by James Brown (topman1 on BGG) – My father, James Douglass Brown – He served with the 40th Infantry Division’s Calvary Reconnaissance Brigade (Mechanized) during WW2. He became a Sergeant and received an Army Unit Commendation for his time in service.

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Author: Jim Krohn