About Us

The SubMerch.com story starts in 1941, shortly before the beginning of World War II, when 18-year-old Joseph A. Minton enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Joe volunteered for submarine service and was assigned to duty onboard the fleet submarine (Tambor class) USS Grenadier SS-210, operating in the Pacific theater.

In 1943 Grenadier was sunk in the Strait of Malacca by the combined effort of a Japanese bomber and a destroyer. The crew was captured and placed in prisoner-of-war (POW) camps. The men were used as slave labor and were tortured, beaten, starved, and deprived of medical attention. 72 of the crew of 76 survived the war.

Joe Minton survived 882 days as a POW, including travel on two "Hell ships". After the war, he remained on active duty, serving onboard five more submarines in addition to other assignments. Joe retired after 23 years of service.

Joe’s son Steve enlisted in the Navy in 1990, and like his dad, volunteered for submarine duty. Steve served 4 years aboard USS Albuquerque SSN-706, a Los Angeles-class fast attack sub, homeported in Groton, CT. Like most sailors, Steve was given a nickname: “The Mintonator.”

After his enlistment, Steve tried his hand at several trades, ultimately finding himself working at Electric Boat in Groton, CT., involved in the construction of submarines such as the Virginia-class, and now the Columbia-class, fast attack boats.

Part of Steve hasn’t accepted that he’s no longer on active duty – that part of his life ended in 1994. He probably still dreams about being on subs!

Steve became involved in collecting and trading submarine “challenge coins.” He met someone who could design the coins and another who could make them. Steve enthusiastically jumped into all aspects of producing quality submarine-related collectable merchandise (let’s just say that Steve is one lucky guy to have such a supportive wife!).

Welcome to SubMerch.com! We carry top-quality merchandise with a primarily submarine theme. We are always expanding our product line, open to suggestions. It’s been one doozy of a ride, and we’re still going fast-attack strong!