Other serious conditions that were also reported in the submarine program were traumatic amputations, fractures, and dislocations.
In 1962, he was selected to enter the nuclear submarine program, then as now the most prestigious career track in the Navy.
The Navy conducts most communications by letter, and copies of each letter go to the admiral in charge of the submarine program.
About 90 Labor legislators - a quarter of Labor's lawmakers - rebelled against the government's plan to renew the submarine program.
A compliant Congress wants to spend $1.5 billion on the new submarine program next year, double the Administration's request.
This honor was in recognition of his advocacy on behalf of the nuclear submarine program.
"The space program was rocked just as the submarine program was rocked 25 years ago," he said.
China's submarine programs, especially its small fleet of nuclear-powered vessels, have a history of safety and performance problems that have generally been kept secret.
Critics of the purchase today welcomed the decision to scrap the submarine program.
Appendicitis is the most common general surgical condition for the submarine program and has been the cause of one death on an Antarctic expedition.