USS George C. Marshall (SSBN-654)

USS "George C. Marshall" (SSBN-654), a "Benjamin Franklin"-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for General George C. Marshall (1880–1959), Secretary of State, and of Defense.

The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 29 July 1963 and her keel was laid down on 2 March 1964. She was launched on 21 May 1965 sponsored by Mrs. George C. Marshall, and commissioned on 29 April 1966, with Commander Warran Rich Cobean in command of the Blue Crew and Commander Willard Edward Johnson in command of the Gold Crew.

She conducted 78 deterrent patrols and was one of the last units to leave Holy Loch, Scotland. Her last dive was conducted off the coast of San Diego in 1992 on her way to Bremerton, WA for decommissioning. One of Her final C.O. was Cpt(CMDR SS) Wayne Peterson. George C. Marshall's last C.O. was CDR Chet Helms.

"George C. Marshall" was decommissioned on 24 September 1992 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 24 September 1992. Ex-"George C. Marshall" entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, and on 28 February 1994 ceased to exist.

References

Based on data from the Naval Vessel Register.

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g4/george_c_marshall.htm history.navy.mil: George C. Marshall]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08654.htm navsource.org: USS "George C. Marshall"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ssbn654.htm hazegray.org: USS "George C. Marshall"]

* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/6324/ USS "George C. Marshall" veterans' website]