USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709)

USS "Hyman G. Rickover" (SSN-709), a "Los Angeles"-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Admiral Hyman G. Rickover and the only Los Angeles class submarine not named after a United States city. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 10 December 1973 and her keel was laid down on 24 July 1981. She was launched on 27 August 1983 sponsored by the Admiral's wife, Mrs. Eleonore Ann Bednowicz Rickover, (whose first name is found in a wide variety of spellings, including Eleanore, Elenore, and Eleanor; Eleonore is used on the Admiral's gravestone [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/hymangeo.htm] . SSN-709 was commissioned on 21 July 1984 with Captain Fredrik Spruitenburg in command. A commemorative plaque honoring the ship's namesake was placed within the sub after commissioning with the poem "Admiral Rickover," an eight-line tribute by writer Ronald W. Bell.

ervice

During the months of January through April 1984 "Rickover" was nearing the completion of her construction. The initial manning was completed in January. Initial criticality of the ships S6G reactor was achieved on 10 March 1984. Berthing and messing areas were completed in April and on 23 April 1984 the crew moved aboard the ship. A special meal of rib eye steaks, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob was served to remember the occasion.

The ship was placed into service on 24 April 1984 and initial sea trials began on 16 May 1984 with Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee aboard. Admiral McKee served as Director of the Office of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, Department of Energy. The sea trials were completed smartly and in the shortest time ever for a 688 class submarine built at Electric Boat. Admiral McKee complimented the crew on their fine performance prior to his departure.

At precisely 12:08, 21 July 1984 USS "Hyman G. Rickover" (SSN 709) was placed in commission by the commissioning officer Vice Admiral Bernard M. Kauderer, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The ceremony was held in a downpour at Submarine Base Groton, Connecticut was well attended despite the weather and the one hour delay due to the late arrival of Representative Charles E. Bennett of Florida, the principal speaker.

"Rickover" returns from its Final Deployment. [http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=112511&ran=233988]

"Rickover" was inactivated on 14 December 2006 and will be transported to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, in early 2007 for the year-long inactivation process [http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2165600.php] . She is scheduled to be decommissioned on 1 March 2007. [http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/70F9D2A9-7D18-4729-910D-16A45E82E633/0/NAV06253.txt]

Naval Historical Center Archives of "Rickover's" Annual Command History [http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/h/ssn709.htm]

Commanding Officers

* Captain Fredrik H. M. Spruitenburg, commissioning skipper.
* Rear Admiral Jay M. Cohen was second to command "Rickover" from January 23, 1985 to January 23, 1988. Under his command, "Rickover" completed a Post New Construction Shakedown availability in New London, changed homeport May 3, 1985 to Norfolk, Virginia, and completed three deployments. During his command, "Rickover" was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal (x2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the SIXTHFLT "Hook'em" Award for ASW excellence, CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence, the COMSUBRON 8 Battle Efficiency "E" Award, and was designated the best Atlantic Fleet Attack Submarine for the Battenburg Cup. Admiral Cohen serves as Under Secretary for Science and Technology, Department of Homeland Security. [http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/bio_1158690232797.shtm] [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=74]
* Captain Bruce S. Lemkin commanded "Rickover" from January 23, 1988 to July 28, 1990. Under his command, "Rickover" completed a successful deployment in 1989 to the Mediterranean and to the Arctic in 1990. "Rickover" was the featured submarine in the PBS documentary, "Submarine: Steel Boats, Iron Men." [http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6179]
* Captain Brenton C. Greene commander "Rickover" from July 28, 1990 to November 2, 1991. During this time "Rickover" was awarded the COMSUBRON 8 Damage Control "DC" Award and the crew was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Arctic Service Medal and the Sea Service Ribbon for CY 1990. [http://www.ncs.gov/news/2001/press%20release/040301.html]
* Vice Admiral John Jay Donnelly commanded "Rickover" from November 2, 1991 to December 2, 1994. Under his command, "Rickover" was awarded in 1991 the COMSUBRON 8 ASW "A" Award and the crew was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal and Arctic Service Medal. On September 20, 2006, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced that the President has made the following nomination. Navy Rear Adm. John J. Donnelly for appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as commander submarine force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and commander, Submarine Allied Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va. Donnelly is currently serving as Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Navy. [http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=9982] [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=97]
* Rear Admiral Joseph A. Walsh served as Commanding Officer of "Rickover" from December 2, 1994 through July 1997. While under his command, "Rickover" completed a North Atlantic deployment and was twice awarded the Submarine Squadron Eight Battle Efficiency "E" as well as the Golden Anchor Award. [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=294]
* Captain Robert E. Schuetz commanded "Rickover" from July 1997 to July 8, 1999. During his tour, "Rickover" completed an extended deployment to the North Atlantic, received a Meritorious Unit Commendation and was awarded the COMSUBRON EIGHT Battle Efficiency "E" Award. [http://www.csp.navy.mil/cos.html]
* Captain Peter H. Young commanded "Rickover" from July 8, 1999 to June 7, 2002. During his tour "Rickover" completed two Northern Atlantic deployments and was awarded two Navy Unit Commendations, the Intelligence Community Seal Medallion and COMLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for Retention. Additionally, "Rickover" earned the Tactical "T" twice, the Navigation "N" twice, the Engineering "E" and the Battle Efficiency "E." Captain Young is a recipient of the 2002 VADM James B. Stockdale Award for Inspirational Leadership. [http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/cno/n87/usw/issue_17/downlink_5.html] [http://www.csp.navy.mil/csds5/csds5/csds5-OO.htm]
* Captain Kenneth "Kenny G" Gray commanded "Rickover" from June 7, 2002 to August 2005. Under his command, "Rickover" was awarded in 2002 the Navy Unit Citation and COMSUBRON 8 Battle "E" Award, Navigation "N" Award and COMLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for Retention. On April 12, 2004 "Rickover" returned from six months on patrol in the North Atlantic in support of the War on Terrorism. Captain Gray currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Department of Strategy and Leadership, United States Air War College, Maxwell AFB AL. [http://www.myermotel.com/Site/Commander%20Kenneth%20L.%20Gray%20.html]
* Commander Robert E. Cosgriff commanded "Rickover" beginning August 2005 to June 15,2007. During his tour, "Rickover" completed a North Atlantic deployment and was awarded the 2005 Tactical "T" and Supply Blue "E". He will have the distinction driving the ship to its final resting place. On December 14, 2006, USS "Hyman G. Rickover" (SSN 709) will decommission at Portsmouth Navy Shipyard, Kittery Maine. Just a short distance from where she was built in 1981. [http://www.myermotel.com/Site/Commander%20Robert%20E.%20Cosgriff%20.html]
* Commander Troy E. Mong commanded "Rickover" beginning June 15, 2007. [http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070618/FOSTERS01/106180242] He will continue the decommissioning of "Rickover" at Portsmouth Navy Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.

Awards

Unit Awards for USS "Hyman G. Rickover" [http://awards.navy.mil]
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) - 1 May 1985–31 March 1987
* Navy Expeditionary Service Medal (EM) - 20 January 1986–5 March 1986
* Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) - 21 August 1994–14 September 1994
* Navy Battle "E" Award (NE)- 1 October 1995–30 September 1996
* Navy Battle "E" Award (NE) - 1 October 1996–30 September 1997
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) - 1 December 1997–01 March 1998
* Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) - 1 December 1999–1 June 2000
* Navy Battle "E" Award (NE) - 1 January 2001–31 December 2001
* Navy Unit Commendation - (NUC) 5 October 2001–5 April 2002
* Navy Battle "E" Award (NE) - 1 January 2002–31 December 2002
* Navy Battle "E" Award (NE) - 1 January 2006–31 December 2006

External links

* [http://www.photoshow.com/view/yM3gB2nR A slide show of the decommissioning of the submarine]