History of the USS Lapon

USS Lapon SSN-661: History, Patrols, Crews

Commissioning

The USS Lapon, (SSN-661 submarine, nuclear-powered) was a member of the Sturgeon class of nuclear fast attack submarines. It was the second U.S. Navy vessel, and second submarine, named after the fish. The first USS Lapon (SS-260) served with distinction in World War II.

The contract for construction of the Lapon was awarded to The Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company of Newport News, Va., on Oct. 24, 1963. Her keel was laid July 26, 1965. She was launched on Dec. 16, 1966 and commissioned nearly a year later, on Dec. 14, 1967. Commander Chester M. Mack was given the responsibility of commanding the Lapon’s first crew.

Underway

The Lapon was assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet and made its home port at Norfolk, Va. After spending nearly all of 1968 completing a shakedown cruise and training exercises, the Lapon was attached to the 6th Fleet and sailed to the Mediterranean Sea in early 1969.

While never firing a shot in anger, the Lapon had a distinguished career. It won the Meritorious Unit Commendation six times (1968, 1969, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1985); three Battle Efficiency “E”’s (1969, 1970, 1985) and the Navy Unit Commendation (1973). It also won the Marjorie Sterret Battleship Fund Award for Operational Proficiency for the entire Atlantic Fleet in 1970. In 1969, it received the highest possible honor: a Presidential Unit Citation from President Richard Nixon.

The Lapon would make multiple trips to the Arctic Circle during its career, including a three-year period between 1986-88. While doing a number of scientific experiments, the Lapon broke through the surface of the polar ice cap multiple times, including at the North Pole.

Decommissioning
The Lapon was deactivated on Oct. 1, 1991, essentially bringing its career to a close. It was decommissioned on June 25, 1992 and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on Aug. 8 of the same year. It entered the Navy’s Ship and Submarine Recycling Program on March 1, 2003 and was officially scrapped on Aug. 31, 2004. The Lapon’s sail was recovered and now stands as a memorial outside American Legion Post 639 in Springfield, Mo.

Characteristics of the USS Lapon
Displacement: 3978 tons light, 4272 tons full, 294 tons dead
Length: 89 meters (292 feet)
Beam: 9.7 meters (32 feet)
Draft: 8.8 meters (29 feet)
Propulsion: S5W reactor
Complement: 14 officers, 95 men
Armament: Mk 48 Torpedo, Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedo, Tomahawk Missile (Nuclear, Anti-Ship, Land-Attack, Bomblet), Harpoon Missile, Mk 60/61/67 Mines,

Career:
Ordered: Oct. 24, 1963
Laid down: July 26, 1965
Launched: Dec. 16, 1966
Commissioned: Dec. 14, 1967
Decommissioned: Aug. 8, 1992
Fate: submarine recycling
Stricken: Aug. 8, 1992

Timeline:
October 1963: Contract for construction of USS Lapon awarded
July 1965: Keel laid for the USS Lapon
December 1966: USS Lapon launched
December 1967: USS Lapon commissioned
1968: USS Lapon wins first of six Meritorious Unit Commendations
1969: USS Lapon wins Presidential Unit Citation
1986-88: USS Lapon takes part in multiple missions to the Arctic Circle
June 1992: USS Lapon decommissioned
August 2004: USS Lapon ceases to exist

Crewmembers of the USS Lapon:
An unofficial list of crew members that served on the USS Lapon can be found on the unofficial navy website at: http://navysite.de. This list is compiled by former crewmembers that voluntarily register. Some quoted comments from former crewmembers are listed below; many more are available on the source website at the following web address: http://navysite.de/ssn/ssn661.htm

Robert Thornton (served February 1972-May 1978): “Best and worst times of my life…I loved that crew. We were a great team.”
Richard Corey (served August 1968-December 1971): “Would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Lonnie Henderson (served August 1974-August 1978): “Lots of friends and memories. Lapon ruled.”

Sources:
http://navysite.de/ssn/ssn661.htm
http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08661.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Lapon_(SSN-661)
http://navysite.de/crew.php?action=ship&ship=SSN_661

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