USS Daniel Boone (SSBN-629)

• First of Her Class: Although not the lead boat, USS Daniel Boone (SSBN-629) was the first ballistic missile submarine built as part of the "Benjamin Franklin" class, a sub-class of the Lafayette-class, incorporating quieter propulsion and improved missile systems. • Namesake: She was named after the famous American pioneer and frontiersman, Daniel Boone, reflecting the Navy’s tradition of naming ballistic missile submarines after famous Americans. • Commissioned in 1964: USS Daniel Boone was commissioned on April 23, 1964, with Captain George P. Steele in command of Blue Crew and Commander Alan M. Long in command of Gold Crew. • Polaris to Poseidon: Originally equipped with Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, she was later retrofitted to carry Poseidon C-3 missiles, enhancing her range and payload. • Pacific and Atlantic Patrols: Daniel Boone operated in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, providing a key component of the U.S. Navy's nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. • Historic Panama Canal Transit: In 1966, she became the first Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine to transit the Panama Canal, demonstrating the Navy’s global reach. • Two-Crew System: USS Daniel Boone used the Blue and Gold crew system, allowing continuous patrols at sea with alternating teams. • Collision Incident: In April 1987, she collided with a Japanese freighter, the Nissho Maru, near Sasebo, Japan. The submarine suffered minor damage, and the incident led to increased navigational precautions. • Deactivation and Recycling: She was deactivated on February 18, 1994, and scrapped through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington, completed in 1994. • Legacy: Over her 30 years of service, Daniel Boone completed dozens of deterrent patrols and contributed significantly to the U.S. Navy’s strategic deterrence mission during the Cold War.