About this Unit
USS George Bancroft (SSBN-643) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in January 1966. Named after the historian and former Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, the submarine was an integral part of America’s strategic nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. Throughout its service, USS George Bancroft conducted numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. After nearly three decades of service, the submarine was decommissioned in September 1993 and subsequently scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS George Bancroft (SSBN-643) was named after George Bancroft, a prominent 19th-century American historian and statesman who served as Secretary of the Navy and founded the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
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Commissioning: The submarine was commissioned on January 22, 1966, and served as the 14th vessel in the Benjamin Franklin class of fleet ballistic missile submarines.
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Missile Capability: Originally equipped with Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, the vessel was later upgraded to carry Poseidon C-3 missiles, significantly increasing its nuclear deterrence capability.
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Two-Crew System: Like other "41 for Freedom" fleet ballistic missile submarines, George Bancroft operated with two alternating crews, designated Blue and Gold, to maximize patrol time and readiness.
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First Deterrent Patrol: The submarine’s maiden deterrent patrol began in July 1966, contributing directly to the United States’ Cold War nuclear deterrence strategy.
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Patrol Record: Over its nearly three decades of service, USS George Bancroft completed more than 60 strategic deterrent patrols, operating primarily out of Rota, Spain, and later King's Bay, Georgia.
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Accident-Free Service: The submarine prided itself on a safe operational record, boasting no major accidents or reactor incidents throughout its career.
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Decommissioning: USS George Bancroft was deactivated on March 21, 1993, and officially decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on September 30, 1993.
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Recycling: The vessel was recycled through the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, with the process completed in March 1998.
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Legacy Monument: The sail of the USS George Bancroft is now preserved as a monument at the main gate of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, serving as a tribute to the submarine and the crews who served aboard her.
