USS LAPON SSN 661

• Namesake: USS Lapon (SSN-661) was named after the lapon, a type of fish also known as the "slender gurnard," continuing a tradition of naming submarines after fish. • Sturgeon-Class Submarine: Lapon was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, one of the workhorses of the US Navy during the Cold War. • Commissioning: The submarine was commissioned on December 14, 1967, at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. • First Commanding Officer: Commander Chester M. "Whitey" Mack, a highly regarded submariner, was the first commanding officer of Lapon. • Cold War Operations: Lapon played a critical role in intelligence gathering and surveillance missions against Soviet naval forces during the height of the Cold War. • “Operation Holy Stone”: In 1969, Lapon conducted one of the most famous submarine “cloak-and-dagger” operations, tailing a Soviet submarine for an extended period and providing vital intelligence. • Unit Commendation: The submarine was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance in 1969 during classified operations. • Presidential Unit Citation: Lapon also received the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation for her exceptional achievements and contributions to national security. • Decommissioning: After nearly 25 years of service, Lapon was decommissioned on August 1, 1992, having completed numerous successful patrols and operations. • Sail Memorial: The sail (conning tower) of USS Lapon was preserved and now serves as a memorial in Springfield, Missouri, honoring the boat’s legacy and her crew.