USS Nathan Hale SSBN 623

• Namesake: USS Nathan Hale (SSBN-623) was named after Nathan Hale, a captain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and an American patriot famous for his quote, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." • Polaris Submarine: She was a Lafayette-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, designed to carry Polaris nuclear missiles as part of the United States' nuclear deterrent strategy during the Cold War. • Commissioning: USS Nathan Hale was commissioned on November 23, 1963, at Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. • Dual Crews: Like other ballistic missile submarines, she operated with two alternating crews, Blue and Gold, to maximize her time at sea and strategic readiness. • First Patrol: The submarine completed her first deterrent patrol in May 1964, quickly integrating into the U.S. Navy's nuclear triad operations. • Missile Upgrades: Originally equipped with Polaris A-3 missiles, Nathan Hale was later retrofitted to carry Poseidon C-3 missiles, enhancing her strike range and capacity. • Global Operations: During her service, she conducted deterrent patrols in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, contributing to the U.S. policy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). • Deactivation: USS Nathan Hale was decommissioned on November 3, 1986, after 22 years of service at the peak of the Cold War. • Recycling: The submarine was disposed of through the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, completed in 1994. • Cultural Legacy: The crest and memorabilia from USS Nathan Hale are preserved in naval museums and by veteran associations, honoring her vital role in strategic deterrence and submarine history.