About this Unit
The USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636) was a Benjamin Franklin-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1964. Named after the Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene, she conducted numerous strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War, armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, the submarine played a crucial role in maintaining the United States' nuclear deterrent posture. The USS Nathanael Greene was decommissioned in 1986 following damage sustained from a grounding incident, and was subsequently scrapped under the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake Heritage: USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636) was named after Major General Nathanael Greene, a prominent American Revolutionary War general renowned for his leadership in the Southern Campaign.
•
Launch and Commissioning: The submarine was launched on May 12, 1964, at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and commissioned into service on December 19, 1964.
•
Polaris Missile Submarine: The Nathanael Greene was built as a "41 for Freedom" fleet ballistic missile submarine, originally armed with Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, forming part of the United States’ nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War.
•
Two-Crew System: Like other ballistic missile submarines, it utilized the Blue and Gold crew rotation system to maximize patrol time and maintain continuous at-sea deterrence.
•
Poseidon Missile Upgrade: In the early 1970s, SSBN-636 was retrofitted to carry Poseidon C3 missiles, increasing its firepower and range capabilities.
•
Global Patrols: The vessel conducted numerous deterrent patrols in the Atlantic Ocean, spending months submerged while ensuring second-strike capability if needed.
•
Grounding Incident: In March 1986, Nathanael Greene ran aground in the Irish Sea, suffering severe damage to her rudder and ballast tanks. The incident led to her early decommissioning.
•
Early Decommissioning: Owing to the damage from the grounding and arms reduction agreements (START), the submarine was decommissioned on May 15, 1986, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register.
•
Recycling and Disposal: The submarine was scrapped through the Navy’s Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, completed in 2000 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
•
Crew and Legacy: Many former sailors of Nathanael Greene are active in reunion groups, preserving the legacy and stories of the boat and its role in safeguarding peace during the Cold War.
