USS Nathanael Greene (SSBN-636)

• 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.