USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599)

• First of Her Name: USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) was the first U.S. Navy ship named after Patrick Henry, a prominent figure in the American Revolution known for his "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech. • George Washington-class: She was the second George Washington-class ballistic missile submarine, designed to carry the Polaris nuclear missile. • Commissioned in 1960: USS Patrick Henry was commissioned on April 9, 1960, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, marking a significant step in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear deterrence strategy. • Record Underwater Patrol: In 1961, Patrick Henry set a record by patrolling submerged for 66 consecutive days and 22 hours, an impressive feat for the time. • Dual Crew System: Like other "41 for Freedom" subs, she operated with Blue and Gold crews to maximize operational patrol time. • First Deterrent Patrol: Her first Polaris missile deterrent patrol began in December 1960, soon after commissioning, showcasing the immediate readiness of the new missile subs. • 100th Polaris Patrol: Patrick Henry completed the 100th deterrent patrol by a Polaris submarine in April 1964, a milestone in the U.S. Navy’s strategic deterrent force. • Presidential Recognition: President John F. Kennedy visited the USS Patrick Henry in December 1962 at Holy Loch, Scotland, highlighting the importance of ballistic missile submarines during the Cold War. • Conversion to Attack Submarine: In 1982, she was reclassified as an attack submarine (SSN-599) after her missile tubes were removed, extending her service until her decommissioning. • Decommissioned in 1984: USS Patrick Henry was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on May 25, 1984, after over two decades of service in nuclear deterrence and submarine operations.