About this Unit
USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635) was a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1964. Named after the longtime Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the submarine played a critical role in the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, Sam Rayburn demonstrated the reliability and endurance of the Navy’s “41 for Freedom” ballistic missile submarines. She was decommissioned in 1989 and subsequently converted to a moored training ship, continuing her service to the Navy in a non-combat capacity.
Historical Facts
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Namesake Honor: The USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635) was named after Sam Rayburn, the longest-serving Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, reflecting his significant contributions to American governance.
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Launch and Commissioning: The submarine was launched on December 20, 1963, by Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned on December 2, 1964, becoming the 16th vessel in the "41 for Freedom" ballistic missile submarine fleet.
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"41 for Freedom" Fleet: Sam Rayburn was part of the famous "41 for Freedom," the initial group of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines crucial to U.S. nuclear deterrence during the Cold War.
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Polaris Missiles: Initially equipped with 16 Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, the submarine was a key component of the United States' strategic nuclear triad.
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Dual Crew Operation: Like other SSBNs, the Sam Rayburn operated with two alternating crews (Blue and Gold) to maximize patrol coverage and effectiveness.
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First Patrol: The submarine's first deterrent patrol began in 1965, marking the start of a nearly two-decade operational career patrolling the Atlantic Ocean.
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Reactor Incident: In 1979, the submarine experienced a minor nuclear reactor coolant leak while in port, but it was quickly contained with no injuries or significant impact on operations.
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Conversion to Training Ship: In 1985, Sam Rayburn was converted into a moored training ship (MTS-635), serving as a stationary, non-deployable platform for training nuclear power personnel at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Missile Compartment Removal: As part of its conversion, the entire missile compartment was removed in 1989 to comply with arms reduction treaties and to ensure the submarine could not deploy ballistic missiles.
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Decommissioning and Legacy: The submarine was officially decommissioned on July 31, 1989, but its legacy continues as a training platform, and its service was honored with several awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation.
