USS Silversides (SSN-679)

• Commissioning: USS Silversides (SSN-679) was commissioned on May 5, 1972, as a Sturgeon-class attack submarine in the United States Navy. • Namesake: The submarine was named after the silversides, a small fish found in both fresh and salt water, and honors the famous World War II submarine USS Silversides (SS-236). • Construction: Silversides was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, with her keel laid down on October 13, 1969, and launched on June 4, 1971. • Cold War Service: The submarine served extensively during the Cold War, conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. • SpecOps Support: Silversides was equipped to support special operations forces, including SEALs, for covert missions and training exercises. • Arctic Operations: In 1981, USS Silversides conducted under-ice operations in the Arctic, demonstrating the capabilities of Sturgeon-class submarines in extreme environments. • Humanitarian Role: In 1986, the submarine participated in the recovery operations following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, searching for debris off the Florida coast. • Reactor Compartment: After decommissioning, Silversides' reactor compartment was transported by barge to Hanford, Washington, for disposal as part of the Navy's Ship-Submarine Recycling Program. • Decommissioning: The submarine was decommissioned on July 21, 1994, after over 20 years of service, and formally stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on March 1, 1994. • Crew Legacy: The crew of USS Silversides formed a strong alumni association, holding regular reunions and maintaining the legacy and history of the boat through stories and memorabilia.