USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634)

• Namesake: USS Stonewall Jackson (SSBN-634) was named after Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, making it one of the few U.S. Navy vessels to bear the name of a Confederate leader. • Launch Date: The submarine was launched on November 30, 1963, at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California. • Commissioning: She was commissioned on August 26, 1964, entering service during the height of the Cold War as part of the U.S. nuclear deterrent force. • Polaris Missiles: Originally, the USS Stonewall Jackson was equipped with Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, and later upgraded to carry Poseidon C-3 missiles, enhancing her nuclear strike capability. • Blue and Gold Crews: Like other "41 for Freedom" ballistic missile submarines, she operated with two alternating crews (Blue and Gold) to maximize patrol time at sea. • First Patrol: Her first deterrent patrol began in December 1964, marking her operational entry into the U.S. Navy's strategic deterrent force. • Operational Record: During her service, Stonewall Jackson completed over 80 strategic deterrent patrols, a testament to her reliability and importance in the U.S. nuclear triad. • Deactivation: She was decommissioned on November 9, 1992, after nearly three decades of service, coinciding with the end of the Cold War and arms reduction treaties. • Recycling: Stonewall Jackson entered the Navy's Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, and was officially scrapped by February 14, 1997. • Legacy: The submarine's sail and other artifacts are preserved as memorials, and her distinguished service is remembered as a critical part of the U.S. Navy's Cold War deterrence strategy.