About this Unit
USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632) was a James Madison-class fleet ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Assigned to the "Gold" crew, one of the two alternating crews, she conducted numerous strategic deterrent patrols during the height of the Cold War, carrying Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. The Gold crew played a critical role in ensuring continuous at-sea deterrence, operating out of bases such as Rota, Spain, and Holy Loch, Scotland. After nearly three decades of service, Von Steuben was decommissioned in 1994, marking the end of her contribution to America's undersea nuclear deterrent force.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake: USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632) was named after Baron Friedrich von Steuben, the Prussian military officer who played a crucial role in training and disciplining the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
•
Dual Crews: Like many ballistic missile submarines, Von Steuben operated on a dual-crew system, known as "Blue" and "Gold" crews, to maximize its operational readiness and patrol time. The Gold Crew was one of these alternating teams.
•
Commissioning: The Gold Crew officially placed USS Von Steuben into service on 30 September 1964, marking its entrance into the US Navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.
•
Missile Arsenal: The submarine was originally armed with Polaris A-3 ballistic missiles, and later upgraded to carry Poseidon C3 missiles, enhancing its strategic deterrence capability.
•
Cold War Service: USS Von Steuben conducted numerous strategic deterrent patrols during the height of the Cold War, maintaining a continuous at-sea presence to deter potential adversaries.
•
Longest Patrol: One of the Gold Crew's patrols reportedly lasted over 70 days submerged, demonstrating both the endurance of the submarine and the commitment of its crew during extended missions.
•
Life on Board: Crew members often recounted the challenges of submarine life, including close quarters, limited contact with the outside world, and the importance of camaraderie and routine.
•
Refueling and Overhauls: The submarine underwent several refueling and overhaul periods during its career, including a major refit in the late 1970s to extend its operational life and upgrade systems.
•
Decommissioning: After nearly three decades of service, USS Von Steuben was decommissioned on 26 February 1994, having completed 71 deterrent patrols.
•
Legacy: The Gold Crew, along with the Blue Crew, contributed to the legacy of the “41 for Freedom”—the original fleet of US Navy ballistic missile submarines that formed the backbone of America’s nuclear deterrent during the Cold War.
