USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659)

• Namesake: USS Will Rogers (SSBN-659) was named after Will Rogers, the famous American humorist, actor, and social commentator. She is the only ship in the US Navy to bear his name. • Commissioning: The submarine was commissioned on April 1, 1967, at Groton, Connecticut, marking it as the final boat of the "41 for Freedom" fleet ballistic missile submarines. • 41 for Freedom: Will Rogers was the 41st and last of the US Navy’s "41 for Freedom" ballistic missile submarines, a major force in America’s nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. • Polaris and Poseidon Missiles: Originally equipped with Polaris A3 ballistic missiles, Will Rogers was later converted to carry Poseidon C3 missiles, reflecting the technological advancements in submarine-launched ballistic missiles. • Dual Crews: Like other SSBNs, she operated with Blue and Gold crews to maximize deterrent patrol time, a unique aspect of ballistic missile submarine operations. • First Patrol: The submarine began her first deterrent patrol in October 1967, just a few months after commissioning, underscoring the urgency of the Cold War nuclear deterrence mission. • European Operations: In the later years of her service, Will Rogers operated out of Holy Loch, Scotland, a key overseas base for US SSBNs during the Cold War. • Deactivation: Will Rogers was deactivated in 1991 and decommissioned in 1992 following the end of the Cold War and the downsizing of the US ballistic missile submarine fleet. • Recycling: The submarine was scrapped via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington, with the process completed in August 1994. • Unique Legacy: Will Rogers’ legacy is not just military; she represents a bridge between American cultural history (her namesake) and the strategic history of the Cold War, symbolizing the blend of American humor and deadly serious deterrence.