Bryan Cleland

USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on October 20, 1990. Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, she is the third U.S. Navy vessel named after the state of West Virginia. As part of the Navy's strategic deterrent force, USS West Virginia carries Trident II D5 ballistic missiles and has participated in numerous deterrent patrols to maintain peace and security. The submarine continues to serve as a critical element of the United States' nuclear triad, ensuring strategic stability and national defense.

USS **Woodrow Wilson** (SSBN-624) was a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1963. Named after the 28th President of the United States, she conducted numerous deterrent patrols during the Cold War, carrying Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Throughout her service, the submarine played a crucial role in maintaining America’s strategic nuclear deterrence. USS Woodrow Wilson was decommissioned in 1997 and subsequently scrapped, after more than three decades of distinguished service.

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.