Keel laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport
News, VA, 3DEC62;
Launched: 20DEC63; Sponsored by Mrs. S.E. Bartley & Mrs. W.A. Thomas;
Commissioned: 2DEC64; Capt Oliver H. Perry, Jr. [B], LCdr William A.
Williams, III [G];
Decommissioned: 31JUL89;
Struck from Navy List: 28Aug89;
Converted to Dockside Trainer serving as S5W Prototype.
USS SAM RAYBURN (SSBN-635) operated in Atlantic waters throughout its life, making patrols from Charleston, Holy Loch, Scotland and Rota, Spain. The boat enjoyed more than its share of success over the years, participating in successful operational tests in 1976 and 1983, and winning the Battle Efficiency "E" on several occasions. During the 1975-76 timeframe, the crew was often referred to as the Mod Squad, as both Blue and Gold commanding officers were Lieutenant Commanders and the wardrooms comprised of a high percentage of Ensigns.
In 1989, the boat was converted to a nuclear prototype and utilized
as a training site for both officers and enlisted personnel to qualify
them to operate reactors aboard commissioned ships. SAM RAYBURN
is still being used in this role in 1998, along with another former SSBN,
Daniel Webster, at the Naval Weapons Station located on the Cooper
River several miles north of Charleston, SC.