1964-1987
Nathanael Greene was born 27 July 1742 at Warwick, R.I. An iron founder by trade, he served in the Rhode Island Assembly and in the Kentish Guards. Appointed Brigadier General by the Rhode Island Assembly, and Major General in the Continental Army, he was given command of a detachment of militia at the siege of Boston and was charged with protecting that city after the British withdrawal. He helped to plan the defenses of New York and served with General Washington at Trenton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Valley Forge. Quartermaster General in 1778, he reorganized the Army's logistics. He also fought at Monmouth and in the Rhode Island campaign, and presided over the trial of British Major John Andre. In 1780 he was appointed commander of the southern forces, winning the battles of Compens and Eutaw Springs and compelling the British forces under Lord Cornwallis to fall back on Charleston. He died in June, 1786, near Savannah, Georgia.
(SSB(N)-636: displacement 7,250 (surfaced), 8,250 (submerged); length 425'; beam 33'; draft 31'5"; speed 20+knots; complement 168; armament Polaris missiles; class James Madison)
Nathanael Greene (SSB(N)-636) was laid down 21 May 1962 at the Portsmouth, N.H., Naval Shipyard; launched 12 May 1964; sponsored by Mrs. Neander W. Wade, a descendent of General Nathanael Greene; and commissioned 19 December 1964, Comdr. Robert E. Crispin and Comdr. William 1\11. Cossaboom in respective command of Blue and Gold crews.
Nathanael Greene departed Portsmouth for shakedown, 30 December 1964, with Gold crew embarked. They were relieved 1 February 1965 by Blue Crew. Her shakedown period was followed by availability at Portsmouth, after which the submarine, with Blue Crew embarked, departed Portsmouth for a missile loadout and her initial Polaris deterrent patrol. Rotating her crews at regular intervals, Nathanael Greene has, since that time, conducted deterrent patrols as a unit of the Atlantic Fleet assigned to SubRon 18.
