USS Lafayette SSBN 616
41 for Freedom

Washington Class
SSBN 598 USS George Washington
SSBN 599 USS Patrick Henry
SSBN 600 USS Theodore Roosevelt
SSBN 601 USS Robert E. Lee
SSBN 602 USS Abraham Lincoln

Lafayette Class
SSBN 616 USS Lafayette
SSBN 617 USS Alexander Hamilton
SSBN 619 USS Andrew Jackson
SSBN 620 USS John Adams
SSBN 622 USS James Monroe
SSBN 623 USS Nathan Hale
SSBN 624 USS Woodrow Wilson
SSBN 625 USS Henry Clay
SSBN 626 USS Daniel Webster
SSBN 627 USS James Madison
SSBN 628 USS Tecumseh
SSBN 629 USS Daniel Boone
SSBN 630 USS John C. Calhoun
SSBN 631 USS Ulysses S. Grant
SSBN 632 USS Von Steuben
SSBN 633 USS Casimir Pulaski
SSBN 634 USS Stonewall Jackson
SSBN 635 USS Sam Rayburn
SSBN 636 USS Nathanael Greene
Submarine building proceeded at a furious pace in the early 1960s, as the United States strove to deploy a major component of its Strategic Triad. From 1960 to 1966 the U.S. Navy launched a total of 41 SSBNs, called the "41 for Freedom." All were named for eminent figures in American history and divided among the 5 ship Washington Class, the 5 ship Ethan Allen class, the 19 ship Lafayette Class and the 12 ship Franklin Class. Initially, each boat carried 16 Polaris nuclear missiles that could be launched underwater toward distant targets. Conversion to Poseidon missiles began in 1972. Further modification allowed Franklin-class boats to convert to Trident I missiles beginning in 1979.
41 For Freedom
By Randall E. White, MM1(SS)

Hidden deep below the sea
live the men who keep the peace
Grouped in crews of blue and gold
highly skilled both young and old
Ballistic birds prepared to soar
giant pawns of a political war
Nothing less than perfection allowed
41 for freedom stand tall and proud
Named for heros the world beknown
cold war icons the seas they roam
They sailed for freedom for one and all
perched and ready to answer the call
Most are history a time long gone
leaving the Tridents to carry on
The cold wars over the world, a better place
41 for freedom protecting the human race
Ethan Allen Class
SSBN 608 USS Ethan Allen
SSBN 609 USS Sam Houston
SSBN 610 USS Thomas Edison
SSBN 611 USS John Marshall
SSBN 618 USS Thomas Jefferson

Franklin Class
SSBN 640 USS Benjamin Franklin
SSBN 641 USS Simon Bolivar
SSBN 642 USS Kamehameha
SSBN 643 USS George Bancroft
SSBN 644 USS Lewis & Clark
SSBN 645 USS James K. Polk
SSBN 654 USS George Marshall
SSBN 655 USS Henry L. Stimson
SSBN 656 USS George Washington Carver
SSBN 657 USS Francis Scott Key
SSBN 658 USS Vallejo
SSBN 659 USS Will Rogers
41 for Freedom Links
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Updated: 8/2/2020
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