USS Lapon (SSN-661)

USS Lapon (SSN-661), a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the lapon, a scorpionfish of the Pacific coast of North America.

Construction and commissioning
The contract to build Lapon was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on 24 October 1963 and her keel was laid down there on 26 July 1965. She was launched on 16 December 1966, sponsored by Mrs. Charles D. Griffin, wife of Admiral Charles D. Griffin (1906–1996), and commissioned on 14 December 1967, with Commander Chester M. "Whitey" Mack in command.

Service history
Upon commissioning, Lapon reported to Commander, Submarine Force, United States Atlantic Fleet for duty, with her home port at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. The Lapon's crew successfully passed an Operational Readiness Review in early 1968 after completing training programs in SuBaseNLon. In the spring Lapon deployed on a SpecOp for which it received its first MUC. In late summer Lapon returned to NNS&DD Co for post shakedown availability. In 1969, Lapon participated in a training exercise before CNO, CinCLant and ComSubLant to demonstrate the feasibility of trailing another submarine. Following that exercise Lapon deployed on a second SpecOp and received a second MUC. Later in 1969, while under the command of Commander Chester "Whitey" Mack, Lapon successfully tailed a Soviet Navy Yankee class ballistic missile submarine for a period of forty-seven days. Lapon followed the Yankee for the Yankee's entire deterrent patrol and only broke contact when the Soviet submarine turned to go home. Lapon was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for the feat and Mack became famous in the submarine community for this noteworthy success, personally receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

Lapon was on routine deployment in the Med when the Yom Kippor war broke out on October 6, 1973. Lapon had been scheduled to make a three day libery run from La Magdelena, Sardinia to Athens, Greece, but instead deployed to the eastern Med when it monitored Soviet submarine activity, remaining at sea for 44 days. Returning to La Magdelena food stores were so low the crew had begun eating different kinds of meals. Because of the hasty departure when the war broke out, there were only three movies aboard. Two were terrible, and shown only once. The third movie was the 1971 release "Dirty Harry" which was shown twice a day for the entire deployment. Lapon set a record for most Soviet submarines trailed during the period, and the crew was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.

Decommissioning and disposal
Deactivated on 1 October 1991 while still in commission, Lapon was decommissioned on 8 August 1992 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. Her scrapping via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program began on 1 March 2003 and was completed on 31 August 2004.

Commemoration
Lapon's sail was preserved as a war memorial at American Legion Post 639 in Springfield, Missouri. It was dedicated on 3 July 2005. USS Lapon Association is an active group and all former shipmates are encouraged to attend bi-annual reunions. See website below.

Awards

 * 1968, Meritorious Unit Commendation
 * 1969, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Presidential Unit Citation, Submarine Division 62 Battle Efficiency "E"
 * 1970, Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for Operational Proficiency, for the Atlantic Fleet, Submarine Division 63 Battle Efficiency "E"
 * 1973, Navy Unit Commendation
 * 1979, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Submarine Squadron Six ASW/Operations "A", Submarine Squadron Six Engineering "E"
 * 1982, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Submarine Squadron Six ASW/Operations "A"
 * 1983, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle Efficiency "E"
 * 1985, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle Efficiency "E"
 * 1988, Arctic Expedition Ribbon, ICEX 88
 * 1991, Navy Battle Efficiency "E"