Reprinted from ship's official commissioning program.
U.S.S. Woodrow Wilson SSB(N) 624 is a Lafayette Class fleet ballistic missile submarine. Her mission is the preservation of peace through deterrence. The "Polaris Submarine" provides a reliable and relatively invulnerable strategic force to counter any would-be aggressor. Her potent missile cargo contains the savage destructive force of all the bombs dropped by all nations during World War II. There is scarcely a point on the surface of the earth beyond the reach of her sixteen missiles.
To assure power reliability, U.S.S. WOODROW WILSON is equipped with the proven Westinghouse S5W nuclear reactor plant. She has built-in capability for prolonged submergence, deep dives and high submerged speeds.
New concepts in habitability and air revitalization permit submergence for periods in excess of 90 days. Despite the proximity of a nuclear reactor, the stringent design criteria of the shielding reduces the radiation to a level such that, during a cruise lasting the life of the reactor, the average crew member will receive less exposure than he would during a lifetime of X-rays, cosmic rays, and natural radioactivity in the sea, air, drinking water and ground. Radiation dose rates are only a fraction of the maximum allowed by the Bureau of Standards.
U.S.S. WOODROW WILSON SSB(N) 624 is the first ship of the United States Navy to bear the name of the twenty-eighth president of the United States. Woodrow Wilson was a brilliant constitutional theorist, lawyer, teacher, university president, governor of New Jersey, and is considered foremost among our intellectual presidents. He was a man whose vision and dynamic leadership culminated in the attainment of significant domestic advances, and the capable execution of our national commitment in the first World War.
Original funding and assignment of SSB(N) 624 to Mare Island Naval Shipyard occurred February 9, 1961, and her keel was laid on a sunny September day in the same year.
The U.S.S. WOODROW WILSON'S launching on February 22, 1963 marked Mare Island's 502nd launching and the yard's eighth nuclear powered submarine.
Her maiden voyage took place on 20 October 1963 and she was commissioned a ship of the line on 27 December 1963.
The Honorable Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was born on March 19, 1891 in Los Angeles and was raised in Bakersfield, California; he was educated in the Kern County public schools and at the University of California, Berkeley (B. L., 1912; J.D. 1914). Upon discharge from the Army in 1918, he served successfully as clerk for a state legislative committee (1919), Deputy City Attorney for Oakland (1919-1920), Deputy District Attorney (1920-1925) and District Attorney (1925-39) for Alameda County and Attorney General of California (1939-1943). Mr. Warren Was elected Governor of his native state of California for three terms (1943-1953), receiving widespread bipartisan support. Only once, in 1948 when he was Republican candidate for Vice-President, did he ever loose an election. He was named Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In the years that he has held his present office, Chief Justice Warren has dealt with some of the most important decisions in the court's history. Notable among these were the unanimous decisions rendered in the school segregation area. While basically supporting governmental legislation in the economic area, the Chief Justice has been particularly sensitive to governmental infringement in matters involving civil rights. He has been hailed as "a courageous leader seeking to adopt legal rules to modern conditions in the light of moral considerations.
Rear Admiral E. E. Yeomans, Commander Western Sea Frontier and Twelfth Naval District, was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1924. A distinguished submariner, Rear Admiral Yeomans served on board the USS R-3 in the Pacific Fleet in 1928. He subsequently commanded the USS S-17 and USS S-20.
During World War II, Rear Admiral Yeomans commanded Submarine Division FIFTY THREE and later served as Planning Officer for the Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
Since World War II, Rear Admiral Yeomans has served as Chief of Staff for Commander Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet and for Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
In December 1957, Rear Admiral Yeomans assumed duty as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School. Prior to his present duty, he was Commander Naval Forces, Japan.
Rear Admiral Yeomans was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service as Strategic Planning Officer on the Staff of Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, from May 1944 to September 1945, and the Bronze Star Medal for his service as Operations Officer of Task Force FORTY TWO from May 1942 to November 1942, and additional duty as Commander Submarine Division FIFTY THREE from June 1942 to February 1943.
Commander C. N. Mitchell, U.S. Navy was graduated from the U.S. Naval
Academy in June 1944 and was assigned duty on the U.S.S. MELVIN (DD 680)
in the Pacific. MELVIN was assigned to Task Force 38 and 58 and participated
in the Palau, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions.
Commander MITCHELL attended Submarine School in 1946 and upon graduation
served on the U.S.S. DOGFISH (SS350) for three years. After tours of duty
on the Staffs of Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT, Commander Submarine
Division EATEN and in the Bureau of Naval Personnel, he was assigned as
Executive Officer U.S.S. TROUT (SS 566). In April 1955, he assumed command
of U.S.S. CHIVO (SS 341) at Key West, Florida. In 1957 he attended the Naval
War College at Newport, Rhode Island and the following year was under instruction
at Naval Reactors Branch, Atomic Energy Commission. He was assigned as Prospective
Commanding Officer U.S.S. SCULPIN (SSN 590) in June 1959. Commander Mitchell
attended FBM Weapons and Navigation courses and reported to Mare Island
Naval Shipyard in February 1963 as Prospective Commanding Officer (Blue)
U.S.S. WOODROW WILSON (SSBN 624).
Commander MITCHELL is married to the former Jane Brierly of Syracuse, New York. They have two daughters, Lynda and Barbara.
Blue Crew Roster Woodrow Wilson Association official web page
Commander Walter N. DIETZEN, Jr., U.S. Navy from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1944 and from Submarine School in December 1944. First assigned to the U.S.S. TIRANTE (SS 420), he participated in two successful war patrols against the Japanese. Following a four tour in U.S.S. RATON (SS 270) and two years duty at Key West Sonar School. Commander DIETZEN became Executive Officer of the U.S.S. BAYA (SS 318). He attended the U.S. Naval War College in 1954 and became Commanding Officer of U.S.S. CUBERA (SS 347) in July 1955. In July 1957 Commander DIETZEN was ordered to Washington where he served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel and Division of Naval Reactors in the Bureau of Ships. He reported to U.S.S. SCAMP (SSN 588) in March at Mare Island and remained with that ship as Commanding Officer until reporting to Mare Island for WOODROW WILSON.
He is married to the former Ann Lauter of Chattanooga, Tennessee. They have a daughter, Sharon and a son Nick.
Gold crew roster Woodrow Wilson Association official web page
Length . . . . 425 feet
Beam . . . . 33 feet
Displacement
Surfaced . . . 7500 tons
Submerged . . 8200 tons
Armament
Forward . . . 4 Torpedo Tubes
Amidship . . . 16 Missle Tubes
Depth . . . . In Excess of 400 feet
Speed . . . . In excess of 20 knots
Propulsion . . . Westinghouse S5W Nuclear Reactor
Naval Personnel Allowance
Officers . . . 13
Men . . . . 124
Keel Laid . . . . September 13, 1961
Launched . . . . February 22, 1963
Maiden Voyage . . October 20, 1963
Commissioned . . . December 27, 1963
Eleanor Axson Saye, the gracious sponsor of the submarine named for her grandfather, former President Woodrow Wilson, is a celebrity in her own right. Miss Sayre is a well known art expert and an accepted authority on the works on the artist Goya.
As the daughter of a diplomat, Francis B. Sayre, she received early schooling in Siam, France, England and Switzerland, as well as the United States. Miss Sayre is a graduate of Radcliffe College. She is currently an assistant curator on the staff of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
The Executive Officer is the second in command and responsible to the Commanding Officer for the training and administration of the ships personnel and the implementation of the Commanding Officer's policies. All department heads report to the Executive Officer for the resolution of administrative and personnel problems. The ship's office is charged with maintaining all the ship's official records, reports, and personnel service records.
The Engineering Department under the direction of the Engineer Officer is charged with the responsibility for all propulsion equipment, major piping associated with hull and damage control equipment. As assistants to the Engineer Officer, the Main Propulsion, Electrical, Reactor Control and Auxiliary Division Officers perform vital duties. The Engineer Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for all aspects of operation of the ships nuclear reactor and propulsion plant.
The Navigator is responsible to the Commanding Officer for the safe navigation of the ship and for precision navigation data used in the weapons sub-systems. He is also responsible for the operation, care and maintenance of the extremely complex ships navigation equipment including the ships internal navigation system. The Operations Officer is responsible for the ships operational planning and the conduct of operations. The Communications Officer, Sonar Officer and Electronics Material Officer report to the Operations Officer.
The Weapons Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for the operation, care maintenance and inspection of all weapons systems, fire control systems, missile launcher systems, missiles and torpedoes. The First Lieutenant reports to the Weapons Officer and is responsible for the preservation and cleanliness of the exterior of the ship and the operation, care and maintenance of the ground tackle, mooring lines and related equipment.
The Medical Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for the health and welfare of the crew. As consultant he advises the Commanding Officer and the Engineer Officer on radiological health and hazards and atmosphere control.
The Supply Officer is responsible to the Commanding Officer for requisition and stowage of all spare parts and replacement items and the preparation and service of food.
Duty officer: LT. LONNEGREN
Duty Chief Petty Officer: BARNES, MMC
Eng Duty Officer: LT. SEVERANCE
Eng Chief Petty Officer: JONKER, ETC
Duty Section: ONE
Sunrise: 0724
Sunset: 1656
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0600 Revellie
0615 Breakfast
0700 Secure breakfast, Duty Section commence field day to clean up ship
for
. . commissioning.
0800 1. Working party muster with Lt. Akers to set up chairs.
. 2. Set National colors at the sail.
1130 All hands shift into Undress Blue BRAVO.
1145 Chief Justice & Mrs. WARREN arrive for luncheon.
1200 LT WALTER/LT BISTRONG set out programs.
1230 1. All Hands shift into Full Dress Blue BRAVO.
. . 2. Ushers muster on the dock with LTJG ZIERDEN.
1300 Liberty expires for all Hands. Assemble in the Missile Compartment
per per set
. . plan.
. . Commence assembling topside when directed by the Executive Officer.
. . Passage topside through the Capsule Loading Hatch.
1320 1. Sideboys muster topside with LT LONNEGREN.
. . 2.Color detail take stations. Check colors set as follows:
. . . a. Jack at the jack staff.
. . . b. National colors at the sail.
. . . c. Aft staff free.
. . . d. Rear Admiral's Flag ready for breaking at the gaff.
. . 3. LT GRIFFITH complete final instruction of band and color guard. Check
. communications to the saluting battery.
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