Description
Submarine USS Simon Bolivar SSBN 641 Blue Navy Belt Buckle - Used : (for Web Belt) Some brass plating loss in area of Ship Hull Number engraving USS Simon Bolivar (SSBN-641), a Benjamin Franklin class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), a hero of the independence movements of the former Spanish colonies in South America. Simon Bolivar's keel was laid down on 17 April 1963 by the Newport News Shipbuilding of Newport News, Virginia. She was launched on 22 August 1964, sponsored by Mrs. Thomas C. Mann, & commissioned on 29 October 1965 with Commander Charles H. Griffiths commanding the Blue Crew & Commander Charles A. Orem commanding the Gold Crew. During late December 1965 & most of January 1966, Simon Bolivar underwent demonstration & shakedown operations. The Gold Crew successfully fired a Polaris A-3 ballistic missile off the coast of Cape Kennedy, Florida, on 17 January 1966, & the Blue Crew completed a successful Polaris missile firing on 31 January. in February 1966, the Gold Crew continued shakedown operations in the Caribbean Sea. in March 1966, Simon Bolivar's home port was changed to Charleston, South Carolina, where she was assigned to Submarine Squadron 18, & minor deficiencies were corrected during a shipyard availability period. Beginning in April 1966, the Blue Crew prepared for & conducted the first deterrent patrol, while the Gold Crew entered a training period. The Gold Crew conducted the second deterrent patrol, then went into a training period that lasted into early 1967 while the Blue Crew conducted the third deterrent patrol. Simon Bolivar completed her third deterrent patrol in January 1967. Simon Bolivar's routine of deterrent patrols out of Charleston by her two crews continued until 7 February 1971, when she returned to Newport News for overhaul & conversion of her ballistic missile system to support Poseidon missiles. Simon Bolivar departed Newport News on 12 May 1972 for post-overhaul shakedown operations & refresher training for her two crews, which lasted until 16 September 1972. By the end of 1972, she had resumed deterrent patrols. in October 1974 Simon Bolivar returned to Charleston & Submarine Squadron 18. She was awarded the Battle Effectiveness Award (Battle "E") for Fiscal Year 1974 & the Providence Plantation Award for most outstanding fleet ballistic missile submarine in the United States Atlantic Fleet. She also was awarded the Battle "E" for in Fiscal Years 1975 & 1976. in February 1979, following her 40th deterrent patrol, Simon Bolivar entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at Kittery, Maine, for overhaul & conversion of her ballistic missile system to support Trident C-4 ballistic missiles. Upon completion of overhaul she returned to her home port of Charleston in January 1981. Simon Bolivar continued to make deterrent patrols, undergoing occasional refits at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Georgia, & was awarded the Battle
