SUBLANT April 15, 1997. When USS GRAYBACK (SSG 574) slipped its moors and headed into the Pacific Ocean in September 1959, it began an era of submarine history that would go unrecognized for almost 40 years.
The accomplishments of sailors assigned to the Navy’s handful of Regulus guided missiled submarines are long and storied. The five Regulus submarines, USS GRA YBACK (SSG 574), USS TUNNY (SSG 282), USS BARBERO (SSG 317), USS GROWLER (SSG 577) and USS HALIBUT (SSGN 687) deployed on 41 deterrent patrols under the earth’s oceans over the course of five years.
Recognition of those 41 patrols, which ended when HALIBUT returned in July 1964, is finally being made.
Vice Admiral Richard W. Mies, Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, has notified the Bureau of Naval Personnel that crewmembers “who conducted Regulus missile deterrent patrols are hereby authorized to wear the SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia in accordance with article 142-130 of the MILPERSMAN and in the fashion prescribed by the Naval Uniform Regulations”.
Regulus deployment dates eligible for a patrol pin, by submarine, are as follows:
| SUBMARINE | DEPART | REIURN |
|---|---|---|
| USS TUNNY | 23 Oct 59 | 16 Dec 59 |
| 22 Apr 60 | 17 Jun 60 | |
| 14 Jul 60 | 12 Sep 60 | |
| 23 Jul 61 | 28 Sep 61 | |
| 04 Nov 61 | 12 Jan 62 | |
| 24 Aug 62 | 29 Oct 62 | |
| 12 Jan 63 | 15 Mar 63 | |
| 13 Jul 63 | 03 Oct 63 | |
| 10 Feb 64 | 11 Apr 64 | |
| USS BARBERO | 30 Sep 60 | 02 Dec 60 |
| 23 Dec 60 | 04 Mar 61 | |
| 23 Jul 61 | 28 Sep 61 | |
| 04 Nov 61 | 12 Jan 62 | |
| 24 Aug 62 | 29 Oct 62 | |
| 12 Jan 63 | 15 Mar 63 | |
| 10 Jul 63 | 28 Sep 63 | |
| 4 Jan 64 | 13 Mar 64 | |
| USS GROWLER | 12 Mar 60 | 12 May 60 |
| 10 Nov 60 | 18 Jan 61 | |
| 18 Mar 61 | 12 May 61 | |
| 11 Feb 62 | 24 Apr 62 | |
| 24 May 62 | 1 Aug 62 | |
| 24 Nov 62 | 11 Feb 63 | |
| 14 Jun 63 | 12 Aug 63 | |
| 04 Oct 63 | 13 Dec 63 | |
| USS GRAYBACK | 21 Sep 59 | ?? Dec 59 |
| 31 May 60 | 30 Jul 60 | |
| 24 Aug 60 | 29 Oct 60 | |
| 05 Jun 61 | 13 Aug 61 | |
| 12 Sep 61 | 13 Nov 61 | |
| 02 Apr 62 | 03 Jun 62 | |
| 07 Oct 62 | 22 Dec 62 | |
| 20 Feb 63 | 11 May 63 | |
| 07 Sep 63 | 02 Nov 63 | |
| USS HALIBUT | 09 Feb 61 | 10 Apr 61 |
| 01 May 61 | 28 Jun 61 | |
| 20 Dec 61 | 31 Mar 62 | |
| 09 Jul 62 | 15 Sep 62 | |
| 29 Apr 63 | 20 Jan 64 | |
| 19 Nov 63 | 20 Jan 64 | |
| 07 May 64 | 14 Jul 64 |
