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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Halibut (SSGN-587) (SSN-587)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Presidential Unit Citation - Navy Unit Commendation (3) - National Defense Service Medal

Halibut Class Guided Missile Submarine: Laid down, 11 April 1957, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 9 January 1959; Commissioned, USS Halibut (SSGN-587), 4 January 1960; Converted to an Attack Submarine at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, 6 February 1975 to 6 September 1975, Redesignated (SSN-587), 15 April 1975; Decommissioned, 30 June 1976; Laid up awaiting disposal through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program (NPSSRP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA., at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.; Struck from the Naval Register, 30 April 1986; Final Disposition, , disposed of through NPSSRP, 9 September 1994.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 3,655 t., Submerged: 5,000 t.; Length 350' ; Beam 29'; Complement 9 Officers 88 Enlisted; Armament, one Regulus missile launcher, (could carry *five* Regulus I missiles, and potentially could have carried the Reg II but that program was cancelled before it ever got the chance), six 21" torpedo tubes; Propulsion, S4G nuclear reactors, **double five bladed propellers. **(Contributed by Don Hulse, EMC9SS0 USN RET).

Size	Image Description	Source
88k	RADM Martin J. Lawrence altercated the keel of the Halibut (SSGN-587) on 11 Apr 1957 at Mare Island as seen in this news clipping.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
70k	A news clipping showing the scene at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 11 Apr 1957 during the keel lying of the Halibut (SSGN-587). The large arrow on the left is pointing to a model of the Regulus missile.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
108k	Honorary keel layers of the Halibut (SSGN-587) stand at attention on 11 Apr 1957 at Mare Island while the national anthem is played. On the platform, left to right, are I. H. Witthonrne, pipe shop master; Capt. Edward J. Fahy, production officer; George K. O 'Hara, master electronics mechanic, and Ross Gibbons, retired chief engineer.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
70k	¼ scale mockup of a Regulus missile in firing position aboard the Halibut (SSGN-587), dated 12/17/1958	U.S. Navy photo NY942425-12-58, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
49k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is ready for her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 9 Jan 1959. The keel of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is seen on the ways to the left of Halibut.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
138k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen just prior to her launching at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 9 Jan 1959. The keel of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is on the ways to the right.	U.S. Navy photo NY9 42606-1-59, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
89k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) on the building ways at Mare Island. Note that the ship is on an incline and there are rails under the launch cradle (wooden blocking). This picture was taken in the early morning shortly before her launching. The five vertical supports on the left would removed before launching. The keel of the Theodore Roosevelt (SSGN-600) is seen on the ways to the right of Halibut	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Nick Spark. Text courtesy of Darryl Baker.
55k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is at the end of ways during her launching at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
58k	The front cover of the Launching Program of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 January 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
90k	Pages 1 and 2 of the Launching Program of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 January 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
67k	Back page of the Launching Program of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 January 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
29k	Mrs. Chet Holifield, sponsor, christens the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959. Assisting Mrs. Holifield are Capt E. R. Tilburne, production officer is on the left and RADM M. J. Lawrence, shipyard commander is on the right.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
44k	Mrs. Chet Holifield, sponsor, is shown with the bottle on champagne to be used to christen the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 9 Jan 1959. RADM M. J. Lawrence, shipyard commander is shown center and Capt E. R. Tilburne, production officer is on the right.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
44k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen entering dry dock #2 on 13 Jan 1959 and she remained in dock until 24 Feb 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
61k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen in dry dock #2 sometime between 13 Jan 1959 and 24 Feb 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
59k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is seen in dry dock #2 on 9 May 1959 during core loading and she remained in dock until 14 Jun 1959.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
61k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) is shown during her commissioning on 4 Jan 1960 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
65k	RADM William E. Ferrall, USN, Commander of the Pacific Submarine Force, delivers the commissioning address for the Halibut (SSGN-587) on 4 Jan 1960 at Mare Island as other members of the commissioning party listen in the background. From left are Capt. Karl Wheland, USN, Sub Ad commander; RADM L. V. Honsinger, USN, Shipyard Commander; LCDR Walter Dedrick, USN, Halibut Commanding Officer; Mrs. Chet Holified, Halibut sponsor, RADM George L. Russell, USN 12th Naval District Commandant, and CDR H. W. Buckingham, CHC, USN, shipyard chaplain.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
44k	The front cover of the Commissioning Program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 4 January 1960.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
71k	Pages 1 & 2 of the Commissioning Program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 4 January 1960.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
91k	Back cover of the Commissioning Program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 4 January 1960.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
55k	Cachet designed for the launching of the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 4 January 1960.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
40k	Artists conception of Halibut (SSGN-587) firing a Regulus missile.	Courtesy of Nick Spark.
113k	Halibut (SSGN-587) firing a Regulus missile in front of the Lexington (CV-16) , 25 March 1960, the first nuclear powered submarine to successfully launch a guided missile.	Courtesy of Nick Spark.
217k	Periscope shot of a Regulus missile launched by the Halibut (SSGN-587) 25 March 1960.	USN photo courtesy of Don Hulse, EMC9-SS0 (USN RET.)
282k	Crew of the Halibut (SSGN-587) lined up on deck for one of our inspections and award ceremonies. Note the Regulus missles on deck and on dock at Pearl Harbor, circa, 1960-62.	USN photo & text courtesy of Don Hulse, EMC9-SS0 (USN RET.)
50k	The Halibut (SSGN-587) firing a Regulus I missile on 31 March 1960.	USN photo courtesy of NARA.
41k	Commemorative postal cover issued on the occassion of Halibut's (SSGN-587) visit to Austrailia, 4 May 1960.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
79k	Halibut (SSGN-587), and Regulas missle in Sydney Harbor with the British submarine *HMS Anchorite* outboard, circa early 60's.	Courtesy of Gary Flynn
164k	Halibut (SSGN-587), firing Regulus missile, date and place unknown.	US Navy photo courtesy chinfo.navy.mil
58k	Halibut (SSGN-587), with a full head of nuclear steam.	Courtesy of Gary Flynn
112k	Halibut (SSGN-587), at Pearl Harbor, date unknown	© Richard Leonhardt
604k	Halibut (SSGN-587), underway. Date and location unknown.	From the collection of W.P. Jones. U.S. Navy photo.
24k	Bows on view of the Halibut (SSGN-587) underway, date and location unknown.	Courtesy of goatlocker.org.
73k	Halibut (SSGN-587) underway off Bremerton, WA.	Courtesy of goatlocker.org.
135k	Starboard view of the Halibut (SSGN-587) underway, possibly circa early 1970's.	Courtesy of Thomas McLoughlin.
56k	Front cover of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
62k	Page 1 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
116k	Page 2 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
96k	Page 3 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
50k	Page 4 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
50k	Page 5 and 6 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
67k	Page 7 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
72k	Page 8 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
81k	Page 9 of the decommissioning program for the Halibut (SSGN-587) at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
101k	Capt. Charles R. Larson, Commanding Officer of Halibut (SSGN-587) addresses a crowd of over 500 persons at the decommissioning of the ship at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
48k	The flag is lowered for the last time aboard the Halibut (SSGN-587) at the decommissioning ceremonies at Mare Island on 30 Jun 1976.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
24k	Commemorative post card marking the Halibut (SSGN-587) decommissioning, 30 Jun 1976.	Courtesy of Richard Leonhardt.
62k	Model of the Halibut (SSGN-587) , at the time of her decommissioning. The model is incorrect, in that it has fairings leading to the leading edge of the rear planes.	Courtesy of Nick Spark.