USS Indianapolis

USS Indianapolis (SSN 697), a nuclear fast attack Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third United States Navy ship named for Indianapolis, Indiana. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 24 January 1972, and her keel was laid down on 19 October 1974. She was launched on 30 July 1977, sponsored by Mrs. William G. Bray, and commissioned on 5 January 1980 with Commander Harry P. Salmon, Jr., in command, with many survivors of the World War II cruiser Indianapolis (CA 35) present for the ceremony. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, served as her home port from 1981 until her decommissioning. In 1997, Indianapolis received the Battle Efficiency E, the 7th Fleet Anti-Surface Warfare Award, and the Navy Unit Commendation, and the ship twice received the NEY Award. The sail of Indianapolis was transferred to the Indiana Military Museum on 25 March 2013 by the United States Navy through the efforts of members of the Hoosier base of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. and the Sub Vets of World War II, who raised the funds to construct the monument. Her commanding officers were CDR Harry P. Salmon, Jr., USN; CDR Gordon W. Hutt, USN; CDR Harry P. Salmon, USN; CDR Steven V. Gray, USN; CDR R.S. Holbrook, USN; CDR Harry L. Sheffield, USN; CDR Thomas F. Gormon, USN; CDR David A. Zacharias, USN; CDR Douglas P. Johnson, USN; and CDR William J. Toti, USN. Indianapolis measured 362 feet in length with a beam of 33 feet, had a surface speed of 15 knots and a submerged speed greater than 25 knots, carried a crew of 12 officers and 115 enlisted personnel, and was armed with four torpedo tubes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes, submarine-launched mobile mines, and Tomahawk land attack missiles. She was struck on 22 December 1998 at an approximate cost of $900,000,000.00.

Vincennes, Indiana · United States