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USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635)
Career
Ordered:	20 July 1961
Laid down:	3 December 1962
Launched:	20 December 1963
Commissioned:	2 December 1964
Decommissioned:	31 July 1989
Fate:	moored training ship
Stricken:	31 July 1989
General characteristics
Displacement:	6700 tons light, tons full
Length:	129.5 m (425 ft)
Propulsion:	S5W reactor
Armament:
Motto:

The USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN/MTS-635) was a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine named for U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn (1882–1961).

The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 20 July 1961 and her keel was laid down on 3 December 1962. She was launched on 20 December 1963 sponsored by Mrs. S.E. Bartley & Mrs. W.A. Thomas, and commissioned on 2 December 1964, with Captain Oliver H. Perry, Jr., in command of the Blue Crew and Commander William A. Williams III in command of the Gold Crew.

Sam Rayburn conducted demonstration and shakedown operations on the Atlantic Missile Range, first manned by her Blue Crew and then by her Gold Crew. She joined Submarine Squadron 18 before her first patrol in the summer of 1965. In August 1965, she joined Submarine Squadron 16 and made seven patrols out of Rota, Spain, before rejoining Submarine Squadron 18 in December 1966 at Charleston, South Carolina. During 1967, Sam Rayburn completed her eighth through 11th Polaris deterrent patrols. During 1968, she completed patrols 12 through 14. During 1969, Sam Rayburn operated continuously with Submarine Squadron 18 until commencing overhaul at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in December. Upon completion of overhaul on 27 May 1971, Sam Rayburn operated along the eastern coast of the United States throughout 1971 and into 1972. She departed from Groton, Connecticut, and arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, before departing on an extended period of special operations.

On 10 June 1985, the Navy announced plans to dismantle a ballistic missile submarine so as to remain within the SALT II ceiling on MIRVed missiles. Sam Rayburn was selected and was deactivated on 16 September 1985. Her missile tubes were filled with concrete and the tube hatches removed.

Sam Rayburn was decommissioned on 31 July 1989 and reclassified a moored training ship with hull classification symbol MTS-635. Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on the following 28 August, she arrived at Goose Creek, South Carolina on 1 February 1986, and on 29 July 1989 achieved initial criticality in her new role. Her modifications included special mooring arrangements including a mechanism to absorb power generated by the main propulsion shaft (Water Wheel). She is scheduled to operate as an MTS until 2028 while undergoing shipyard availabilities at four year intervals.

• Texas Navy hosted by The Portal to Texas History. A survey of the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution and the Republic Era. Includes maps, sketches, a list of ships of the Texas Navy, and a chronology. Also includes photographs of 20th century U.S. Navy ships named after Texans or Texas locations. See photos of the USS Sam Rayburn.

Based on data from the Naval Vessel Register