Laid down 19 October 1974 Decommissioned 22 December 1998 Length 110 m Launched 30 July 1977 | Awarded 24 January 1972 Commissioned 5 January 1980 Struck 22 December 1998 Construction started 19 October 1974 Beam 10 m | |
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The third USS Indianapolis (SSN-697), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be 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.
When the submarine Indianapolis was commissioned, many survivors of the cruiser Indianapolis were present for the official ceremony. The submarine's home port was shifted to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1981, operating out of Pearl Harbor for the remainder of its active service.
The commanding officers of USS Indianapolis include:
As a result of the ship's final deployment from April to October 1997, under the command of CDR William Toti, the vessel was awarded the Battle Efficiency E and a Navy Unit Commendation. Both were the first time the submarine had received such awards in its 18-year history. During CDR Toti's tenure as commanding officer Indianapolis also received several other awards, even including the Ney Award.
As a result of the ending of the Cold War and the so-called "Peace Dividend," the boat was inactivated in 1998 only 18 years into its 30-year life.
