Американская подводная лодка USS Lapon (SSN 661)

Submarine of the United States

USS Lapon (SSN 661), a Sturgeon class attack submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the lapon, a scorpionfish of the Pacific coast of North America.

The contract to build Lapon was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on 24 October 1963 and her keel was laid down there on 26 July 1965. She was launched on 16 December 1966, sponsored by Mrs. Charles D. Griffin, wife of Admiral Charles D. Griffin (1906–1996), and commissioned on 14 December 1967.

Deactivated on 1 October 1991 while still in commission, Lapon was decommissioned on 8 August 1992 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. Her scrapping via the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program began on 1 March 2003 and was completed on 31 August 2004. The sail was transported from Bremerton Washington to Springfield Missouri. Reassembly was in 2005 at Vietnam War Memorial Post 639 thanks to the work of Runner Base of USSVI. Most costs were donated by businesses and patriotic Americans. Five past commanders attended the dedication ceremony.

Lapons sail was preserved as a war memorial at American Legion Post 639 in Springfield, Missouri. It was dedicated on 3 July 2005. USS Lapon Association is an active group with bi annual reunions. The song “Ballad of Whitey Mack” by Tommy Cox was written in honor of Lapon and her commanding officer, Chester Mack.