History
- Built by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, N.H.
- Laid the keel 19 May 1961
- Launched 12 January 1963
- Commissioned 12 May 1964
- First captains were Comdr. Paul Lando W. Zech, Jr., (Blue) and Comdr. Paul J. Early (Gold).
- First Patrol 3 November 1964
- Decommissioned 24 March 1989
Weapons
The John Adams was built with 16 Polaris A2 missiles.
She received the 2500-mile range Polaris A3 in 1968-70, and was refitted with the Poseidon missile between 1969-78.
Assignments
The John Adams was a member of the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, and completed 32 Polaris deterrent patrols and an additional 43 Poseidon deterrent patrols.
The John Adams spent over 15 years submerged on deterrent patrol and traveled over 975,000 miles during her distinguished career.
Awards
The John Adams was awarded the Atlantic Fleet Golden Anchor Award as a result of 100% retention for several years, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Efficiency "E", and Engineering Red "E," first quarter grades in the Operational Reactor Safeguards Examinations, and the only zero defect Nuclear Technical Weapons Proficiency Inspection (NTPI) for her performance during an inspection of both Polaris and the MK 45 nuclear torpedo.