USS Richard B . Russell ( SSN - 687 ) USS " Richard B . Russell " ( SSN - 687 ) , a " Sturgeon " - class attack submarine , has been the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Richard B . Russell , Jr . ( 1897 – 1971 ) , United States Senator from Georgia ( 1933 – 1971 ) . Construction and commissioning . The contract for " Richard B . Russell " s construction was awarded on 25 July 1969 and her keel was laid down 19 October 1971 by Newport News Shipbuilding at Newport News , Virginia , authenticated by Mrs . Ina Russell Stacey , sister and official hostess for Senator Russell . " Richard B . Russell " was launched at Newport News on 12 January 1974 , sponsored by Mrs . Herman E . Talmadge , wife of Herman E . Talmadge ( 1913 – 2002 ) , U . S . Senator from Georgia ( 1957 – 1981 ) , and commissioned on 16 August 1975 . Service history . In August 1977 , " Richard B . Russell " was fitted with a large housing attached to her hull just aft of her sail , containing a tethered antenna buoy that was under development . The housing , called a " bustle " ( and particularly the " Russell bustle " ) , gave her a unique profile and her nickname became " Dickey " B " . " Later submarine classes would have their antenna buoy housings built into their hull fairings . In 1978 , the " Richard B . Russell " completed a three - month deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean for which she received a Navy Unit Commendation and an Expeditionary Medal . In 1980 , " Richard B . Russell " completed a five - month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea . In 1981 she completed a deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean for which she received a Meritorious Unit Commendation . In 1982 , " Richard B . Russell " went through the Panama Canal and arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo , California , for an extended overhaul . During her time at Mare Island , it was decided that she would become a special projects submarine . After a short period of post - overhaul testing and sea trials , she underwent extensive ocean engineering modifications prior to commencing operations as a unit of Submarine Development Group 1 . As a member of Sub Dev Group 1 , she spearheaded a testing program for submarine rescue technology . " Richard B . Russell ' s " role as a fast attack submarine as well as a development and testing platform earned her the Presidential Unit Citation , the highest award any naval unit can be given . She also earned six Navy Unit Commendations , and seven Battle Effectiveness Award s ( formerly the Battle Efficiency Award ) , commonly known as the Battle " E " during her career . The ship ’ s motto says it all : “ We Saved The Best ' Til Last " . Most of the major contributions made by " USS RICHARD B . RUSSELL " , ( SSN - 687 ) came as she neared her last years of service , so even she , saved her best ' til last ! " Richard B . Russell " was placed in reserve while still in commission on 1 July 1993 . Decommissioning and disposal . " Richard B . Russell " was both decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 24 June 1994 . She was stored at Bremerton , Washington , until 1 October 2001 , when she entered the Nuclear - Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton for scrapping . Her scrapping was completed on 3 January 2003 .