USS Simon Bolivar ( SSBN - 641 ) USS " Simon Bolivar " ( SSBN - 641 ) , a fleet ballistic missile submarine , was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Simón Bolívar ( 1783 – 1830 ) , a hero of the independence movements of the former Spanish colonies in South America . Construction and commissioning . " Simon Bolivar " s keel was laid down on 17 April 1963 by the Newport News Shipbuilding of Newport News , Virginia . She was launched on 22 August 1964 , sponsored by Mrs . Thomas C . Mann , and commissioned on 29 October 1965 with Commander Charles H . Griffiths commanding the Blue Crew and Commander Charles A . Orem commanding the Gold Crew . Service history . During late December 1965 and most of January 1966 , " Simon Bolivar " underwent demonstration and shakedown operations . The Gold Crew successfully fired a Polaris A - 3 ballistic missile off the coast of Cape Kennedy , Florida , on 17 January 1966 , and the Blue Crew completed a successful Polaris missile firing on 31 January . In February 1966 , the Gold Crew continued shakedown operations in the Caribbean Sea . In March 1966 , " Simon Bolivar " s home port was changed to Charleston , South Carolina , where she was assigned to Submarine Squadron 18 , and minor deficiencies were corrected during a shipyard availability period . Beginning in April 1966 , the Blue Crew prepared for and conducted the first deterrent patrol , while the Gold Crew entered a training period . The Gold Crew conducted the second deterrent patrol , then went into a training period that lasted into early 1967 while the Blue Crew conducted the third deterrent patrol . " Simon Bolivar " completed her third deterrent patrol in January 1967 . " Simon Bolivar " s routine of deterrent patrols out of Charleston by her two crews continued until 7 February 1971 , when she returned to Newport News for overhaul and conversion of her ballistic missile system to support Poseidon missile s . " Simon Bolivar " departed Newport News on 12 May 1972 for post - overhaul shakedown operations and refresher training for her two crews , which lasted until 16 September 1972 . By the end of 1972 , she had resumed deterrent patrols . In October 1974 " Simon Bolivar " returned to Charleston and Submarine Squadron 18 . She was awarded the Battle Effectiveness Award ( Battle " E " ) for Fiscal Year 1974 and the Providence Plantation Award for most outstanding fleet ballistic missile submarine in the United States Atlantic Fleet . She also was awarded the Battle " E " for in Fiscal Years 1975 and 1976 . In February 1979 , following her 40th deterrent patrol , " Simon Bolivar " entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard at Kittery , Maine , for overhaul and conversion of her ballistic missile system to support Trident C - 4 ballistic missiles . Upon completion of overhaul she returned to her home port of Charleston in January 1981 . " Simon Bolivar " continued to make deterrent patrols , undergoing occasional refits at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Georgia , and was awarded the Battle " E " for Fiscal Year 1982 . She successfully launched a Trident test missile in the summer of 1983 . Deactivation , decommissioning , and disposal . Deactivated while still in commission in September 1994 , " Simon Bolivar " was both decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 8 February 1995 . Her scrapping via the U . S . Navys Nuclear - Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton , Washington began on 1 October 1994 and was completed on 1 December 1995 .