USS Maryland ( SSBN - 738 ) USS " Maryland " ( SSBN - 738 ) is a United States Navy ballistic missile submarine . " Maryland " is the 13th of 18 of the " Ohio " - class ballistic missile submarines , and has been in commission since 1992 . " Maryland " is the fourth United States Navy vessel to be named after the U . S . state of Maryland . Her mission is to provide the United States of America with an undetectable and unattackable nuclear launch platform in support of the national strategy of strategic deterrence . Construction and commissioning . The contract for the construction of the " Maryland " was awarded on 14 March 1986 . Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation at Groton , Connecticut , on 22 April 1986 . Christening ceremony and launching . " Maryland " was christened and launched in a ceremony on 10 August 1991 at the Electric Boat shipyard . The program opened with the U . S . national anthem , " The Star - Spangled Banner " , performed by the United States Navy Band , Northeast , led by Chief Musician Steven R . Rawson . Mr . Roger E . Tetrault , Vice President and General Manager of Electric Boat Division , then gave welcoming remarks . Mr . James E . Turner , Jr . , Executive Vice President of Marine , Land Systems and Services , General Dynamics Corporation , also gave prepared remarks for the occasion . The director of the Maryland Veterans Commission , Clarence M . Bacon , greeted guests and crew , then turned over the podium to Vice Admiral Kenneth C . Malley , Commander , Naval Sea Systems Command . Vice Admiral Henry G . Chiles , Jr . , Commander Submarine Force U . S . Atlantic Fleet , introduced the principal speaker , The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley U . S . Representative for Maryland ' s Second Congressional District . Mr . James E . Turner Jr . then returned to the podium to introduce the sponsor , Sarah " Sally " Craig Larson . After a short blessing of the ship by Captain A . Byron Holderby , Ms . Larson , along with Matron of Honor Kirsten L . Datko and Maid of Honor Erica L . Larson , christened pre - commissioning unit " Maryland " , and " Maryland " was launched . Commissioning . On 13 June 1992 , the PCU " Maryland " was formally commissioned into U . S . Naval service as the USS " Maryland " , with Captain John W . Francis in command of the Blue crew and Captain Harold E . Marshall in command of the Gold crew . The principal speaker was Admiral Charles R . Larson , Commander - in - Chief U . S . Pacific Command . At this point the Blue crew retained the ship for shakedown operations , while the Gold crew departed to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay , Kings Bay , Georgia to start their offcrew training cycle . Service history . " Maryland " departed Groton for Kings Bay on 15 June 1992 and immediately started preparation for strategic certification , with the Blue crew achieving a successful test launch on 29 Jul 1992 , and starting Trident D - 5 missile Demonstration and Shakedown Operations ( DASO ) on 7 July 1992 . The first exchange of command occurred on 4 September 1992 , with the Gold crew taking charge of " Maryland " , and completing their phase of DASO on 22 October 1992 . Various other inspections and training exercises were conducted throughout 1992 . The Blue crew relieved the Gold crew 26 January 1993 and continued with preparations for strategic certification . " Maryland " returned to Groton on 30 January 1993 for post - shakedown maintenance prior to assuming responsibility for strategic deterrent patrols . " Maryland " returned to Kings Bay , Georgia on 9 April 1993 . " Maryland " completed various weapons and tactical certifications and then returned to Kings Bay on 4 May 1993 to join Submarine Squadron 20 and commence preparations for the first strategic deterrent patrol . The initial loadout of Trident D - 5 missiles was completed at this point . The Gold crew relieved the Blue crew 7 May 1993 and continued the refit . On 19 June 1993 " Maryland " went underway on her first strategic deterrent patrol , which started her strategic patrol cycle . Grounding . On 24 September 1993 , " Maryland " ran aground at Port Canaveral , Florida , after conducting a medical evacuation of an ill crew member , and returned to Kings Bay to inspect for damage . Damage to the submarine was minimal , and the investigation found that the crew was not responsible . " Maryland " then resumed her second deterrent patrol on 26 September 1993 . Crew member death . On 5 May 2002 , ETC ( SS ) LeRoy W . Young , USN , died of a heart attack while deployed on " Maryland " . His funeral was held while she was in port , 12 May 2002 , and the ship resumed its patrol shortly afterwards . Trident SLBM Missile Testing . " Maryland " has been involved in several Follow - on Commander ' s Evaluation Tests ( FCET ) of its Trident D - 5 SLBM missile system . The FCET launches a specially modified missile without a nuclear payload , and is used to test the performance of the Trident missile system . Live Fire Exercise . On 16 October 2001 , " Maryland " joined the Battle Group in an exercise that resulted in the sinking of ex - . " Maryland " fired one Mark 48 torpedo during the exercise , which finally sank ex - " Guam " . Awards . " Maryland " has been the recipient of many awards , including the following : Current status . " Maryland " is currently part of both United States Fleet Forces Command Submarine Squadron 20 and the United States Strategic Command Her home port is Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay , Georgia . On September 21 , 2012 " Maryland " combined crews in preparation for mid - life refueling and overhaul at Norfolk Naval Ship Yard . Symbolism of the USS " Maryland " insignia . Dark blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the United States Navy . The arms of Maryland hail the state ' s historical roots , while the submarine indicates the present - day USS " Maryland " is an " Ohio " - class submarine . The trident represents U . S . Navy weaponry and sea prowess ; its bottom spike points to the ocean depths , the area of " Maryland " s operations . The heraldic dolphins symbolize speed , intelligence , and the ability to penetrate the deep . The laurel wreath is emblematic of excellence and accomplishment ; its seven stars commemorate both the seven battle star s that battleship earned in World War II and that the state of Maryland was the seventh state to be admitted to the Union . Seal . " Maryland " ' s coat of arms is emblazoned upon a white oval enclosed by a blue collar edged on the outside with gold rope and is inscribed in gold letters with the words " USS " Maryland " " above , and " SSBN - 738 " below . Blazon . The shield features the arms of the state of Maryland , which historically derives from the quartered arms of the Calvert and Crossland families . Its main color is blue , highlighted with silver . Beneath the shield is a scroll in blue , displaying the motto " Timete Deum Solum et Ignominiam " ( " Fear Only God and Dishonor " ) inscribed in gold letters . This is all superimposed upon a trident wreathed in laurel decorated with seven stars . The trident ' s bottom spike is flanked by two dolphins .