While not inclusive of EVERY ship named after a President (that would be a MUCH longer blog!), here are a few chosen ships along with some famous quotes spoken by our leaders.
George Washington III (SSBN 598) is The United States Navy's first fleet ballistic missile submarine named after the first President of the United States. The ship was commissioned Dec. 30, 1959. The nuclear powered submarine made history on July 20, 1960 when she successfully launched the first
Polaris from a submerged submarine.
"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence." -George Washington
USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN 602), a George Washington-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, USS Abraham Lincoln was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 16th President. This ship had a part in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. She departed in short order and successfully carried out a 65-day patrol.
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." -Abraham Lincoln
USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN 619) was a Lafayette-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, it was the second ship of the United States Navy named after Andrew Jackson the seventh President of the United States. The ship was commissioned on July 3, 1963.
"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes." -"Andrew Jackson
Polaris A-3 Missile First missile of this type erupting from the Atlantic Ocean. The missile, fired from USS ANDREW JACKSON (SSBN-619), will impact over 2000 nautical miles down range, thus adding 1000 nautical miles to the Polaris system. 26 October 1963
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) first ship in the
Ford-class should be joining the fleet in the near future named after Gerald R. Ford Jr., the 38th President of the United States and one of the six presidents to have served in the US Navy.
"Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort. If you strive for the top and miss, you'll still 'beat the pack." -Gerald R. Ford Jr.
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is the eighth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, named after the 33rd President of the United States. This ship was commissioned on July 25, 1998.
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." -Harry S. Truman
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42) was the second of three Midway-class aircraft carriers. Nicknamed known as "Swanky Franky," "Foo-De-Roo," or "Rosie." The ship was name after Franklin Delano Roosevelt the 32
nd President of the United States. It was commissioned on October 27, 1945.
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" -Franklin D. Roosevelt
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is the fourth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, named after the 26th President of the United States. This ship was launched on October 27, 1984 and saw her first action in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." -Theodore Roosevelt
USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is the third and last
Seawolf-class submarine in the United States Navy and the first ship to be named after the 39th President of the United States and one of the six presidents to have served in the US Navy. This ship was commissioned February 19, 2005
"America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented America."-Jimmy Carter
For more information on Navy ships visit
Naval History and Heritage website at:
https://www.history.navy.mil/