The USS Lafayette (SSBN-616) was the lead ship of her class of ballistic missile submarine, laid down in 1961, launched in 1962, and commissioned in 1963. She was initially deployed with the Polaris A-2 missile, later refitted to carry the Polaris A-3 missile. During her deterrent patrols in the 1960's, the ship completed 16 patrols operating from Rota, Spain. The submarine achieved special recognition as the 400th patrol conducted by the entire Polaris submarine fleet, earning commendation from the Secretary of the Navy. She participated in several operations throughout the 1970s, conducting multiple deterrent patrols each year, and underwent an extensive 18-month overhaul and conversion to carry the Poseidon C-3 missile in 1972. Following the conversion process, completed in 1974, the vessel continued her missions throughout the 1980s while assigned to Submarine Squadron 14. The submarine concluded her 76th and final deterrent patrol in 1990, after nearly three decades of strategic service. She was decommissioned and stricken from the Register in 1991. Naval construction practices before the 1980s used asbestos materials nearly everywhere on submarines, significantly increasing personnel's health risks due to asbestos exposure. Veterans harmed from in-service exposure may qualify for asbestos trust fund compensation and VA disability pay.
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