Springfield in Greene County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

USS Lapon

(SSN-661)

Photographed by Thomas Smith, May 3, 2024

1. USS Lapon Marker

Inscription.

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry-Dock Co.
Class: 637 (Sturgeon Class) Fast Attack
Power Plant: One nuclear reactor, two geared turbines, one shaft
Length: 292 feet
Beam: 32 feet
Speed 20+ knots
Displacemen: 3,640 tons surfaced, 4,640 submerged
Weapons: Four (4) 21" torpedo tubes amidships
Crew: 107 (12 officers, 95 enlisted)
Keel laid: July 26, 1965
Launched: Dec 19, 1965
Commissioned: Dec 14, 1967
Decommissioned: Aug 8, 1992

The USS Lapon (SSN-651) operated with the U.S. Atlantic fleet, home ported in Norfolk, VA. She had an illustrious career, performing many missions of importance to the security of the United States. One of these missions is highlighted in the book "Blind Man's Bluff".

The USS Lapon (SSN 651) earned the following awards: Presidential Unit Citations (1) • Meritorious Unit Citations (6) • Navy Unit Citation (1) • Arctic Service Medal (1) • Navy Battle "E" (4)

On Aug 8, 1992, the USS Lapon was decommissioned at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA and subsequently scrapped. Her sail was then donated to the Ozark-Runner Base, US Submarine Veterans,

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Inc. On July 3, 2005 the restored sail was "Commissioned" as a war memorial on the ground of American Legion Post 639 in Springfield, MO.

Erected by American Legion Post 639.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, Cold • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is July 26, 1965.

Location. 37° 10.032′ N, 93° 19.865′ W. Memorial is in Springfield, Missouri, in Greene County. It is on South Scenic Avenue half a mile north of West Battlefield Road, on the left when traveling south. AM Legion Post 669. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2660 S Scenic Ave, Springfield MO 65807, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Thomas Smith, May 3, 2024

2. USS Lapon Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); AH-IG (Cobra) Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); UH - IH Aircraft (Huey) (within shouting distance of this marker); Torpedo (within shouting distance of this marker); Lost Boats of WWII (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Vietnam War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); USS Nathanael Greene (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2024, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2024, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.