Hampden Township near Enola in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
USS Chicago (SSN-721)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 28, 2026
1. USS Chicago (SSN-721) Marker
Upon its commissioning on September 27th 1986, the nuclear powered attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN-721) and its crew delivered 37 years of dedicated service in support of various missions that included anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and reconnaissance. The USS Chicago earned several campaign and service awards that included eight battle efficiency "E" awards, six Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Navy Unit Commendations, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal. The USS Chicago was decommissioned on July 21st 2023.
On display is the anchor and chain from the USS Chicago (SSN-721)
Dimensions: 22.5 Inches Wide x 63 Inches Long x 76.5 Inches Tall
Weight: 2,800 Pounds
Total Anchor Chain Length: 810'
Anchor Chain Displayed: 100'
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Los Angeles-Class Submarine
Full Displacement: 6,162 Tons
Length: 362 Feet
Beam: 33 Feet
Draft: 31 Feet (9.4 Meters)
Propulsion: Nuclear Reactor
Number of Propellers: 1
Speed:
Surface: 15 Knots
Submerged: 25+ Knots
Crew: 12 Officers, 98 Enlisted
Weapons:
-12 Vertical Launch Tubes for Tomahawk Cruise Missiles
-4
this page online
HULL: 3-inch Thick High-Yield Steel
[Cutaway Diagram of USS Chicago, aft to bow, reads]
· [Anchor location]
· Ballast Tanks
· Propeller Shaft
· Engine Room; Gearing Turbine; Generator
· Hatch
· Maneuvering Room
· Nuclear Reactor Room
· 3 in. Steel Hull; 33 ft in Diameter
· Hatch
· Mess Room and Storage
· Control Room and Attack Center
· Auxiliary Diesel Engine
· Wardroom
· Trash Disposal Room
· Battery Compartment
· Sonar Room
· Crew Bunks
· Weapons Loading Hatch
· MK 48 Torpedoes; 4 Tubes
· Officer Berthing
· Forward Planes
· Ballast Tanks
· Tomahawk; 12 Vertical Launch Tubes
· Sonar Dome
· Composite Nose Cone
[Also two photos of USS Chicago (SSN-721) cruising on surface]
Erected by Hampden Township and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, Cold • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is September 27, 1986.
Location. 40° 17.458′ N, 76° 58.794′ W. Marker is near Enola, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 28, 2026
2. USS Chicago (SSN-721) Marker and Anchor
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Operation Iraqi Freedom (here, next to this marker); Operation Enduring Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Battlefield Cross (a few steps from this marker); Desert Shield/Desert Storm (a few steps from this marker); Path of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam Era Naval Propeller (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., June 28, 2026
3. USS Chicago (SSN-721) Marker
Also see . . . About USS Chicago (SSN 721). Provides history of all US Navy vessels named the USS Chicago, with little information on SSN-721. (Submitted on July 15, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
