>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” (1970) Vol. 5, p.402. PUFFER Puffer: A fish which inflates its body with air. SSN-652 Displacement: Surfaced: 3,800 t. Submerged: 4,640 t. Length: 292’2” Beam: 31’7” Draft: 28’8” Speed: 20+ k. Complement: 107 Armament: 4 21” torpedo tubes; SUBROC Class: STURGEON The second PUFFER was laid down 8 February 1965 by Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Miss.; launched 30 March 1968; sponsored by Mrs. John B. Colwell; and commissioned 9 August 1969, Lt. Comdr. John M. Will, Jr., in command. This undersea warrior, one of the most modern and advanced submarines, will be a worthy successor to the famed PUFFER that fought so valiantly in World War II. [PUFFER was deactivated, in commission, on 8 September 1995 and placed “in reserve,” in commission, the following 1 October. She went through the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Bremerton, Washington from 20 October 1995 to 12 July 1996. On the latter date, she was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register and officially listed as scrapped. Internet web site: United States Naval & Shipbuilding Museum www.uss-salem.org/worldnav/usa/decom.htm Transcribed by Michael Hansen mhansen2@home.com