USS Ray SSN-653

built by

Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry-dock Company
Newport News, Virginia
Keel Laid 04 Jan, 1965
Launched 22 Jun, 1966
Commissioned 12 Apr, 1967
Inactivated 24 July, 1992
Decommissioned 13 May, 1993
Refueled twice

Note: Most of this information on this page came directly from Don Shelton's well known USS Ray page.  This page is provided as an addition source for graphics (to ease some of the burden on Don's site.)  Go to Don Shelton's site for the complete story.

(full size image)

Commanding Officers:

Awards:

• Five Navy Unit Citations
• Six Meritorious Unit Commendations
• USS Ray received the Navy Expeditionary Medal in 1970, 1974, (1977-1981 twice), 1988, 1991
• USS Ray participated in ICEX86. Each crew member was presented with the Arctic Service Ribbon. 
  A second Arctic Service Ribbon was awarded in 1990.
  A third Arctic Service Ribbon was awarded in 1990.
  (Info provided by Capt. Jim Adams &  LT(SS) Tom McGreevy)
• Battle Efficiency "E" (red) for excellence in Engineering. Presented to USS Ray in 1982
  (Information provided by EM2(SS) Thomas Hammill)

Where she is now...

From Top: Richard B. Russell, Lapon, RAY (center, with gray de-humidifier box), Bluefish, Drum

                        She was resting comfortably in Bremerton, WA but is gone forever.

Photo Gallery

Devil Ray: In 1988, QM2 Karl H. Betz painted the centerpiece from the 271 Ray's battleflag into the weapons shipping hatch of the 653 Ray.  "As far as I (Karl) know, it remained there until decommissioning.  I know it was still there in September of 1989 when I left.    Here is a copy of a Polaroid taken when the painting was completed."
(Photograph and narrative provided by the artist, QM2(SS) Karl H. Betz)

The following set of photographs was submitted by SK2(SS) Randy Stringer. 
It includes an Emergency Blow Test, party, Change of Command and more.

• Welcome Aboard Booklet - SK2(SS) Randy Stringer
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
• Change of Command Ceremony 1/4/77 - SK2(SS) Randy Stringer
  • Photo 1
  • Photo 2
  • Photo 3
  • Photo 4
  • Photo 5
  • Photo 6
  • Photo 7
  • Photo 8
  • Photo 9
  • Photo 10
  • Photo 11
• Oct 3, 1975 Party - SK2(SS) Randy Stringer
  • Photo 1 MM2(SS) Packy McDermott, RM2(SS) Lou Baker, MM3(SU) Tripp
  • Photo 2 Lou and Packy
  • Photo 3 Unidentified crew member.
  • Photo 4 ST2(SS) Dennis Castagnaso
  • Photo 5 "Wolfy" and   Clements (w/hat)
  • Photo 6 MM3(SS) Jeffries
  • Photo 7  TM2(SS) Len Wilger, Lou
  • Photo 8  Unknown non-crew, EM2(SS) T.J. Williams, ST2(SS) Tom Walters, LT(jg) Jacobs, MM1(SS)Steve Rodgers
  • Photo 9  Lou, SK2(SS) Randy Stringer, Packy
  • Invitation to Party
• Don Gentry's Photos - 1975 to 1979
  • Tom Clements (MM)
  • Tom Clements
  • Tim (Patte') Patterson
  • Steve Howell (and wife Peggy) (MM/ELT)
  • Ralph Gore (MM)
  • Mike Muterspaugh (MM)
  • Don Gentry (MM1/SS/DV)
  • Don Gentry (just back from Navy Diver's School)
  • Bill Hale (MM1) in log room typing out some phony leave papers no doubt.
  • Gentry, Clements, Tim Murphy, Muterspaugh (at the Trapman Street Party House)
  • Gary Nemechek and daughter Kelley (MM1/SS)
  • Ed Novak and Andy Brand (A-gang MM and MM/ELT)
  • Ed Novak
  • Novak, Gentry and Brand
  • Novak, Gentry
  • Gentry just after discharge.  Discharge and crystal EAOS beer mug in hand.
  • Gentry Deep Dive certificate
  • Gentry Diver's Card
  • Crews Mess photo
  • Charlie Keefel
  • Carl Strukely
  • Ltjg Bruce Hargus
  • Hale and Novak
  • Bill Hale
  • Barney Bennett
  • Brand, Novak in rainstorm 
  • Tim Murphy
  • Tim Murphy and Dave Dixon
  • Tim Murphy, Don Gentry, Dave Dixon
  • Dave Dixon
  • Ray in St Croix late 70's (from Carl Strukely) - added 1/2005
  • Ralph and Joanne Gore: Photo 1, Photo 2 - added 2/2005
  • Chuck Rigsbee giving the "evil eye" - added 2/2005
  • Don Gentry - added 2/2005
  • Gentry's Spitfire - added 2/2005
  • Tim Murphy - added 2/2005
  • Tim Murphy, Don Gentry - added 2/2005
  • Don Gentry, Ed Novak - added 2/2005
  • Tim Patterson - added 2/2005
• From Keith "Night Train Lane"
• Torpedo Room Jam Session, Mike McCormack and unknown (maybe Brian Duke barely shown to right?)
• Topside in St Croix, getting underway, 76 or 77 (diver is Carl Strukely I think).
• La Maddalena liberty launch.  L-R Tom Cassey, Ed Novak and unknown - circa 77
• From Floyd Turner RM1(SS)
• Charles "Charlie Tuna" Moore - Photo taken while he was XO of Flying Fish going thru his bluenose initiation.

Tim Murphy Photos 

John "Cobber" O'Connor photos  

Dale Comstock photos

Buzz Galbraith photos 

Tim Patterson photos

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