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Rear Admiral Ross Norman Williams
Oceanographer of the U.S. Navy
RADM Ross Norman Williams passed away on September 18, 2011 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He was born on Friday the 13th of May 1927, in the Bronx, New York to Harry Howard and Ruth Marie (Hanson) Williams. Ross grew up in New York City and always loved the sea and sailing from an early age. He logged his first sea time taking many trips on the Staten Island ferry to study navigation while in high school. He also enjoyed summers and sailing as a youth at the family summer home on Candlewood Lake in Connecticut.
Admiral Williams comes from many generations of seafaring men and was inspired by his uncles to take up a life on the sea. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 5, 1944, at the age of seventeen and launched an amazing career. After attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), he entered the U.S. Naval Academy; via a fleet appointment, on June 17, 1947 and graduated with the Class of 1951 on June 1, 1951. His fellow classmates described him in the "Lucky Bag" as being a sailor from the time of "iron men and wooden ships". He twice skippered the USNA yawl "Royono", including winning the iconic Newport to Bermuda yacht race.
Following graduation, Admiral Williams served on the escort destroyer USS NORRIS (DD-859). He then attended submarine school and served on the USS HALFBEAK (SS-352). His next tour of duty was on USS ALBACORE (AGSS-569); the hydrodynamic prototype; from which all the Navy's modern nuclear-powered submarines have evolved. While stationed at the Submarine base in Groton Connecticut, he met Helen June (Willis), who was the first professional librarian to manage the Submarine Base library, in Groton, Connecticut. They were married at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London (Groton), Connecticut, on the 11th of February 1955.
Admiral Williams was selected for postgraduate studies in Oceanography at the University of Washington in Seattle, followed by a new construction assignment as engineer of the USS BARBEL (SS-580). He then attended Advanced Nuclear Power School in New London, Connecticut, and the A1W Prototype at the Naval Reactor Facility, Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was then assigned to the USS SEAWOLF (SSN-575) and then as Executive Officer of the USS HENRY CLAY (SSBN-625)(Blue). After completing the Prospective Commanding Officer Training at NAVSEA in Washington, D.C., he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN-640) (Gold) and Commanding Officer of the USS TECUMSEH (SSBN-628) (Blue). His next assignment was in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, in Washington, D.C., as the Undersea Long Range Missile System (ULMS)(OP-97C)/Trident Program Coordinator, Head Trident Program Coordination Branch (OP-315/-211), and then as Commanding Officer of the USS L. Y. SPEAR (AS-36), in Norfolk, Virginia.
Admiral Williams was promoted to the flag rank on May 13, 1975 and assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Military Deputy for Strategic and Space Systems, Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E/USDRE), Washington, D.C., followed by his final posting as the Oceanographer of the Navy and Deputy to the Administrator of NOAA, DOC, Washington, D.C.
Admiral Williams' awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two gold stars for second and third award, Meritorious Service Medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation plus other theater and service awards. He retired from the Navy on August 31, 1981.
Keel laid down by Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Groton, CT 25MAY63;
Launched: 5DEC64; Sponsored by Mrs. Francis L. Moseley and Mrs. Leon V. Chaplin;
Commissioned: 22OCT65 with Capt Donald M. Miller [B], Cdr Ross N. Williams [G] in command;
Decommissioned and struck from the Navy List 1OCT94;
Disposed of through SRP at PSNS 21AUG95.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) left an indelible stamp on America. He was a statesman, scientist, and businessman who made a fortune by the age of 42. The author of a distinguished autobiography and inventor of bifocal glasses, he entered public service at age 48 and became a leading diplomat. He secured vital aid from France during the American Revolution and was the only American to sign all four documents which established the United States as an independent nation - the Declaration of Independence, the Alliance with France, the Peace Treaty with England, and the Constitution.
The submarine named in his honor was the 32nd Polaris Missile Submarine built for the Navy and is the first ship of the 640-class Ballistic Missile Submarine -- USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN 640).
After successful completion of all sea trials, the boat was placed in commission on 22 October 1965 at the U.S. Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory, New London, CT.
Shakedown cruise commenced on 26 October 1965. On 6 December 1965 the Gold Crew successfully launched a Polaris A-3 missile in close coordination with an orbital pass of the Gemini 7 astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell. The Blue Crew successfully launched a Polaris A-3 missile on 20 December 1965.
Following the tactical loadout in Charleston, SC, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN transited the Panama Canal, assigned to CINCPACFLT on 4 April 1966 and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 20 April 1966. The Blue Crew then deployed with the ship on 6 May 1966 on its first Polaris deterrent patrol, which was successfully completed on 11 July 1966 when BENJAMIN FRANKLIN arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam.
On 27 February 1969, the boat was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, in recognition of the achievement of both crews in sustaining an exceptionally high state of readiness from the period of commissioning to September 1968.
On 28 August 1970, the Blue Crew departed Apra Harbor, Guam, MI, for the BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S nineteenth Polaris patrol and transit to New London CT. This was the final patrol prior to entry into the shipyard at Electric Boat Company, General Dynamic Corporation, Groton, CT, for Poseidon conversion. The conversion was completed in May 1972 and the BENJAMIN FRANKLIN once again took her place in the deterrent force.
Upon completing of her 29th deterrent patrol, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was awarded SubRon16's Battle Efficiency "E".
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN completed 16 Poseidon deterrent patrols before entering Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in November 1979 for her second overhaul, during which the TRIDENT 1 Weapon System was installed. Shipyard overhaul was completed 5 September 1981, and she once again patrolled the seas.
On 18 December 1983 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN completed her 51st patrol, the 2,200th Strategic Deterrent Patrol made by a Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine.
In July 1985, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN arrived in Norfolk, Virginia transferring to SubRon8 and acting as as "SSN Asset" while awaiting the start of her third overhaul. After transferring to Charleston, SC, in July 1986, the boat began a reactor refueling overhaul which was successfully completed in November 1988.
Following overhaul and completion of the post overhaul shakedown period, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN resumed her role as part of SubRon18, homeported in Charleston, SC, beginning with Patrol 58 in July 1989.
Upon completion of her 62nd patrol in October 1990, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was awarded SubRon18's Battle Efficiency "E" and was named Atlantic Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine of the Year for FY-1990 in recognition of the ability of both crews to consistently meet all challenges. For these accomplishments, she was awarded a second Meritorious Unit Commendation.
On 22 October 1990, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN marked the 25th anniversary of her commissioning. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN completed a total of 69 deterrent patrols and was decommissioned on 23 November 1993.
On September 5 - 8, 2002, The first USS Benjamin Franklin - SSBN 640 Reunion was held in Groton, CT. During this time, we enjoyed the attendance of over 300 shipmates and spouses ranging from commissioning to de-commissioning crews and Captains. We also formed the SSBN 640 Association. If you are a formers 640 crew member and have not been added to our roster or would like to join our association, please contact our Membership Chairman Len Excelby @ ssbn640blueyeo@aol.com.
