United States Navy Admiral. Called the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," he developed the World's first nuclear powered submarine, the "USS Nautilus" (SSN-571), and led the transition of the United States Navy into the Nuclear Age. Born in what was then Makow in the Russia Empire (now Maków Mazowiecki, Poland), he moved to the United States with his parents when he was six years old. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1922, and later attended Columbia University where he earned a Master's in Electrical Engineering. During his Naval career, he commanded the "Lapwing"-class minesweeper "USS Finch" (AM-9), served as head of the Electrical Section of the Bureau of Ships, and was commanding officer of the Naval Repair Base in Okinawa, Japan. He was assigned to the Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory in 1946 where he developed the "USS Nautilus," which began underway sea patrols in 1955. Eventually rising to the rank of full-Admiral, he was awarded many military honors and medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In recognition of his service during wartime, he was named Honorary Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He was the only person ever to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal twice for exceptional public service. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest non-military honor. The "Los Angeles"-class submarine "USS Hyman G. Rickover" (SSN-709) was named for him. He died July 8, 1986 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
United States Navy Admiral. Called the "Father of the Nuclear Navy," he developed the World's first nuclear powered submarine, the "USS Nautilus" (SSN-571), and led the transition of the United States Navy into the Nuclear Age. Born in what was then Makow in the Russia Empire (now Maków Mazowiecki, Poland), he moved to the United States with his parents when he was six years old. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1922, and later attended Columbia University where he earned a Master's in Electrical Engineering. During his Naval career, he commanded the "Lapwing"-class minesweeper "USS Finch" (AM-9), served as head of the Electrical Section of the Bureau of Ships, and was commanding officer of the Naval Repair Base in Okinawa, Japan. He was assigned to the Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory in 1946 where he developed the "USS Nautilus," which began underway sea patrols in 1955. Eventually rising to the rank of full-Admiral, he was awarded many military honors and medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In recognition of his service during wartime, he was named Honorary Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. He was the only person ever to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal twice for exceptional public service. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest non-military honor. The "Los Angeles"-class submarine "USS Hyman G. Rickover" (SSN-709) was named for him. He died July 8, 1986 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Bio by: Lori Richards
Inscription
ADMIRAL
UNITED STATES NAVY
"FATHER OF THE NUCLEAR NAVY"
63 YEARS ACTIVE DUTY
Family Members
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