USS Los Angeles (SSN-688), lead ship of
her class of
submarines, is the fourth ship of the
United States Navy to be named for
Los Angeles, California. The contract to build her was awarded to
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in
Newport News, Virginia on 8 January 1971 and her keel was laid down on 8 January 1972. She was
launched on 6 April 1974 sponsored by Anne Armstrong, and
commissioned on 13 November 1976 with Commander John E. Christensen in command. She hosted President
Jimmy Carter and the
First Lady on 27 May 1977 for an at-sea demonstration of her capabilities. In 2007 she was the oldest submarine in active service with the United States Navy. The Navy decommissioned the USS
Los Angeles on 23 January 2010, in the
Port of Los Angeles,
Los Angeles,
California, her namesake city. The wardroom of the oldest submarine in the fleet carries
Richard O'Kane's personal cribbage board, and upon the
Los Angeles decommissioning the board was transferred to the next oldest boat, .