Elizabeth Celebrated as the Birthplace of the United States Submarine Force

Posted on April 21, 2023 by

Dan DiBella Posted in Elmora Hills, Our Publications

(above) Mayor Chris Bollwage accepts a letter of acknowledgement from CDR Steven A. Halle, Captain of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796), celebrating Elizabeth, NJ as the Birthplace of the United States Submarine Force. Photo includes STSCM Hamilton Felt, Mayor Christian Bollwage, CDR Steven A. Halle, and Stephen Hutton, President and Chairman of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) Commissioning Committee. The USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) is the next Virginia Class submarine to be commissioned to the Navy fleet.

Birthplace of the United States Submarine Force

Julianne Dods, Trustee, USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) Commissioning Committee

The New Jersey Commissioning Committee is partnering with the City of Elizabeth, and other organizations, in recognizing the role that Elizabeth, NJ has played in the development of the US submarine force and to more formally recognize Elizabeth, NJ as the Birthplace of the United States Submarine Force. Several members of the USS New Jersey (SSN 796) crew visited Elizabeth on April 2-5, 2023 to focus exclusively on this. Also, a series of assemblies with middle and high school students are planned, one of which will have a ceremony highlighting the history and partnership with the City of Elizabeth.

The USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) is the newest Virginia-class submarine currently under construction and scheduled to be commissioned in early 2024. This remarkable vessel will carry on the legacy of two previous ships to bear the name NEW JERSEY, both which served our country with distinction in times of war and peace.

USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) Commissioning Committee – The New Jersey Commissioning Committee was formed to provide a wide range of events and awards leading up to the commissioning itself. These are to honor and welcome the crew, their families, and the to-be commissioned vessel to the fleet. The intent is also to introduce the crew and their families to the citizens of the great state of New Jersey and raise awareness to the continuation of the proud heritage of the name “USS NEW JERSEY.”

(above) CDR Steven A. Halle, Captain of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) presents a plaque to the Elizabeth Public Schools on behalf of the officers and the crew. Photo includes from left to right ENS Lillian Baker, MMN3 Kianna Gonzales, FSTR Amelia Fast, CDR Steven A. Halle, Principal Evelyn Rodriguez, STS2 Kenny Ortega, ETN2 Joy Shirey, LSSA Ocean Bouck, STSCM Hamilton Felt, Commissioner of the Board of Education Stanley Neron, Superintendent of Schools Olga Hugelmeyer. The USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796) is the next Virginia Class submarine to be commissioned to the Navy fleet.

The birthday of the United States Submarine Force is April 11. Numerous military units and veterans’ organizations celebrate this special day every year with ballroom dinners, ceremonies, proclamations of remembrance, and more. Conspicuously absent from these Submarine Birthday celebrations is any mention or recognition of the Submarine’s Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey.

With the approaching commissioning of the USS NEW JERSEY (SSN 796), the first submarine named after our great state, it is the desire of the USS New Jersey Commissioning Committee to hold a birthplace celebration on the 123^rd Submarine Birthday – to finally recognize what should be a great source of pride for the city of Elizabeth and the State of New Jersey.

History:

Electric Boat Company was founded in 1899 in Elizabeth, NJ with the hopes of inventing the first submarine. There were other competing companies in NJ and outside the state racing for this honor. Electric Boat, now a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation, is still one of the premier builders of submarines.

The first submarine in the US Navy was the USS HOLLAND (SS-1). It was invented, designed, built, and launched in Elizabeth, NJ, on 11 April 1900.

The USS NEW JERSEY (SSN-796) is currently under construction in Newport News, VA. It is scheduled to be commissioned in New Jersey in early 2024.

The Navy’s “namesake” program seeks to establish a relationship between operating submarines and their namesakes (the State of New Jersey). The commissioning committee will plan a series of crew visits designed to meet the goals of this program.