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This is an unusual early Cold War U.S. Navy submarine grouping associated with USS George Washington Carver (SSBN-656), a Benjamin Franklin-class nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine and one of the Navy’s “41 for Freedom.”
The larger wooden plaque carries an engraved metal plate reading:
GEORGE W. CARVER
SSB(N) 656
REACTOR CONTROL DIVISION
It names sixteen officers and enlisted personnel:
R. L. Starck – LT, USN
D. R. Oliver – LTJG, USN
R. W. Sitzman – ETC(SS)
D. O. Berry – ETC(SS)
G. A. Kline – ET1(SS)
R. L. Litscher – ET1(SS)
D. W. DelCore – ET1(SS)
D. T. Sayers – ET1(SS)
C. B. Poston – ETR2(SS)
F. E. Gramer – ETN2(SS)
M. L. Red – ETR2(SS)
J. A. Wildrick – ETN2(SS)
J. M. Kordes – ETN3(SS)
W. S. McBride – ETR2
N. L. Boulware – ETN2
W. H. Rasin – ETN2
The bottom is engraved:
KEEL LAID 8-24-64
LAUNCHED 8-14-65
COMMISSIONED 6-23-66
The June 23, 1966 date is an important period detail
At first glance, the engraved commissioning date appears to conflict with later Navy histories, which record USS George Washington Carver as actually commissioned on June 15, 1966.
Further research, however, explains the discrepancy.
The January 1966 issue of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings published a Navy shipbuilding schedule listing the hull numbers, shipyards and estimated commissioning dates of ships under construction as of November 1, 1965. That contemporary schedule specifically lists:
George Washington Carver — 23 Jun. 1966 — Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.
The submarine was subsequently commissioned eight days earlier, on June 15, 1966.
Therefore, the June 23 date engraved on this plaque was not an arbitrary incorrect date. It was the documented projected commissioning date being circulated while the submarine was still under construction/precommissioning.
This is a particularly interesting authenticity indicator: a later commemorative piece copied from standard reference material would normally use the well-published June 15 date. This plaque instead preserves the earlier scheduled June 23 commissioning date known before the boat actually entered service, strongly suggesting that it was prepared during the precommissioning period or from contemporaneous precommissioning information.
The other two engraved dates are exactly correct. U.S. Navy records confirm George Washington Carver was laid down August 24, 1964 and launched August 14, 1965 at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company. The period SSB(N)-656 designation appearing on the plaque also appears in official Navy historical material.
Named Reactor Control personnel
Research has independently corroborated several of the names and specialties engraved on the plaque.
Particularly notable is F. E. Gramer, ETN2(SS). A surviving veteran-submitted Navy crew record for Frank Gramer gives his rate as ETN2, his division as Reactor Control, dates of July 1965–August 1968, and specifically states that he was part of the commissioning crew.
N. L. Boulware can also be independently identified. Nicholas L. Boulware’s published obituary records his service in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service as an Electronics Technician and specifically lists service aboard USS George Washington Carver SSBN-656.
The concentration of ETC, ET1, ETR and ETN ratings, together with submarine-qualified (SS) designations, is consistent with a nuclear submarine Reactor Control Division of this period.
Companion ship’s crest
Also included is the separate shield-shaped wooden plaque bearing a heavy cast-metal USS George Washington Carver SSBN-656 insignia and the ship’s motto:
STRENGTH THROUGH KNOWLEDGE
The Naval History and Heritage Command documents the George Washington Carver ship’s insignia as having been adopted in 1966 when the submarine was first commissioned.
Both plaques were acquired together and have remained together.
Condition
These are vintage pieces showing age and evidence of long-term display.
The large plaque has surface marks, oxidation/patina, finish wear and age-related discoloration. Its reverse retains a simple twisted-wire hanger secured with older slotted hardware. The smaller shield plaque likewise shows oxidation, patina, surface wear and age.
Neither piece has been polished or restored. The metal surfaces and patina have intentionally been left as found.
Please examine all photographs closely for condition and construction details.
Provenance / research note
The two pieces were acquired together in North Port, Florida.
One of the men engraved on the Reactor Control plaque is D. W. DelCore ET1(SS). Research has identified a Donald Delcore as an electronics technician associated with USS George Washington Carver during the precommissioning period, beginning in 1964. Additional research indicates that a Donald W. DelCore later had connections to the civilian nuclear-power industry and southwest Florida.
Because these two Carver pieces surfaced together in North Port, this presents an interesting possible provenance connection. However, no direct chain of ownership has been established, and the plaques are not being represented as having been personally owned by Mr. DelCore.
The documented historical information above is provided to help collectors evaluate this unusual grouping. No claim is being made that the large plaque physically hung aboard the submarine; it may instead have been a Reactor Control Division presentation or crew plaque.
USS George Washington Carver went on to serve from 1966 until 1993 as part of the United States’ sea-based nuclear deterrent force.
An excellent piece for a collection focused on Cold War submarines, the Nuclear Navy, Polaris ballistic-missile submarines, SSBNs, commissioning memorabilia, plank-owner material, or the “41 for Freedom.”
Large Reactor Control plaque: 8" x 10"
Ship’s crest plaque:8" x 10"
Sold as the two-piece grouping shown.
