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Congressional Gold Medal Recipient
Hyman George Rickover Hyman George Rickover b. Makov, Russia, 27 January 1900
d. Arlington, Arlington, Virginia, 8 July 1986
Thursday, 28 August 1958
JOINT RESOLUTION To authorize the chairman of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy to confer a medal on Rear Admiral Hyman George Rickover, United States Navy. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in recognition of the achievements of Rear Admiral Hyman George Rickover, United States Navy, in successfully directing the development and construction of the world's first nuclear-powered ships and the first large-scale nuclear power reactor devoted exclusively to production of electricity, the chairman of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, on behalf of the Congress, is authorized to present to Admiral Hyman Goerge Rickover, United States Navy, an appropriate gold medal for such purpose, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to cause to be struck a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary and Chairman of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated the sum of $2,500 for this purpose. SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Treasury shall cause duplicates in bronze of such medal to be coined and sold, under such regulations as he may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof (including labor), and the appropriations used for carrying out the provisions of this section shall be reimbursed out of the proceeds of such sale. 72 Stat. 985
Admiral Hyman George Rickover
Admiral Rickover, the Father of the Nuclear Navy, was born in Makow, Russia (which is now Poland) on January 27, 1900. At the age of six, he emigrated with his parents to the United States, settling in Chicago, Illinois. Admiral Rickover entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1918 and was commissioned an ensign in June 1922.
Following sea duty aboard USS La Vallette (DD-315) and USS Nevada (BB-36), Admiral Rickover attended Columbia University, where he earned the degree of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. From 1929 to 1933, he qualified for submarine duty and command aboard the submarines S-9 and S-48. In June 1937, he assumed command of USS Finch. Later that year, he was selected as an Engineering Duty Officer and spent the remainder of his career serving in that specialty. During World War II, Admiral Rickover served as Head of the Electrical Section of the Bureau of Ships and later as Commanding Officer of the Naval Repair Base, Okinawa. In 1946, he was assigned to the Atomic Energy Commission laboratory at Oak Ridge, Tennessee and, in early 1949, to the Division of Reactor Development, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. As director of the Naval Reactors Branch, Admiral Rickover developed the world's first nuclear powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN 571), which went to sea in 1955. In the years that followed, Admiral Rickover directed all aspects of building and operating the nuclear fleet.
Admiral Rickover's numerous medals and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. In recognition of his wartime service, he was made Honorary Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Admiral Rickover was twice awarded the
Congressional Gold Medal for exceptional public service. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter presented Admiral Rickover with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest non-military honor, for his contributions to world peace. Admiral Rickover retired from the United States Navy on January 31, 1982, after over 63 years of service to his country and to 13 Presidents. His name is memorialized in the attack submarine USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) and Rickover Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy. Admiral Rickover died on July 8, 1986 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
2002 Navalships Information Group. All Rights Reserved
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