Naval History and Heritage Command

39th American President

After completing two years of surface ship duty, Carter applied for submarine duty. He served as executive officer, engineering officer, and electronics repair officer on USS K-1 (SSK 1). When Admiral Hyman G. Rickover (then a captain) started his program to create nuclear powered submarines, Carter wanted to join the program and was interviewed and selected by Rickover. The Seawolf-class submarine Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is named for the 39th President. Read his biography.