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Re: Seeking records of USS Woodrow Wilson & USS James K Polk
Jason AtkinsonJul 21, 2020 11:43 AM (in response to John Doto)
Dear Mr. Doto,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck logs of the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624) for 1968 through 1975, and the USS James K. Polk (SSBN-645) for 1968 through 1975. These logs still may be classified. Also, due to the US Navy’s use of social security numbers for service numbers starting in 1971, there may be restrictions on access to the logs from 1971 through 1975 for reasons of personal privacy. To request copies of these logs, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov. If necessary, RDT2 will let you know how to request the records under a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request or a Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) request.
We also located photographs of the Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624) and the James K. Polk (SSBN-645) that have been digitized and are available online using the Catalog, but these were all from later than 1975. For possible additional photographs of the submarines that have not been digitized yet, please contact National Archives at College Park - Still Pictures (RDSS) via email at stillpix@nara.gov.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2 and RDSS. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.
In addition, we searched the website of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) and located articles about the USS Woodrow Wilson and the James K. Polk (SSB(N)-645), as well as a few photographs of the USS Woodrow Wilson and the USS James K. Polk.
Plus, the NHHC may have command operations reports of the two submarines. Please contact NHHC via email at archives@navy.mil to inquire about accessing these records. Their website is https://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives.html
Lastly, you may be interested in the material in the unofficial website NavSource relating to the USS Woodrow Wilson and the USS James K. Polk.
We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!