USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL SSN-708 Information

The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN-708) has won the following awards in 2003. The Medical "M" Award, the Communications Green "C" Award, and The COMLANTFLT Retention Excellence Award for sustained superior levels of retention, command climate, imaginative leadership, clear policies and Navy quality of service programs.

After competing the Nuclear Power Training Course, where he received the A.I. McKee award for academic excellence, he was assigned to the USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686) home ported in Charleston, SC, where he served as the Main Propulsion Assistant, Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, and Sonar Officer during his tour. The ship made several deployments and was awarded several unit commenddations during his tour.

His first shore tour was at Nuclear Power School in Orlando, FL where he served as the Director of the Officer Electrical Engineering Division.

After completing the Submarine Officers Advanced Course where he was awarded the L.Y. Spear Award as Class Honor man and the David Lloyd Award for academic excellence and outstanding leadership, he reported to the USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772).

Commander Ruff served as the Engineer Officer on USS GREENEVILLE (SSN 772), which was home ported in both Norfolk and Pearl Harbor. He served through New Construction, Atlantic Fleet Certification, Post Shakedown Availability, Inter Fleet Transfer and Pacific Fleet Certifications.

His second shore tour was on the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

After completing the Executive Officer pipeline he served as XO on the USS LOUISIANA SSNB 743) Blue Crew home ported in Kings Bay, Georgia and served as the XO for two complete strategic deterrent patrols and a portion of a third.

He was the Commanding Officer of the Pre-Commissioning Unit TEXAS (SSN 775) from October 2001 to November 2003.

He is authorized to wear a Meritorious Severa Medal, six Navy Commendation Medals, a Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit awards including the Battle E. Navy Unit Commendation, and Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Commander Ruff is married to the former Holly Mac Burris of Lanham, MD. They live in the Village of Yorktown, VA with their two children Kaitlyn and Ryan.

Upon taking command of the USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) Commander E.J."Joe" Ruff issued the following statement of his command philosophy. It offers not only an insight into his management style, but it shows that the values of dedication, teamwork, and pride of accomplishment are as much a part of the naval service as when we wore the uniform!

COMMAND PHILOSOPHY

MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENT-MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL is a warship. Our country relies on us to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea. We are a key element of our Nation's military power. Keep a continuous strain on mission preparedness and combat readiness. (When we keep up with life, life becomes much easier). Stay focused on our primary goal of Mission Accomplishment.

SHIPMATES-Work together as a team. Every member of the crew is important regardless of how big or small their contribution. Leave no man behind. If a shipmate is not pulling his fair strain, pick up the slack for him when needed and help him get back on course. Realize how Quality of Service affects Mission Accomplishment.

PRIDE-Be proud of your efforts. You count. The ship is a complex piece of gear but is worthless without you to operate it. Our ability to prevail in battle is directly related to your individual performance. Do your best all the time. Live our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. We follow a long line of warriors who fought and gave their all for freedom. Always do the right thing in the face of adversity, and you will forever be proud of the legacy you leave behind.

Always remember that we are submarine warriors.

E. J. RUFF, Jr., Commander, USN

HISTORY OF USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) BUILT BY: GENERAL DYNAMICS ELECTRIC BOAT DIVISION, GROTON, CT. KEEL LAID.............20 JANUARY 1981, LAUNCHED..............19 MARCH 1983, COMMISSIONED..........10 MARCH 1984, SPONSORED BY: MRS. PENNY DURENBERGER

USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) has been at the forefront of submarine operations and training since being commissioned in 1984. This has included eight major deployments of significance to the national defense of the United States. USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL's exceptional performance during these missions resulted in the ship being awarded five Meritorious Unit Commendations in 1985, 1986, 1987,1988, and most recently 1991 for the ship's operation in support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The ship has excelled in many other areas during her years of commissioned service, earning the Battle Efficiency "E" four times for 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1996. Other awards include the Anti-Submarine Warfare Excellence "A" (1985), the Engineering Excellence "E" four times (1987, 1993, 1994, and 1995), the Damage Control "DC" three times (1987, 1993, and 1995), the COMSIXTHFLT Hook-'Em Award for Anti-Submarine Warfare Excellence (1988), the Silver Anchor Award for Retention Excellence (1988), and the Medical "M" three times (1990, 1993, and 1995). In January 1992, USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars for her deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and was the first submarine to carry Tomahawk Missiles specifically designated for use in strike warfare in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Following the shipyard availability in the Spring of 1992, the ship completed four highly successful deployments to the North Atlantic Ocean.

USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL will continue to be a leader among her peers and a formidable threat to those opposed to the people and ideals of the United States of America.

2005 Sailors of the Year

On May 10,2006 , aboard the USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) in Norfolk, Virginia the 2005 Sailors of the Year were recognized by the Twin Cities Council of the Navy League of the US and by the USS SAINT PAUL Association. The honorees were ET1(SS) James Wilson, Sailor of the Year and STS3(SS) Andy Brashler, Junion Sailor of thr Year. At Chan's request MSP skipper Joseph Ruff asked Admiral Kenny if he would like to participate in the ceremony. The Admiral was pleased to do so. Assisted by Chan, he presented certificates of appreciation from the Twin Cities Council, signed by then-president Chip Laingen, to each of the sailors. He then presented checks to each of them from the council and from the USS SAINT PAUL Association.

The admiral made appropriate remarks, commmeding the two sailors and noting that Petty Officer Wilson had also been selected as the Submarine Squadron SIX Sailor of the Year. Following the presentations, Commander Ruff presented Chan an MSP plaque recognizing the Association's support and suggested that it might be placed in the association's Memorial Exhibit aboard the USS MASSACHUSETTS. Chan assured him that it would.

The following pictures were taken during a Mediterranean Deployment:

Leaving Homeport

"LEAVING HOMEPORT"

"UNDERWAY"

"SMALL BOAT HANDLING PARTY"

CREW SOCIAL GATHERINGS

 

 

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

"SUBLANT"

"CO,XO, and U.S. Ambassador to Vatican City">

"TWICE AS GOOD"

The Ship's Insignia 

The bridge represents the link between the two cities. The bridge is similar to the bridge over St. Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River that flows between Minneapolis and St. Paul. This bridge is depicted on the seal of the City of Minneapolis. The stars around the border represent the Battle Stars the USS MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36) received during World War II and the Battle Stars the USS SAINT PAUL (CA-73) received during World War II, and the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts.

Battle Flag 

The USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL Battle Flag was modeled after submarine battle flags of World War II. The Ship's Seal is surrounded by symbols of significant deployments and unit awards. Above the seal are ship's four Battle Efficiency "E"'s, while the five Meritorius Unit Commendations awarded since the ship's commissioning are displayed below. Displayed to the left of the seal are two outlines of the Mediteranean Sea representing successful deployments, while to the right are symbolic daggers indicating independent submarine operations or successful "cloak and dagger" operations completed by "The Good Men of MSP". The flag was designed by Lieutenant John G. Carpentier and hand made by Mrs. Lila Hendricks of Virginia Beach.

Former Commanding Officers

CAPTAIN Ralph Schlichter April 1982-July1984

RADM Charles Beers, Jr. July 1984-June 1987

VADM James W. Metzger July 1987-March 1990

CAPTAIN Neil E. Rondorf April 1990-October 1992

CAPTAIN Michael P. Agor October 1992-April 1995

CAPTAIN Arnold O. Lotring April 1995-August 1997

CAPTAIN Michael T. Maliniak August 1997-October 1999

COMMANDER John A. Ferrer October 1999-April 2002

CAPTAIN David S. Ratte April 2002-December 2004,

Ships named USS MINNEAPOLIS

The first cruiser, MINNEAPOLIS (C-13) was commissioned in Philadelphia in 1894. She served in the North Atlantic Squadron, operating in the Mediterranean. She visited Cronstadt, Russia in 1895 as a flagship of Rear Admiral T.O. Selfridge, representing the U.S. at the coronation of Czar NICHOLAS II. The MINNEAPOLIS preformed scouting duties during the Spanish American War and was decommissioned. She was recommissioned in 1903 and assigned to a special service squadron to make astronomical and other scientific observations off the coast of Spain and Africa. She was at Annapolis, MD in 1906 for ceremonies commemorating the arrival of the body of John Paul Jones. Decommissioned again in 1906, she was recommissioned in 1917 and operated along the Atlantic Coast as an escort ship during World War I. The second MINNEAPOLIS (CA-34) was a heavy cruiser commissioned in 1934. Arriving in Pearl Harbor in 1940, she was at sea for gunnery practice when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The MINNEAPOLIS participated in the Battle of Coral Sea in 1942 and the Battle of Midway in 1942, the landings at Philippines, Bataan and Corregidor. She was decommissioned in 1947. The MINNEAPOLIS earned 17 engagement stars for World War II.

Ships named USS SAINT PAUL

The first SAINT PAUL was a steel passenger liner chartered for U.S. Naval Service as an auxiliary cruiser in 1898 during the Spanish American War. She was decommissioned the same year and returned to her owner. The SAINT PAUL was again taken over by the Navy in 1917 and was used as a transport ship during World War I. She was returned to her owner in 1919 and was scrapped in 1923. The second SAINT PAUL (CA-73) was a heavy cruiser, built by Bethlehem Steel in Quincy, Mass, and commissioned in 1945. She operated as a screen for carriers as they delivered air strikes on Japan. The SAINT PAUL was later involved in the Korean Conflict. In July 1953, the SAINT PAUL had the distinction of firing the last round at sea in the war. She saw action during the Vietnam War and was decommissioned in 1971 following 26 years of continuous active service. The SAINT PAUL (CA-73) earned 1 engagement star for World War II service, 8 for Korean War service and an additional 9 for Vietnam service.

Ship in Dry Dock

MILITARY RELATED SITES

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