Eternal Patrol: Eugene Wilkinson

Vice Admiral (Ret.) Eugene P. Wilkinson, the first commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's first nuclear-powered submarine, went on Eternal Patrol on July 11, 2013.

Wilkinson received his commission in 1940 and reported to the heavy cruiser USS Louisville for his first tour of duty.

He graduated from the Naval Submarine School in Groton in March 1942. During World War II, he participated in eight submarine war patrols in USS Darter (SS-227) and command of three diesel submarines; Volador (SS-490), Sea Robin (SS-407), and Wahoo (SS-565). Most notably, he served as the first commanding officer of both the first nuclear powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN 571), and the first nuclear powered cruiser USS Long Beach (CGN 9).

Wilkinson commanded Nautilus, which was commissioned in 1954 as the world's first nuclear-powered ship. On Jan. 17, 1955, he ordered all lines cast off and signaled the message, "Underway on nuclear power."

Wilkinson was instrumental in the early development of Navy nuclear propulsion. In the late 1940s, he served in a variety of nuclear billets at the Oak Ridge and Argonne National Laboratories and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. He also served as director of the submarine warfare division from 1963 to 1966. In November 1966, Wilkinson was assigned as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Japan; and "for exceptionally meritorious service..." in that capacity, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He assumed command of Submarine Flotilla Two in June 1969; and in February 1970, he became Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet with additional duty as Submarine Operations Advisor for Polaris Operations Atlantic Command and Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic; Commander Submarines Allied Command and Commander Submarine Force, Western Atlantic Area. In April 1972, he was named Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarine Warfare.

Following his retirement in 1974, Vice Admiral Wilkinson continued to advance nuclear power by serving as the first president and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations.

Wilkinson was married to the former Miss Janice Thuli of San Diego, California who passed away in December of 2000. Wilkinson is survived by his four children, four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.

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