?ltlnittd fetatts ?ned WASHINGTON, DC 20510 November 9, 2018 The Honorable Mark Esper Secretary of the Army 10] Army Pentagon Washington, DC 203 10-0101 CC: The Honorable Ricth Spencer Secretary of the Navy Dear Secretary Esper: April 10th marked the 55th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the USS Thresher. We urge you to authorize the building of a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in recognition of the service and sacri?ce of her crew and all U.S. submariners lost in the line of duty. As you know, on April 9, 1963, the USS Thresher, built and maintained at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, departed with a crew of 16 of?cers, 96 sailors, and civilians. Early in the morning on April 10th, approximately 300 miles off the coast of New England, the Thresher experienced an incident during a post-maintenance sea trial dive from which she could not recover. Tragically, the boat was lost along with all 129 men on board. During the 55m anniversary of the Thresher incident, we remember with profound sorrow the loss of her gallant crew and seek to honor their memory. We also pay tribute to the important changes that were made in submarine safety as a result of this sad and disastrous event. In response to the Thresher tragedy, the U.S. Navy instituted a new program to ensure the health and safety of our nation?s submarines. The establishment of the Submarine Safety and Quality Assurance Program (SUBSAFE) now one of the world?s most comprehensive military safety programs has helped provide maximum protection for our Navy crews, and since that time, no SUBSAFE?certi?ed submarine has been lost. SUBSAFE is a legacy owed to those service members lost as a result of the Thresher tragedy, and has undoubtedly saved the lives of submariners who have served since. As we pass the 55?? anniversary since we lost the Thresher, we believe a memorial at Arlington National Cemetery would be a ?tting tribute to its legacy. As you know, a number of special monuments and memorials have been dedicated at Arlington, including tributes to the USS Serpens, the USS Maine, the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger as well as those lost during the Iran rescue mission in 1930. We believe a memorial to the USS Thresher would re?ect the Arlington National Cemetery?s long legacy as a national shrine and a ?living history of freedom. . .where dignity and honor rest in solemn repose.? This memorial would serve not only to honor the sacri?ce of those that lost their lives but as a reminder of the dangers that all submariners face when they volunteer for duty. Starts Smart WASHINGTON. DC 20510 We hope you will strongly consider the request from the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Project, and we look forward to working with you to make this memorial a reality. Thank you for your consideration and your distinguished service to our nation. Sincerely, eanne Shaheen Margaret Wood Hassan United States Senator United States Senator Susan M. Collins Angus .King United States Senator United tates Senator Elizabeth arren United es Senator