Admiral Rickover
| Hyman G. Rickover | |
|---|---|
Rickover pictured in 1955 as a rear admiral
|
|
| Birth name | Chaim Godalia Rickover |
| Nickname(s) | "Father of the Nuclear Navy" |
| Born |
January 27, 1900 Przasnysz, Russian Poland |
| Died |
July 8, 1986 (aged 86) Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/ |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1918–1982 |
| Rank |
 Admiral
|
| Commands held |
USS Finch Naval Reactors |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Cold War |
| Awards |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (2) Congressional Gold Medal (2) Presidential Medal of Freedom Enrico Fermi Award |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth D. Masters (1931–1972 (her death); 1 child) Eleonore A. Bednowicz (1974–1986 (his death)) |
Admiral Hyman G. Rickover (January 27, 1900 – July 8, 1986), U.S. Navy, directed the original development of naval nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors. In addition, he oversaw the development of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor used for generating electricity.
Known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", Rickover's profound effects on the Navy and its most powerful warships were of such scope that he "may well go down in history as one of the Navy's most important officers." He served in a flag rank for nearly 30 years (1953 to 1982), ending his career as a four-star admiral. His total of 63 years of active duty service made Rickover the longest-serving naval officer and the longest serving member of the U.S armed forces in history.
Rickover is only one of four people who have ever been awarded two Congressional Gold Medals. His substantial legacy of technical achievements includes the United States Navy's continuing record of zero reactor accidents, defined as "the uncontrolled release of fission products to the environment subsequent to reactor core damage".
Rickover was born Chaim Godalia Rickover, to Abraham Rickover and Rachel (née Unger) Rickover, a Polish-Jewish family from Przasnysz, in Russian Poland. His parents later changed his name to "Hyman," which, like Chaim, is derived from Chayyim, meaning "life." He did not use his middle name, Godalia (a form of Gedaliah), but when required to list one for the Naval Academy oath, he substituted "George".
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