Self Destruct Mode Installed': A US Navy Nuclear Powered Submarine Collected 13 Navy Expeditionary Medals and 2 Presidential Unit Citations and No One Knows Exactly Why Besides the Sub Was Some Sort of Underwater Spy

USS Parche (SSN-683), a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned in 1974, is widely described as the most decorated submarine in U.S. Navy history. Over 30 years of service, the vessel earned nine Presidential Unit Citations, along with 10 Navy Unit Commendations and 13 Navy Expeditionary Medals. The article notes Parche never fought a famous public battle, but it received citations mainly from 1979 to 1982, with additional awards in 1986, 1993–1994, 1998, and 2004. In 1978, it was converted to replace USS Halibut for classified signals intelligence work, including cable operations. What it recovered remains classified.