USS Memphis (SSN 691) was commissioned on December 17, 1977, and joined Submarine Squadron Eight in Norfolk, Va., in 1978. She deployed for the first time in June 1979.

In March 1981, the submarine completed an around the world cruise via the Panama Canal, including operations with both the Sixth and Seventh Fleets.

USS Memphis was redesignated an experimental submarine during 1989 to test composite hull structures, unmanned underwater vehicles, advanced sonars, hull friction reduction, and other advanced technologies for the Los Angeles and Seawolf classes, but remains combat-capable.

In January 1994 USS Memphis entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for RCOH and modifications to support her Research and Development role. Upon completion of the shipyard availability she was assigned to Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in Groton, Conn.

August 22, 2003 SSN 691 pulled into Manama, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit. The submarine is currently on a six-month deployment, the first time in the 5th Fleet AoR after 22 years of servise. Germany, India, Japan and Russia were among the countries represented by their ambassadors to Bahrain.

December 16, USS Memphis departed Suoda Bay, Crete, Greece, after a brief port call.

January 16, 2004 SSN 691 returned to homeport after a six-month underway period to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

November 3, 2005 USS Memphis returned to Naval Submarine Base New London after a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

May 6, 2006 USS Memphis departed Groton for a surge deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. This "surge" deployment is a part of the Fleet Response Plan (FRP), a program developed to change the way ships deploy and to provide the United States with a greater range of naval options, adding an element of flexibility to naval efficiency.

August 15, 2006 Cmdr. Glenn W. Pendrick relieved Cmdr. William R. Merz as CO of the Memphis.

April 30, 2007 The fast attack submarine pulled to Port Everglades, Florida, for Fleet Week South 2007.

July 18, Capt. Robert P. Burke relieved Capt. Kennth M. Perry as Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12, during a change of command ceremony aboard the Memphis in Groton, Conn.

November 21, 2009 USS Memphis returned to Naval Submarine Base New London after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. European and Central Command areas of responsibility.

January 8, 2010 Cmdr. Charles H. Maher relieved Capt. Glenn W. Pendrick as commanding officer of SSN 691 during a change-of-command ceremony at the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel.

May 20, The Memphis is currently participating in the Atlantic phase of multinational exercise UNITAS 51, off the coast of Argentina.

June 11, The Los Angeles-class submarine departed Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles, after a scheduled port visit.

June 24, USS Memphis returned to Groton following a short underway period to the U.S. Southern Command Area of Responsibility.

September 14, In late August SSN 691 participated in a torpedo exercise with the Canadian Navy Victoria-class long-range patrol submarine HMCS Corner Brook (SSK 878) and USS Mason (DDG 87), in the Cape Cod operating area.

November 18, Capt. William R. Merz, commander of Submarine Development Squadron 12, relieved of duty Cmdr. Charles Maher because of a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." He was fired because 10 members of his crew are under investigation in an alleged cheating ring involving shipboard training exams. Capt. Carl Lahti, previously deputy commander of the development squadron, assumed temporary command of USS Memphis.

January 10, 2011 USS Memphis departed Groton for its final deployment before deactivated later this year.

February 4, The Memphis arrived in Catania, Italy, for a brief port visit before participating in the biggest NATO anti submarine warfare Exercise Proud Manta 11, off the coast of Sicily, Feb. 4-17.

March 2, SSN 691 returned home after a two-month underway period in the U.S. 6th Fleet AoR. Shortly after arrival Capt. Carl Lahti turned over command of the Memphis to Cmdr. Jeffery Joseph, who will lead the submarine until it is stricken from the Navy list in 2012.

April 1, USS Memphis held a decommissioning ceremony at Shepherd of the Sea chapel in Groton, Conn.

April 7, The Los Angeles-class attack submarine arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, for a year-long inactivation process.