USS Massachusetts Historic Essay Contest

The United States Navy’s newest nuclear attack submarine, the USS Massachusetts SSN 798, is scheduled for commissioning in Boston in the spring of 2025, date to be announced. As part of this event, the Commissioning Committee invites middle and high school students within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to participate in an essay contest. Twelve winners will be awarded, invited to the commissioning ceremony in Boston, MA, and will be invited to the post reception ceremony. Twelve rooms within the Submarine will be named after the hometowns of the winners.

Students are invited to research and write an essay on one event in history or aspect of the role of Massachusetts in the development of the United States Navy. The essay could center on an individual, an event or moment, a specific ship, a policy, or a place at a particular historical time.

All twelve winners will be awarded plaques with the winners’ name, school, and town.  Duplicate plaques will be installed on doorways onboard the USS Massachusetts. All winning essays will also be published in the USS Massachusetts Commissioning Book with recognition to the winners. All winners will be invited to the post reception ceremony.
 
One grand prize winner and their family will be invited to the Commissioning Gala.
 

Essays must be submitted before June 15, 2024.

For rules and guidelines, use this link: https://www.ussmassachusetts.org/essay

 
* The last US Navy vessel to be named Massachusetts was the battleship USS Massachusetts, launched in 1941 and decommissioned in 1947. The battleship is now on display at Battleship Cove in Fall River