Overview of the Project
The Sail Memorial
The USS GEORGE BANCROFT SSBN 643 Sail memorial is located just outside the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay's Benjamin Franklin Drive Gate.
The Crew Memorial Project
A walkway (approximately 120 feet long and 10 feet wide) paralleling the existing paved path leading to the Sail Memorial and will consist of approximately 2,600 paver stones arranged alphabetically for each man who served on the George Bancroft from its commissioning in 1966, to its decommissioning in 1993.
Crew Member Paver Stones
8"x8"x2" and will include, as a minimum, the Crew Member's name. Their rank and rate, years on board and which crew will be added, if available. Plank Owners and Decommissioning crews will be noted.
How you can help - Making a Donation
The estimate for the project is $90,000 (as of spring 2026).
- Donations made to the crew memorial project fund are tax deductible per Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- If we are unable to raise 100% of the funds by the goal date (December 31, 2026), all funds will be held in the project account until the memorial is fully funded.
- NOTE: The USS George Bancroft SSBN 643 Association is partnering with the St. Marys Submarine Museum on the project fundraising effort. Specifically, all donations received by the Association will be held in a designated bank account with the St. Marys Submarine Museum to ensure that the donated funds will be used solely for the crew memorial project. Both organizations are tax-exempt in accordance with IRS Code Section 501(c). The Bancroft Association is a 501(c)(19) non-profit veteran’s organization, and the St. Mary’s Submarine Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- 100% of your donation (minus administrative processing fees mentioned below) goes directly to the project.
- The entire project, to include installation and future upkeep, is being funded through donations, no U.S. Navy funds are being used.
Payment Methods
- Donate using credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or direct ACH transfers. An administrative processing fee of 2.9% of the total donation plus $0.30 is charged to the Association's Account for each donation made using credit or debit cards. An administrative processing fee of 1.0% is charged to the Association's Account for each donation made using an ACH transfer.
- Donate using a check
Please make checks payable to: St. Marys Submarine Museum
Mail checks to:
St. Marys Submarine Museum
P.O. BOX 5640
St. Marys, GA 31558
***When donating by check*** Please include "Bancroft Memorial Project" on the memo line along with a note of the type of donation intended (Guest, Shipmate, or Eternal Patrol).
- Cash Donations may be made at St. Marys Submarine Museum located at 102 St. Marys Street West, St. Marys, GA 31558.
How you can help - Spreading the Word
Please share the QR code and/or web address, to help inform others and request they consider making a tax-deductible donation.
An informational flyer is available for download, and for you to share. You could also simply share the link with your friends.
The flyer is available at this link: