Asked. at his recent Washington retirement, to assess the possibilities of nuclear warfare, Admiral Hyman Rickover replied: “Oh, I think we’1l probably destroy ourselves.” Whether Rickover father of the U.S. nuclear submarine – was being totally serious or slightly facetious, his remark served to call attention to the awesome and devastating effects “N” warfare could have on the world and the human race. He ought to know. His insight into the question goes back a long way. After World War II. in which he served as head of the electrical section of the Navy’s Bureau of Ships. he was assigned to the atomic submarine project at Oak Ridge. Tenn. and helped convince the Navy that nuclear sea power was feasible. Rickover directed planning and construction of the world’s first atomicpowered submarine, the Nautilus, launched in 1954 and other U.S. nuclear-powered ships. Later he became chief of the Naval Reactors Branch of the Atomic Energy Commission and was in charge of the nuclear propulsion divison of the Bureau of Ships. ”I’m not proud of the part I’ve played (in nuclear weaponry), but it was necessary. That’s why I’m a great advocate of stopping this nonsense, war,” Rickover said in reflecting on his 60 years of naval service. a career unparalleded. The admiral. whose tenure was marked by some controversy because of his outspoken opinions and unorthodox methods. said he favored an international agreement outlawing all nuclear weapons and atomic reactors. Not an advocate of a large military buildup, he said the U.S has 12l nuclear submarines. “And that is enough. We don’t have to match the Russians ship for ship.” Rickover was promoted to rear admiral in 1953 and vice admiral in 1958. He let it be known he was unhappy with the Reagan Administration for retiring him from office…at age 82. Aside from his personal feelings, his thoughts on nuclear warfare should not be taken lightly. Nations with potential nuclear involvement should spare no efforts to see that mankind is spared the grave consequences nuclear weaponry can inflict.