'' Observation Island '' was back at Port Canaveral by Christmas 1962 , and until June 1963 she expanded her role of oceanographic survey in the Atlantic Range . She conducted the first successful at-sea launches of the A-3 Polaris 17 and 21 June . President John F. Kennedy came on board 16 November 1963 to observe a Polaris launch , six days before his assassination
his assassination
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23)