Howard Gilmore (AS 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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CDR. HOWARD W. GILMORE, USN - ■ ■ Pi! 1 ' ' m Q m tL ' Jtt HjM - l WL M - 1 i Kks )

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DEDICATION It is a custom of long standing in the UNITED STATES NAVY to dedicate such books as this to some one individual or groups of individuals. We feel that we could not dedicate our book to a finer group of persons than the thousands of un- sung heroes of the Novy, that have served and are serving aboard such vessels as this, the men that service and repair the silent raiders of the sea, our submarines. In war or peace their jobs and duties go on and few there be that appreciate the labor and toil necessary for such a task, save those serving on the submarines themselves. The inspiration that is necessary for the task is given to us by the name that our ship bears, HOWARD W. GILMORE, a hero if there ever was one. To all of you, living and dead, that have served and to all of you that might serve aboard such ves- sels, we dedicate this book. May your zeal and spirit always go on in the highest and best traditions of our Nation and the UNITED STATES NAVY.

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THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME U.S.S. HOWARD W. GILMORE (AS-16) In February, 1943, a badly battered American submarine, the USS Growler, crawled home from her fourth war patrol in the western Solomons. The battle- scarred hull represented only her material condition; the human element of the team, ship and men, was passionately eager to return to battle, for they had an awesome revenge to exact. The Growler had completed three successful war patrols in the Aleutians under command of Commander Howard W. Gilmore, then Lieutenant Com- mander, and was now beginning its fourth patrol. The sub was scarcely on sta- tion before she picked off a freighter in a convoy and two days later sank an- other. Then, one hour after midnight on February 19th, Commander Gilmore detected a ship about 2,000 yards off his starboard bow. The torpedo tubes were not quite ready, so the Commander swung the Growler away to allow time to prepare; then turned back to the target. It was so dark he could not see that the enemy ship had reversed course and was headed straight for him. Not until radar warned that the enemy was very close, could the Skipper see what had happened. A moment later the screen showed that the target was too close to attack with torpedoes — they would not have time to aim. Without hesita- tion Commander Gilmore chose the only course to damage the enemy vessel. He gave the order to ram the approaching ship. Seconds later, the Growler plowed into the enemy ship at seventeen knots. Before the ships could draw apart, ma- chine gun fire began to sweep the submarine at point blank range. The Skipper ' s command came with the first burst of fire: Clear the bridge! The Officer-of-the-deck, the Quartermaster, and two wounded men slid down the hatch. The Executive Officer peered anxiously up toward the bridge where the din of machine-gun fire still resounded. The skipper should have been easing his body down by then, but instead came his command: Take her down! Thus, for his inspiring personal heroism, Commander Howard W. Gilmore became the first member of the Submarine Force to be awarded the Con- gressional Medal of Honor. In September of 1943 a submarine tender, the USS Neptune, lay awaiting launching at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California. Prior to her launching, how- ever, the Navy Department, desiring to honor an outstanding hero of the early part of World War II, renamed her the USS Howard W. Gilmore in honor of this great hero. A more fitting tribute could not be paid to anyone, than to have such an honor bestowed upon them. For Commander Gilmore lives in the hearts and souls of thousands of men that have passed through and will pass through this ship.