USS Howard W. Gilmore AS-16

Howard Walter Gilmore was born in Selma, Ala., 29 September 1902 and enlisted in the US Navy 15 November 1920. In 1922 he was appointed to the Naval Academy and after commissioning in 1926 reported to battleship Mississippi. Gilmore underwent submarine training in 1930 and in the years that followed served in various submarines and at stations ashore. In 1941 he assumed his first command, Shark, only to be transferred the day following Pearl Harbor to take command of the still-unfinished Growler. Gilmore commanded his submarine skillfully during three Pacific war patrols, receiving the Navy Cross for an attack on enemy destroyers during the first and a gold star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for the second. The submarine continued to take a heavy toll of shipping on her fourth war patrol, and on the night of 6-7 February 1943 she approached a convoy stealthily for a surface attack. Suddenly a fast gunboat closed and prepared to ram. Commander Gilmore skillfully outmaneuvered his opponent and rammed him at 17 knots, seriously damaging Growler. What followed Is perhaps most eloquently expressed in the official citation: "In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machine guns, Commander Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living moments Commander Gilmore gave his last order to the Officer of the Deck, 'Take her down !' The submarine dived; damaged but under control, she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the courageous fighting spirit of their captain." Commander Gilmore received the Medal of Honor posthumously, and his inspiring words and courageous sacrifice have taken their place among the great traditions of the U.S. Navy. This biography was written by the Naval HIstory and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.. 

"The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Commander Howard Walter Gilmore (NSN: 0-60210), United States Navy, for distinguished gallantry and valor above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Growler during her Fourth War Patrol in the Southwest Pacific from 10 January to 7 February 1943. Boldly striking at the enemy in spite of continuous hostile air and antisubmarine patrols, Commander Gilmore sank one Japanese freighter and damaged another by torpedo fire, successfully evading severe depth charges following each attack. In the darkness of night on 7 February, an enemy gunboat closed range and prepared to ram the Growler. Commander Gilmore daringly maneuvered to avoid the crash and rammed the attacker instead, ripping into her port side at 11 knots and bursting wide her plates. In the terrific fire of the sinking gunboat's heavy machineguns, Commander Gilmore calmly gave the order to clear the bridge, and refusing safety for himself, remained on deck while his men preceded him below. Struck down by the fusillade of bullets and having done his utmost against the enemy, in his final living moments, Commander Gilmore gave his last order to the officer of the deck, "Take her down." The Growler dived; seriously damaged but under control, she was brought safely to port by her well-trained crew inspired by the courageous fighting spirit of their dead captain."