Medal of Honor: Howard Walter Gilmore – U.S. Navy – World War II

Name: Howard Walter Gilmore
Rank: Commander
Branch: U.S. Navy
Command: USS Growler (SS-215)
Campaign: Fourth War Patrol, Southwest Pacific
Born: 29 September 1902, Selma, Alabama
Appointed From: Louisiana
Other Awards: Navy Cross with one gold star

Summary of Action

During the fourth war patrol of USS Growler in the Southwest Pacific, Commander Howard W. Gilmore aggressively engaged enemy shipping despite constant Japanese air and antisubmarine patrols. Over the course of the patrol, Growler successfully sank one Japanese freighter and damaged another, repeatedly evading severe depth-charge attacks after each strike.

On the night of 7 February 1943, a Japanese gunboat closed in and prepared to ram Growler at close range. In a daring maneuver, Commander Gilmore avoided the collision and instead ordered Growler to ram the enemy vessel, tearing into its hull at high speed and fatally crippling it.

During the collision, intense enemy machine-gun fire swept the bridge. Gravely wounded, Commander Gilmore calmly ordered the bridge cleared and ensured his crew descended below. Refusing medical aid or safety for himself, he remained exposed until every man was clear.

Mortally wounded and unable to escape, Commander Gilmore gave his final command to the officer of the deck:

“Take her down.”

USS Growler submerged under fire and escaped. Though badly damaged, she was brought safely back to port by a crew inspired by the selfless courage of their commanding officer, who knowingly sacrificed his life to save them.

Medal of Honor Citation

GILMORE, HOWARD WALTER

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, Comdr. 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. Comdr. 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, Comdr. 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, Comdr. 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.