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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Delta - Kilo NUDK

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal (2) - Philippine Liberation Medal

Fulton Class Submarine Tender:

Laid down as Neptune at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.

Renamed Howard W. Gilmore while building

Launched, 16 September 1943

Commissioned USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), 24 May 1944, Capt. D. N. Cone in command

Decommissioned, 30 September 1980

Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet

Struck from the Naval Register, 1 December 1980

Title transfer to MARAD, 1 May 1999

Laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA.

Final Disposition, scrapping completed 20 November 2006 at Bay Bridge Enterprises, Chesapeake VA.

Specifications:
Displacement 9,734 t.(lt) 15,034 t. (fl)
Length 529' 6"
Beam 73' 4"
Draft 23' 6"
Speed 18.5 kts.
Complement 1,303
Armament four single 5"/38 gun mounts
Propulsion diesel electric, twin screws, 12,000hp.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
181k	*Namesake* Howard Walter Gilmore was born in Selma, Ala., 29 September 1902 and enlisted in the 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. Photo from: Find-A-Grave.com	Bill Gonyo
88k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), ready for launching, at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. Note riveting and plating details on the ship's hull. Billboard in the foreground celebrates the combat exploits of another ship built by the Mare Island Navy Yard: *USS Wahoo* (SS-238)*. There are War Bond posters to its left. US National Archives photo # 80-G-K-15091*, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	US Naval Historical Center
127k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) launching, at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. US Navy photo.	Darryl L. Baker
96k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) stern view just prior to launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 16 September 1943. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 6522-43, 9/16/43	Darryl L. Baker
135k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), launching, at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. Mrs. Howard W. Gilmore, Ship's Sponsor and Mrs. F. A. Graf, Matron of Honor US Navy photo 6506-43 Dated 9/16/1943.	Darryl L. Baker
87k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), launching, at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. Distinguished Guests. Left to right: Mrs. F. W. Scanland, Capt. F. W. Scanland, USN, Mrs. F. A. Graf, Matron of Honor, RADM W. L. Friedell, Shipyard Commander, USN, Mrs. Howard W. Gilmore, Sponsor, Capt. W. E. Malloy, USN, Mrs. W. L. Friedell, Sheriff John R. Thornton, Speaker, Mrs. W. E. Malloy, Mrs. John D. Thornton. US Navy photo 6505-43 Dated 9/16/1943.	Darryl L. Baker
98k	Christening of Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943, by ship's sponsor Mrs. Howard W. Gilmore. Looking on are Mrs. F. A. Graf, Capt. W. E. Malloy and RADM W. L. Friedell, Shipyard Commander. US Navy photo 6500-43 Dated 9/16/1943.	Darryl L. Baker
134k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), half way down the ways after launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. US Navy photo 6521-43 Dated 9/16/1943.	Darryl L. Baker
145k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), after launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. US Navy photo 6518-43 Dated 9/16/1943.	Darryl L. Baker
79k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), waterborne after launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, CA., 16 September 1943. US Navy photo 6514-43 Dated 9/16/1943.	Darryl L. Baker
89k	Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16), berthed after launching at Mare Island. She is north of the building ways. Alongside is the floating crane *YD-33* and visible on the far right is the bow of *USS Fleming* (DE 32)** launched 16 June 1943 at Mare Island. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 6544-43.	Darryl L. Baker
42k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)**, at anchor probably at Subic Bay in the Philippines, circa 1944. Her camouflage is Measure 32, Design 4Ax. US Navy photo.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
34k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)*, at anchor in Subic Bay, Leyte Island, Philippines in 1944 with at least four or five submarines alongside. Her camouflage is Measure 32, Design 4Ax. Photo by James Gilbert Dudrow taken from USS LCI(L)-358*	Steve Dudrow for his father James Gilbert Dudrow USS LCI(L)-358
27k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)** post war image. Note she still wears her war time camouflage, paint scheme, camouflage Measure 32, Design 4Ax. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, December 1947. US Navy photo.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
40k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)** moored with 18 submarines alongside, date and location unknown. Note USS Howard W. Gilmore is painted camouflage Measure 32, Design 4Ax. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, June1956.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
104k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)**, at Key West, FL, 18 February 1955	Larry Bohn
77k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)**, 1971, location unknown. US Navy photo.	Courtesy Randy Guttery Tendertales Web Site
91k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16) at November Pier, Naval Station Charleston, S.C. with USS Amberjack (SS-522)** and an unidentified submarine along side, December 1966.	© Richard Leonhardt
16k	*USS Howard W. Gilmore* (AS-16)** at Key West, FL, in 1953.	Ken Kauffman
63k	Ex-Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) underway for the last time pasts through Hampton Roads on her way to the breakers yard, Bay Bridge Enterprises, Chesapeake, VA., 1729 hours on 30 March 2006. She was withdrawn from the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, VA., earlier in the day and moved by tugs down the Chesapeake Bay through Hampton Roads to her final destination at Bay Bridge Enterprises, Chesapeake, VA.	Mable Clark