TFH 12/11-12: Lieutenant Lester H. Gamble, USNR

Motor Torpedo Boats (PT, by hull designation) were small craft armed with four anti-ship torpedoes and a variety of automatic weapons. These boats provided the United States Navy with a quick strike and raiding capability that was essential in the early days of World War II in the Pacific.

One variety of PT boat was the 77-foot Elco, so known since they were built by the Electric Launch Company. One of these specific boats, PT-45, was commanded by a 25-year old Navy Reserve Lieutenant from South Dakota named Lester H. Gamble. During a series of engagements in the larger Guadalcanal Campaign on December 11-12, 1942, and then January 2-3 and 14-15, 1945, Lieutenant Gamble pressed home successful torpedo attacks against Japanese destroyers despite the enemy's best attempts to sink him. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his courage.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Lester H. Gamble, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while Commanding Motor Torpedo Boat FORTY-FIVE (PT-45), which engaged Japanese destroyer forces off the Guadalcanal coast on the nights of 11 - 12 December 1942, 2 - 3 January 1943, and 14 - 15 January 1943. Lieutenant Gamble with great skill and daring made such successful attacks as to obtain two torpedo hits on one destroyer the first night, one torpedo hit on each of two destroyers on the second night, and one torpedo hit on a destroyer on the last night. The attacks on the last two dates were pressed home against bombing and strafing by the enemy. The exceptional bravery, aggressive leadership, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Gamble were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Gamble reached the rank of Lieutenant Commander by the end of World War II and also commanded at least one Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron. Gamble passed away of natural causes at age 87 on January 10, 2005 in his adopted home state of Hawaii. He was a food executive for many years, and is credited with building the Spam brand there (yes, Spam is very popular in Hawaii!).

PT boats ceased serving in our Navy's fleets in the 1950s. The Electric Launch Company is today known as Elco Motor Yachts and produces both pleasure craft and the propulsion systems for them.