TFH 2/7: "Take her down!"

Howard Walter Gilmore was born on September 29, 1902 in Selma, Alabama. He enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1920. About two years later, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated with the class of 1926 and commissioned as an Ensign. In 1930, he volunteered for submarine duty and remained with the "Silent Service" for the remainder of his service.

The day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor - December 8, 1941 - now Lieutenant Commander Gilmore was appointed as the first captain of the Gato-class submarine USS Growler (SS-215), still under construction. Growler, under Gilmore's command, completed three war patrols during 1942. The boat was a highly-effective fighting unit, having sunk six enemy ships on those patrols. Growler and her crew received many commendations, and Gilmore was promoted to full Commander.

During Growler's fourth war patrol that began in January of 1943, Commander Gilmore, on February 7, cemented his place for all time in the lore and most honored roster of our Navy's submarine force.


Growler was running on the surface in the pre-dawn darkness when she came upon an enemy gunboat. While maneuvering to attack, the enemy vessel detected the submarine and launched an attack of her own. The Japanese turned to ram Growler. Gilmore was able to turn the tables on the enemy; Growler struck the enemy ship amidships, and the gunboat began to sink.

As they were sinking, gunners aboard the Japanese ship raked Growler's bridge and conning tower with machine gun fire. Gilmore was severely wounded, likely mortally, and gave the order to clear the bridge and prepare to submerge. When all his men were below, knowing that seconds counted and he could not be saved, he gave the order for Growler to leave him behind, submerge, and escape.

From Medal of Honor Citations for World War II (G-L):

*GILMORE, HOWARD WALTER

Rank and organization: Commander, U.S. Navy. Born: 29 September 1902, Selma, Ala. Appointed from: Louisiana. Other Navy award: Navy Cross with one gold star. Citation: 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.

"Take her down." Those three simple words are burned into the ethos of every United States Navy submariner. There is no finer example than Howard Gilmore to demonstrate what any and all submariners may be called upon to do to save their vessel and shipmates.

In addition to his posthumous award of the Medal of Honor, Commander Gilmore also received two awards of the Navy Cross, one for each of Growler's first two war patrols. The following citations for those awards are taken from Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Howard Walter Gilmore (NSN: 0-60210), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GROWLER (SS-215), on the FIRST War Patrol of that submarine during the period 29 June 1942 to 17 July 1942, in enemy controlled waters. During nine days in enemy controlled waters, Lieutenant Commander Gilmore, by expert maneuvering, boldly brought his submarine into an enemy-controlled harbor where men of war had been sighted and, in rapid succession, attacked three anchored 1700-ton Japanese destroyers with the result that the submarine sank two of these and seriously damaged the third. By skillful handling of his ship he was able to bring his ship home with only minor damages. Lieutenant Commander Gilmore's courage, determination and fine seamanship throughout these operations were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Howard Walter Gilmore (NSN: 0-60210), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GROWLER (SS-215), on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine during the period 5 August 1942 to 23 September 1942, in enemy controlled waters. Taking advantage of every favorable attack with alert skill and courageous efficiency, Commander Gilmore succeeded in sinking a total of 25,946 tons of enemy merchant shipping. By expert maneuvering he brought his boat safely through without material damage and his crew home without injury or loss of life. His gallant leadership and resourceful command were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Gilmore's remains were never recovered. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines (1 of 36,282 American warriors whose resting places are unknown from World War II in the Pacific) and with a cenotaph at the Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian, Mississippi. Growler herself was sunk with the loss of her entire crew during her eleventh war patrol on November 8, 1944.

The Navy honored Gilmore by naming the submarine tender USS Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) for him. That ship served our fleet from May 24, 1944 until September 30, 1980.