Stories about and by Submariners: 

Growler and the Medal of Honor

MEDAL of HONOR

As told by Adm. Charles W. Lockwood, USN (Ret) Commander Submarines Pacific Fleet, during WW II.

Looking at the sub USS GROWLER alongside the tender FULTON at Brisbane,Australia one would have to wonder what happened. Her bow looked like the snout of an elephant seal and the bridge and conning tower had been riddled by machine gun bullets.

GROWLER, under command of Cmdr Howard W. Gilmore, had left Brisbane on January 1, 1943 for a patrol in the western Solomons, along the Japanese traffic lanes from Rabaul to Japanese bases to the east and south. At 0100 February 7th, GROWLER sighted a ship on the starboard bow, on an opposite course, range 2,000 yards. Cmdr Gilmore turned away, made all tubes ready and swung around to close for an attack. When GROWLER was in position on the enemy's starboard quarter, the target spotted her and reversed course to attack GROWLER. Cmdr Gilmore, the Officer of the Deck, Ass't Officer of the Deck, the quartermaster and three lookouts were on the bridge, the sub being on the surface at the time. Although radar immediately spotted the change of course, it apparently was not seen by the bridge personnel.

At 0134 radar indicated that the range was too short to allow the torpedoes to arm. At that instant the order "Left full rudder" was given and the collision alarm was sounded. A moment later GROWLER plowed into the enemy ship at 17 knots, with a terrific impact, knocking everyone off his feet. GROWLER heeled over about 50 degrees and then back to normal. The Japanese ship opened fire with several machine-guns at point blank range.

With a hail of bullets pouring into the submarine, the Commanding Officer gave the order "Clear the bridge". The OD and quartermaster went down the hatch followed by two wounded lookouts who were pulled through by crewmen. Then Cmdr Gilmore gave the order "Take her down". Everyone hesitated, seconds passed by and no one appeared at the hatch. With the submarine still being sprayed by machine gun fire, GROWLER submerged. The Commanding Officer, Assistant OD and one lookout left on the bridge presumably were killed by enemy fire.

For personal heroism in ordering his ship submerged as he lay wounded on the deck, knowing he would be lost, Cmdr Howard W. Gilmore became the first member of the Submarine Force to be awarded the MEDAL of HONOR. Because of his self-sacrifice his ship, although seriously damaged, lived to fight again and add to her already high score of enemy shipping sunk.

In addition to Cmdr Gilmore, Ensign W.W. William and W.F. Kelly FC3/c were killed by enemy machine gun fire.