USS Howard

USS Howard has been the name of than one United States Navy ship, and may refer to:

USS Howard (DDG-83)

USS Howard (DDG-83) is the thirty-third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy and the nineteenth built at Bath Iron Works. Her keel was laid down 9 December 1998, and she was launched and christened 20 November 1999 and commissioned 20 October 2001.

The ship is named in honor of First Sgt. Jimmie E. Howard, USMC, (1929–1993), recipient of the Medal of Honor for his leadership of a platoon against repeated attacks by a battalion-sized Viet Cong force. After receiving severe wounds from an enemy grenade, he distributed ammunition to his men and directed air strikes on the enemy. By dawn, his beleaguered platoon still held their position. Howard had also received the Silver Star Medal for his service in the Korean War. Every time Howard sets to sea from its homeport of San Diego, it passes within view of Gunnery Sgt. Howard's grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and salutes its namesake.

Service history

On 16 February 2007, Howard was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.

USS Howard (DD-179)

USS Howard (DD–179) was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Charles W. Howard, who was killed in the Civil War aboard USS New Ironsides.

Howard was launched by Union Iron Works San Francisco, California, 26 April 1919; sponsored by Marion Filmer, and commissioned 29 January 1920 at Mare Island, with Commander B. M. Stewart in command.

Service history

Howard departed San Francisco on 1 March 1920 to join the Pacific Destroyer force at San Diego, California. After initial tactical maneuvers and gunnery training, she departed San Diego on 3 May for Topolobampo, Mexico. She rejoined her destroyer flotilla on 17 May to participate in intensive and prolonged operations in the San Diego area, including torpedo practice, patrol, battle practices, and exercises with submarines. Howard decommissioned on 27 May 1922.

Recommissioned 29 August 1940, Howard was converted to a minesweeper and reclassified DMS-7. She sailed from San Diego in mid October, arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, on the 29th, and proceeded on 19 November for duty in the Caribbean. She remained there until 17 May 1941 conducting minesweeping assignments and patrol duty enforcing the Neutrality Act. Howard returned to Norfolk on 19 May and participated in exercises along the Chesapeake Bay until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 plunged the United States into World War II.