USS ''Howard'' (DDG-83) is an ''
Arleigh Burke-class'' (
Flight IIA)
Aegis
The aegis ( ; ''aigís''), as stated in the ''Iliad'', is a device carried by Athena and Zeus, variously interpreted as an animal skin or a shield and sometimes featuring the head of a Gorgon. There may be a connection with a deity named Aex, a ...
guided missile destroyer
A guided-missile destroyer (DDG) is a destroyer whose primary armament is guided missiles so they can provide anti-aircraft warfare screening for the fleet. The NATO standard designation for these vessels is DDG, while destroyers which have a pr ...
in the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
. She is named for Medal of Honor recipient
First Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard, USMC. ''Howard'' was the 19th ship of her class to be built by
Bath Iron Works
Bath Iron Works (BIW) is a major United States shipyard located on the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, founded in 1884 as Bath Iron Works, Limited. Since 1995, Bath Iron Works has been a subsidiary of General Dynamics, one of the world's largest ...
at
Bath, Maine
Bath is a city in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. Bath is included in the Brunswick, Maine, Brunswick Micropolitan statistical area, micropolitan area. Bath has a 2024 population of 8,870. It is also the county seat of Sagadahoc County ...
, and construction began on 8 December 1998. She was launched and
christened on 20 November 1999. She was commissioned into the Navy on 20 October 2001.
''Howard'' is currently a member of Destroyer Squadron 15 and
Carrier Strike Group Five
Carrier Strike Group 5, also known as CSG 5 or CARSTRKGRU 5, is the U.S. Navy carrier strike group assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet and permanently forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet. The Strike Group Flagship is the which als ...
.
Namesake
The ship is named in honor of 1st Sgt.
Jimmie E. Howard, USMC (1929–1993), recipient of the
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
for his leadership of a platoon against repeated attacks by a
battalion
A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of up to one thousand soldiers. A battalion is commanded by a lieutenant colonel and subdivided into several Company (military unit), companies, each typically commanded by a Major (rank), ...
-sized
Viet Cong
The Viet Cong (VC) was an epithet and umbrella term to refer to the communist-driven armed movement and united front organization in South Vietnam. It was formally organized as and led by the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, and ...
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
The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against a ...
Medal for his service in the
Korean War
The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...
. Every time ''Howard'' set to sea from her previous homeport of San Diego, she passed within view of 1st Sgt. Howard's grave at
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a federal United States National Cemetery System, military cemetery in San Diego, California. It is located on the grounds of the former Army coastal artillery station Naval Base Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans a ...
and saluted her namesake.
Service history
On 16 February 2007, ''Howard'' was awarded the 2006
Battle "E" award.
On 28 September 2008, ''Howard'' was reported to be in pursuit of the Ukrainian ship , which on 25 September 2008 was captured by
Somali pirates
Horn of Africa
* Somali Peninsula, a region of East Africa, also known as "The Horn of Africa"
* Somalis, an inhabitant or ethnicity associated with Greater Somali Region
** Greater Somalia
** Somali language, a Cushitic language
** Somali culture ...
en route to Kenya. ''Faina'' was reported to be carrying 33 Russian-built
T-72
The T-72 is a family of Soviet Union, Soviet main battle tanks that entered production in 1973. The T-72 was a development based on the T-64 using thought and design of the previous Object 167M. About 25,000 T-72 tanks have been built, and refu ...
tanks along with ammunition and spare parts. ''Faina'' was eventually released by the pirates 5 February 2009.
In 2008, ''Howard'' received the 2008 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy Award and provided humanitarian assistance to the Philippines.
On 26 November 2021, ''Howard'' made a port call in
Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington is Capital of New Zealand, the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the List of cities in New Zealand, third-largest city ...
. It is the first time a U.S. Navy warship has made a port call in New Zealand since 2016.
On 10 August 2023, ''Howard'' experienced a "soft-grounding" outside of
Bali, Indonesia
Bali (English:; Balinese: ) is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller offshore islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nu ...
. On 19 August 2023 Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commanding Officer
US 7th Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It is headquartered at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of th ...
, removed Howard's Commanding Officer at the time, due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command" as a result of the grounding.
On 1 December 2023, a small electrical fire broke out in the engine room of ''Howard'', forcing 12 crew members to be temporarily transported to
Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan
United States Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan with its eight branch clinics are US Navy medical treatment facilities catering to the medical needs of eligible Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, family members, U.S. government employees, retired mili ...
. On 6 February 2024, the Navy announced that Commander Cameron Dennis was also relieved due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to perform his duties.” Press reports indicated his removal was due to unprofessional comments he had made.
Coat of arms
Shield
The shield has a background of light blue, dark blue, and gold. The upper shield consists of an oriental dragon, while the bottom contains stars configured to the Southern Cross.
The traditional Navy colors were chosen for the shield because dark blue and gold represents the sea and excellence respectively. The oriental dragon symbolizes the ship's service in the Pacific and fighting spirit of the platoon under the leadership of Gunnery Sergeant Howard. The stars are configured to the Southern Cross and represent the First Marine Division patch worn by Gunnery Sergeant Howard.
Crest
The crest consists of a Medal of Honor neck pad in the shape of a radar array with a crossed Navy and Marine sword.
USS ''Howard''s combat actions and war fighting legacy are represented by the six battle stars. Gunnery Sergeant Howard was awarded a Medal of Honor for gallantry and intrepidity under fire, which is represented by the neck pad. The neck pad also highlights the modern warfare capabilities, represented with the AEGIS array. A Crossed Naval Sword and Marine Mameluke signify teamwork and cooperation, exhibited with support from USS ''Howard''s advanced combat systems for Marines ashore.
Motto
The motto is written on a scroll of white with blue reverse side.
The ship's motto is "Ready for Victory". The motto is a reference to the honor, courage, and commitment of USS ''Howard''s sailors for justifying she is ready for all operations in peace and will always be victorious in combat.
Seal
The coat of arms in full color as in the blazon, upon a white background enclosed within a dark blue oval border edged on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS Howard" at the top and "DDG 83" in the base all gold.
Awards
''Howard'' has been awarded the Navy
Battle "E" several times
* 1 January - 31 December 2006
[
]
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howard (DDG-83)
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers
Destroyers of the United States
Ships built in Bath, Maine
Piracy in Somalia
1999 ships