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USS Howard (DDG 83)

USS HOWARD is the fifth OSCAR AUSTIN-class guided missile destroyer and the first ship in the Navy named after Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie E. Howard.

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS HOWARD. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

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• Click here to see which USS HOWARD memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

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USS HOWARD Cruise Books:

• WestPac Cruise Book 2013-14

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About the Ship's Name:

Jimmie Earl Howard was born on July 27, 1929, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Edythe Howard. He attended Burlington High School, where he distinguished himself as a football player and was selected for the Iowa All-State football team in 1948. After graduating in 1949, he attended the University of Iowa for one year before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on July 12, 1950, shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War.

Howard completed recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, and was promoted to private first class in January 1951. He subsequently remained at the recruit depot as a drill instructor until December 1951. After completing advanced infantry training in February 1952, he was ordered to Korea, where he served as a forward observer with the 4.2-inch Mortar Company, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. During his combat service in Korea, Howard received the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action and was wounded twice, earning two Purple Hearts. He was promoted to corporal in March 1952.

Returning to the United States in April 1953, Howard was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as a tactics instructor with the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment. He was promoted to sergeant in June 1953. In March 1954, he joined the Marine Detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS ORISKANY (CVA 34), serving as a squad leader. In January 1955, he returned to Camp Pendleton and joined the 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company, which was subsequently redesignated the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Howard remained with the unit until September 1957 and was promoted to staff sergeant in May 1956.

During the following years, Howard held various assignments with the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, including duties as a military policeman, special services noncommissioned officer, platoon guide and platoon sergeant. In August 1961, he returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, where he served in several administrative and supervisory positions. In November 1964, he was reassigned to the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. Beginning in January 1965, he served as an instructor at the division's Counterguerrilla Warfare Course, preparing Marines for operations involving irregular warfare and guerrilla tactics.

In April 1966, Staff Sergeant Howard was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam and assigned as a platoon leader with Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. His unit conducted reconnaissance and surveillance missions in areas controlled by enemy forces, gathering intelligence and directing artillery and air strikes against identified targets. On June 13, Howard led an eighteen-man reconnaissance patrol onto Hill 488, also known as Nui Vu, approximately 20 miles west of Chu Lai in Quang Tin Province. From its elevated observation position, the patrol monitored enemy movements in the surrounding countryside and transmitted information to supporting American forces.

During the night of June 15–16, 1966, Howard's patrol came under attack by a Viet Cong force estimated to be of battalion strength. Shortly after midnight, enemy troops approached the Marines' position and opened fire with small arms, automatic weapons and mortars. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Howard immediately organized his men into a defensive perimeter and directed their fire against successive enemy assaults. Throughout the night, he moved among the Marines, coordinating their defense and maintaining radio communications with supporting units. As ammunition and grenades became scarce, Howard encouraged his men to conserve their remaining supplies and improvise defensive measures while continuing to resist the attackers.

During the battle, Howard was severely wounded by fragments from an exploding enemy grenade, leaving him unable to use his legs. Despite his injuries, he continued directing the defense, distributing his remaining ammunition to the other Marines and maintaining radio contact to coordinate air strikes against enemy positions. By dawn on June 16, five members of the platoon had been killed and all but one of the surviving Marines had been wounded. Nevertheless, the patrol continued to hold its position after approximately twelve hours of fighting.

When evacuation helicopters approached Hill 488, Howard warned them away because enemy automatic weapons still threatened the landing area. He requested additional air support and directed further strikes against enemy positions to provide cover for the helicopters. The surviving Marines were subsequently evacuated from the hill. Howard's actions during the engagement were credited with preventing the destruction of his patrol. For the wounds he sustained during the battle, he received a third Purple Heart.

Following his recovery and return to the United States, Howard was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as a battalion training noncommissioned officer. On August 21, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented him with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. His wife Theresa, their six children and other family members attended the presentation. Howard became the sixth Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War. The award recognized his leadership of the reconnaissance patrol during the defense of Hill 488 and his continued direction of the battle despite severe wounds.

Howard continued his Marine Corps career after receiving the Medal of Honor, serving in training and supervisory assignments. He eventually attained the rank of first sergeant and retired from the Marine Corps on March 31, 1977, after more than 26 years of military service. His decorations included the Medal of Honor, Silver Star Medal, three Purple Hearts, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and numerous campaign and service awards recognizing his participation in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Following his retirement, Howard remained in San Diego, California, with his family. He worked as a civilian employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs and devoted part of his time to youth athletics, volunteering as a coach for local sports organizations. Among his activities was serving as an assistant football coach at Point Loma High School, where he worked with young athletes for several years.

First Sergeant Jimmie Earl Howard died at his home in San Diego on November 12, 1993, at the age of 64. He was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.

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USS HOWARD History:

USS HOWARD was built by Bath Iron Works at Bath, Maine. Her keel was laid on December 9, 1998, and she was launched and christened on November 20, 1999, with Theresa M. Howard, widow of the ship's namesake, and Jill Hultin serving as sponsors. After delivery to the Navy on June 22, 2001, the guided missile destroyer was commissioned at Galveston, Texas, on October 20, 2001. HOWARD subsequently joined the Pacific Fleet at San Diego, California, where she conducted shakedown training, trials and weapons-system evaluations during her first years in service.

On May 24, 2004, HOWARD departed San Diego for a deployment to the northern and western Pacific with the carrier strike group of USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74). Other ships in the group included USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57), USS FORD (FFG 54), USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716) and USNS RAINIER (T-AOE 7). The deployment began with exercise Northern Edge 2004 in the Gulf of Alaska and included RIMPAC 2004 in Hawaiian waters before the group continued across the western Pacific. HOWARD visited Fremantle, Australia, in late September and early October and conducted carrier escort and plane-guard duties during the return transit. She arrived back at San Diego on November 1, 2004.

During 2005 and the first part of 2006, HOWARD underwent maintenance and completed training and readiness evaluations in the Southern California operating area. These preparations included a Composite Training Unit Exercise and a Joint Task Force Exercise for her first assignment to an expeditionary strike group. On September 13, 2006, she departed San Diego with Expeditionary Strike Group 5, centered on USS BOXER (LHD 4), for operations in the western Pacific and Middle East.

While deployed, HOWARD operated in the northern Persian Gulf as part of Combined Task Force 158, helping protect Iraq's Al Basrah and Khawr Al Amaya offshore oil terminals. She coordinated maritime security operations near the Al Basrah Oil Terminal and employed visit, board, search and seizure teams to inspect vessels in the area. HOWARD completed this assignment on February 28, 2007, and returned to San Diego on March 13. During the deployment, the ship was selected for the 2006 Battle Efficiency Award, announced on February 16, 2007.

On August 3, 2007, Admiral Robert F. Willard presented HOWARD with the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for the Pacific Fleet for 2006, recognizing improvements in operational readiness and performance. The ceremony took place at BAE Systems in San Diego, where the ship was completing a nine-week maintenance availability. Following the shipyard period, HOWARD resumed training and preparations for another deployment.

In May 2008, HOWARD deployed with the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group for operations in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Following Typhoon Fengshen in the Philippines, the carrier strike group conducted humanitarian assistance operations around Panay Island in late June. HOWARD supported the relief effort as helicopters transported food, drinking water and other supplies to affected communities. During a subsequent visit to Japan, the destroyer called at Sasebo before proceeding to the Fifth Fleet area of operations.

On September 28, 2008, HOWARD was stationed within visual range of the hijacked merchant vessel MV FAINA off Hobyo, Somalia. The Belize-flagged cargo ship had been captured by Somali pirates on September 25 while carrying 33 T-72 tanks and other military equipment. Under the command of Commander Curtis Goodnight, HOWARD maintained surveillance of the vessel and surrounding waters as additional American warships were assigned to the area. The destroyer continued maritime security operations in the region before returning across the Pacific later that year.

In 2009, HOWARD again deployed with the RONALD REAGAN Carrier Strike Group, which departed San Diego in late May for operations in the Fifth and Seventh Fleet areas. The formation included USS CHANCELLORSVILLE (CG 62) and USS GRIDLEY (DDG 101). HOWARD conducted maritime security and carrier escort operations during the deployment and subsequently crossed the Pacific with the group. She returned to San Diego on October 21, 2009, with RONALD REAGAN, CHANCELLORSVILLE and GRIDLEY.

During 2010, HOWARD remained based at San Diego, carrying out maintenance, inspections and training in preparation for her next overseas assignment. The destroyer departed on an independent deployment in 2011 that took her to Southeast Asia and subsequently to the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations. In June and July she took part in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise series, known as CARAT 2011, with the navies of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

On June 28, 2011, HOWARD arrived at Puerto Princesa, Philippines, with USS CHUNG-HOON (DDG 93) and the Military Sealift Command salvage ship USNS SAFEGUARD (T-ARS 50) for the Philippine phase of CARAT. Training included anti-submarine warfare, boarding procedures, shiphandling and coordinated naval maneuvers. After the Southeast Asian exercises, HOWARD proceeded to the Gulf of Aden, where she supported Combined Task Force 151 counter-piracy patrols, responded to reports from merchant vessels and intercepted a skiff carrying equipment associated with piracy. She returned to San Diego on October 28, 2011, following approximately seven months overseas.

On June 17, 2012, HOWARD entered BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair for a DDG modernization availability. The work included dry-docking and upgrades to ship systems, and the destroyer was still undergoing modernization in October. Following completion of maintenance and subsequent trials, HOWARD resumed operational training during 2013 in preparation for another western Pacific deployment.

HOWARD departed San Diego on December 2, 2013, for a seven-month deployment to the Seventh Fleet area of operations. During the cruise she conducted anti-submarine warfare missions and exercises with the Republic of Korea Navy, participated in theater security cooperation activities and operated with the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group. She visited Manila, Philippines, from April 11 to 14, 2014, and later crossed the Pacific to Hawaii with ships participating in the multinational RIMPAC exercise. HOWARD returned to San Diego on July 3, 2014.

On July 30, 2014, HOWARD participated in the parade of ships associated with Seattle's Seafair Fleet Week before resuming West Coast operations. Later in the year she entered a Selected Restricted Availability at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair, where she remained under maintenance in December. During 2015, the destroyer conducted post-maintenance training and readiness preparations in the eastern Pacific.

In the summer of 2016, HOWARD participated in RIMPAC 2016 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The exercise ran from June 30 through August 4 and involved naval units from 26 nations. On July 28, HOWARD operated in a formation of 40 ships and submarines assembled during the exercise, which also included anti-submarine, surface warfare, gunnery and integrated maritime training.

On June 5, 2017, HOWARD departed San Diego with the carrier strike group of USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) for operations in the western Pacific and the Middle East. Other ships assigned to the group included USS PRINCETON (CG 59), USS SHOUP (DDG 86), USS KIDD (DDG 100) and USS PINCKNEY (DDG 91). During the deployment HOWARD supported carrier strike group operations in the Fifth and Seventh Fleet areas, including missions associated with Operation Inherent Resolve and regional maritime security. The group visited Pearl Harbor during its return voyage in late November, and HOWARD arrived back at San Diego on December 5, 2017.

Following the deployment, HOWARD began an extended modernization period at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair in 2018. The destroyer was undergoing shipyard work in September 2018 and remained there in March 2019. The modernization included an upgrade of the Aegis weapon system to Baseline 9.2.C, providing new integrated air and missile defense capabilities. After the work, HOWARD completed certifications and resumed training, and Commander Ennis Parker relieved Commander Andrew Bucher as commanding officer during a ceremony at San Diego on November 8, 2019.

During 2020 and the first half of 2021, HOWARD continued training and preparations for a change of homeport. On August 16, 2021, she arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, together with USS HIGGINS (DDG 76), joining Destroyer Squadron 15 as part of the Navy's forward-deployed force in the Seventh Fleet. On November 26, HOWARD arrived at Wellington, New Zealand, for a port visit and professional exchanges with the New Zealand Defence Force. It was the first visit by a U.S. warship to New Zealand since 2016.

During 2022, HOWARD conducted operational training and patrols from Yokosuka in support of Seventh Fleet requirements. In July 2023, she participated in exercise Pacific Vanguard 23 in the Philippine Sea with Japanese and South Korean naval units, including training in anti-submarine warfare, air defense and surface operations. On July 4, HOWARD sailed in formation with the South Korean destroyer ROKS MUNMU THE GREAT (DDG 976), Japanese destroyer JS SHIRANUI (DD 120) and submarine JS YAESHIO (SS 598).

On August 10, 2023, HOWARD experienced an apparent soft grounding while approaching Bali, Indonesia, for a scheduled port visit. The ship was able to resume normal operations under her own power, and no injuries were reported. On August 19, Commander Kenji Igawa was relieved as commanding officer because of a loss of confidence in his ability to command, with Captain Edward Angelinas temporarily assuming the duties. The Navy did not confirm that the grounding was the reason for the relief. Commander Cameron Dennis took command during a ceremony at Yokosuka on September 1.

On December 1, 2023, an electrical fire broke out in a main engine room while HOWARD was in port at Yokosuka. The fire was extinguished, and twelve sailors were taken to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka for evaluation. Seven were released that day, and the remaining five were discharged in good condition on December 2. The cause and extent of the damage were under investigation following the incident.

On February 6, 2024, Commander Cameron Dennis was relieved as commanding officer because of a loss of confidence in his ability to perform his duties. Captain Dave Huljack was assigned temporarily to command the ship. From March 18 to April 6, HOWARD participated in Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training 24, a bilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in waters extending from Yokosuka to east of Okinawa. Participating American units included USS AMERICA (LHA 6), USS DEWEY (DDG 105), HIGGINS, USS RALPH JOHNSON (DDG 114) and USNS YUKON (T-AO 202). The exercise covered air defense, anti-submarine and surface warfare, electronic warfare, missile firings and replenishment at sea.

On February 7, 2025, HOWARD arrived at Otaru on the Japanese island of Hokkaido for a scheduled port visit. The ship, then commanded by Commander Eric Smitley, remained there until February 11, while her crew participated in engagements with local representatives and visited the surrounding area. Following the visit, HOWARD continued operations as part of Destroyer Squadron 15 from Yokosuka. On October 24, 2025, Commander Randy Hayes relieved Commander Smitley as commanding officer during a ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

On May 14, 2026, HOWARD arrived at Shimoda, Japan, to participate in the 87th annual Black Ship Festival, commemorating the arrival of Commodore Matthew C. Perry's ships and the opening of relations between Japan and the United States in the nineteenth century. The destroyer departed Shimoda on May 17 and subsequently continued her forward-deployed service in the western Pacific. On August 14, 2026, HOWARD hosted a change-of-command ceremony for Destroyer Squadron 15 at Yokosuka, during which Captain Neil Gabriel relieved Captain David Huljack as commodore of the squadron.

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Homeports of USS HOWARD:

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USS HOWARD Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by Ian Johnson and show the HOWARD at Fremantle, Australia, on September 28, 2004 (the first three photos), September 29, 2004, and October 3, 2004 (the last photo). At the time, HOWARD was assigned to the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) Strike Group and was the first Flight II ARLEIGH BURKE - class DDG to visit Western Australia.

The photo below was taken by me and shows the HOWARD at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 10, 2008.

The photos below were taken by me and show the HOWARD at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 23, 2010.

The photos below were taken by me and show the HOWARD at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 2012.

The photos below were taken by me and show the HOWARD dry-docked at BAE Ship Repair in San Diego, Calif. The HOWARD entered the shipyard on June 17, 2012, and is undergoing the DDG Modernization Upgrade. The photos were taken on October 3, 2012.

The photo below was taken by Henry Schnutz and shows the HOWARD at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on August 27, 2013.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HOWARD at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability. The photos were taken on December 27, 2014.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HOWARD at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 2, 2015.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HOWARD at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on April 18, 2016.

The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the HOWARD moored at Pier 10 at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on December 20, 2016.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HOWARD undergoing a modernization availability at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair on September 28, 2018.

The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show the HOWARD undergoing a modernization availability at BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair on March 2, 2019.

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