USS Howard (DDG-83)
{{Short description|Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the US Navy}}
{{other ships|USS Howard}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:US Navy 101110-N-1004S-042 The guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) transits the Pacific Ocean.jpg | Ship caption = USS Howard on 10 November 2010 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = United States | Ship flag = {{USN flag}} | Ship name = Howard | Ship namesake = Jimmie E. Howard | Ship ordered = 20 June 1996 | Ship builder = Bath Iron Works | Ship laid down = 9 December 1998 | Ship launched = 20 November 1999 | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = 20 October 2001 | Ship decommissioned = | Ship identification = *{{MMSI Number|303852000}}
| Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship homeport = Yokosuka | Ship struck = | Ship reinstated = | Ship honours = See Awards | Ship fate = | Ship status = {{Ship in active service}} | Ship notes = | Ship motto = Ready for Victory | Ship badge = 150px }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer}} | Ship displacement = 9,200 tons | Ship length = {{convert|509|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|66|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = | Ship draft = {{convert|31|ft|m|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = 4 × General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines, 2 shafts, {{convert|100000|shp|MW|abbr=on}} | Ship speed = exceeds {{convert|30|kn}} | Ship range = | Ship complement = 320 officers and enlisted | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Flight IIA armament (2 x Phalanx)}} | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = {{Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Flight IIA/III aircraft}} | Ship notes = }} |
USS Howard (DDG-83) is an Arleigh Burke-class (Flight IIA) Aegis guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. 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 at Bath, Maine, 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{{when|date=November 2023}} a member of Destroyer Squadron 15 and Carrier Strike Group Five.{{cn|date=November 2023}}
Namesake
The ship is named in honor of 1st 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 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 and saluted her namesake.
Service history
On 16 February 2007, Howard was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award.{{cite press release |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617210154/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=27895 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2007 |title=Surface Force Ships, Crews Earn Battle "E" |last=Ludwick |first=Paula M. |number=NNS070219-04 |publisher=United States Navy |date=19 February 2007 |access-date=16 October 2015}}
On 28 September 2008, Howard was reported to be in pursuit of the Ukrainian ship {{MV|Faina||2}}, which on 25 September 2008 was captured by Somali pirates en route to Kenya. Faina was reported to be carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks along with ammunition and spare parts.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5899765 |title=US destroyer watching hijacked ship off Somalia |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=27 September 2008}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.navycompass.com/index.php/top-stories/1450-uss-howard-holds-change-of-command-ceremony |title=USS Howard Holds Change of Command Ceremony |first=Jessica |last=Kelz |website=Navy Compass |date=8 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513073557/http://www.navycompass.com/index.php/top-stories/1450-uss-howard-holds-change-of-command-ceremony |archive-date=13 May 2009 }}
On 26 November 2021, Howard made a port call in Wellington, New Zealand. It is the first time a U.S. Navy warship has made a port call in New Zealand since 2016.{{cite web |last1=Robson |first1=Seth |title=US Navy destroyer makes rare port call in New Zealand |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2021-11-25/us-navy-port-call-wellington-new-zealand-uss-howard-3755849.html |website=Stars and Stripes |access-date=29 November 2021 |language=en}}
On 10 August 2023, Howard experienced a "soft-grounding" outside of Bali, Indonesia. On 19 August 2023 Vice Admiral Karl Thomas, commanding Officer US 7th Fleet, 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.{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2023/08/22/uss-howard-suffered-soft-grounding-near-bali-ahead-of-co-removal|title=USS Howard Suffered 'Soft Grounding' Near Bali Ahead of CO Removal|website=usni.org|date=22 August 2023|access-date=26 November 2023}}
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.{{Cite new |title=米ミサイル駆逐艦「ハワード」で火災、乗組員１２人を横須賀海軍病院に搬送 |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20231209-OYT1T50145/ |language=ja |newspaper=Yomiuri Shimbun |date=9 December 2023 |access-date=31 March 2025}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Correll |first1=Diana |title=Fired CO of USS Howard got in hot water after 'unprofessional' remarks |url=https://news.yahoo.com/fired-co-uss-howard-got-151403332.html |access-date=8 February 2024 |publisher=Navy Times |date=8 February 2024}}
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
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Naval Vessel Register}}
External links
{{commons category|USS Howard (DDG-83)}}
- {{official|https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/ddg83/}}
{{Arleigh Burke class destroyer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howard (DDG-83)}}
Category:Arleigh Burke-class destroyers
Category:Destroyers of the United States