USS Gilmer (DD-233/APD-11) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first ship named for Secretary of the Navy Thomas Walker Gilmer.
Construction and commissioning
Gilmer was launched 24 May 1919 by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation; sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Gilmer Miles, Secretary Gilmer's granddaughter; and commissioned 30 April 1920.
Service history
From 27 August 1920 to 11 August 1923, Gilmer made two round trip transatlantic voyages out of New York to European and Mediterranean ports. She subsequently engaged in training exercises along the United States East Coast, in the Caribbean, and out of United States West Coast ports until 1938. This varied duty was highlighted by a cruise to Nicaragua in 1926 to protect American lives and property during the guerrilla war led by Augusto César Sandino, an escort voyage to Havana guarding President Calvin Coolidge in in 1928, and disaster relief work in the Caribbean during the same year. She was part of the Thirteenth Naval District in 1940. She conducted patrols and exercises in the Atlantic and Caribbean until reaching San Diego 4 November 1940 and continued these duties along the Pacific coast until the United States entered the war. She entered drydock 13 November 1942. She was redesignated as a high-speed transport, APD-11, on 22 January 1943 following conversion. She sailed from Seattle 29 January via San Diego for Pearl Harbor, arriving 13 February, and subsequently escorted merchantmen to Espiritu Santo, where she moored 9 March and commenced amphibious training exercises with the 4th Marine Raiders Battalion. in . DANFS listed this submarine as I-6,
Gilmer sailed from Tinian 12 August for Pearl Harbor and until January 1945 conducted demolition and reconnaissance training with UDT teams in Hawaiian waters. She sailed 10 January as flagship for rehearsal exercises at Ulithi, and on 16 February closed Iwo Jima for the initial amphibious assaults. UDT teams were landed on the eastern and western beaches, and Gilmer screened as the big ship bombarded Japanese defenses on Iwo Jima. Patrolling and screening activities continued through 24 February, when Gilmer sailed for Leyte, arriving four days later. After touching Ulithi, she took part in the Okinawa operation, closing that island 25 March 1945 as flagship of the UDT's. The next day, a kamikaze hit her galley deckhouse, killing one and wounding three crewmen. Gilmer supported the invasion until 9 April when she sailed for repairs at Pearl Harbor, but returned to Okinawa 4 July to recommence patrolling duties. Gilmer received the Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal for service 25 September-7 October 1926 and 11-30 October 1926.