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 submarine s . " 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 . World War II . " Howard " was underway on 8 December on escort duty , and in the months that followed , convoyed transports and tankers in the Caribbean and western $ 3 , keeping supply lanes open despite German U - boats . Plans called for an invasion of North Africa in 1942 , a massive and hazardous amphibious operation projected across thousands of miles of ocean . In October , " Howard " joined Admiral Hewitt ' s Western Naval Task Force at Norfolk . She sailed on 24 October and screened during the Atlantic crossing . As troops landed on 8 November she performed both minesweeping and screening duties . During the first phase of the Naval Battle of Casablanca that day , " Howard " screened Augusta as the cruiser engaged shore batteries and dueled with . The destroyer then remained off Casablanca and Safi while the American soldiers consolidated their beachhead s and moored with victorious naval units at Casablanca 16 November 1942 . After performing anti - submarine patrol duties she returned to Norfolk on 29 December . During most of 1943 , " Howard " plied the convoy lanes of the Atlantic and Caribbean protecting Allied ships from submarine and air attack . She steamed to the West Indies , Panama , Newfoundland , and Iceland on this duty , a key part of which was protecting the oil tankers so vital to the conduct of the war . As the tempo of operations against Japan increased , " Howard " was transferred to the $ 3 theater , sailing from Norfolk on 21 November 1943 , and arriving at San Diego on 7 December . After repairs and training , the ship sailed 25 March , escorting ships to Pearl Harbor and Majuro . She screened a returning convoy to Pearl Harbor , arriving there on 24 April , and there began preparations for the gigantic invasion of the Marianas . Joining Admiral Richmond Turner ' s hard - fighting amphibious task force , " Howard " sortied on 29 May and arrived off Saipan via Eniwetok on 13 June . The ship swept minefield s during the day and conducted patrol and harassing fire by night until the landings on 15 June . " Howard " then was assigned to screen transports , and made two shuttle voyages to Eniwetok and back to the Marianas before returning to Pearl Harbor on 10 August 1944 . In capturing the Marianas , the Navy had taken a long stride toward Japan and , as a bonus , had wiped out enemy naval air strength while smashing the Imperial Japanese Navy ' s attempt to defend the strategic island group . " Howard " ' s next operation was the long - awaited invasion of the Philippines , slated for October on the island of Leyte . Following training in the Hawaiian Islands she arrived at Eniwetok on 24 September , and steamed to Leyte Gulf on 17 October . Once more she carried out dangerous minesweeping duties , clearing paths in Surigao Strait and Leyte Gulf , despite heavy weather . Her task completed , she departed on 24 October for Manus with the invasion underway and during the first phase of the giant fleet battle for Leyte Gulf , which ended in a decisive victory for the U . S . Navy . Training operations in the Admiralties occupied the ship for the next two months , but she sailed again from Manus on 23 December to take part in the next phase of the Philippines operation , the invasion of Luzon . She rendezvoused at Leyte Gulf 30 December , and departed in convoy for Lingayen Gulf , 2 January 1945 . During this voyage through the Philippines , the Japanese made desperate " kamikaze s " , with " Howard " splashing one attacker and assisting in destroying many others . Unchecked , the invasion force drove on to the goal , arriving 6 January . The minesweepers began their work under almost constant air attack ; and , by the time troops landed on 9 January three of " Howard " s sister ships had been lost . But the assault could not be blocked and proved another of a long series of outstanding amphibious victories , success assured . The veteran minecraft departed to arrive Leyte Gulf 15 January 1945 and Ulithi 5 February . As the American amphibious sweep surged ever closer to Japan , " Howard " sailed from Tinian on 13 February with the invasion force for Iwo Jima . Assuming her customary role in advance of the landings , she commenced exploratory sweeps off the island on 16 February , fighting off numerous air attacks . After the assault 19 February the ship acted as a screening ship , arriving at Saipan on 2 March . Following another period of screening duty off Iwo Jima later in March , " Howard " arrived at Pearl Harbor via Guam on 4 April 1945 . Newer ships now took the 25 - year - old veteran ' s duty on the front lines . Reclassified AG - 106 on 5 June 1945 , she escorted submarines in Hawaiian waters and acted as plane guard for carrier operations before sailing for the United States on 2 October . Transiting the Panama Canal , " Howard " arrived at Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , on 2 November and decommissioned there on 30 November 1945 . In 1946 , " Howard " was sold to Northern Metals Company of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , and scrapped . Awards . " Howard " received six battle stars for World War II service . Namesake . Charles W . Howard volunteered for service in the U . S . Navy during the American Civil War , being appointed mate in October 1862 . As acting ensign , he served on board and was in charge of the deck when that ship was attacked by Confederate torpedo boat in Charleston Harbor , on the night of 5 October 1863 . Mounting the rail , he ordered the sentries to fire on the approaching enemy , and while exposed he received a mortal wound . He died 5 days later and was honored by being appointed acting master after his death " for gallant conduct in face of the enemy . "