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| USN Wickes-class destroyer Light Mine Layer 1,090 Tons 314' 5" x 31' 9" x 8' 8" 4 x 4" guns 2 x 3" guns 12 x 21" torpedo tubes 1 depth charge projector 2 dpeth charge racks  USN December 12, 1931 |
Ship History Built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Newport News. Laid down November 12, 1917 as a Wickes-class destroyer. Launched May 11, 1918 as USS Gamble (DD-123) named in honor of two brothers: Lt. Peter Gamble and Lt. Col. John M. Gamble who served in World War I and sponsored by Miss Evelyn H. Jackson, relative of Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. Commissioned November 29, 1918 in the U.S. Navy (USN) at Norfolk with Lt. Commander Harry J. Abbett in command until January 4, 1919. On May 24, 1930 recommissioned as DM-15 and during June 1930 converted into a light mine layer at Mare Naval Yard on Mare Island. On July 2, 1930 arrived at Pearl Harbor as the flagship for Mine Squadron 2 and later Mine Division 1, Mine Squadron 1. Afterwards, patrolled Hawaii to train Navy personnel in mine warfare and served as a plane guard, radio relay for seaplanes and participated in training exercises. On December 22, 1937 decommissioned at San Diego. On September 25, 1939 recommissioned and assigned to Mine Division 5 and patrolled off San Francisco. During April 1941 returned to Pearl Harbor assigned to Mine Division 2 and patrolled off Hawaii. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 in the morning Gamble was returning to Pearl Harbor after a patrol. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu, her gunners opened fire on enemy planes and saw one crash into the sea. Afterwards, assigned to anti-submarine duties for USS Enterprise (CV-3) then guarded the entrances to Pearl Harbor. On August 1, 1942, USS Gamble, USS Breese (DM-18) and USS Tracy (DM-19) laid a defensive mine field off the entrance to Second Channel off Espiritu Santo. The next day, USS Tucker DD-374 accidentally struck a mine while escorting SS Nira Luckenbach. The damaged destroyer sank on August 4, 1942. On October 26, 1942 SS President Coolidge accidentally hit two mines and sank. On August 29, 1942 Gamble released depth charges that sank Japanese submarine I-123 roughly sixty miles east of Savo Island. That afternoon, proceeded at full speed to Nura Island to rescue four aviators from USS Saratoga. On August 31, transported 158 Marines to Guadalcanal and patrolled off Lunga Roads. On September 5, 1942 assisted USS William Ward Burrows (AP-6) grounded on the southeast end of Sylvia Reef, then escorted the vessel to Espiritu Santo. Afterwards, continued to patrol, escort, and provide transport to Guadalcanal. PARTIAL HISTORY On May 6, 1943 at 11:50am moored on the port side of USS Erkine M. Phelps (YON-147) and began refueling between 11:59am to 12:23pm. At 1:40pm departs Tulagi Harbor in column with USS Radford (DD-446), USS Preble (DM-20), USS Gamble and USS Breese (DM-18) proceed up "The Slot". At 11:28pm enters Ferguson Passage and at 11:56pm enters Blacket Strait and the western entrance to Kula Gulf and afterwards refueled in Tulagi Harbor. On May 8, 1943 in the early morning hours, Japanese destroyers entered the minefield and Kuroshio was sunk and Oyashio and Kagero were damaged, spotted by a coastwatcher and U.S. planes strike. During the night of June 29, 1943 to June 30, 1943 USS Gamble (DM-15), USS Preble (DM-20) and USS Breese (DM-18) laid 336 mines south east of Shortland Harbor then returned to Tulagi Harbor. During July 1943 Gamble returned to the United States for overhaul. On September 20, 1943 departs for the Pacific. On November 1-2, 1943 this vessel served as a minelayer off Empress Augusta Bay then mined the Bougainville Strait on November 7-8. Afterwards, to Gamble arrived at Purvis Bay on November 23-24 and then to New Hebrides for escort duty among in the Solomons. Departs for San Francisco arriving October 12, 1944 for overhaul and training. On January 7, 1945 departs via Hawaii and the Marshalls. Arrived off Iwo Jima on February 17 to provide fire support and mine removal. The destroyer scored a magazine at the base of Mount Surabachi. On February 18, 1945, Gamble was targeted by Japanese plane that released two 250 pound bombs that hit above the waterline and caused extensive damage and flooded the fire rooms and left the ship dead in the water on fire. Aboard, five were Killed In Action (KIA), one Missing In Action (MIA) and eight Wounded In Action (WIA). On February 19, 1945 towed by USS Dorsey (DMS-1) out of the area. Next, towed by USS L8M-126 to Saipan arriving February 24, 1945 and was moored alongside destroyer tender USS Hamul (AD-20). The damage inflicted was deemed too difficult and expensive to repair and was decommissioned June 1, 1945. Sinking History On July 16, 1945 towed outside Apra Harbor off Guam and deliberately scuttled. Awards Gamble earned seven battle stars for her World War II service. References NARA USS Gamble (DM-15) War Diary March 1943 NARA USS Gamble (DM-15) War Diary April 1943 NARA USS Gamble (DM-15) War Diary May 1943 Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Gamble (DD-123/DM-15) NavSource - USS Gamble (DD-123/DM-15) War with Japan: The Campaigns in the Solomons and New Guinea page 162 Contribute
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