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USS ''Howard'' (DDG-83) is the thirty-third in the United States Navy and the nineteenth built at Bath Iron Works. Her keel was laid down 9 December 1998, and she was launched and christened 20 November 1999 and commissioned 20 October 2001. The ship is named in honor of First 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'' sets to sea from its homeport of San Diego, it passes within view of Gunnery Sgt. Howard's grave at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and salutes its namesake. ==Service history== On 16 February 2007, ''Howard'' was awarded the 2006 Battle "E" award. On 28 September 2008, ''Howard'' was reported to be in pursuit of the Ukrainian ship , 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. ''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.〔 〕 CDR John J Fay is the ninth Commanding Officer, assuming command on 1 May 2014. CDR David Zook was the eighth commanding officer, relieving CDR Bergmann on 21 September 2012. CDR Andree (Ande) E. Bergmann replaced CDR Scott Switzer on 17 March 2011 as the seventh commanding officer. Scott Switzer was the sixth commanding officer of ''Howard'', replacing CDR Curtis Goodnight on 8 May 2009 during a ceremony at San Diego.〔 Capt. Joseph Nolan, USN was the first Commanding Officer of ''Howard''. Until its disbandment in 2011, the ship was part of Carrier Strike Group Seven. ''Howard'' is now a member of Destroyer Squadron 23 and Carrier Strike Group Eleven. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「USS Howard (DDG-83)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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