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Love our channel? Help us save and post more orphaned films! Support us on Patreon: Even a really tiny contribution can make a difference. Join this channel to get access to perks: Presented by The Chief of Naval Operations, this scripted re-enactment film from the 1950s titled “The Growler Story” tells the tale of the USS Growler (SS-215) and its commander Howard W. Gilmore who heroically sacrificed his life for the safety of his crew mates during battle. The film, which is dedicated to “The Navy Wife,” begins with Commander Gilmore saying goodbye to his family at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and continues as the commander embarks on various missions aboard the submarine until his tragic death at the hands of enemy fire. Ward Bond and Ken Curtis play the lead roles of Commander Gilmore and Officer Quinn Campbell while Dan Dailey acts as a narrator. Part of a larger series produced by the US Navy called Sea Power for Security, this film in the series was directed by John Ford Rear Admiral . RET. and produced by Mark Armistead Commander . and features musical numbers such as “Anchors Aweigh” and “Far Away Places.” The USS Growler, a Gato-Class Submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy named for the growler. The Growler was built by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. The submarine’s first war patrol began in June 1942 as it cleared Pearl Harbor for the assigned patrol area around Dutch Harbor, Alaska and stopping at Midway Island. Commander Gilmore was gravely wounded and sacrificed his life during the submarine’s fourth patrol near Brisbane, Australia becoming the second submariner to be decorated with the Medal of Honor. Opening credits (0:08). USS Growler rises above sea surface (1:09). Navy Servicemen on the USS Growler go for a swim (2:13). Commander Howard W. Gilmore’s wife and children see him off for duty at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (2:52). Officer Quinn Campbell seen off by his “quintessential” Navy family (3:40). Commander Howard W. Gilmore picks up officer Quinn (4:50). US Navy Marching Band performs at Naval Station Pearl Harbor as Navy officers say bye to their loved ones (5:03). Cover of USS Growler Log Book (8:45). Interior of submarine command room (9:19). Commander Gilmore tracks enemy targets by looking through the submarine's periscope (9:34). Missile fired at enemy target (10:22). Sighted life craft with two wounded aviators aboard (11:05). Enemy planes fly overhead (12:39). Bouncing Bombs dropped near the submarine (13:05). Wounded men receive medical treatment (13:19). Battle surface off enemy coast, casualties on board including Commander Gilmore who sacrifices himself for the sake of the crew (14:03). Funeral service for Commander Gilmore and other servicemen, Commander Gilmore posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor (18:19). Final scenes of the USS Growler (19:31). Closing credits (20:48). We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
