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. Gilmer was damaged in a storm in the Adriatic Sea in November 1920. She struck a submerged object 3 February 1921 and was forced to enter dry dock in Pola, Italy (now Pula, Croatia) for repairs to her starboard propeller and shaft. 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. Decommissioned at Philadelphia 31 August 1938, Gilmer recommissioned 25 September 1939 following the outbreak of World War II and was assigned as flagship of Destroyer Squadron 30 in the Atlantic Squadron. 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. World War II Gilmer was at sea off Puget Sound when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. She immediately began antisubmarine patrol and escort duties. In early June 1942, she took part in the opening stages of the Aleutian Islands campaign. 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. On 5 April, Gilmer sailed from Tulagi and as flagship of Transport Division 16 engaged in antisubmarine patrols in those waters. She called