USS Fowler (DE-222)

USS "Fowler" (DE-222), a "Buckley" class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Lieutenant (junior grade) Robert L. Fowler (1919-1942), who was killed in action, while serving aboard the destroyer USS "Duncan", during the Battle of Cape Esperance on the night of 11 October-12 October 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

"Fowler" was launched 3 July 1943 by Philadelphia Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. Robert L. Fowler, III, widow of Lieutenant (junior grade) Fowler; and commissioned 15 March 1944, Lieutenant Commander G. S. Forde, United States Naval Reserve, in command.

Between 22 May 1944 and 15 May 1945, "Fowler" made six voyages to escort convoys from New York, Norfolk, and Boston to ports in northern Africa, guarding men and supplies destined for the operations in Italy and southern France. The fifth such voyage, between 1 February 1945 and 16 March, was marked by the presence of submarines both outward and homeward bound. On 17 February, west of Gibraltar, two of the merchantmen were torpedoed, but both were brought safely into Gibraltar, one after "Fowler" had stood by to screen while a tug came out to help. Two days out of Oran homeward bound 28 February, "Fowler" picked up a sound contact, and made an urgent attack which brought debris to the surface. A second attack, made in coordination with a French escort, was believed to have sunk U—869, however, as this submarine was subsequently found off the coast of New Jersey, what, if anything, was attacked remains unknown.

In June 1945, "Fowler" began serving as a target and escort to submarines training out of New London, Connecticut, then in September, arrived at Miami, Florida, to serve as schoolship for the Naval Training Center. Her final duty, in November, was as plane guard for the escort carrier USS "Charger" in Chesapeake Bay. "Fowler" arrived at Green Cove Springs, Florida 10 January 1946, and there was decommissioned and placed in reserve 28 June 1946.

"Fowler" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f4/fowler.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Fowler"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/06/222.htm navsource.org: USS "Fowler"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/escorts/de222.txt hazegray.org: USS "Fowler"]