Hull Number: DE-274
Launch Date: 07/08/1943
Class: EVARTS
EVARTS Class
Namesake: JOHN ALBERT O'TOOLE
JOHN ALBERT O'TOOLE
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, April 2016
John Albert O’Toole, born in Boston, 16 May 1916, entered the Naval Reserve as Ensign 7 May 1942. Assigned to Joesph Hewes (AP-50) following instruction at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School in Chicago, he commanded a boat wave from that transport during the assault on Fedhala, Morocco, 8 November 1942. Killed while withdrawing from the beach, Ensign O’Toole was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for “his great personal valor and relentless fighting spirit…” as he led his wave to the beach and calmly directed the offloading of men and materiel, despite heavy artillery fire from the enemy.
Disposition:
Transferred to the United Kingdom, 28 September 1943, she served the Royal Navy as HMS Gardiner (K–478) until she was returned to the US Navy, at Boston, 12 February 1946. Stricken 17 Apr 1946. She was subsequently sold 10 December 1946 to Atlas Steel & Supply Co. Resold to Kulky Steel and Equip. Co., Alliance, Ohio, in 1947 she was scrapped in June.