>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1970) Vol. 5, p.186.





O’TOOLE





	John Albert O’Toole, born in Boston, 16 May 1919, 

entered the Naval Reserve as Ensign 7 May 1942.  Assigned 

to transport JOSEPH 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 

material, despite heavy artillery fire from the enemy.





	DE-274 was laid down as O’TOOLE, 20 May 1943, at the 

Boston Navy Yard.  Transferred to the United Kingdom, 28 

September 1943, she served the Royal Navy as HMS GARDINER 

(K.478) until she was returned to the U. S. Navy, at Boston, 

12 February 1946.  She was subsequently sold 10 December 

1946 to Atlas Steel & Supply Co., resold to Kulky Steel and 

Equip. Co., Alliance, Ohio, in 1947 and scrapped in June.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com