The USS Gamble (DD–123/DM-15) was a Wickes-class destroyer built for the United States Navy, launched on 11 May 1918 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Virginia. Commissioned at Norfolk on 29 November 1918, Gamble initially served in the Atlantic, participating in maneuvers off Cuba, Key West, and New England until June 1919. She then joined the Pacific Fleet in August 1919, operating along the California coast until she was placed in reserve at Mare Island Navy Yard in December 1919. After a brief period of activity, she decommissioned in June 1922. Reactivated in 1930, Gamble was reclassified as DM-15 and converted into a light minelayer at Mare Island. She became flagship of Mine Squadron 2 at Pearl Harbor, where she patrolled Hawaiian waters, trained reservists in mine warfare, and served as a plane guard and radio tracker for seaplanes. She decommissioned again in December 1937 but was recommissioned in September 1939 at the onset of World War II. During the war, she conducted patrols and served as a schoolship out of San Francisco, later moving to Pearl Harbor. During the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Gamble’s crew engaged enemy aircraft and mistakenly fired upon USS Thresher, mistaking her for a Japanese submarine. Gamble subsequently participated in antisubmarine patrols, convoy escort missions, and mine-laying operations in the Pacific theater. Notably, she laid extensive minefields off Guadalcanal, which contributed to Japanese destroyer losses, including Kuroshio and Oyashio. In 1945, Gamble supported the Iwo Jima invasion, providing fire support and mine clearing. She was damaged during an attack on 18 February 1945 by bombs that flooded her firerooms and caused casualties. After taking damage, she was taken in tow and repaired briefly before decommissioning on 1 June 1945. Gamble was ultimately sunk outside Guam on 16 July 1945. Throughout her service, she earned seven battle stars for her contributions in World War II, demonstrating her significance in naval operations during the conflict.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.