Naval History and Heritage Command

Thomas Walker Gilmer was born on 6 April 1802 in Albemarle County, Virginia. He served for many years in the Virginia House of Delegates, became governor of Virginia in 1840, and was elected to Congress in 1841. On 15 February 1844, he was named Secretary of the Navy for President John Tyler’s administration. He was killed on 28 February 1844 by an exploding gun while on board steam sloop Princeton.

USS Gilmer (DD-233) and USS Gilmer (PC-565) were named in his honor. Both ships participated in World War II.