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Arthur Harold Gilmore, 89, passed away peacefully March 6, 2021 at his home in Gainesville, Virginia, with his wife, Nell and their three children, Barbara Grasso (Gary), Michael (Kathy), and Stephen (Nancy) by his side. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Katherine Burge (Brandon), Michael Grasso (Megan), Thomas Grasso, Mitchell Gilmore, and Trent Gilmore; seven great-grandchildren; and by his brother, Dale Gilmore (Ann). Art was preceded in death by his sister, Harriett Deissler (Howard).
Arthur was born April 21, 1931 in Williamsport, to Paul and Harriett Gilmore. During his time at Williamsport High School he enlisted in the Naval Reserve and while in the Reserves decided to compete for an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from Williamsport High School and Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland, in 1949. Arthur received his appointment and that summer reported to the Naval Academy. He was commissioned in June 1953. One week after graduating he married Nell Manning, also of Williamsport. At the time of his passing Art and Nell had been married over 67 years.
Early in his Navy career he attended Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, and served aboard five submarines. In 1967 through 1969 he was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cobbler (SS-344).
He served key roles in two national level underwater search and recovery operations. In the summer of 1963 he was assigned as the Operations Officer to Commander Task Group 89 coordinating operations for the USS Thresher Search Team and made two dives to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in the bathyscaphe Trieste. The second dive resulted in the recovery of the largest piece of the sunken submarine brought to the surface. In early 1966 he was assigned as Sonar Operations Officer to Commander Task Group 65 whose mission it was to locate and recover a hydrogen bomb that was lost in the Mediterranean Sea after an Air Force B-52/KC-135 refueling accident over the coast of Spain. The weapon was recovered after a three-month search and recovery effort.
Shore assignments included two tours on the staff of Submarine Development Group 2 in New London. There he worked integrating state of the art sonar systems and undersea warfare tactics into the emerging nuclear attack submarine fleet. Arthur did a Pentagon tour in the Deep Submergence Systems Division and tours at the Naval Sea Systems Command and the Office of Naval Research. He retired from the Navy in 1983 after 30 years of service.
After retirement he consulted in the field of underwater acoustics and sonar design, and from time to time he was back aboard submarines as an acoustic trial director. In the early 1990s he worked with a small team of fellow retired submariners assisting the Republic of Korea Navy (South Korea) establish their submarine school.
Art enjoyed family gatherings, particularly the annual Gilmore reunion, and visits from family and friends at their second home on the water in Reedville, Virginia. His early age memories of riding steam train locomotives with his grandfather became the driving force behind the model train display in his home; a delight for him to operate and show to any visitor, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Art was a regular attendee at Trinity United Methodist Church in Langley, Virginia, a 32nd Degree Mason, Williamsport Lodge 106, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Naval Academy Athletic Association, and was active in the Naval Submarine League and the National Defense Industrial Association.
A very important part of Art and Nell's life was his USNA Class of '53. He shared a special bond with his classmates and their families. Class brunches and tailgates were always special times. Arthur was a dedicated military officer, a loving and guiding father, grandfather and husband. He will be forever loved and deeply missed by his family and friends.
Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.