John M Gamble

Brevet Lieutenant Colonel John Marshall Gamble (1791–1836) was a United States Marine Corps officer who distinguished himself during the War of 1812. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1809 at age 17. By June 1814, he had risen to captain while serving aboard the frigate USS Essex in the South Pacific. Gamble gained fame for capturing the British whaler Seringapatam in July 1813 during a sharp engagement, which was noted as a significant victory for American whalers in the region.

Gamble was the only U.S. Marine to command U.S. Navy ships, leading the prize ships Greenwich and Sir Andrew Hammond during the war. His actions included navigating the Sir Andrew Hammond with a small crew from the Marquesas Islands to the Hawaiian Islands in 17 days without charts. He also faced challenges during the Nuku Hiva Campaign, where Commodore Porter burned the Greenwich to deny whale oil to Britain. Gamble’s subsequent capture by the British sloop HMS Cherub protected American whaling interests in the region.

Despite his notable service, Gamble was promoted slowly, receiving brevet ranks of major and lieutenant colonel later in his career. He died in New York City on 11 September 1836. The destroyer USS Gamble (DD-123) was named in his honor, along with Port Gamble, Washington, acknowledging his contributions to U.S. naval history.