My grandfather was in that battle. He never talked about it though. I only learned the history after reading up on his ship.
Your grand father was a witness and participant in THE Navy’s greatest victories. The heroism of small “tin cans” destoyers, pilots and others who fought “above their head” is a stunning story. You could not write fiction as dramatic.
I recommend “The Last Stand of The Tin Can Sailors” for a good account of this battle.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Stand-Sailors-Extraordinary/dp/0553381482