Posted on 04/27/2021 10:58:11 AM PDT by srmanuel
If you a fan of WW II history, specifically Naval History in the Pacific, you might recognize the name of the USS Johnston, a Fletcher Class Destroyer led by Commander Ernest Evans who turned and charged directly toward a superior Japanese Naval force led by the Battleship Yamato...Admiral Halsey had pulled his task force away to chase Japanese Aircraft Carriers leaving the Macarthur's flank exposed...the Johnston put up one helluva fight and saved countless American ships and lives..... Here's a CBS Morning Show story about the Johnston as well...
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
RIP tin can warriors...
The book, “The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors” is a definitive read on this battle and how a handful or Destroyers, DEs, Jeep Carriers and Wildcats and Avengers armed with shore attack weapons turned back a powerful Japanese fleet that had orders to destroy the Leyte Invasion force or die trying. An amazing battle and a tribute to the “second string” forces of the US Navy in WWII.
Wow, Greatest Generation.....
In comparison, the USS Indianapolis rests at 18000 feet, the German battleship Bismarck is at 15719 feet, RMS Titanic at 12415, Edmund Fitzgerald 530 feet, and the Lusitania at 305.
Taffy 3!
Perhaps one of the best books ever written about the USN in WW2. Taffy 3.
Halsey, was to point reckless. In the span of the last year of War, he made three critical mistakes at least.
Taking off to chase the decoy Japanese fleet, and being involved in two Typhoons that lost men and ships that did not have to happen. Under any other circumstances he should have been relieved, in fact Nimitz and Admiral King seriously considered it.
For all their faults, still the greatest generation with members still alive.
Great Depression, WW2, Korea, Vietnam (I argue it was winnable with different national leadership) and the Cold War (victory set in motion by Reagan).
The only ship that I know of saluted by Japanese forces
> Halsey, was to point reckless. <
Unfortunately, Halsey bought into his nickname, “Bull”, a bit too much.
Capt. Ernest Evans commanded the USS Johnston during the Battle Of Samar Island in Oct.1944.
What this man and his crew did was one of the greatest feats of seamanship and daring in the annals of US Naval history.
“Good we’re sicken em into 20mm range!” A sailor manning aa guns on a jeep carrier of Taffy 3 as the entire Jap fleet advanced at flank speed upon them.
Serious chills looking at that bow number and remembering how that ship got there.
Ernest Evans was a native American. IIRC it was he that told his crew (paraphrasing here):
This is a fighting ship and we will be taking her in harms way. anyone that wants to can stay behind.
No one left and nearly all died in the battle of Samar.
Thanks for those comparisons. Good post.
An old salt who was there on the USS Pennsylvania told me that Admiral Oldendorf, commanding the old battleships intended for shore bombardment, deserved the Medal of Honor; but Nimitz would have had to court martial Halsey in order to award the MOH to Oldendorf. BTW, Johnny Carson was a young junior officer on the Pennsylvania.
Instead of shooting at the USS Johnston’s survivors they manned the sides as they passed them.
“This is a fighting ship and we will be taking her in harms way. Anyone that wants to can stay behind. No one left and nearly all died in the battle of Samar.”
Slimy b*stard Massachusetts elected ex senator, professional gigolo and general all around asshat Kerry would have jumped ship and would still be swimming.
Guaranteed.
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