Battle off Samar

Destroyer History Foundation ^ | unknown | unknown

[Pelham]

As enemy ships fled the Battle of Surigao Strait at daybreak on 25 October 1944, the powerful Japanese Center Force slipped through San Bernadino Strait. It steamed along the coast of Samar directly for the American invasion beachhead at Leyte, hoping to destroy amphibious shipping and American troops on shore.

JOHNSTON

One of the pilots flying patrol after dawn alert of 25 October 1944 reported the approach of Japanese Center Force. Steaming straight for “Taffy 3” were four battleships, seven cruisers, and at least 12 destroyers. Johnston’s gunnery officer later reported, “We felt like little David without a slingshot.” In less than a minute Johnston was zigzagging between the six little escort carriers and the Japanese fleet and putting out a smoke screen over a 2,500-yard front to conceal the carriers from the enemy gunners: “Even as we began laying smoke, the Japanese started lobbing shells at us and the Johnston had to zigzag between the splashes. . . . We were the first destroyer to make smoke, the first to start firing, the first to launch a torpedo attack.”

For the first 20 minutes, Johnston was helpless as the enemy cruisers and battleships had her in range. But the destroyer’s 5-inch guns could not yet reach them. She charged onward to close the enemy—first a line of seven destroyers; next, one light and three heavy cruisers; and then the four battleships. To the east appeared three other cruisers and several destroyers.

As soon as range closed, Johnston opened her 5-inch battery on the nearest cruiser, scoring damaging hits. About this time, an 8-inch shell landed right off her bow, its red dye splashing the face of Johnston’s gunnery officer, Lt. Robert C. Hagen. He mopped the dye from his eyes while remarking: “Looks like somebody’s mad at us!”

[Pelham]

10/25/2015, the 71st anniversary of The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

[Jacquerie]

Great post.

[Pelham]

There's a book length description of this battle that came out about 10 years ago, James Hornfischer's The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour

You can't help but be proud of the sailors who with three little destroyers attacked the Japanese main fleet in order to save the American landing landing party on the Philippines.

[Scram1]

USS JOHNSTON-HOEL 2015
Our 2015 Reunion will be in Portland, Oregon October 23 - October 26
RED LION HOTEL
909 N. HAYDEN ISLAND DRIVE
PORTLAND, OREGON 97217

[Pelham]

Commander Ernest Evans, DD 557 USS Johnston

[Chainmail]

One of our navy’s finest moments - except for the shameful length of time it took to rescues the survivors.

[Jacquerie]

Thank you.

[Pelham]

The commander of the Johnston, Ernest Evans, was an American Indian from Oklahoma.

In his book Hornfischer makes a connection between the fearless warrior spirit of Evan’s ancestors and Evan’s unhesitating decision to attack that immensely more powerful Japanese fleet. His ship was doomed from the minute he charged to close with the enemy.

It’s a shame that Ernest Evans isn’t better known. Saturday night I was listening to a talk show that features military topics. The host said that if he were teaching kids about the nature of military heroism he would teach them the Battle off Samar.