Posted on 08/12/2004 3:05:59 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
Now if I could only meet my FReeper Mentor.
We do share a lot in common since we are both tin can sailors.
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors : The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
by James D. Hornfischer
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0553802577/002-6204662-4964865?v=glance
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
One of the finest WWII naval action narratives in recent years, this book follows in the footsteps of Flags of Our Fathers, creating a microcosm of the war's American Navy destroyers. Hornfischer, a writer and literary agent in Austin, Tex., covers the battle off Samar, the Philippines, in October 1944, in which a force of American escort carriers and destroyers fought off a Japanese force many times its strength, and the larger battle of Leyte Gulf, the opening of the American liberation of the Philippines, which might have suffered a major setback if the Japanese had attacked the transports. He presents the men who crewed the destroyer Taffy 3, most of whom had never seen salt water before the war but who fought, flew, kept the crippled ship afloat, and doomed ships fighting almost literally to the last shell. Finally, Hornfischer provides a perspective on the Japanese approach to the battle, somewhat (and justifiably) modifying the traditional view of the Japanese Admiral Kurita as a fumbler or even a coward-while exalting American sailors and pilots as they richly deserve. (American admirals don't get off so easily.) Not entirely free of glitches in research, the book still reads like a very good action novel, indicated by its selection as a dual split main selection of the BOMC and History Book Club alternate.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
This piece of World War II naval history reads like a particularly good novel. It is an account of the October 1944 battle off Samar, in which a force of American destroyers and escort carriers drove off a Japanese fleet at least 10 times its strength. The struggle was a part of the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf, which was the beginning of the campaign to liberate the Philippines. Hornfischer focuses on the men of the escort carrier unit Taffy 3 (the radio call signal for Task Unit 77.4.3
Book Description
“This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”With these words, Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland addressed the crew of the destroyer escort USS Samuel B. Roberts on the morning of October 25, 1944, off the Philippine Island of Samar. On the horizon loomed the mightiest ships of the Japanese navy, a massive fleet that represented the last hope of a staggering empire. All that stood between it and Douglas MacArthur’s vulnerable invasion force were the Roberts and the other small ships of a tiny American flotilla poised to charge into history.In the tradition of the #1 New York Times bestseller Flags of Our Fathers, James D. Hornfischer paints an unprecedented portrait of the Battle of Samar, a naval engagement unlike any other in U.S. history—and captures with unforgettable intensity the men, the strategies, and the sacrifices that turned certain defeat into a legendary victory.
MUST READ!!
LOLOLOL! I look forward to meeting you one of these days, Tonk!
You always get to have ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the fun. ;-)
Great report. Thanks for the ping.
"{{{ Hugs for a wonderful American }}}"
Ditto!
I can't wait till you post some pictures of the festivities.
It sounds like you folks had a blast.
-good times, G.J.P. (Jr.)
BTTT!!!!!!!
Alright! I hope Jim takes a Southern tour soon. My wife Freeper Laura Earl and I would drive up to 5 hours to meet him. Most Southern Freepers would travel a bit to meet Jim.
I'll look forward to the pics.
I hope you passed on all our greetings to the FReep Family Robinson. We're as proud of them as they are of us!
And a brother under arms, to boot!
Whoo hooo!
FOUR-OH!!!!
Wonderful!
Thank you for the update on your great visit !
God's Blessings!
BTTT !!
Bump
We had a great time dining and visiting with you and touring your Coast Guard Base. It was an honor to meet you and your skipper and your shipmates. Y'all are doing outstanding work up there.
Here are the photos that Chris took (disregard the erroneous camera date):
You guys are great.....Tonk, Jim, and Sheila...Thanks for the tour of the Coast Guard base, and while I have your attention, Thanks for giving us Free Republic.com and all the work you put into the site.
I just saw you pics!
Thanks!!
Great thread, TGYC.
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