Dr. Clif CleavelandSeventy-three years ago, on Oct. 25, 1944, a small U.S. Navy task force converted an almost certain disaster into a memorable victory.
As part of the campaign to liberate the Philippine Islands, landings of U.S. Sixth Army forces began on Oct. 20 on the island of Leyte, in a gulf formed by that island and Samar Island, lying eastward. A series of naval and air battles followed.
Early morning, Oct. 25, a powerful Japanese fleet suddenly appeared on the horizon east of Samar. It had slipped undetected into a position to attack numerous ships in Leyte Gulf and the U.S. beachhead on Leyte. The main U.S. naval force had been lured away by a clever decoy. Left to defend the numerous, vulnerable ships and soldiers was "Taffy 3," a task-unit of six escort or "jeep" aircraft carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts. The carriers were half the length of fleet carriers and were slow and lightly armored. Taffy 3 faced four heavily armored battleships with 14- to 18-inch-diameter guns, seven heavy cruisers, and 12 destroyers. The defenders had no guns larger than 5-inch diameter. They had a limited supply of torpedoes and no armor-piercing bombs.
Had the Japanese force reached Leyte Gulf the invasion would have collapsed with heavy loss of ships and lives.
Task force commander Vice Adm.Clifton A. F. Sprague ordered his three destroyers to lay smoke screens before attacking the enemy fleet with torpedoes and gunfire. Their goal was to divert the enemy's attention away from the almost defenseless carriers, supply ships and beachhead.
Fake radio-traffic created the illusion that more US ships lurked nearby. All available aircraft, fighters and torpedo-bombers from Taffy 3 and other nearby ships, immediately began strafing and bombing runs. When bombs had been expended, pilots continued to make dry-runs over the enemy ships to force them into evasive maneuvers.
Japanese salvos edged closer to the circling carriers. Fortunately, a rain squall provided cover for the carriers for 15 minutes.
USS Johnston, commanded by Native American Ernest E. Evans, led the attack, launching all of her torpedoes as she charged into the center of the enemy task force. The destroyer continued to fire 5-inch guns and machine guns until multiple hits from enemy shells left her dead in the water. Casualties included 327 killed, among them her commander, and many wounded among the 141 survivors. The ship's medical officer, 29 year-old Robert Thomas Browne, a 1942 medical school graduate, was killed as he attempted to carry wounded sailors to safety. Commander Evans' gallantry was recognized by the posthumous awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
USS Hoel launched torpedoes at the largest battleship, which caused that vessel to reverse course for a precious 10 minutes. Hoel absorbed 40 hits during her attack before sinking. Of her crew, 253 were killed; 86 survived. The third destroyer, USS Heermann survived despite extensive damage. Four of her crew perished.
Three destroyer escorts led a second attack. USS Samuel B. Roberts sank after dueling with several heavy cruisers. Ninety of her crew perished.
Three of the Japanese cruisers landed multiple rounds on US carrier Gambier Bay, which capsized and sank. A kamikaze attack on the carrier St. Lo led to her sinking later in the morning. Other ships of Taffy 3 suffered extensive damage.
The combination of smoke and unceasing attacks from sea and air created the illusion of a large defensive force.
Despite being markedly outgunned and outnumbered, Taffy 3 generated sufficient chaos within the Japanese fleet to disrupt its tight formation. Ships risked collision as they abruptly changed courses to avoid torpedoes and the attacking destroyers. Three enemy cruisers were disabled or sunk in the battle. The fleet commander saw no alternative to withdrawal. The battle ended three hours after the first sighting of the massive Japanese fleet. Surviving ships retired to Japan. This was the last offensive action by the Japanese navy. The invasion of Leyte and the subsequent liberation of the Philippines could proceed.
Eleven hundred thirty sailors and aviators died in the brief battle. Almost 1,000 were injured, many with severe burns.
The sailors and aviators may have had political, religious, or regional differences. They were Americans united in a common cause, which they achieved at great cost. Individual and collective courage prevailed.
"The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" by James D. Hornfischer offers a superb account of this brief but crucial battle.
Contact Clif Cleaveland at ccleaveland@timesfreepress.com.