Told it before but struck up a conversation with an older gentleman sitting by himself at the local bar when i still lived in Minneapolis. Mentioned he served in WWII in the Navy and I asked which ship and almost spit out my drink when he said the Samuel B Roberts.
Dudley Moylan had his ship sunk out from under him and lived to tell the story. Got to spend time with him from time to time at that same bar just visiting. Was an honor to spend time with him.
Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors is a great book on the background of the CVE’s, DE’s and DD’s that won that Battle of Leyte Gulf.
“We’re making a torpedo run. The outcome is doubtful, but we will do our duty.”
Lt Commander Robert Copeland