[Constitution Day]

This is absolutely amazing. It is believed to be deepest shipwreck ever found at 6,200 meters (20,400 ft.)

This Facebook video, with commentary from the crew of R/V Petrel, lays out their case that this shipwreck is the USS Johnston (DD-557), not the USS Hoel (DD-533).

The wreckage is at such an extreme depth that the paint color is still visible on the shattered metal. It is apparent that this ship was painted in was called "Measure 21" or overall Navy Blue, whereas the Hoel used the broken "dazzle" pattern.

If you are unfamiliar with the heroism displayed by task force "Taffy 3" against the far superior "Center Force" of Admiral Kurita during the Battle off Samar, I highly suggest you read "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" by James D. Hornfischer. My friend Tijeras_Slim sent me this book in the mail years ago and it is riveting. I have re-read it at least once since then.

From the Wikipedia entry on the Johnston:

"From Johnston's complement of 327 officers and men, only 141 were saved. Of the 186 men lost, about 50 were killed by enemy action, 45 died later on rafts from wounds, and 92 men — including Cmdr. Evans — got off before she sank, but were never seen again."

May they rest in peace.

[Constitution Day]

Medal of Honor citation for Cdr. Evans:

---

Commander ERNEST EDWIN EVANS U.S. Navy
Commanding Officer USS JOHNSTON (DD 557)

Born: 13 August 1908, Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Bronze Star Medal.

The President of the United States in the name of the Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the

MEDAL OF HONOR to

Commander
ERNEST EDWIN EVANS
United States Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. JOHNSTON in action against major units of the enemy Japanese fleet during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. The first to lay a smokescreen and to open fire as an enemy task force, vastly superior in number, firepower and armor, rapidly approached. Commander Evans gallantly diverted the powerful blasts of hostile guns from the lightly armed and armored carriers under his protection, launching the first torpedo attack when the JOHNSTON came under straddling Japanese shellfire. Undaunted by damage sustained under the terrific volume of fire, he unhesitatingly joined others of his group to provide fire support during subsequent torpedo attacks against the Japanese and, outshooting and outmaneuvering the enemy as he consistently interposed his vessel between the hostile fleet units and our carriers despite the crippling loss of engine power and communications with steering aft, shifted command to the fantail, shouted steering orders through an open hatch to men turning the rudder by hand and battled furiously until the JOHNSTON, burning and shuddering from a mortal blow, lay dead in the water after 3 hours of fierce combat. Seriously wounded early in the engagement, Commander Evans, by his indomitable courage and brilliant professional skill, aided materially in turning back the enemy during a critical phase of the action. His valiant fighting spirit throughout this historic battle will venture as an inspiration to all who served with him."

/signed/
HARRY S. TRUMAN, President

[Constitution Day]

Without you having sent me that book, I may not know about this amazing history. Thank you sir.

[Seruzawa]

A good read on this is “Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.”

[ealgeone]

It's interesting to study this battle and contemplate the possible impact on the war IF Kurita's force had pressed on their attack.

The troop transports would have been sitting ducks as 3rd Fleet was too far away to help.

It most likely would have cost Nimitz and Halsey their commands.

And with 1944 an election year, even though very close to the election, the impact on the presidential election cannot be underestimated. Presuming of course this was reported in the media.

[Boogieman]

"the team started by the late billionaire and philanthropist Paul Allen."

[Data Miner]

I really like Drachinifel’s retelling of the Battle of Samar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AdcvDiA3lE

The sailors on those little destroyers were amazingly brave in the face of such overwhelming Japanese advantage and really did save the day.

[Seruzawa]

I doubt that even if Kurita had carried out his mission and severely damaged the invasion fleet that the US public would have lost its resolve. They were resolved to have a 100,000 casualties invading Japan when the A-bombs ended the war.

The Japanese were engaging in wishful thinking if they thought they would get favorable peace terms. Magical thinking is something they did regularly throughout the war.

[Rummyfan]

On Oct. 25, 1944, a Japanese force of four battleships, six cruisers and 12 destroyers surprised a U.S. task unit. The Japanese force was trying to run-down five U.S. small escort carriers, three destroyers – including Johnston – and four destroyer escorts defending the north Leyte Gulf, east of Samar. The U.S. ships were supporting the landing on the Leyte beachhead by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, retired Rear Adm. Samuel Cox, director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, told USNI News.

This sea battle is retold very well in Hornfischer's Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.

[Robert DeLong]

Sad to see where so many good men lost their lives there. Seems to have been severely damaged.

[camle]

i used to know a ww-ii vet who was at Leyte. when he told the story of the Johnston’s charge, it brought tears to his eyes - the bravery, and the heart of those brave men. the way he told it, it was very stirring. they all thought they were goners.

[central_va]

Little Ship, Big War was a pretty good read.

[Seruzawa]

I have a soft spot for destroyers. I served on the USS Henry W Tucker DD875 from 1969-1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Destroyers get more liberty stops than larger ships, which is a nice perk.

In WW2 destroyers were armed with the most deadly antiship weapons of the time, torpedoes. A Fletcher class carried 10. More than enough to take out a capital ship. Or two.

They were also handy at shore bombardment. There are many instances where destroyer captains brought their ships perilously close in and supported the troops with accurate 5” gunfire via radio. The Tarawa invasion might have failed without that support since the flat shooting 16” battleship rounds largely just skimmed over the island. It took a while for the battleships to figure out plunging fire. A few destroyers went in and took out pillboxes and such. One round took out the Japanese commander and his team. 5” high velocity rounds are very nasty.

[DMZFrank]

The action off of Samar Island by the sailors of Taffy 3, commanded by Adm. Clifton Sprague, was the most heroic action in the history of the US Navy, indeed among the greatest in the whole history of the US Armed Forces.

In particular, the actions of the USS Johnston, and it’s CO, Commander Evans, almost beggar belief when you consider the power of the mighty Japanese force arrayed against the destroyer and destroyer escort screen of Task Unit 77.4.3. They did not hesitate for a second when ordered by Adm. Sprague to counterattack and run cover for the Task Unit.

I believe that just one of the battleship Yamato’s turrets weighed more than all of Fletcher class destroyers in that action.

My favorite line from this fight came from an anonymous AA gunner on one of the slow little escort carriers being pursued by fast Japaneses heavy cruisers was emblematic of their dogged courage; “We’re luring them into 40mm range!!!”

[Gritty]

Here is a great book about that action. It is a must read for anyone who cares about this magnificent feat by the US Navy!

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

[husky ed]

The book is breathtaking for its accuracy in describing the battle.

Ed

[Cuttnhorse]

As an old Tin Can sailor, QM2, USS AULT, DD-698, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, is a great read.

Amazing that these guys can find debris at these depths.

Also, ships changed their paint patterns...I have old WWII photos of the Ault in haze gray and a camo pattern. When I served aboard her, she was haze gray.

Proud ship with a great crew...loved being at sea on her.

[wildbill]

That book about the Tin Can Sailors was made into a gripping documentary. I have seen it numerous times and it still gives an emotional surge of admiration merged with grief for those brave sailors.

[Pelham]

‘The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors’ bump.

“The Extraordinary WWII Story of the U.S. Navy’s Finest Hour” by James Hornfischer

This is maybe the most thrilling story of heroism in war that you could read.

The captain of the USS Johnston was American Indian from Oklahoma, and he was absolutely fearless in attacking a vastly superior Japanese battle fleet.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001L83PM0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1