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USS Johnson...
- Thread starter mattwithcats
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IMO the USS Johnston should be the the most famous ship in the history of the U.S. Navy for its performance in The Battle Off Samar phase of The Battle of Leyte Gulf. Also incredible performance by the destroyer Hoel and destroyer escort Samuel B. Robert's during the battle, both sunk.
For those of you not familiar with the battle, it is one in which the Japanese sacrificed the majority of their navy to successfully lure the American fighting ships away from the landing area during the U.S. invasion of the Phillipines. They basically pounced upon 5 escort carriers (converted Liberty ships, used for close air support of troops, incapable of sea battles), supported by 3 Fletcher class destroyers and 5 tiny destroyer escorts. The Japanese had the overwhelming force of 4 battleships (including the super battleship Yamato), 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, and 11 destroyers. The tiny American force was all that stood between the massive Japanese force and all the landing support ships and the beachhead.
Instead of running for their lives, the destroyers and destroyer escorts charged the Japanese fleet, led by the Johnston (who started the charge before orders were given), putting out smoke, torpedoing and firing on the enemy. The carrier escorts launched all available planes to harass the enemy with mostly anti personnel bombs and strafe attacks.
Due to the smoke and intensity of the American attacks, the Japanese commander broke off his attack, thinking he was facing a major American fleet of cruisers and fleet carriers. After sacrificing the Japanese Navy to stop the landing in a decisive battle, the Japanese commander snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
IMO also, the only reason this isn't known to all is the Navy brass minimized the battle to save the reputation of Bull Hulsey, who made unconscionable mistakes requiring the heroic sacrifices of these sailors and ships.
For anyone interested, "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" and "The Battle for Leyte Gulf" are excellent books about the biggest navel battle of WWII.
I kinda teared up at the reports they found the remains of this magnificent fighting ship.
For those of you not familiar with the battle, it is one in which the Japanese sacrificed the majority of their navy to successfully lure the American fighting ships away from the landing area during the U.S. invasion of the Phillipines. They basically pounced upon 5 escort carriers (converted Liberty ships, used for close air support of troops, incapable of sea battles), supported by 3 Fletcher class destroyers and 5 tiny destroyer escorts. The Japanese had the overwhelming force of 4 battleships (including the super battleship Yamato), 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, and 11 destroyers. The tiny American force was all that stood between the massive Japanese force and all the landing support ships and the beachhead.
Instead of running for their lives, the destroyers and destroyer escorts charged the Japanese fleet, led by the Johnston (who started the charge before orders were given), putting out smoke, torpedoing and firing on the enemy. The carrier escorts launched all available planes to harass the enemy with mostly anti personnel bombs and strafe attacks.
Due to the smoke and intensity of the American attacks, the Japanese commander broke off his attack, thinking he was facing a major American fleet of cruisers and fleet carriers. After sacrificing the Japanese Navy to stop the landing in a decisive battle, the Japanese commander snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
IMO also, the only reason this isn't known to all is the Navy brass minimized the battle to save the reputation of Bull Hulsey, who made unconscionable mistakes requiring the heroic sacrifices of these sailors and ships.
For anyone interested, "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" and "The Battle for Leyte Gulf" are excellent books about the biggest navel battle of WWII.
I kinda teared up at the reports they found the remains of this magnificent fighting ship.
I recall one of the Captains of an escort destroyer was commanding his headlong attack, at full steam, on the overwhelming Japanese force from the stern of his ship as the bridge was shot away. He and his ship were lost.
The battle was one of the most amazing displays of courage in WW2.
The battle was one of the most amazing displays of courage in WW2.
OVERKILL
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Absolutely incredible, and thank you ArrestMeRedZ for that history!
I believe that reference is to Ernest E. Evans, commander of the Johnston who was directing rudder shifts from the fantail after the steering mechanism had been shot out. He was an incredible warrior who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions that day.
Those men knew they were going to their death when they launched their attacks. Heroes all.
Those men knew they were going to their death when they launched their attacks. Heroes all.
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IMO the USS Johnston should be the the most famous ship in the history of the U.S. Navy for its performance in The Battle Off Samar phase of The Battle of Leyte Gulf.
I have to agree. I did my bit on that front; I put together a 10/15 minute slide-show on Evans and the Johnston and gave a presentation to two classes of middle school students on Thursday; I was subbing for two teachers out at meetings, and I'd read that news of the wreck late the night before.
A really good account of the battle is in Leyte, June 1944 to January 1945 by Samuel Eliot Morrison. No better historian was any closer to the battle or the participants. I think it's the most riveting of all of his series of books (15 total) on the Navy in WWII.
IMO the USS Johnston should be the the most famous ship in the history of the U.S. Navy for its performance in The Battle Off Samar phase of The Battle of Leyte Gulf.
I have to agree. I did my bit on that front; I put together a 10/15 minute slide-show on Evans and the Johnston and gave a presentation to two classes of middle school students on Thursday; I was subbing for two teachers out at meetings, and I'd read that news of the wreck late the night before.
A really good account of the battle is in Leyte, June 1944 to January 1945 by Samuel Eliot Morrison. No better historian was any closer to the battle or the participants. I think it's the most riveting of all of his series of books (15 total) on the Navy in WWII.
I am familiar with some of Admiral Morrison's works, but wasn't aware of that series. Thank you very much. I now know what to suggest for my Christmas present this year.
Apologies for misspelling Admiral Halsey's name.
Apologies for misspelling Admiral Halsey's name.
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