VISITOR COMMENTS

"Has the story of Taffy III been adequately recorded in the history books?"
 

 

1. Taffy III's defense of the Leyte beachhead was one of the most heroic in US Naval history. CVE's, DD's and DE's taking on four battleships and several heavy cruisers along with many destroyers and forcing them to turn away was David slaying Goliath. All honor and glory to the brave men who died and served with Taffy III.
    
2. As an Army veteran it was good to get the real picture of what was going on at sea.
    
3. The significance of this battle of the Jeep Carriers vs the Imperial Japanese capital fighting ships has not been adequately portrayed. These small ships were woefully inadequately prepared to battle the heavies of the Japanese fleet, yet came away with an astounding victory. And the heroic actions and ultimate price paid by the destroyers and destroyer escorts in gallantly protecting the Taffy units needs to be told to every American kid so they will know what the ultimate result of this battle really was. J.E. Leavelle Radioman 3/c 1944-1946
    
4. Taffy III's battle of Samar was vastly unrepresented in the books I have read. The courage of these men, going against the heavy ships of the Japanese Navy is mind-boggling.
    
5. Some of your material is historically "incongruent"....Should revise it. Not insulting you.
    
6. Someday someone will tell the story as a digital visual documentary.  It is an incredibly heroic story, with incidents as described in "Little Ship, Big War" by participant Cmdr E. Stafford that are beyond anything in fiction. Most likely the last major ship to ship action in human history.
    
7. I think Halsey had his head up his ass in falling for those Japs decoy and find him a mockery and disgrace to our country. Harold Garrison, 76
    
8. I am astonished by many parts of this story: 1.
    
9. The books these kids read these days have no respect for the heroic actions that Taffy III went through to save our ass from those damn Japs. The soldiers on the beaches would have been trampled by surprise by those Jap bastards which could have caused us to lose control of the battle.
    
10. We can't reasonably expect "kids" today to care since they are raised in a society in which the statement "I just want to get my paycheck and live my life and not bother anyone". This was men (and often enough women) who saw a thing and took responsibility in ensuring that this battle this day would be fought hard and well. They certainly didn't just do their job.

11. The History books in use today almost go out of their way to avoid any mention of our countries' military heritage. That stress social programs and accomplishments of women and minorities. There is nothing wrong with the good things the aforementioned have accomplished, but the space given to them should not be done at the expense of those who served this great country in its' darkest hours. One of my girls, now 26, was a junior in high school asked me if their was a Korean War. I told her that was how Uncle Bob got the scars on his face. To her credit she became the class expert on that conflict. God bless the men of Taffy III and all those who served our country. Charlie, USS Hailey(DD-556).
     
12. THANK YOU.
     
13. I was part of this battle, aboard USS Dennis DE405we took four hits and lost 5 crew members.
     
14. I would like to see if a movie could be made from your book and this site....only if they could do it accurately, no need for drama, it's already there!
     
15. My father-in-law served on the KALININ Bay during this period, and it still hurts him regarding the dearth of information about this gallant fight.
     
16. I was about 9 then so all I can say is indeed you people were "The Greatest Generation" and thank you and God for by your bravery, winning! PS I served briefly (fortunately for me!) in Vietnam.
     
17. I lost my Uncle In this battle, and learning about it and him has been a real challenge. He was Edward E. Dobrowolski Seaman Second Class USNR.
     
18. I was a small child at the time of the Battle Off Samar. Only last year, I learned about the Battle and about the amazing heroism of the men in Taffy III. Their actions deserve to be honored among those of the greatest American heroes.
     
19. I lost my uncle in this battle. I was told much about him by my father. He was only 18 years old when he died. His name was William Bettinger.
     
20. I have read at least two books about the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one by that name, and one about the Gambier Bay. Both were excellent, but of course they were not history textbooks that would educate students about the significance of the escort carrier's role there. Charlie Dare, AMM2/c, USS Marcus Island, CVE 77.

21. USS Dennis De 405 we were there, we took on the Japanese cruiser TONE, we did hit her with torpedo.
     
22. yes as an ex carrier sailor from the Vietnam war I think that a lot more should be written about that battle .not only about the jeep carriers but also about the gallant destroyers that took on the whole Japanese fleet. those were battles that probably never happen again so more should be put into print and film to show this generation that there were young men willing to lay down their lives for their country.
     
23. There is a magnificent memorial to Admiral Clifton Sprague & Taffy 3 on Harbor Drive in San Diego, Ca. I was aboard the U.S.S. RAYMOND DE. 341 on Oct. 26 1944 during the battle of SAMAR.
     
24. This would make a great movie. Better then Midway.
     
25. Hollywood only wants Super Heroes! They could not fathom a whole task force of men, each a hero!  Ed
     
26. Thank you for all the information & photographs, my father was a radioman "striker " on the Saint Lo and  we didn't have any pitchers of the ship. Robert C. Conrad 1-29-02
     
27. The Battle Off Samar should be the sequel to the Movie "Midway".
     
28. Who said "Those who cannot remember the past will be condemned to repeat it!"?
     
29. Thanks for all your efforts... it is a story that begs to be told... again & again!!!!
     
30. My uncle, Sheldon E Tessendorf, was lost with the USS JOHNSTON. Thanks for your efforts!
     
31. The Battle Off Samar should be a movie all of it's own. The courage of those men aboard the destroyers, destroyer escorts and the jeep carriers is absolutely remarkable. I get tight in the chest every time I think of it!! God bless them all!
     
32. I never knew the story of this battle until finding this website while researching my father's ship (MM1/C Sal Isgro, USS KALININ Bay). I agree, this deserves a movie, these men define the words courage and honor.
     
33. You have made a great contribution to this incredible saga. I started reading about it when I became aware that the destroyer my father served on in the early 1950's (DD-532, USS HEERMANN) was involved. He was not aware of the history of that ship even then. If a movie could be made, I would hope that it is not "Hollywood-ized" in the interest of ratings.
     
34. My uncle Clarence Duke was killed aboard the USS Johnston. He was the only son of Jake and Molley Duke. They had had eleven children. Nine girls and three boys - only Clarence lived to adulthood and then he was killed in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. They tell the victims of the Towers that we will never forget. Who are they kidding - Do we remember Pearl Harbor, Leyte Gulf, the Alamo, Valley Forge???? Who are in charge of seeing we remember. Whoever it is - you have failed miserably. We MUST REMEMBER.
     
35. I just re read what I wrote - let me make two corrects. "victim" and also Clarence was the only boy to live to adulthood - all nine girls lived to adulthood.
     
36. Check out the recent Freidman book, "battle of Leyte gulf", He does Sprague & all the Taffy's some justice.
     
37. The action off Samar is an inspirational story of the courage of our fathers. My dad was in LSM 234 at Lingayen and Okinawa. He had a cousin aboard the Johnston who survived the sinking. His name was Sullivan and he later became Chief of police in some town in Maine. Keep up the good work and God Bless all our veterans!
     
38. Make it easier to order book.
     
39. We are at large a nation of ingrates with little regard for the sacrifices made by our forbearers to give us the freedoms we inherited. Its as if we are entitled to our freedoms just for being US citizens. I've even heard the remark that we don't owe the Depression? WWII generation anything because "they left a big debt"! but don't get me started on this.
     
40. Battle off Samar was not really the last battle of the Battle for Leyte Gulf. The last battle was the Battle of Ormoc Bay, which finally sealed the fate of the Japs on Leyte.

41. The basic Japanese plan was a good one, but was hampered by bad communications. Also, some of the enemy's admirals refused to work together due to personal feelings regarding chain of command, while the commander that it all came down to as having the golden opportunity lost his nerve at the moment of possible victory. Ironically, a huge enemy success at this point in the war would be a moot point as the Americans had an overwhelming superiority in all aspects, had no conception of defeat, and were simply unstoppable. The Japanese could do nothing else but die gallantly, which they did.
     
42. Sometimes when a dog corners a cat, it discovers that it would be better to let it go. The IJN discovered that trapping Taffy III just forced the American commanders and men to think harder and faster. Hence, they cobbled together an action that completely befuddled the well planned opponent.
     
43. The other day I mentioned "Kamikaze" and my 25 yr old son-in-law asked what that was. I educated him because others did not. What a shame.
     
44. Because Adm. Halsey goofed and went after a Japanese decoy! He left his post. He fouled up the Philippine invasion. The Japs had big ships and big guns, we had little ships and little guns, the biggest gun we had was a 5". How we did what we did is nothing short of a miracle. IT IS RARELY MENTIONED in any TV story in fact of all the stories that I've seen on TV, TAFFY 3 was only once. We lost 5 ships, 2 carriers, 2 Destroyers, and 1 DE. This was always made to be small. WE the USS Raymond DE 341 picked 130 survivors of which 2 had died, despite all of efforts to save them. We later had sea burial which I will never forget, I was 18 at that time I'M NOW 78 and I still very tearfully remember it. I gave survivor who was full of shrapnel a shower, not only was he full of shrapnel but also fuel oil. I don't want to go into detail about the shower. It is one of the true feelings of WAR.
     
45. I just finished James D. Hornfischer's book, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. A research librarian at the Main Branch of the New Hanover County Library of NC recommended it or I would never have discovered it on my own. The story of Task Group Taffy III could be the plot for an American series as long as the popular British television series, Upstairs Downstairs. Generations born after World War II need to hear the stories of how initiative born of desperation won battles against all odds. Every story I read about the Pacific battleground in World War II, reminds me of the price paid for America. Thank you, members of Task Group Taffy III.  Betty Day
     
46. Not nearly enough has been written about the pilots of Taffy 3 or why help from other area ships and aircrews were not there to help as soon as the Japanese Ships appeared.
     
47. Ever since I was a kid and read about this battle I have always tried to find out more. This was one of the most impressive displays of bravery. I wish more people knew about these gallant men.
     
48. Hornfischer has set the record straight, but as a very tuned teen in the 40s with two brother in the pacific navy let us not overlook the rivalry between the army and the navy and the conflicts between the admirals themselves - I don't think Halsey "goofed", but I am sure the 18 year olds in the water, soaked with oil, just having their ship blown out from under them could see it that way, I think Bull just followed his best instincts and what appeared to be in his and the navy's best interest. You could never convince me that if he had hard intelligence of the fight taking place and could have gotten back in time to help he would have come running - H Louis Nini
     
49. I'd like to have LCDR Elmowaring and Ens Larry Epping addresses.
     
50. I think that the most recent book -- along with your work -- on the role of the DDs and DEs puts into historic perspective.

51. This battle once again proves the unique qualities of the "tin can" sailors.
     
52. THE LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS finally tells the whole incredible story.
     
53. To the 18 individuals who "don't care" please bear in mind that these men died so that you would have the freedom to say "I don't care about you". SOME DAY THIS WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU!!!
     
54. I have read the book, "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" and that is what prompted me to this website. We need to remember, what happened, and the bravery of these men.
     
55. Publish crew roster before sinking of Gambier Bay & after, also ST. LO.
     
56. I have been researching my family tree, and found it very hard to find anything about this battle or the Destroyer he died on. Thank you. His name was Everett Burgess - USS Johnston
     
57. I have the feeling that while LAST STAND OF THE TIN CAN SAILORS told a very good version of the events, that is not all that happened that day. I got the feeling from reading it, that the author has an enormous amount of information that he was not able to put in the book. I would like to see a book with just his primary source documents in it. Your site would not be over done if you add a map or two, but it is nice anyway.
     
58. Not enough emphasis was put on Admiral Halsey's (Commander Third Fleet) Blunder. I was on the USS Massachusetts BB-59 (I am age 80).
     
59. Just listened to "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" book on CD ... I studied WWII history avidly during High School and never heard this story before ... thank you to all the sailors and aviators who gave of themselves so much on that Oct. 25th.
     
60. I read everything I can find on the battle of Leyte Gulf, especially the battle off Samar. I am particularly fascinated by the operations of the unbelievable IJN Yamato. According to a book by Janusz Skulski, the Yamato "fired a total of 104 rounds of 46cm projectiles as a result of which one escort carrier and one destroyer were sunk." I also learned that the color of dye that the Yamato used to spot the fall of their shot was pink, but no where have I been able to find out if any of those massive 18.1 inch projectiles actually struck an American ship, and if so, what was the effect? Was the Yamato's fire control good or bad? If any of the Yamato's 18.1 inch projectiles actually struck an American ship did it just go clean through the ship without exploding, or was it a plunging trajectory, or what? I read the diary by Adm. Ugaki and couldn't find the answer there either. God Bless America - thank-you Lord for allowing me to be born an American.