And yet this encounter should never have occurred the way it did if a certain "Admiral" had not taken the move to go for "Glory" pulling all of his capital ships away from the protection of the landing forces! That part of the Japanese plan worked and if not for the valiant effort of the seaman of "Taffy 3", all would have been lost! I can only comment on history as it was written and would never presume to intrude on personal loss!
Gambier Bay had hosted the fleet boxing championships at espiritu santobefpre sailing to the phillippines. Treated their guests like royalty-a black steward's mate then sang old military folksongs to the other sailors. My father among them.
one-eye reilly haspaeticular significance for him to this day, remembering "the guys who saved our asses for us- God bloss/em all!
This is a wonderful tribute. I come from a long line of sailors, including myself, and all war veterans. This is indeed one of if not the most famous Last Stand of world war two n my humble opinion. I highly recommend reading the Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. As a very proud US Navy Veteran, I AVE STOOD ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
My Father, Peter A. "Shanghai" Niemi Jr. was there as a 20 mm gunner aboard CVE 66 the USS White Plains. I have forwarded this and several other accounts of Samar and the Leyte Gulf to him in Warren, MI. He has intense memories of this engagement.
I cannot imagine what it must have been like to see your ship making a 180 and heading toward the Japanese task force. Had they not put up the fight they did that day the Japanese invasion might have been successful. Translation- the war would have been prolonged a year or longer and taken many more lives.
My name is Kathleen Gorman my dad William Paul Gorman Sr, was on the USS Johnston that day I proud to say that I am also a Veteran from the Army. Thank God for all courageous men and woman who make that ultimate sacrifice.
As much as those men suffered in that terrible fight, thank God they made that stand like they did and kept those big guns away from the invasion beaches.
hiding like chickens in smoke....thats a way to win a war...if you have enough balls leave out the smoke screen and fight with all you got....
TheBByamashiro 1 week ago
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I'm developing a film about the Battle Off Samar. If you're interested in seeing what we're doing google Battle Off Samar movie
thepathwayvideo 1 week ago
And yet this encounter should never have occurred the way it did if a certain "Admiral" had not taken the move to go for "Glory" pulling all of his capital ships away from the protection of the landing forces! That part of the Japanese plan worked and if not for the valiant effort of the seaman of "Taffy 3", all would have been lost! I can only comment on history as it was written and would never presume to intrude on personal loss!
Tull29 3 weeks ago
@Tull29 two thumbs up, sir.
waragainstgreed 3 days ago
Perhaps the finest display of guts, determination and gallantry by the United States Navy, unmatched by any other force in history
cailleanmc 1 month ago
To all those who say that the IJN "deserved to win"
After this fight and evidence for it do you still say that?
sol3a1 2 months ago
I am proud to have the same last name 'johnston'
SUP3RMUNCH1 2 months ago
@SUP3RMUNCH1 im proud to be a grandchild of a WWII marine.
waragainstgreed 3 days ago
Is a beautiful tribute to those sailors who gave their lives to save so much and fought so valiantly
basscorado42 3 months ago
Has to be one of the all time instances of heroism at sea
edsmale 3 months ago
Gambier Bay had hosted the fleet boxing championships at espiritu santobefpre sailing to the phillippines. Treated their guests like royalty-a black steward's mate then sang old military folksongs to the other sailors. My father among them.
one-eye reilly haspaeticular significance for him to this day, remembering "the guys who saved our asses for us- God bloss/em all!
rigamarrow 3 months ago
This is a wonderful tribute. I come from a long line of sailors, including myself, and all war veterans. This is indeed one of if not the most famous Last Stand of world war two n my humble opinion. I highly recommend reading the Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. As a very proud US Navy Veteran, I AVE STOOD ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS.
T1ger524 4 months ago
@T1ger524 "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" is one of my favorite books
edsmale 3 months ago
My Father, Peter A. "Shanghai" Niemi Jr. was there as a 20 mm gunner aboard CVE 66 the USS White Plains. I have forwarded this and several other accounts of Samar and the Leyte Gulf to him in Warren, MI. He has intense memories of this engagement.
MrMelon49 7 months ago
I cannot imagine what it must have been like to see your ship making a 180 and heading toward the Japanese task force. Had they not put up the fight they did that day the Japanese invasion might have been successful. Translation- the war would have been prolonged a year or longer and taken many more lives.
Turnback 1 year ago
My name is Kathleen Gorman my dad William Paul Gorman Sr, was on the USS Johnston that day I proud to say that I am also a Veteran from the Army. Thank God for all courageous men and woman who make that ultimate sacrifice.
jasonday74 1 year ago
My Grandfather Francisco Gonzalez was on the Kalinin Bay. He never spoke of what happened that day to my grandmother or mom.
We heard some terrible second hand accounts from my great uncle, his brother, a Marine who had also served in the Pacific theater during WWII
Puercobellies 1 year ago 2
As much as those men suffered in that terrible fight, thank God they made that stand like they did and kept those big guns away from the invasion beaches.
thespawnof66 1 year ago
@thespawnof66 I'm with you there. Lets never forget what those men did that day.
sddsddsas 1 year ago
one of the samual b roberts sailors was on WWII in HD!
wolfgunner4564 1 year ago