Taffy 3: The Dragons of Samar

It is one of the most famous last stands of the Second World War, in the waters off Samar, 13 escort carriers, destroyers and destroyer escorts would defy an Empire
On October 25 1944, the US Third Fleet, having fallen for a decoy operation has left the American Invasion beaches of Leyte Gulf all but defensless, with the exception of a small group of escort carriers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts known as Taffy-3.
For the better part of the day, Taffy-3 enured the full power of the Japanese counter-attack, and despite overwhelming odds eventually beat off the Japanese fleet, but at a price. By the time the guns of the Battle off Samar fell silent five of Taffy 3's 13 ships: USS Gambier Bay, USS St. Lo, USS Johnston, USS Hoel, and USS Samuel B Roberts had been sent to the bottom, along with 898 sailors, airmen and marines, many of wholm would fall victim to shark attacks over the next two days

Song: Paint the Sky With Stars
Artist: Enya
Subject: Taffy-3

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Taffy 3
• Enya
• Paint the Sky With Stars
• Battle off Samar
• Leyte Gulf
• World War II
• US Navy
• USS Gambier Bay
• St. Lo
• Johnston
• Hoel
• Samuel B Roberts
• Impieral Japanese Navy
• IJN Yamato
• Musashi
• Destroyer
• Destroyer Escort
• Escort Carrier
• Titanic
• Lusitania
• Arizona
• Battleship
• Hood
• Bismarck

[TheBByamashiro]

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....

[Tull29]

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!

[cailleanmc]

Perhaps the finest display of guts, determination and gallantry by the United States Navy, unmatched by any other force in history

[sol3a1]

To all those who say that the IJN "deserved to win"

After this fight and evidence for it do you still say that?

[SUP3RMUNCH1]

I am proud to have the same last name 'johnston'

[basscorado42]

Is a beautiful tribute to those sailors who gave their lives to save so much and fought so valiantly

[edsmale]

Has to be one of the all time instances of heroism at sea

[edsmale]

@T1ger524 "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" is one of my favorite books

[rigamarrow]

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!

[T1ger524]

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.