For Crew and Country: The Inspirational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts

by John Wukovits

The most dramatic naval battle of the Pacific War and the incredible sacrifice of the USS Samuel B. Roberts
 
On October 25, 1944, the Samuel B. Roberts, along with the other twelve vessels comprising its unit, stood between Japan's largest battleship force ever sent to sea and MacArthur’s transports inside Leyte Gulf. Faced with the surprise appearance of more than twenty Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, including the Yamato, at 70,000 tons the most potent battlewagon in the world, the 1,200-ton Samuel B. Roberts turned immediately into action with six other ships. Captain Copeland marked the occasion with one of the most poignant addresses ever given to men on the edge of battle: “Men,” he said over the intercom, “we are about to go into a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected.”

The ship churned straight at the enemy in a near-suicidal attempt to deflect the more potent foe, allow the small aircraft carriers to escape, and buy time for MacArthur’s forces. Of 563 destroyers constructed during WWII, the Samuel B. Roberts was the only one sunk, going down with guns blazing in a duel reminiscent of the Spartans at Thermopylae or Davy Crockett’s Alamo defenders. The men who survived faced a horrifying three-day nightmare in the sea, where they battled a lack of food and water, scorching sun and numbing nighttime cold, and nature’s most feared adversary—sharks.

The battle would go down as history's greatest sea clash, the Battle of Samar—the dramatic climax of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Military History, Military Fiction, Maritime, American History

Audible Audio

First published February 5, 2013

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book focusing on the USS Samuel B. Roberts and her young and inexperienced crew. The Sammy B, was a destroyer escort and the only one of it's type to be lost in a surface action. She was built to guard convoys and aircraft carriers against attack from submarines and aircraft, and it was never thought that she would take on Japanese battleships and cruisers. But fate had exactly this in store for her, where blunders from top admirals left Taffy 3 exposed of the Philippines in October 1944 and the Sammy B and her fellow escorts came face-to-face with the world's biggest battleship ever built and her cohorts. What followed was the World War 2 equivalent of the Charge of the Light Brigade where the escort for the six light carriers of Taffy 3 turned and charged the Japanese battle line to save thousands of lives. The crew of the Sammy B was mostly green and inexperienced recruits that had only served for the six months aboard the ship's short life when these events unfolded, but they did not waver under these overwhelming odds and went down fighting and wrote one of the US Navy's most memorable stories that day. After going down. the survivors fought the elements and sharks for 50 hours before being rescued. Truly a remarkable story of courage and sacrifice and the story is well told. Highly recommended.

[Vern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I did not care much for the writing style, the story it told was interesting and worth reading, especially if you like military history history. It seems like every time I finish reading one of these books I ask myself the same question ... Where did we find such men of selfless courage and devotion to country and to each other?

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting, true account of the U.S.S. Samuel Roberts, a destroyer escort, in WWII. Among the smallest of the "Line" fighting ships in the Navy, The Roberts attacked and damaged much larger ships in a Japanese naval task force attempting to wipe out many small carriers and eventually the US landing force in the Gulf of Leyte. Due to her actions and that of three other small ships--never designed for fighting a surface war, but to seek out submarines--The Roberts helped deter this large force long enough for Admiral Clifton Sprague's carriers to escape. Commanded by a leader, Copeland, who had trained his crew to a high level, The Roberts evaded sinking for an extraordinarily long time. Unfortunately for her crew, the coordinates of their two life rafts were incorrectly reported. Thus, they floated with the currents in shark invested waters--with no space for the many men who had to float alongside them. You will cry, as I did, but marvel at the crew's heroism in the face of insurmountable odds, not just against the Japanese attackers, but against survival. Lest we forget.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly inspirational tale. Told in a way that brings out the best in the characters we get to meet. For six months, the crew of the USS Samuel B. Roberts were brought together under the command of LTCM Robert W Copeland. It sounds as though Copeland wished to always minimize his contribution to melding the crew that, basically, as a destroyer escort, took on the ships of the Yamato's task force. The author summarizes, perhaps somewhat a leap but maybe not, that between the Roberts' attack and the reticence of the Japanese admiral, there are perhaps thousands of descendants of other sailors who went on to lead productive lives for the sacrifice of the Roberts and many of her crew. The story follows some of the crew from their high school days, through enlistment and training and sea trials, and much blow by blow from the sinking. Exceedingly well done.

[Garry Wilmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring. I'd give it 4.5 stars out of 5. It made me reflect once again on James Mitchener's query at the conclusion of _The Bridges at Toko-ri_: Where do we find such men?

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a well-written, powerful book about a crew of men who did something amazing. It has a good flow to it; it starts off with the 'back history' of the vessel and crew well before the battle. We do see how teenage boys grew and matured into men in the crucible of World War II. The book is filled with personal comments and recollections from the survivors about the six months aboard the Samuel B. Roberts. The last couple of chapters, while difficult to read, were still inspiring as they showed how these men continued to survive through and thrive after difficult times. I cannot even imagine what they went through, what they and their families sacrificed.

I knew about Taffy Three [as well as Taffy One and Two], having read about them in Edwin P. Hoyt's Battle for Leyte Gulf, and each time I read about American carriers in World War II, the battle between Taffy Three and the Japanese fleet was mentioned in varying degrees of detail. I was most familiar with what happened to the Gambier Bay followed by the Heerman and the Hoel; the Samuel B. Roberts sounded familiar when I picked up this book, but I was not familiar with the story of this crew and their destroyer escort. This book helped fill a gap in my knowledge.

Side thoughts from the main focus of the story: The author has some harsh words for Admiral Halsey, and rightly so. The Admiral was to have protected the American forces from the Japanese, and he essentially abandoned his post to chase after what he thought were the Japanese carriers. I realize it is always easy to look back in times of peace, especially sitting in the safety of my home reading about a military event and cast aspersions upon decisions made in times of war/conflict, but nearly every author I have read agrees that Halsey made an error in judgment that cost the lives of the brave men aboard the lost and damaged vessels of Taffy Three.

I was also surprised to learn that Nimitz essentially squelched anything negative from being said in the official Naval review/history of Halsey's actions and the consequences of his decisions. I understand, on the one hand, why he might have done that [i.e. - seeing how the Navy was divided during and after the Spanish-American War], so he was looking out for the greater good of the Service. I get that, but the truth still needed to be told, about how Halsey's actions nearly cost the Americans far more because he was spoiling for a fight and to make a name for himself in battle.

It was crazy to learn how divided the forces were during the invasion of the Philippines. I'd read other books that discussed this problem as well, but I did not realize before now how serious the consequences were with the divisions between the Army and the Navy.

It was fascinating to learn how Copeland was able to outguess the Japanese and their superior forces. His commands helped the ship survive against overwhelming odds, and the actions of Taffy Three caused such consternation amongst the Japanese that they made a tactical error and left the scene of battle defeated as opposed to sailing away victorious.

I had read of the Japanese honoring the American sailors in the water as they sailed away, saluting them and dropping flotation devices in the water to help them survive, in other books. This recollection still surprises me every time I read about it, considering how viciously brutal the Japanese were to prisoners. I guess the difference must have been that the men had not actually been captured by the Japanese; instead, they were left behind to either live or die. Still, though, it is so out of character in terms of how the Japanese are reported to have acted. Amazing.

To say that the Japanese forces outmassed and outgunned the American forces opposing them seems such a trivial thing to say, and by all rights and expectations the Japanese forces should have swept the waters clean of American forces. The men of Taffy Three performed heroic acts that helped save [protect] the American forces landing on the beaches. It is an amazing story, and well worth the read.

I am most assuredly glad I read this book.

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I got my copy of this book (Hard Cover) at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas. I paid full price but in doing so I helped to support an important nonprofit museum.

Likely you will find John Wukovits' For Crew and Country, in the history, or military history section. It is not properly a history. This is a memorial to the men who fought in one of history's most uneven and un-winnable battles. By their sacrifice they saved American lives and contributed more than their portion to Allied victory in the Pacific.

If you are interested in a better, if still passionate reconstruction of the battle off Samar Island October 25, 1944, I like others recommend: The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour The purpose of this book is to focus the reader's attention on the men who stood with their captain who turned toward the guns in an engagement that offered no reasonable hope for survival.

There is a picture I remember from the New York Attacks on 9/11. Stream of shaken, well dressed, dust covered people moving away from the burning towers, and a thinner line of people in uniforms, mostly firefighters and police moving toward the fire. We honor those who make it their job to go into that fire.

The crew of the USS Samuel B. Roberts, DE-413 were such men. It is well that we as Americans remember this particular crew and the actions of their grossly over match Task Force (Taffy3) when they accepted the battle with certain knowledge of the futility of their action. What Wukovits also make clear to those who would launch a future attack: this crew was ultimately one of ordinary Americans.

The facts of this battle are that Admiral Halsey allowed himself to be drawn into a carrier battle in such a way that he left a vital route open. Through this gap steamed a battered but supremely formidable surface force of 4 battleships, 8 cruisers and 11 destroyers. The target for this raiding force was the supply and ammunition ships providing logistic support to the landings in the Philippines. Absent Haley's blocking force, there was no available combination of ships or aircraft with near the firepower of this force.

Upon breaching the American line the first surface force the Japanese encounter was Taffy 3. A group of 6 mini or escort carriers none equipped with the kinds of aerial weapons effective against armor plated ships, 3 destroyers and 4 destroyer escorts, one the Sammy B Roberts. There is no measure of material that renders this a reasonable match up.

The end of the battle would see one American escort carrier sunk, along with 3 of the destroyers and the Sammy B. The Japanese would be forced to abandon and sink two cruisers. More importantly, The Japanese Admiral, Kurita would leave the field, having failed to reach his target and believing he had tangled with forces more nearly his equal. It would be said of the Sammy B, she was the destroyer escort that fought like a Battleship.

Wukovits gives us a number of snapshot biographies of crew members and helps the reader to learn how the crew became a fighting unit and upon whom they could most depend. The larger military and strategic issues are mostly ignored. Our focus is on the people.

Late in the book, the point is made that the average crew member of the `Sammy B' had served about 1 year in the Navy. In the months between Commissioning the Ship (April 28, 1944) and its being sunk (Oct 25, 1944) LCdr. Robert Copeland, commanding had worked to make his a nearly handpicked crew. In the main they were average people, brought together under able leadership, but hardly the equal of modern Special Forces commando type units.

This is the real message of For Crew and Country: Ordinary people can - will achieve the extra ordinary. As a people, America should remember its heroes. This engagement should be part of America's self-image. More than this we should know that it is in us to answer the call and to be one of the next heroes.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. I knew a little about the USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413) and its heroics at the Battle of Samar, but the book still was a real eye-opener. Commanded by a Navy Reservist lawyer and having a largely green crew, the ship's entire service lasted less than a year. In a nutshell, the ship (and a couple others) threw itself at a vastly superior Japanese force that threatened several carriers and Gen. McArthur's Philippine invasion force. Much like the 1st Minnesota regiment at Gettysburg, the ship bought some time and actually prompted a tactical blunder by the Japanese commander, who withdrew from the battle prematurely. More than 90 of the ship's 244 crew were killed during the battle or their subsequent 3 days in the water awaiting rescue.

The book does a very nice job of introducing the reader to several key players and following them throughout the training process and up through the battle and its aftermath. The battle itself is an exciting read--LCDR Copeland, the ship's captain, correctly guessed that the Japanese cruisers and battleships would adjust their fire based on their last miss, so he essentially kept steering the ship toward the last miss. By playing this cat and mouse game, and by coordinating smoke screens with the other vessels in the small escort force, the ROBERTS was able to engage the enemy ships for nearly two hours before she was sunk. The ROBERTS went on a torpedo run, scoring a hit, and was able to repeatedly fire its guns at a cruiser, inflicting considerable damage. The crew waged this fight knowing full well that the outcome was predetermined.

The aftermath was tough to read. The men--most of whom were wounded in the battle--suffered from a lack of supplies, severe exposure, and shark attacks. The rescue efforts were hampered by incorrect information from spotter planes. Interesting to me was a description of two separate groups of men in rafts. One, led by LCDR Copeland and the XO, maintained good order, established a rotation and priority of who would be in the raft versus the water, how supplies were rationed, etc. The other, led by a very junior Ensign, started to break down amid complaints of favoritism and unfair treatment. To me, it validated the importance of good order and discipline, which is the foundation for military justice. Also heart-wrenching is the story of Charles Natter, an enlisted man and former lifeguard who was on LCDR Copeland's raft. A group of about 16 men were a couple hundred yards away, clinging to debris in the water. Natter made several trips to the debris, returning with an injured shipmate each time. After rescuing a half-dozen men and swimming hundreds of yards in a state of exhaustion, he was killed by a shark as he returned to the debris field yet again. This is the sort of heroism that puts a lump in my throat every time.

The book is well researched and well written, and I highly recommend it.

[Hank Hoeft · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was an extraordinary event for many reasons. It was the final great naval battle in World War II, in which the U.S. Navy defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy so soundly that the IJN was never able to challenge the U.S. with a fleet action ever again. It saw the last battleship-to-battleship action of World War II, and probably for all time. It was the largest naval battle in history, in terms of size of the area involved, number of ships involved, size of the combatants involved (including the largest battleships ever built), and number of people involved. How ironic that the Battle off Samar, the pivotal engagement in entire set of events labeled the Battle of Leyte Gulf, was not fought between the behemoths that were constructed for just such a clash (the Japanese Yamato class battleships vs. the American Iowa and South Dakota class battleships), pitting the still-formidable remnants of the Japanese surface fleet against a U.S. Navy that had grown into largest navy that ever sailed, and probably will ever sail, the oceans. Instead, the four Japanese battleships and eight heavy cruisers, accompanied by eleven destroyers, were confronted—and driven off—by a pitifully small American force of three destroyers and four even-smaller destroyer escorts.

For Crew and Country tells the story of one of those destroyer escorts, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, the “destroyer escort that fought like a battleship,” and the only destroyer escort sunk by enemy fire in World War II. Author John Wukovits tells in detail the six-month life of the Roberts, from its commissioning to its heroic sinking, but more importantly, also tells of many of the crew that manned the Roberts, from their childhood to the first time they laid eyes on their ship when it was being built in a Houston shipyard, and continues on to tell what happened to the survivors and the family and friends of those who gave their lives for their country. By focusing on one ship, Wukovits demonstrates why the Roberts was able to fight so efficiently and so well. The greatest credit goes to the ship’s captain, who not only drilled his crew ceaselessly, but also knew how to get his men to come together, to feel like a close-knit family. But credit also goes to many of the men under him, the men who supervised the guns, the engines, the electronic equipment, who also drilled their crews to be the best they could possibly be, so that when a tiny destroyer escort—which was designed to protect against aircraft and submarines, period—found itself in a surface action it was never designed for, their superb training and attitude allowed them to help turn back a foe of impossible, overwhelming size.

[Reet Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outmanned, outgunned and outsized, the Samuel B. Roberts plunged into a battle that would ultimately result in her death and the deaths of many of her brave crewmen. As part of the unit Taffy 3 the chance meeting with a much larger Japanese fleet wasn't supposed to have happened. But it did and with the enemy sighted the Sammy B. flew into action with the best of them. Her well-seasoned crew suffered numerous casualties yet they soldiered on with a fierceness. Even as they were dying from injuries some sailors refused to give up until a sympathetic comrade dragged them off to die more quietly (a near impossibility, mind you, as the Roberts was constantly under fire). But after giving it all she could, the Roberts finally bid farewell to the world and disappeared beneath the waves. In the coming days her survivors would be plunged into despair as they fought off delirium, excruciating pain and shark attacks all the while watching their comrades die.

Be warned: This is not a tale for the lighthearted. The descriptions of some of the injuries are ghastly and a bit nauseating. Some of it can drive a reader to tears. For Crew and Country is the type of story that makes a person want to be able to scoop up all those poor souls and get them to safety but, of course, one is helpless to do that. Thankfully the survivors weren't left floating around on the ocean surface as long as the survivors of some World War II shipwrecks were.

As for the writing, it was a bit dry, but that can be overlooked as John Wukovits has presented readers with a story not so well known. It's always good to see books like this released because we know that those sailors and their families have not been forgotten. A fitting tribute to each of the Sammy B.'s crew.

DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received no material compensation for this book review of “For Crew and Country”.

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[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written account of the bravery and sacrifice that embodied the men who fought World War II. John Wukovits offers up the stirring account of the "Destroyer Escort that fought like a battleship" in For Crew and Country. The men of the Samuel B. Roberts (DE413), along the destroyers Hoel, Johnston and Heerman took on the might of the imperial Japanese fleet despite being massively outgunned and drove back the superior force. Wukovits will have you cheering for the Sammy B. as she makes her gallant dash into torpedo range under the far superior firepower of the Japanese fleet; and continuing to cheer as Lt. Commander Copeland weaves the Sammy B. through the intense bombardment of the Japanese cruisers and battleships in her desperate attempt to survive. Wukovits brings to life the men of the Roberts and helps the reader to understand the gallantry of these great men who sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1944 Generaal Douglas MacArthur was in charge to the invasion of the Philippines to oust the Japanese. Ground and naval command were splintered. In the Second Battle of the Philippine Seas Admiral Halsey chased after a diversionary fleet of Japanese ships as a small group of six escort carriers and small surface ships [Taffy 3] was left to defend the American landing. The Japanese sprang their trap and the destroyers and destroyer escorts rose to the occasion to protect the carriers. The Destroyer escort Samuel B. Roberts and her crew made their heroic sacrifice in this action. For Crew and Country is a telling story of the lives, deaths, and bravery of the men of the Roberts and belongs in any World War II library. An inspiring story.

[Mike Godlewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good account of the USS Samuel B Roberts and her last battle. Very compelling read about the exploits of a small ship attack against a superior force.

[Erik Fortmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ship has been recently back in the news when it’s sunken wreck was found and photographed. This book was written before this rediscovery and offers a fascinating complement to the current survey done of the battered wreck of the smallest ‘tin can’ in Taffy 3, the USS Samuel B Roberts. This ship indeed fought HARD.

If you are looking for a literary masterpiece, you will not find it in this book. It is very well written, however. This book offers a focused account of “the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship” and how the fighting crew developed from ship construction up until the Battle of Samar. To any parent, this is a great book to read together with your child to show an example of how effective leadership works and how to function together as a unit. For Crew and Country is exhaustively researched and well knit together into a very informative and fascinating read of one of the US Navy’s finest moments juxtaposed next to the dangers of ego and obsession with revenge in senior command.

There are no punches pulled in its reading. This amazing ship and crew got mauled in the final battle as typically happens when a destroyer escort tries to fight heavy cruisers and battleships toe to toe. The incredible part is that the Sammy B stayed in this bar brawl with goliaths for over two hours before succumbing. But most of the crew survived in the end and stuck together like the naval version of Band of Brothers that they were.

Do you want to understand why Taffy 3 is still celebrated today in history? Then read this book. See what happens when the ordinary do something absolutely extraordinary.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, covering the full story of the crew of USS SAMUEL B ROBERTS (DE 413). To include their various lives prior to joining the ship, their training and outfitting stateside, their voyage to the Pacific, their first months in the war, the heroic actions on 25 October 1944 off of Samar, and the long aftermath of that day’s events. Unlike many books about the Battle off Samar, this one concentrates on one crew, one ship. Other vessels of that time and the major leaders are mentioned in the book, as they are essential to the telling of the story, but you get a real feeling for the “within the lifelines” mentality that exists on a ship at sea. The book let’s you understand life onboard a WWII Destroyer Escort, and even gives a strong glimpse into the environment on a deployed USN ship today. The importance of the Captain’s constant training requirement and the cohesion developed amongst the crew by the officers and Chiefs all come to a head during the hectic hour or so on that October morning. A great book if you want to know more about life onboard a ship in the Pacific and the amazing feat of the “little boys” of Taffy 3.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry. I had previously read Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, which also covers The Battle of Leyte Gulf. This book focuses entirely on the USS Samuel B Roberts instead of the entire battle so has a narrow and more powerful focus. The book is similar in format to Band of Brothers, in that it covers the sailors of Samuel B Roberts through training and early missions, culminating in their part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

The author is clearly biased against Admiral Halsey and lays the blame for the Japanese attack and lost ships with him.

The book presents both acts of heroism and acts of cowardice and self-preservation but does it in a thoughtful and fair manner, pointing out that at times each sailor was doing the best they could under the circumstances.

[Joe A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had learned about the USS Samuel B. Roberts and its brave crew from reading The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by James D. Hornfischer in back in 2003. I was impressed then by the deeds of this ship, and had been looking for more. In this book the author delivers. I feel as though I now know the crew and what they did and how much many sacrificed. To get the true sense I recommend reading both books. The first is about the battle and all the players. This is about the crew.

The author does an excellent job of bringing the crew to life. I will admit that I was touched and saddened when reading the affects that fateful day had on the families of all the crew, both of the survivors and the lost.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF THE MEN THAT FOUGHT AND DIED IN WWII ON THE BOAT OF THE USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS. THE AUTHOR GIVES YOU LOTS OF DETAILS OF WHO MANY OF THE NAVY PERSONNEL WERE, WHAT THEIR FAMILIES WERE LIKE, THE LETTERS WRITTEN TO THEIR FAMILIES DURING THEIR BRIEF SERVICE IN THE WAR AND THE STORIES OF THOSE THAT SURVIVED AFTER THE WAR. YOU FIND OUT SO MUCH ABOUT THEIR COMMANDER ROBERT W. COPELAND AND WHY HE WAS RESPECTED BY ALL ON BOARD THEIR DIMINUTIVE SHIP. IN THE BOOK YOU LEARN ALMOST A MINUTE BY MINUTE DESCRIPTION OF THEIR FAMOUS BATTLE AND THEN THEIR DREADFUL COUPLE OF DAYS AND NIGHTS LOST AT SEA AFTER THE BOAT SINKS. A CHILLING TAIL YET FILLED WITH STORIES OF BRAVERY AS MEN GAVE UP THEIR LIVES FOR OTHERS AND THEIR COUNTRY.

[Laura Duffield Biegger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very illuminating look at lives and service of men on a destroyer escort in the Philippines during World War II. Describes their lives before joining the military. Details the building of the ship, the USS Samuel B. Roberts. Graphic detail of the battle and the horrific conditions the men endured while waiting for much delayed rescue after their ship was destroyed. Enters the lives of survivors and their families and the lives of those whose boys didn't return.

[Gail Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so pleasantly surprised when I picked up this book. I was at my local library & decided I needed just one more book to read. I saw it it's title on the spine, read just part of the dust cover & that was that. The story is so heroic! I love all the photos & maps, because it brought the story & the crew to life. God bless all those who served on the USS Samuel D. Roberts & thank you for your service!

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read highlighting the brave men that left so much behind and died in such horror to defend a Country that is so great. This is a tactical level read about a single ship that punched outside its' weight class out of duty to serve. The horrors of war are vivid in this book. Men burring to death and eaten by sharks. These were America's best. Book makes you feel like you're there with them. Powerful.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of the crew of one of the ships from Taffy 3 in the battle of Leyte Gulf abandoned by Admiral Halsey as he chased the trail of a phantom fleet. It is a sad story even though the heroism of the crew is well documented. Something about leaving good men to die will never make sense to me. A lot of Veterans have survivor's guilt from having lost teammates in service, Halsey did not seem to have lost any sleep.

[David Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful storytelling about heroism not commonly encountered. I loved the backstory of the men of the Samuel B. Roberts crew and the gripping narrative of their actions during the battle for Leyte Gulf. I was emotionally invested in these men and this story. Whether you're a WWII buff or just appreciate great accomplishments at personal risk, this book will fulfill!

[Anastacia Wilkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an incredible story of service and sacrifice. The actions of these men is truly something that should never be forgotten. In a time when the America that so many know and love seems lost this was a good reminder. I love history and the writer does an excellent job introducing us to this group of outstanding servicemen.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book I read with a similar story was too long and spread itself thin with too many characters. This book focuses on one battle and the sailors who were on one ship. The story itself is almost unbelievable, as a small force of destroyers and escort carriers fight off a major Japanese fleet. The author does a terrific job describing the battle and aftermath in intimate detail.

[Mary Sasala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was lent this book and had no idea what it was about. I learned all about the Battle of Samar, which I didn’t even know was a battle in WWII. It is certainly a gut punch and tear jerker at the end. Though it isn’t superbly written it is a compelling story and easy enough to follow.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written book detailing the six-month life of the DE Samuel B. Roberts and the men who crewed her. Men can perform extraordinary feats when given the chance. The 1940s certainly provided the US with the greatest generation.

[Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing story of some amazing men. God bless them and we are forever in their debt

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not often read a book in 1 day, but I did read this incredible book in one day. Can you say "I couldn't put it down!"

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The incredible courage and sacrifice of the officers and men aboard the Samuel B. Roberts brings tears to my eyes. What an incredible lot of men.