Last Stand of Taffy-3

The Battle off Samar, a desperate fight that took place on October 25, 1944, during the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, remains one of the most astonishing and heroic episodes in naval history. Against overwhelming odds, a small and outgunned task group known as TAFFY-3 faced off against the might of the Japanese Center Force. The bravery of the American sailors that day turned a potential disaster into an unexpected triumph, securing a crucial victory for the United States and contributing to the eventual defeat of Japan in World War II.

Strategic Situation Leading to the Battle

By the autumn of 1944, the Pacific War had reached a critical turning point. General Douglas MacArthur’s long-promised return to the Philippines was in full swing, with U.S. forces landing on Leyte Island to begin liberating the archipelago from Japanese control. The stakes were enormous. The Philippines were strategically essential, providing Japan with vital resources and acting as a buffer zone between the Japanese homeland and the advancing American forces.

Faced with the imminent loss of the Philippines, Japan launched a desperate counterattack known as Operation Sho-Go. The plan divided the Japanese fleet into four separate groups that would converge on the American forces in Leyte Gulf, hoping to destroy the U.S. invasion fleet and isolate MacArthur’s ground troops. The centerpiece of this operation was Admiral Takeo Kurita’s Center Force, a massive fleet that included the super-battleship Yamato, the largest battleship ever built, as well as numerous cruisers and destroyers. The plan was audacious: Kurita’s force would punch through the U.S. naval defenses and wreak havoc on the American supply lines.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet, under Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, believed it had the Japanese forces contained and that the waters off Samar were relatively secure. Tasked with providing air cover for the invasion forces, the lightly armed escort carriers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts of TAFFY-3 under Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague were unprepared for what was about to happen.

Forces Involved and Their Plans

Admiral Kurita’s Center Force consisted of four battleships, including the Yamato, six heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and 11 destroyers. These were heavily armed ships, bristling with long-range guns and torpedoes. Their mission was straightforward: break through the American defenses at Leyte Gulf and annihilate the vulnerable invasion forces. After surviving multiple air attacks the day before, Kurita’s force steamed undetected toward Samar, where they would meet the vastly outmatched TAFFY-3.

On the other side was Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague’s small task group, TAFFY-3, which included six escort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts. The escort carriers were lightly armed and primarily used for anti-submarine patrols and air support. The destroyers and destroyer escorts, while more maneuverable, lacked the heavy firepower needed to confront a battle fleet like Kurita’s. TAFFY-3 was not expecting battle, much less an encounter with the heart of the Japanese Navy.

The Battle Begins

At dawn on October 25, a U.S. scout plane sighted Kurita’s fleet, and TAFFY-3 found itself staring down one of the most powerful surface fleets in the world. The sight of Japanese battleships and cruisers looming on the horizon was shocking. The Japanese guns had nearly triple the range of the American forces, and the disparity in firepower was immense. Sprague knew he was outmatched and outgunned, but retreat was not an option. With no support nearby, he had to fight.

Sprague ordered his ships to engage in a series of evasive maneuvers, launching everything they had at the oncoming Japanese force. Destroyers like USS Johnston, commanded by the indomitable Commander Ernest Evans, charged headlong into battle against Kurita’s behemoths. Evans famously ordered his crew, “A large Japanese fleet has been contacted. They are closing in fast. This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”

The American destroyers launched torpedo attacks, darting through waves of incoming fire while creating smoke screens to obscure the Japanese gunners’ aim. Planes from the escort carriers joined the fight, attacking with bombs, rockets, and even strafing runs after exhausting their heavier ordnance. Some pilots went so far as to make feint attacks with no weapons, attempting to distract the Japanese ships.

Losses and Japanese Decision to Withdraw

Despite the ferocity of the American defense, the losses were heavy. The destroyers USS Johnston, USS Hoel, and USS Samuel B. Roberts were all sunk after gallant stands. The escort carrier USS Gambier Bay was also lost, overwhelmed by Japanese gunfire. Yet, the intensity of the American counterattack stunned Kurita and his commanders. Confused by the American resistance and concerned that he might be facing a much larger fleet than expected, Kurita hesitated.

In what would later be seen as a pivotal moment, Kurita ordered a retreat, turning away from the remnants of TAFFY-3. Historians have debated Kurita’s decision for decades. On one hand, he had inflicted serious damage on the Americans; on the other, his withdrawal allowed the U.S. forces to maintain control of the battlefield and ensured the safety of the invasion forces at Leyte. It was a critical victory for the U.S., one that turned the tide of the entire battle in their favor.

The Larger Picture: Leyte Gulf and Its Importance

The Battle off Samar was just one part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, but its significance cannot be overstated. Leyte Gulf was the largest naval engagement in history, involving hundreds of ships and planes, and it marked the decisive end of Japan’s ability to conduct large-scale naval operations. With the failure of Operation Sho-Go, the Imperial Japanese Navy was effectively crippled, and Japan’s supply lines to the oil-rich East Indies were severed.

TAFFY-3’s stand at Samar became legendary, not only because of the immense disparity in firepower but because their courage and determination helped secure the entire American victory at Leyte Gulf. Without their actions, the Japanese may have been able to disrupt the invasion and prolong the war in the Pacific.

Aftermath and Legacy

The bravery of the sailors at Samar has become a cornerstone of American naval history. Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague and Commander Ernest Evans were among those posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism. The battle demonstrated the value of adaptability, courage, and sheer willpower, even in the face of insurmountable odds.

The legacy of TAFFY-3 lives on in numerous memorials, including the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., which honors those who served in the Pacific theater. Individual memorials, such as those dedicated to the USS Johnston and the USS Samuel B. Roberts, stand as reminders of the sacrifices made by those who fought in one of the most extraordinary battles of World War II.

Conclusion

The Battle off Samar stands as a testament to American resilience and the spirit of fighting against overwhelming odds. Against one of the most powerful fleets ever assembled, the sailors of TAFFY-3 proved that courage, determination, and ingenuity could overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Their actions not only secured victory in the Battle of Leyte Gulf but also hastened the end of World War II in the Pacific, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire today.