Animation game staying strong :)

USS Heermann, a destroyer, not taking any major damage after fighting FIVE BATTLESHIPS and burning the super structure of their lead, is a real life example of plot armor.

The timing of publishing this episode can't be more perfect. Less than 24 hours ago, SECNAV announced that one of future Arleigh Burke-class, the DDG-141, will be named USS Ernest E. Evans after USS Johnston's captain. She'll be the 2nd ship bearing the name after the first, Dealey-class destroyer escort (DE-1023).

As a wise man once said, had the Johnston not sunk, it would've rammed the Yamato and her crew would commence boarding actions

fun fact: Samuel.B Roberts and Johnston are the deepest shipwrecks ever found, this is because of how heavy their crew's balls of steel were

USS Johnston: The destroyer that fought to the end.
USS Samuel B. Roberts: The destroyer escort that fought like a battleship
Taffy 3: The escort carrier group that fought like an armada

"hold on boys, they're almost in 40mm range" I am actually crying rn. How tf can you still be that funny at a time like that

The fact that there has never been a proper Battle off Samar movie is rather disappointing. This last stand is up there with Rorke's Drift as one of History's greatest. The events within are cinematic in scope, ships dancing through shell fire, rain storming everywhere, pilots making desperate impossible runs, the imperturbable Ernest Evans with his one liners...this is the kind of thing that would be perfect for a Hollywood war movie
Maybe someday

It's worth noting that vets of the Hoel and Heerman (at least according to Hornfischer's book iirc) feel a little underappreciated compared to how everyone lionizes the USS Johnston & Samuel B. Roberts & their crews.
Given how the USS Heerman went after 5 battleships and came out somehow unscathed while setting one of them on fire while the Hoel was instrumental in helping keep the IJN Yamato in "DODGING TORPEDOS: PLEASE HOLD" mode instead of allowing it to get into 'turn US ships into burning hulks' range, I can understand the gripes they had (especially the Hoel's survivors, given their ship sunk defending Taffy 3).

17:45 is very important. "Oh, and also American planes show up and knock out two Heavy Cruisers" cannot be understated.

Gambia Bay: "We are under attack, please help!"
Taffy 2: "k"
fucks off

Tragically, many of the men who successfully abandoned their ships died of wounds and exposure in the water over the next several days, as search and rescue was neglected.

Far from forgotten, the ships and sailors of Taffy 3 have been memorialized by the Navy, with two ships named after Ernest Evans, two more named after Samuel B. Roberts, (himself a heroic sailor killed in action at Guadalcanal) one for Gunner’s Mate Carr, one for Cdr Copeland, a replacement Johnston, and a replacement Hoel.

The great sacrifice of the USS Johnston and HMS Glowworm are great stories and should be passed on through the generations. Great acts of bravery and courage. 🙏❤️

In defense of Kurita, his armada had been at general quarters for 3 days, the admiral had his flagship torpedoed and sunk on the first day and had been forced to swim for his life.  They had lost Musashi the day before and I believe they were out of anti-aircraft ammunition or close to it.  Those men were at the end of their ability to fight.  Kurita himself was probably in a borrowed uniform this day.

Evans and the destroyer captains knew that running was their only chance. So they ran towards the enemy

My great uncle went down with Gambier Bay. A year later his widow married his brother, and a year after that my father was born. This battle is so bittersweet for me because without the terrible tragedy of the death of a brother and husband I wouldn't be here. Thank you for this.

If you imagine the Battle off Samar as a bar room brawl, USS Johnston is basically that one guy who goes around and punches everyone else in the face, at least once, and then goes on to the next guy.

My cousin was a TBM radio operator on the Gambier Bay. He drew the short straw and was left on board while the Gambier Bay launched aircraft she could. He survived the sinking, but spent three days in the water while waiting rescue. Great video Ops Room. The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors is a great book on the exploits of Taffy 3.

"Sir, you broke the rules!"
"Okay, what rule did I break?"
"Sorry, we're not allowed to tell you that."

Ultimately, another factor for IJN losing the battle was human factor. At Surigao Strait Shima retreated instead of helping Nishimura fleet partly due to his personal issues with Nishimura, and at Samar Kurita was very tired and worn out after a few very long days including he having to swim for his life after Atago sank and endured big battles with Musashi and many others sank, and he was not very keen to fight on after encountering a seem to be large fleet Taffy 3.