The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour

by James D. Hornfischer

THE STRICKEN GAMBIER BAY had fallen into the enveloping advance of the Japanese formation. There was nothing anyone in Taffy 3 could do about it. A heavy cruiser was blasting away at the CVE at an alarmingly close range. Observing the carrier’s plight, Captain Evans of the Johnston issued what Bob Hagen considered “the most courageous order I’ve ever heard.” The skipper said, “Commence firing on that cruiser, Hagen. Draw her fire on us and away from the Gambier Bay.” Hagen could see that all four turrets of the cruiser, with its distinctive flared prow, were swung out toward the carrier. While the Japanese ship bracketed the carrier with its eight-inch salvos, Evans closed to six thousand yards, and Hagen loosed a fusillade that scored repeatedly. The cruiser’s four turrets, however, stayed trained on the carrier. Hagen considered the Japanese captain’s decision to ignore the Johnston foolish; he figured the Japanese ship had more than enough firepower to do in both targets.