The Battle off Samar.

“This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.” - Lt. Commander Robert Copeland, CO USS Samuel B. Roberts.

0600: A beautiful morning in the Western Pacific, all Japanese forces thought to be retreating.

0637: Anti-submarine patrol reports sighting unknown fleet.

0640: Reports back that it is the Japanese Center Force.

0645: Japanese force opens fire on Taffy 3.

0700: Yamato opens fire at a range of 20 nautical miles.

0700ish:

Admiral Kurita orders "General Attack".

Taffy 3 launches everything they have, and begins to withdraw to the east.

0700: USS Johnston commences laying smoke and zigzagging.

0710: Johnston opens fire at 18,000 yards. Commander Evans orders "Flank speed, full left rudder!" Charging into the teeth of Center Force. USS Hoel and USS Heerman commence their torpedo runs.

0715 - 0730: Johnston puts at least 45 hits into the superstructure of the Kumano, setting her on fire. She launches torpedoes, one of which takes the bow off the Kumano.

0730: Johnson struck by 3 14" shells fired from the Kongo, cutting power to the aft turrets and killing an engine. Johnston's speed reduced by half.

0730.15: 3 6" shells strike Johnston's bridge and superstructure, killing and wounding most there. Johnston ducks into a rain squall.

0735: Johnston restores power to aft turrets, begins to shoot at enemy ships while still in the squall. Johnston then joins up with Heerman and Hoel to commence another torpedo attack.

0737 - 0820: All American DDs and DEs engage in main battery duels with various Japanese vessels

0740: USS Samuel B. Roberts commenced her torpedo attack.

0750: Hoel fires half a spread, forcing a cruiser out of line. Heerman engages Haguro with her 5" batteries. She then fires a spread of torpedoes. Two of her torpedoes bracket Yamato, forcing her to turn away.

0751: Hoel struck by many various caliber shells, knocking out an engine and her radar director.

0758: Hoel launches her remaining torpedoes, striking at least one ship.

0800: Roberts launches her torpedoes. They get hits on the Chokai. She then starts a battery duel lasting almost an hour with her two 5" guns.

0810: Chikuma closes to 5 nautical miles from USS Gambier Bay. Opens fire with her main guns.

0820: Johnston duels with Kongo, striking many hits.

0826: Heerman cuts through the carriers at flank speed, crossing to attack cruisers on the other side of the formation.

0830: Hoel takes an 8" shell that kills her remaining engine. She is dead in the water.

0840: Johnston crosses the "T" of approaching Japanese destroyer group, spoiling their torpedo run. Hoel's crew abandons ship.

0845: Heerman hit by numerous shells forward. She is so down by the head, her anchors are awash.

0845ish: Chokai's torpedoes struck by the sole 5" gun on the USS Kalinin Bay, setting them afire. They detonate amidships, crippling the Chokai.

0855: Hoel sinks.

0851: Roberts takes a salvo of 6 8" shells, effectively destroying the forward half of the ship. Her aft turret sets the Chikuma's bridge afire. She is then struck by 3 14" shells fired from the Kongo.

0900

0900: Hoel and Samuel B. Roberts gone or sinking, Heerman damaged and out of the fight. Johnston is left to fight alone.

0902: Chikuma disengages Taffy 3, but sinks while withdrawing.

0907: Gambier Bay sinks.

0920: Johnston's rudder manually controlled. Only a couple of turrets left.

0920: Kurita orders his forces to withdraw.

0935: Samuel B. Roberts Sinks.

0940: Johnston's engines fail. She is now dead in the water.

0945: Johnston's crew abandons ship. Commander Evans goes into the water and is never seen again.

1000

1010: USS Johnston finally sinks.

1100

1200+

1322: Suzuya sinks

Time unknown: Chikuma sinks.

late morning, 25 Oct 1944: Chokai scuttled due to damage.

27 October 1944: Survivors of the Gambier Bay, Johnston, Samuel B. Roberts, and Hoel are rescued after being in the water and adrift for two days.

Taffy 3 receives a Presidential unit citation. Cmdr Evans is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Posthumously.

0600

0700

Battle off Samar

0800