Posted on Apr 28, 2015
The USS Samuel B. Roberts. "The destroyer escort that fought like a battleship."
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WW2: Destroyer Escort USS Samuel B. Roberts DE-413
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Samuel_B._Roberts_(DE-413)
If David and Goliath met on the sea..........
The destroyer escort Samuel B. Roberts participated in the Battle off Samar, an unlikely victory in which relatively light U.S. warships prevented a superior Japanese force from attacking the amphibious invasion fleet off the large Philippine island of Leyte. This destroyer escort, along with the handful of destroyers, destroyer escorts, and escort carriers of the unit called "Taffy 3", was inadvertently left alone to fend off a fleet of heavily armed Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers in this crucial action off the Island of Samar, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf of October 1944. Steaming aggressively through a gauntlet of incoming shells, Samuel B. Roberts scored one torpedo hit and numerous gunfire hits as she slugged it out with larger enemy warships before finally being sunk. After the battle, Samuel B. Roberts received the nickname "the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship."
(Emphasis on video minutes 12-20)
This amazing story represents more than the warrior ethos, it is also a testament to the strength that is found within all of us, if we look deep enough. When any situation is beating us down, never give up. Dig deep and endeavor to persevere.
Do you have any examples of beating the odds and persevering?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSB0cQojnd4&list=PLQgGe4SWNGUlsE2ALeIpii0QDdivE2NxB&index=6
The destroyer escort Samuel B. Roberts participated in the Battle off Samar, an unlikely victory in which relatively light U.S. warships prevented a superior Japanese force from attacking the amphibious invasion fleet off the large Philippine island of Leyte. This destroyer escort, along with the handful of destroyers, destroyer escorts, and escort carriers of the unit called "Taffy 3", was inadvertently left alone to fend off a fleet of heavily armed Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers in this crucial action off the Island of Samar, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf of October 1944. Steaming aggressively through a gauntlet of incoming shells, Samuel B. Roberts scored one torpedo hit and numerous gunfire hits as she slugged it out with larger enemy warships before finally being sunk. After the battle, Samuel B. Roberts received the nickname "the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship."
(Emphasis on video minutes 12-20)
This amazing story represents more than the warrior ethos, it is also a testament to the strength that is found within all of us, if we look deep enough. When any situation is beating us down, never give up. Dig deep and endeavor to persevere.
Do you have any examples of beating the odds and persevering?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSB0cQojnd4&list=PLQgGe4SWNGUlsE2ALeIpii0QDdivE2NxB&index=6
Posted in these groups: 
WWII World War Two
WWII World War Two
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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This is one story I'd love to see made into a movie. The Sammy B was never built to fight in a battle line....but she did anyways. She fought with everything she had, expending nearly ALL of her ammo before she was sent to the bottom. The Tin Can Sailors of Taffy 3 are a credit to the naval services.
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PO2 Steven Erickson
I think you're thinking "In Harm's Way"... About the battle of Leyte Gulf... (I'm too lazy right now to Google it...) SFC Mark Merino
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SFC Mark Merino
I'll end up watching both PO2 Steven Erickson. I'd never put too much stock into my "facts." I have spent 15 minutes looking for my car keys when they were in the same hand as my coffee.
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The whole battle itself is truly remarkable. My personal attachment to it is my grandfather, who was crew chief on the USS Gambier Bay. The only carrier sunk by Japanese Naval gun fire. He floated in the pacific on some debris for approximately 50+ hours before being plucked out of the ocean and woke up in a hospital 12 days later in Australia. He passed away 2 years ago. I am glad to of heard all the stories in person. I also have his own person written account of the battle. He was my inspiration. The greatest generation.
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SFC Mark Merino
It is stuff like this that is why I joined the military. Just being part of the military "family" is reason enough to be proud of what we have all accomplished since the foundation of this great nation. It is my hope that these fine men are resting in peace surrounded by their loved ones. This holds true for all service members and veterans today and into the future.
It is stuff like this that is why I joined the military. Just being part of the military "family" is reason enough to be proud of what we have all accomplished since the foundation of this great nation. It is my hope that these fine men are resting in peace surrounded by their loved ones. This holds true for all service members and veterans today and into the future.
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