Taffy 3: The Dragons of Samar

It is one of the most famous last stands of the Second World War, in the waters off Samar, 13 escort carriers, destroyers and destroyer escorts would defy an Empire On October 25 1944, the US Third Fleet, having fallen for a decoy operation has left the American Invasion beaches of Leyte Gulf all but defensless, with the exception of a small group of escort carriers, destroyers, and destroyer escorts known as Taffy-3. For the better part of the day, Taffy-3 enured the full power of the Japanese counter-attack, and despite overwhelming odds eventually beat off the Japanese fleet, but at a price. By the time the guns of the Battle off Samar fell silent five of Taffy 3's 13 ships: USS Gambier Bay, USS St. Lo, USS Johnston, USS Hoel, and USS Samuel B Roberts had been sent to the bottom, along with 898 sailors, airmen and marines, many of wholm would fall victim to shark attacks over the next two days Song: Paint the Sky With Stars Artist: Enya Subject: Taffy-3