Uncommon Courage
Early in the morning 76 years ago today, a massive force of 23 Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers came upon a small lightly armed Task Unit (Taffy Three) of 11 escort carriers and destroyers.
The Japanese ships had larger guns, thicker armor and were faster.
It was David and Goliath. This battle should have been the US Navy’s version of Custer at Little Bighorn, a complete annihilation.
Undeterred and without any order, CDR Ernest Evans of the USS Johnston, turned his ship directly to the Japanese force at flank speed.
He fired his guns ferociously, scoring several hits on the Japanese ships.
He closed to under 5 miles and fired his torpedoes, blowing the bow off the lead Japanese cruiser.
The other destroyers of Taffy Three followed CDR Evans, engaging fearlessly and ferociously, as did the airmen from the escort carriers.
While Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers pummeled his ship, CDR Evans would not run.
Severely wounded and the Johnston shattered, he continued the fight, ultimately going down with his ship.
The tiny “Tin Can” destroyers fought so hard that finally the tired and confused Japanese Admiral withdrew his forces.
Ernest Evans’ uncommon leadership and courage, turned the tide of the battle, saving many of Taffy Three’s ships as well as General MacArthur’s troops and supply ships in Leyte Gulf, from annihilation.
Ernest Evans was an unlikely hero. He was a native American with mostly Cherokee and Creek bloodlines. His paternal grandfather married and divorced his grandmother to steal her land. He was denied entry to the Marine Corps. He later enlisted in the Navy in 1926 as an ordinary Seaman.
During his first year of enlistment, his commanding officer recognized his talent and encouraged him to take the “Fleet Exams”. His scores earned him admittance to the US Naval Academy. From there a talented Naval Officer thrived.
His first Commanding Officer’s keen eye for talent and a program that enabled extraordinary sailors to leapfrog into a path of leadership put an extraordinary man in a position to turn the tide of battle.