"THE DESTROYER ESCORT THAT FOUGHT LIKE A BATTLESHIP"

USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, DE 413

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On THIS FOURTH OF JULY, we Americans 

remember with a deep sense of patriotism, reverence,

and pride one of the most courageous United States

ships, captains, and crews in the history of the 

U.S. Navy!

The Samuel B. Roberts, DE 413, a relatively little ship

at 306 feet by 38.8 feet and called affectionately a "TIN

CAN," battled for its life, October 1944, in the

WWII---"BATTLE off SAMAR."

On that day, the small ship earned its place in one of

the most historic and heroic sea battles in American 

naval history.

Admiral Halsey's Fifth Fleet was charged with covering 

and protecting  the supply ships and troops ashore at

Leyte Gulf. But Halsey felt Americans had a score to 

settle with the Japanese carriers from Pearl Harbor days.

Hearing reports of enemy carriers approaching from the 

north, Halsey took the main Fifth Fleet, and headed north,

to intercept; but the Japanese ships were decoys sent for

the express purpose of drawing him away from Leyte.

Thus the Leyte beachhead and support ships were left

covered only by TAFFY THREE, a small force of ships 

made up of six small escort carriers, three destroyers, 

and four DE's, the Samuel B. Roberts being one of them.

Sneaking into the action from the west, though the San 

Bernadino Strait was a powerful Japanese Task Force

made up of four battleships (including YAMATO, biggest

in the world, with 18.1 inch guns that could throw a 3000

pound shell 22 miles), eight heavy cruisers, and an estimated

dozen or more destroyers.

The Americans didn't run...except toward the overwhelming

enemy force! 

Commander Robert Copeland on Samuel B. Roberts, turned

DE 413 directly toward the fast approaching enemy ships 15 miles 

away, signaling his crew: "This fight will be against overwhelming 

odds and survival cannot be expected."

The Roberts charged right into the middle of the enemy,  along with

other DE's and destroyers, making smoke and with all guns firing.

Its five inch shells "bounced" off the battleships. Roberts' three

torpedoes blew the stern off the enemy heavy cruiser CHOKAI (which

later sank,) and proceeded to mix it up in a vast melee of gunfire,

expending 600 five- inch shells at all targets.

Finally blasted open by two 18.1 heavy battleship rounds, and 

numerous other shells, the Samuel B. Roberts began to sink.

(Ironically, this was the only time in YAMATO'S existence in

in which its 18.1 inch guns were fired in battle.)

American dying sailors were seen, as later reported by survivors--to

be dragging five inch rounds to those guns that were still firing.   

(These men were later decorated, posthumously.)

The Roberts sank with eighty-nine crewmen still aboard and one 

hundred twenty survivors. These men floated in the sea off

Samar for fifty hours before being rescued.

The Japanese Admiral was totally confused by the heavy resistance

(for the planes from the escort carriers, though few, had got into the

battle),  and he being fearful that he might be approaching the main

force, turned his ships around and exited the area.

The courage of a small force of American sailors and their officers

had saved the day, in an epic sea battle---likely the only one of its

kind in the annals of naval history.

This Fourth of July we will pause for a moment to remember these

men and all the others who have helped preserve our Liberty!

*******30******

BY MIL

7/3/14