EXCLUSIVE: Inside Gun Mount 52 of USS Johnston DD-557
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- What happened inside turret 2 on the USS Johnston? HISTORY X helps a subscriber understand what happened to their uncle who served aboard one of the famed WW2 Fletcher class destroyers during the Battle off Samar.
It's a heroic story that everyone should know! Therefore, for a fascinating edge-of-your-seat account of this naval battle, you’ve must check-out 'The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors', by James Hornfischer…
amzn.to/3DHeV90
0:00 Intro
0:28 The Story of Taffy 3
1:52 The Buffalo Naval Park Offers to Help
3:00 Shane Stephenson, Director of Museum Collections
3:30 Fletcher Class Destroyer USS 'The Sullivans'
4:00 The 5 Inch 38 Mk 12 Modification 1 Gun
6:00 Loading a Destroyer 5 Inch Gun
7:16 Firing the Fletcher Class Destroyer Gun
8:19 Why were these guns enclosed?
9:05 What was it like for your uncle?
10:30 Inside Gun Mount 2
We asked Shane Stephenson of the Buffalo Naval Park to help us understand what it was like for sailors inside the MK12 turret during the World War Two Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Shane is Director of Museum Collections at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park and they have the USS The Sullivans on display along with other warships.
Please consider subscribing to the Buffalo Naval Park's UA-cam channel....
/ @buffalonavalpark
buffalonavalpark.org
After recent videos covering the discovery of the WWII USS Johnston DD-557 wreck, a History X subscriber asked what it would've been like for their uncle, who was stationed inside gun turret 52.
When the shipwreck was found by the RV Petrel, we learned that turret 2 was not completely destroyed. However many of those sailors perished along side Commander Ernest Evans.
The USS Johnston was part of the task force known as Taffy 3, which included the USS Hoel and Samuel B Roberts. They also appear in the historical video game World of Warships WOWS.
Thank you for supporting HISTORY X!
My Father served aboard the USS Gambier Bay, she was taking nearly point blank fire from the Japanese. Commander Evans placed the Johnston between the Gambier Bay and the Japanese to draw fire and allow the Gambier Bay to try to escape. The Bravery of all the Tin Can sailors during that battle cannot be understated.
They also laid down a smoke screen by pouring fuel directly into her smokestacks.
That’s amazing. I’ve heard survivors say they had to dodge 8-inch holes on the flight deck to fly off the ship.
Johnston and the other destroyers temporarily managed to save Gambier Bay, as their covering caused to heavy cruiser Chikuma at 9,000 yards to switch fire to the destroyer Heerman and the battlecruiser Kongo at a much longer range to switch fire to the destroyer Hoel. However, Yamato continued to fire on Gambier Bay with her primary cannons, and continued battering left her dead in the water and sinking to flooding damage.
Dear sir: My only excuse for not knowing about this video until a couple of days ago is that life has become extremely hectic this year even more so than last (who would have thought it?)
This video brought literal tears to my family's eyes. For decades mom kept 'Jack's' photo, cap, purple heart enshrined in the hallway, but would never talk about his time in the service as she couldn't bear to remember his passing. Brother became a naval history enthusiast based on what we did know of Jack. Thanks to History X's videos on the USS Johnston, we now have more history of a relative I both never met yet admired greatly.
Also, we have a sense of closure.
I can not thank you all enough and for your advice on where to send our memorabilia. Many virtual hugs!
Heroes all. Legendary in the US Navy to this day. And forever more.
Some updated discussion & video during a recent (August 10, 2022) crossover presentation:
ua-cam.com/video/mNkrcLdofQ4/v-deo.html
You're Uncle, and Mother's Brother, Jack, died a TRUE HERO. Those Men on the USS Johnston faced the largest Battleship ever created and many other superior vessels. They faced overwhelming odds and almost certain defeat. Due to their courage, bravery, and skill, they saved thousands and thousands of men's lives during the landings at Layte Gulf. Without their sacrifice, the center force would've caused great damage, great loss of life, and thrown the liberation of the Philippines into peril. They proudly stood in the gap, fought like LIONS, and claimed Victory against all odds. I humbly thank your Family, with all my heart, for your sacrifice and pain. We must never forget your Uncle and those who laid their lives down on the Altar of Freedom. God bless you and your Family. -From one Military Family to another
Fair winds and following seas for your uncle Jack. May his sacrifice be remembered as he is on eternal patrol. All the best for you and yours.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)
Sorry for the loss of his Uncle. My father was on the USS Samuel B Robert’s DE-413 and survived the battle and 3 days in the water. Those were the bravest men this world has ever seen.
Thank you. When I first saw the other video showing the remains of the gun turret, I just knew it was Jack's gun. It was a haunting feeling.
They recently found the sammy b, it was found in 2 pieces, and it has taken the place of the deepest shipwreck found, over 6k meters deep
Every sailor on the Roberts has earned a ship named after them.
This statement is very presumptuous.
Had a great uncle on the Robert's too!. He was in the engine room so that 14 inch that destoryed the stern most likely killed him
“For five furious minutes the Johnston unleashed over 200 shells setting the bridge of Kumano on fire.” The kids in that gun shot it out with the largest ships in the world at the time. I have so much respect for them.
The skipper and crew of the USS Johnston were true warriors. Men who didn’t shirk their duty. They sacrificed themselves while protecting their shipmates on the lightly armed escort carriers just a few miles away. Fair winds and following seas shipmates. 🫡🇺🇸⚓️USN.
_ thank you and R I P to all those brave warriors who sacrificed everything so that "we, the people" can live in the USA God bless them all and their families also of course - never forget their sacrifices 💟
@@vicordecastro2851 may God bless their souls.
Five turrets, 300 shells in five minutes...7.5 seconds per shell? Remarkable.
They shot it out and won
Took a while, but I finally read every comment and it was interesting reading (Mount, not turret.) A little more info on the time and my uncle that we did now:
Jack was raised during The Great Depression. He was one of many poor families living in in a small home where every penny was precious. A kind man, he'd spend time finding 'junk' cast off by richer families and fixing it up or turning it into little works of art to give to others. When war broke out, his father begged his boss to take Jack on as a fellow dairy man because dairy workers were exempt from the draft. Jack wanted to serve however and plagued his mother every day until she caved and signed the papers. Jack, you see, was 17 years of age and could not sign up by himself at that age. He had also just become engaged to his sweetheart to whom he drafted a lovely poem to while at sea.
I can imagine that the hard work of dairy life helped Jack a lot when it came time to lift those puppies into their beds for firing at the enemy.
God has him now. Rest in peace, Jack. I wish I could have met you.
This comment needs pinning to the top!!
17. Yeah I had a cousin that signed up at that age in WWII. He only lasted 6 months.
Taffy 3 faced impossible odds with courage and valor that is above even the high standards of the US Navy. The destroyer group actually succeeded in their mission of protecting the carriers in spite of taking heavy casualties from a far superior force. The legacy of those men makes me proud to have served in the US Navy, even decades later.
I agree. A lot of foreign powers like to say that ‘Americans can’t take battle losses’. During the American Civil War we fought some of the most sanguinary battles in history. During the Battle of Midway, the Torpedo Squadrons of Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown bored in on their targets in obsolete aircraft and sold their lives dearly in a manner that gave even the Japanese cause to wonder at their bravery. The crews of the USS Hoel, Heerman, and Johnston sacrificed themselves just as unselfishly. No one knows what Americans are capable of in the final extremity, but these examples are a good indicator.
@@jimstanga6390
Agreed. I'm not sure who said this originally, but the quote is still true today.
"There are three things all men should fear: the dark of a moonless night, the power of a storm at sea and the wrath of a gentleman."
~ author unknown
Just because Americans tend to be gentle doesn't mean we're not capable of unbelievable violence when provoked.
I don't understand why no one seems to point out that it was actually the Japanese who were sailing into impossible odds. Not just in the Surigao strait but also in the Sibuyan sea and even off Samar as well. The Japanese knew that extremely powerful American carrier and battleship forces could be nearby. The Japanese had already taken severe losses due to submarine and airstrikes before they even arrived. They were incredibly courageous and almost handed the US navy an unlikely defeat.
@@jimstanga6390 Well said.
@@ChernobylPizza
It's likely due to the successful diversion the Japanese leadership did to pull the mighty 7th away by using their empty carriers as decoys, allowing their powerful surface fleets to push in for one final offensive attempt.
As a former US Navy sailor who served on two frigates and a destroyer I know of no other battle that US Navy sailors served so gallantly. The last stand of the tim can sailors. Bravo Zulu Taffy 3
I would respectfully disagree. The tin can sailors involved in the naval battles around Guadacanal showed the same valor and gallantry.
"Former", "former sailer"???? Bullshit, my uncle was on the Dewey in ww2, he was STILL a tin can sailer untill he died at 91.
BRAVO!!!
one man turned his bote to fight, the others were along for the ride, when asked if they were willing to risk their lives they gladly say yes, but when the bill comes, they dont want to pay, how is that brave? no, what it really is is the STVPIDITY of youth and the morons who echo the idea
My father was a radioman on the USS Fletcher herself. He didn’t talk much about it but he fought in the ballet of the Coral Sea and alluded to some of the things he saw. Tin can sailors were real heroes. We owe them much. Thanks for producing this video.
Thank you so much for watching, Randy! I hope you will consider subscribing.
What a lie
Hi there Randy, I know the story of USS Fletcher and taffy3 well. Your father must have been among the bravest of the brave. Thanks for sharing this. Greetings from W Australia.
@@torbendinesen7121 to be fair you dont know if it's a lie or not
@@torbendinesen7121 Cope harder
Capt. Ernest Evans was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
The USS Johnston now lies under 21,000 feet of water. God bless those men. They gave their lives in the defense of our nation.
She's so far down because of the weight of her crew's massive steel balls.
Unbelievable bravery
Of all the battles of the U. S. Navy, the Battle off Samar was the greatest in my opinion, 3 Destroyers, 4 Destroyer Escorts, and a hand full of Escort Carriers, turned back a far superior Japanese Task Force. The Bravery and determination of the Destroyermen of this task force were certainly above and beyond the highest Naval Traditions! They are why, I am proud to have been a Destroyerman during my career in the U. S. Navy! May they never be forgotten!
Lest we Forget!
The Battle off Samar is my favorite story too! Outclassed doesn’t even come close to the sheer mismatch of the battle. In fact, the Yamato alone narrowly outweighed all of Taffy 3 combined.
As a Firecontrolman, I was disappointed that I was never stationed aboard a destroyer, cruiser, or frigate.
Years after my enlistment ended, I learned of this story.
It was the United States Navy's Finest Hour.
The greatest, most gallant, heartbreaking, and pride inducing story for all USN sailors to know.
My Father-in-Law, Donald L Carroll was an FC on the USS Sterett. DD-407, a Benham Class Destroyer during WW2. He enlisted when he was 17 and was the youngest man on the ship. During the Korean War, he was "Drafted" as an FC to serve on a re-commissioned WW2 Destroyer in order to operate the out of date weapons systems. He was then the oldest man on the ship. RIP to all of the heroes of WW2 who have passed and prayers for those who remain,
Heh. Dad was Korean War and one of his stories was how they re-opened condemned barracks for the service men to live out of while training stateside. We always laughed about that. But it's condemned! Not any more.
Great story. After USS New Jersey was brought back out from mothballs in '68, the Navy received a lot of requests by Gunners Mates (and other rates) to come back in, since they had had experience working in the 16" gun turrets in WW II and Korea.
Imagine, guys volunteering to go back on active duty just to serve on a BB.
The book Last Stand of the Tin Can sailors covers this battle brilliantly.
Great book !
I think the best youtube video I have seen on this battle is the one done by drachinifel. Very well done.
I want to read that book i heard its awesome
Hornfischer was one of the best naval combat history authors. RIP
Only one better the horenfecter is samauel elliot morrison
I was a third class Petty Officer and gun captain of gun mount 52 on the USS Halsey Powell DD686. Thank you for your contribution.
Thank you for your service!
There is no pleasant way to describe the death of a family member. I think you handled that as well as it could possibly have been handled. Well done.
He did. We cried watching the end. Fortunately, mom passed away a few months back so we wouldn't have had to make up an explanation for it. Talking about his death would have destroyed her afresh. They were very close.
@@veganconservative1109
My condolences on your loss.
His uncle made a sacrifice that can never be repaid! God bless that family and his uncle!! RIP
Thank you.
I had another uncle in the navy, but his family were scoundrels and would not divulge info about his service. My dad served in the Signal Corp during the Korean War. I was asked to join in high school, but mom broke into near hysteria when I so much as mentioned the idea of joining any branch of the military.
Even so, the men who put their lives between us and an enemy will always be heroes in my eyes. Here's to The Greatest Generation. *salutes with glass in hand*
May god bless his soul. ❤
"DAMNIT BOYS! THEYRE GETTING AWAY!"
RIP to all the brave sailors lost that day.
To this day, the USS Johnston continues intimidating the crap out the remains of Kurita’s Center Force.
Wow I just thinking what a meeting between Admiral Kurita and Commander Evans would have been like after the war had he survived? You hear about how so many Japanese and American connected after the war and shared their individual experiences of those battles! I imagine this one would have been amazing to watch! RIP to all those members of Taffy 3 that fought way above their weight class!
"This is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm's way, and anyone who doesn't want to go along had better get off right now."-Captain Evans (paraphrasing a attributed quote of John Paul Jones) of the U.S.S. Johnston on her commission date.
I had a friend on one of the small carriers. Dean said when he saw all the colored splashes in the sea around his carrier, they were bracketed, he said he was amazed he wasn't at all scared, he said however his legs suddenly became so weak he could hardly stand. I worked with this hero for 20 good years.
During WWII, the Japanese military often spoke of the lack of "fighting spirit" of the Americans.
The men of Taffy 3 proved that statement wrong.
I too have in my collection "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors."
Great book.
They sure as shit never said that to any Marines.
The jap captain of their own dd saluted thr sinking ship
I am an ex-Destroyerman also. I am so proud to have served on a tin can. There truly is a difference in the attitude of those who served on a Destroyer. Every sailor who went to sea on these small, vulnerable, yet awesome fighting ships has a really close bond with his fellow sailors. Because of the size and the atmosphere and missions people became close in their relationships. I served as a Machinist Mate and my watch station and general quarters station was in main engine control. All of the engineering sailors worked and slept together and it was a great division. I' could imagine what went on during that battle and how it fought knowing they were probably going to die, that is true heroism.
The comments about rate-of-fire, physical workload, heat , mental exhaustion were such an eye-opener for me. I'd never thought about that. Not like the common 'war movie' where the battle is over in a minute. Imagine having to give it your all for an hour or more...and being ready to go at it again in the next hour or day. The Greatest Generation!
Thank you for the comment! I have to agree with you. When I was working on this project with Shane Stephenson at the Buffalo Naval Park I was also surprised to learn about how the rate of fire would diminish due to crew fatigue. It makes perfect sense, though. Thank you for watching!
We were taken aback at how many men were stationed at each turret. Nine! Always had pictured one or two in my mind. Seeing that bit of film was a real eye-opener.
Remember, she isn’t sunk, she is just searching for enemy submarines
Not funny
@@aldenunion🤡🤓
That man’s uncle is a hero.Uncommon bravery,dedication to duty and an example of the bravery of ALL of the men on that ship.Captain Evans was in a class by himself for his bravery and the willingness to sacrifice himself,his crew and his ship to save American servicemen lives.
5 inch 38 cal. guns were mounted on nearly every fighting ship the navy had right up until the Forrestal class carriers came into use. The cruisers and destroyers still had them until missile launchers replaced them.
My uncle was a WWII gunners mate, he may have worked one of these guns, even though he served aboard the USS Missouri. I too served in our Navy, I did something slightly different, Aviation Ordnance.
Great video, it showed just how dangerous, difficult, and laborious manning a 5 inch gun was. Some exceedingly brave and dedicated men manned those guns.
Thanks for your service, everyone who has served. ;-)
My grandfather also served on the Missouri. He was on board when they decommissioned her in 1955.
@@Adamu98 Good to know and thank you gentlemen. My father served on the USS Missouri while still at the Naval Academy. He was, of course, a midshipman and later took his commission in the US Air Force (there was no Air Force Academy at that time).
USS Long Beach (CGN-9) also sported 2X 5/38’s amidships between the forward aft superstructures. Decommissioned in 1995.
Evans (and anyone on his ship) had balls so big, they had to be carried in wheelbarrows. They didn't only do their duty, they attacked fearlessly, beyond any call of duty. I tip my hat in awe of these men. GO NAVY!
My dad was in a gun turret in the Navy during WW2 but not sure what type. Thank you for sensitive treatment of this subject. He survived, but it is easy to understand why he only wanted to share the "fun" stories - and even those were few. I cannot imagine a 19 year old sailor facing such horrific circumstances. They are all heroes - every single one.
I can't Imagine what it would be like to sail straight at a primed WW2 Japanese fleet. Respect to these sailors!
Great comment! Totally agree!
I know the story well and these men deserve our greatest respect. I saw a "tin can" destroyer going through the straights of Gibraltar and first the bow was going under water then the stern was going under water. Those sailors must have been bouncing off the ceilings. That's probably what made them so badass mean. (-: "Taffy3" The last great true WWII story that needs to be made into a movie. Respects to all involved.
yes; except that hollywood would distort the hell out out the real history involved.would probably use it to promote some rediculous agenda that we wouldnt apreciate.
@@danielslocum7169 Well as long as they pick actors, directors, and writers based on everything except ability and they push the correct social justice message, i''m sure it will be great. (-:
@@danielslocum7169 Let it be done by Tom Hanks and you will see how very detailed will be, like in the movie Greyhound (witch is a very good movie where you can feel the tension in a North Atlantic convoy inside a Fletcher class destroyer)
Being that I live 5 minutes from the Buffalo Naval Park, I have been on all 3 vessels many times. I really hope they repaired the leaking hull damage on The Sullivans. I strongly encourage anyone watching to visit this place and enjoy the tour.
Both of my grandfathers were B17G tailgunners in the US 8th Air Force over Nazi Germany. Both were shot down and both not only survived but continued flying with other crews finishing 33 and 35 missions respectively including Meresburg and also Berlin twice for each man. Its a miracle my parents were even born, both of whom served in Vietnam from 71 to 72, mom and dad. As a retired Army officer who spent years at war myself I am keenly interested in the experiences of B17G crew. My paternal grandfather only spoke of the war with me once even though I knew him well. He gave me an interview and I wrote a paper on it for university called, "A chat with a Tailgunner". I know the names of his warbirds and his shoot-down story as well as the stories about his single ME109 credit and possible FolkeWulf kill. But he never told my father anything whatsoever. I'm unsure if it was because I was Army and my father was USAF or if there was another reason. He did not know. But my maternal grandfather never spoke about his experiences to anyone other than myself and then only in passing. He gave me a model of a B17G and loaned me his mission jacket with all 35 missions painted on the back for an ROTC Dining-in. None of his 6 kids nor his wife were allowed to touch it while he lived. So, I was deeply honored. Even so, I know very little of his war experience.
My own parents shared very little about their time in SE Asia other than that they worked very classified jobs and short anecdotes about losing friends and being mortared by the VC. I know a bit more now but it is unfit for public discourse.
Ive told my own sons what I could about my wars but due to the nature of my work I am permitted to say very little. All I could share were stories about the portion of my service that was permitted. Even so, I cannot stress enough to my fellow Vets the need to pass this history down even if you hated your service or had terrible experiences. History lives through our experiences. I know its cliche but when entire generations do not learn about the wars and experiences of their forebearers they are far more likely to repeat the errors of the past and blunder into conflict. Tell your tales my brothers and sisters. Dont let your experiences and the lessons you learned be lost with your passing. God bless.
Fantastic comment! Thanks for your & your family's service. I regretfully never served, but my family has had many "dogs in every fight" since arriving in PA in 1738 from Germany. My great great Grandfather Union - 99th OVI, Stones River thru Chickamauga on to Kennesaw Mountain. And an uncle lost with his B17 over Normandy, June 6th, 1944. A cousin who in 1991 landed his CH-47 Chinook on Kuwait's Highway 80 just hours after the devastation rendered there. Every Veteran's Day my daughter & I visit & pay our respects at "Yano Hall" here in Kealakekua, HI. SSgt. Rodney J.T. Yano, 1943-1969 - Posthumous MOH, Vietnam. When my daughter was 7 years old, I had noticed everyone used Yano Hall for activities from Ping Pong & family luaus (BBQ's) to Hula practice (where I'd wait with other parents while the girls danced). Milling around waiting, I noticed & read Rodney's bronze placard on the wall. I realized many in our community seemed to use the hall from generation to generation forgetting, ignoring this man's heroic ultimate sacrifice. That V-Day 10 years ago I took her there. I was saddened there was not a single soul present except us. No flowers, nothing. As I fought back tears I explained to my daughter all I had learned researching SSgt. Yano & what an important thing it is to remember, respect, honor & be grateful for all service personnel active & past. To this day as she prepares to graduate, working weekends giving tours at a historic coffee farm, she always thanks the Vets she meets. The treats them like family & let's me now how many she meets from day to day. Touches my heart. We just lost a dear family friend - a Veteran (Purple Heart/Presidential Unit Citation) of the all Japanese American 442nd. My daughter knew him well as a "Hanai" (adopted) grandfather. A widower living alone, occasionally he and I would have dinner together at his place. Privately to me, & only when I delicately asked what it was like, he'd make palpable reluctant references to Monte Cassino or the terror of tree burst, but would abruptly drift off & stop talking with a sigh. Bro, there's a whole swath of civvies out there who've got your 6. You are and forever will be the real rock stars. Never forget. Me Ke Aloha Pumehana Nui Loa.
@@jalspach9215 thanks for your kind words. I grew up in Millani and went to school on Wheeler. Hawaii is a beautiful State. Mahalo!
@@smokejaguarsix7757 Small World, Garins!
@@jalspach9215 Waipahu. Nice.
Thanks to you and your family for all of your service. My wife and I are retired Navy. I was Naval Aircrew in the P-3 Orion, my wife a Yeoman. Since my wife was in Patrol Squadrons, she knows the generalities of what we did on our missions, though not in too great a detail. I can appreciate your inability to divulge much about your work, as most of what I did is still classified and I signed my NDA over 40 years ago, but it's still binding. Even with all my hours in my aircraft, I cannot imagine what it must have been like for your grandfathers. They came home from war with memories suppressed, in a culture that didn't encourage them to "open up and show your feelings". They joined the VFWs and the American Legions and other fraternal organizations, and there, at the bars with their brothers, they felt comforted if not comfortable. Comfort in knowing that they all had experiences too horrible to remember, yet to haunting to forget. God bless them all, whether still with us, gone from us now or never came home. We owe them more than we realize, more than we can fully express.
Really enjoyed this video, and you were amazing in detail and the lengths you went to assemble the material for it. Very respectful.
Thank you for the great comment and kind words. So glad to see you enjoyed it!
@@HistoryX My wife and I visited the USS North Carolina this summer, her grandfather was a marine on it during WW2. Great video, really enjoyed your thorough look into being a gunner and what they dealt with.
I know a lot about how the bigger turrets work, so watching how differently the smaller destroyer guns were operated was very interesting.
Thank you for the comment! Glad you liked the video and happy to hear you were able to learn something from this. The credit must go to Shane Stephenson at the Buffalo Naval Park. Check out their UA-cam channel!
ua-cam.com/users/BuffaloNavalPark
@@HistoryX I live in Buffalo and had family who worked at the Naval Park until their passing. What's your connection to the area? EDIT: Nevermind, just finished the video! Good stuff.
My great Uncle served on BB-58 USS Indiana as a gunners mate on 16" turret 3. He served onboard during the collision with USS Washington and I was fortunate to hear his first hand accounts of his time onboard BB-58. I think that collision was the hardest thing he dealt with, as his whole demeanor changed when he spoke of it to me. Those sailors and servicemen were truly the best of the best.
A bit of a pedantic comment from one who served on a Sumner class WWII-era destroyer in the early 1970s, and who was the gunnery officer of the ship -- me. Sumner class destroyers were very similar to Fletcher class DDs like the Johnston, except that they had three twin 5"/38 gun mounts -- two forward, one aft -- instead of the 5 single mounts on the Fletchers. Notice I said "5"/38 gun mounts." This is because it was pounded into us that one didn't refer to destroyer "gun mounts" as "turrets." That was because the exterior of enclosed gun mounts only had "splinter shields," incapable of withstanding direct hits, whereas turrets on cruisers and battleships had armored bulkheads capable of surviving direct hits from shells - depending on the caliber, of course. While on the subject of nautical trivia, the terms "ship" and "boat," (except for submarines) are never considered interchangeable. Rather, surface ships carry boats, which by definition are part of the ship's equipment.
Brian - I had exactly the same comment - very well said.
@@johnstewart7022 Thank you John. I think I need to expand on the answer a little bit. The 1st time I visited a battleship - I forget which museum ship it was - they had one of the side 5"/38 twin gun mounts open for visitor entry. I happily climbed in for a trip down memory lane. But what surprised me about the setup there was how much heavier the splinter shields were. The mount was a much more robust structure than the ones on my old destroyer. I asked myself whether this was a 5"/38 "turret" But again my answer was "no."
As I recall from the lectures we got at Naval Officer Candidate School (NAVOCS ;-) up at Newport, Rhode Island it probably wasn't because turrets were described as structures integral to the basic construction of the ship. The idea was that it was a turret because the supporting handling rooms end magazines belowdecks were also integral, and when one spoke of a turret the reference was to not just the gunhouse but to everything from the main deck to the deck of the lowest magazine.
Of course the same can be said for the purpose-designed 5"/38 gun mounts and their handling rooms and magazines below. But I think the point is that you can't just get a heavy crane to lift off a battleship turret, whereas if a gunmount is destroyed, it would be possible to replace it with a new gunmount.
Again all of this is trivia, in a way. But if it isn't corrected the information is "lost to history" so that museum ship curators make errors like this.
Might not only be the plating/lack of armor on the mount itself, but the absence of an armored barbette connecting to a citadel. The USN continues to not use the term turret to describe the gun mounts on Arleigh Burkes.
@@Grimmwoldds Before reading this I expanded on my answer and basically said the same thing. At least that was my opinion and I am glad that you agree!
@@Redhand1949 Thank you for your service sir, and for explaining the difference between a gun mount and a turret. Agreed, these facts should not be lost to history.
An amazing video! My dad was on DD-867 USS Stribling which was a Gearing class destroyer in the early 70's. One of the last active duty WW2 destroyers. As a young 5 year old, I got to sleep over night on it while she was docked.
So happy to see you you liked the video. Thank you for the kind words!
I had an uncle who was captain of the "rocket ships", in the Battle of the Philippines. It was LSi(G) 559 AND TOOK PART IN THE BOMBARDMENT OF THE LANDING AREAS. All of these brave men, deserve our heartfelt gratitude for what they did and for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank You!!
That’s so heartbreaking that the decision was made not to form a quick rescue. The guys in the water had to wonder why no one would come for them. RIP your bravery has not been forgotten.
My grandfather, Morris Neighbors served on the USS Leutze DD481 in WWII as a radar man. He is still giving presentations about his experience. I learn something new every time I listen.
Thank you for the comment, Tyler! The fact that Morris still does presentations is incredible!
@@HistoryX , he is 96 and still going strong. The man is my hero. His ship was hit by a kamikaze while trying to aid in fighting the fires on their sister ship, the USS Newcomb. He was on the deck and received a Purple Heart for his injuries.
I was able to meet and spend a lot of time with a sailor from the U.S.S. Walke that was sunk at Guadalcanal in Nov. 1942. He was17 years old when he was sunk that night and told me a lot about that night. This is in honor and memory of my friend Mr. Bill Young.
I think it was hit by a torpedo from the destroyer Uranami. Fellow destroyer Bentham was sunk by a torpedo from the destroyer Ayanami, while destroyer Preston exploded after being hit ten times by the light cruiser Nagara
Thanks, that was very well done. My dad was a gunner (54 mount) on the USS O'Bannon. He never spoke about the war other than to say he was there. Fortunately there is a book, Action Tonight by Horan that covers their exploits through the Guadalcanal campaign. Nice to be able to see inside the turret and image working in those conditions.
Cole,here is a piece of tidbit for you. A Plank Owner on USS Twining,DD540,named Streeter, was aboard for the de-commisioning also.
Later, he was aboard again for the re-commisioning. He was still aboard for the SECOND DE-COMMISSIONING! He was very young,and may still be alive at about 96 years,or so.I am a 98 1/2 yr.old Plank Owner of the DD40.
Have you considered posting an interview about yourself and your time in the navy?
Japanese navy: "Surely they must be ready to surrender."
USS Johnston: "I didn't hear no bell" 🥊
actually it was Kurita that pulled the chicken switch and ordered general withdrawal, with his sea filled with enemy torpedos, heavy damage to 2 cruisers and everybody's superstructures getting raked from those 5 inch mounts he believed he was tangling with a much larger force
My Dad served on the USS The Sullivans!!!
I would like to thank everyone who had anything to do with Taffy 3. My Father was on LST-66 at the landings of Leyte Gulf and they saved his and thousands of other soldiers and sailors.
Video was well done. I had just happen to stumbled on this and so watched with interest having just read 'The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors' by James D. Hornfischer. For me a page turning book of phenomenal heroism and sacrifices of tin cans; as well as, air support in saving Taffy 3, engaging the Japanese fleet that outgunned them in class and weapons! I'll close with this from the book, 'As the Japanese warship slid by them, a smartly dressed officer was on the wing of the bridge, standing erect and, indeed, saluting. "As she eased by us" Carter wrote, "I'm sure of one thing...she appreciated a fighting lady...USS Johnston".'
Thank you for watching, Chuck. I appreciate the kind words!
That Japanese officer demonstrated respect for the gallantry of the sailors of the USS Johnston. 🇺🇸
Captain Evans suffered serious wounds in the first salvo and refused to relinquish control of the ship. His fingers were blown off one hand and his clothes were shredded to nothing. He evacuated the bridge and started issuing order on the rear deck in his birthday suit. That guy had a gigantic set on him. Good lord.😢
Probably that is what intimidated the Japanese, seeing a Cherokee brave in the buff.
My father served on The Uss Hutchins DD-476. He told me after Leyte Gulf they only had starshells left. I'm grateful 🙏 for seeing this because my dad was in the handling room. God bless all the veterans and sailors lost.
I want to thank you Ken for this video recap and info on this subject! May God bless the family that requested your help!
Well done on this video Ken. You took an incredibly sensitive issue, and managed to handle it with respect and compassion as well as providing a very insightful analysis into an astonishing piece of naval history.
I've been there and toured both the little rock & the Sullivan's awesome museum no more famous ships than the Fletcher class tin cans.
Look up the history of the sub croaker. Pretty successful war patrol. Including the Nagara. A Japanese cruiser that served in midway Guadalcanal Philippines and truk.
I have not been there in 40 years. But I still remember touring all those ships with a new found respect for those who served aboard them.
@@jamessotherden5909 it's alot better now. They renovated museum few years ago and moved ships around
My Dad was the Medical Officer aboard USS The Sullivans (DD-537) during the 1960's. I am so glad she has survived and is now a museum.
I served for three years in the Spanish navy, from november 1976 to january 1980. Two of those years I served as Torpedoes Specialist onboard the D-25 Jorge Juan, ex USS McGowan (DD-678). I´s moving to see a ship of the same Fletcher Class found after all that time, and in such an amazing condition; and very sad to know the fate of that heroic crew. The way those little, although fast, ships went against cruisers and battlewagons... Amazing. Thanks so much for your videos, you have a new subscriptor.
Awesome video! Great info my father served on the USS lofberg. DD759, I never knew there was a surviving Fletcher class destroyer that could be toured! I now have a mission to get to Buffalo and visit the USS THE SULLIVAN'S,. I remember my father telling me about the " fighting Sullivan's" . Dad's been gone 9 years, lots of memories flooding back , thank you
Excellent video, being a tin-can sailor myself, I can just imagine what it was like to be in the U.S.S. Johnston during that naval engagement. I read about the brave charge of Taffy 3 in the book " United States Destroyer Operations in WW2" by Theodore Rosco. My only criticism is your use of the term "the turret". Destroyers do not have turrets, they have gun mounts, and in the case of the 5" gun mount just below the bridge, that would be called mount 52.
your approach to this subject and the telling of the true fact that war is hell, i see as very respectful to all the fighting men still at their post. The story of Taffy 3 is one of interest and upmost importance. one of my personal favorite .
Thank you for the great comment!
Just simply incredible,
I've been a semi historian of WWII all my life, but this episode of History X had me riveted and on the edge of my seat.
You guys covered the topic perfectly and with the dignity and respect it deserved.
You could see it in the host, Ken Stano's body language and hear it in his voice.
Much RESPECT and SUBSRIBED.
Much, much RESPECT.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I truly appreciate it! None of it could be possible without the knowledge and participation of Shane Stephenson from the Buffalo Naval Park. Please check-out their channel as well. Thanks again!
I thank you for your previous video and this one. My dad was one of those survivors of the Johnston.
Thank you so much for the comment! What was your dad's station on the USS Johnston? Officer or crew?
My father served on the USS Heermann, DD532 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was a Signalman.
I donated all my memorabilia from my father to the Pacific War Museum in Fredericksburg, TX.
The battle off Samar was similar to Chickamauga in the Civil War. In both cases, orders were confused or misinterpreted, a huge gap was opened in the defense lines, and the men that stayed and fought, a valiant rear guard, became the subject of legend. Also, the commanders that eventually won the day became famous, though in the Union case(Chickamauga) it ended up classified as a defeat.
Genl Thomas arguably best general during civil war-the Rock of Chickamauga.. Ernst Evans probably most courageous destroyer commander. Incredible MOH story.
Caught my ear when you mentioned the CROAKER. My father-in-law was corpsman aboard the boat during WW2.
Thanks for the comment, Quentin. I'll be visiting the Croaker in about ten days. I'll see if I can find anything that pertained to the corpsman.
The heroic stories of the Destroyer Squadron Taffy 3 and so many others from WWII were one of the main reasons that I choose to become a destroyer sailor for my active service post Vietnam War. I salute your uncle and his shipmates History X. They sacrificed together as a crew to achieve their mission. There are no naval crews in the US Navy , as tight as a Destroyer crew except possibly a submarine crew. Everyone of us approx. 300 sailors on my destroyer knew each other, from the officers to the youngest and lowest ranked Seamen. Even today, the crew of my long decommissioned destroyer holds ships reunions on an annual basis. For the surviving crew, the memories of those shipmates that were lost in the sinking of the USS Johnston...would have been difficult to deal with...
Thank you. Great video. My Dad sailed on a Bristol Class Destroyer with Task Force 58 in the Pacific Theatre. They had the same 5inch 38's as the Fletcher class.
Glad to see you gave this family some closure.
My friend I grew up with Ernest E Evans 111. Yes his Grandfather is Commander Ernest E Evans. All these men on the Johnson are true heroes.
My Dad served on the USS Mugford in the Pacific, and took part in the battle of Leyte Gulf. He was stationed on the deck gun on the stern. This is interesting, thanks for doing this.
Been to the Buffalo naval and servicemen park a few times. Highly recommend going. It's a good place to learn about history.
Thank you for the comment! Yes, the Buffalo Naval Park definitely has some amazing things going on there.
This was incredibly sweet of you to make this video for him. Thank you ❤
The entire story/events of Taffy 3 is nothing short of Pure heroics!! Captain Evans!! Turns into the Japanese FLEET! And the crew keeps the ship afloat somehow for a second act of WOW !
My dad served on DD575 USS McKee. He loved that boat ,talked about it all the time. He was appointer on twin 40.
Hats off too you Sir at History X and the gentlemen at the Buffalo Naval Park for this great video. You've helped answer many questions that I and others along with the original requester have had. Again, great job.....God Bless America!
very interesting video. As a Gunners Mate for the Mk42 5"54 I loved to see how these 5"38's fire. The range is similar (ours were about 13 miles) but the firing rate was much slower on the 38's. We got about 34 rounds a minute on a double sided mount (meaning that ammo was brought up on both sides of the gun) but then again the ammo was also brought up hydraulically using a series of upper and lower hoists as well as a carrier that would match the turret position after the ammo from the lower hoist was ejected into the carrier. Not to mention that there were only 2 people in the gun house, while there was one plus the chief in the carrier room and about 4-5 in the magazine. The good old days!!!
Thank you to all who served, and a special thanks to those who served in WW2.
A great in depth look at the inner workings of the turret.
This is really cool that you did so much research and enlisted the help of historians to help answer a commenter's question. Respect for going the extra mile! 👊
Our pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the video. My uncle Paul Henry Carr was the gun caption of Mount 52 aboard the USS Samuel B Roberts DE-413. He was also in the Battle Off Samar (aka The Battle of Leyte Gulf). I good read on the subject is a book written by the late James Hornfischer entitled The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. Seeing the gun in action I have a much better appreciation of magnitude of task and the excellence exhibited by the gun crews.
Thank you for the video! Very interesting. I am commenting from Finland and have been interested in naval history globally since my father served in a Torpedo boat in Finnish army during ww2. It is great to see videos like this which talk about the actual life of sailors in boats.
❤ my favorite destroyer class! I built this class in my high school days, Merciless Melvin, and I Still Have it. Great stuff from the information end and the internals of the turrets 👍.
Hi Ken.. Only up to the meeting Shane bit.. But your approach is appreciated in a sense of the acknowledgement of a families emotions and the knowledge networking offered... .true passion for engineering I feel... Good on you... Hope I enjoy the rest of the vid from here lol 😊
Thank you for the kind words, Dan. I hope I met your expectations as you progressed through this video. I also hope you will consider subscribing to HISTORY X.
Terrific and somewhat terrifying video showing the courage that thousands of our young sailors had went through in WWll. We must remember these people and visit places like the one shown in this video in Buffalo New York and learn all we can about the men and ships that were in the greatest sea battles in history that were held in the Pacific in WWll. Great video.....thank you.
Thank you for the comment, Regie. And thank you for watching.
One of the most amazing sea battles of all time. IMHO
Thanks for a very interesting and tastefully done answer to your viewer's question.
I remember watching a documentary on this battle. Had seen many before but this one had first hand accounts of people who were there. They were interviewing a man who had worked in the engine room. Either the Samuel b roberts or the Johnston. He said his captain talked to them personally over the soundphone after he gave the order for flank speed. He said " give me everything she's got and don't worry about the revolutions because we're not going to need them anymore." Meaning, going over the rated speed will do engine damage and get you in trouble but it's ok. You're not gonna get in trouble. Do it. That hit me like a ton of bricks. They knew.
Thank you very much for keeping history alive, excellent job!!
Thanks for the comment and support! But wait a second, you can't sign-off without telling us about "Rocky Mountain Life Prospecting"... What's that all about???
I was a Tin Can Man DD-746 Gun Turret No.51 Twin 5 in 38 Doing gun fire support of Marines in Vietnam for 5 days. It was HOT as hell in that turret.
Amazing video. Thank you.
Our pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it!
Very interesting video on the wreck USS Johnston destroyer explaining how might this uncle has not survived. It is sad but is worth to hear this story. This uncle and the rest of the crew were heroes that day fighting the superior Japanese forces. Good job and looking forward to see your new videos 👍 👍
Dear Sir: It is with much gratitude I write this comment to for doing this video documentary. Your presentation was extremely informative and important. It was especially personal for me, as my father was a Gunner's Mate 2nd Class and was in charge of the gun #2 crew on a Fletcher Class Destroyer during World War II - The USS Cogswell DD- 651. Your video has helped me immensely with compiling information about my father's service aboard a US combat war ship for myself and my five siblings. Thank you and be well.
Thank you for the great comment and kind words! Don't hesitate to follow and subscribe to the Buffalo Naval Park. They have plenty of videos detailing the Fletcher Class destroyer USS The Sullivans.... ua-cam.com/users/BuffaloNavalPark
This shows you how heroic these men were that were apart of these battles.
This was a very informative video. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate the kind words!
If you are in the Charleston area go to the USS Laffey museum and you can stand in the 5 inch gun and they have a virtual video of what it was like in there during the attack…absolutely terrifying
My uncle's battle station was as an anti aircraft gunner on the White Plains, one of the escort carriers in the Battle off Samar.
5"er was my uncle, chief petty officer Dennis w. Lyons speciality. 27 years in the u.s.n. great vid. Thanks!
Well done, Mr. Stano.
My algebra teacher was on that ship. Didn't find out until decades later when he was on 'History Channel '. Blew my mind.
Great video. Exactly what I was looking for while I’m reading “Last stand of Tin Can Sailors”. Thanks. I flew in the back of RF-4 aircraft in the Air Force. I don’t think I’d be tough enough to be on a destroyer during the Battle of Samar.
Recently stumbled onto the channel. Enjoy it, so far. While I knew about some of the museumships, mostly the battleships, I've recently learned how any of them there actually are. Went to Buffalo and didn't know about the Maval park. Guess I'll have to go back
Thank you for the comment, 'Moondog'! The staff at the Buffalo Naval Park are definitely top-notch. Shane Stephenson is an incredible curator and I enjoyed working with him on this project! Yes, if you get the opportunity I would definitely suggest a visit!
A good book to read about the Battle of Samar and more about Taffy 3. I recommend Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors. It is a very good account of how the Tin Cans fought like Battleships against insurmountable odds.
Glad I found both of these channels. Good work done here 🇺🇸
Thank you so much for the kind words, John!
USS Johnston did not have a turret. A turret is armored while gun mounts are not.
I served in the Navy 20 years starting on a Gearing class destroyer also with 5”/38 guns. Gearing had twin mounts as opposed to the Fletcher class single gun mounts. In 1972 the crew was a pointer, trainer, two gun captains, two projectile men, two powder men and a mount captain. We did not use AAC ammunition normally that would have required a fuse setter. Therefore we had 9 men in the mount.
I moved back and forth between trainer, powder man in the ready service ring, handling ammunition outside the ring and down in the magazine. My ship, USS Floyd B Parks DD-884, between 07/09/1972 and 12/27/1972 fired 13,000+ rounds.
Right Gun Loader Mt 51 USS Bordelon DD 881 left nam in early 73 after the Cease fire From Yankee Station. Did not get a Count of total fired, but it was a Great Deal.I can attest to the Fatigue from loading those Projectiles for long Periods!
@@barryd.thomassr.9156 welcome home brother.
@@martinwalker9386 Thank You Brother!
Thanks for this video. The Mexican Navy also had the Fletcher Class destroyers, they did a great job while in service during the 60s and 70s. Greetings from Mexico City.
Greetings, Pablo! Thrilled to have a viewer from Mexico!
Amazing and informative video