Neptune's Inferno_ The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal Part 15

The last time Lee had held night spotting and gunnery practice was in January 1942. But since then, he had drilled his crews in target selection and fire-control procedures so thoroughly that it did not really matter whether it was night or day. An ensign named Patrick Vincent, stationed in the Washington Washington's armored conning tower, said, "I was amazed at how well Captain Davis and Admiral Lee could function on the bridge with all the noise and blasting pressure from the guns. The racket was unbelievable. Even in the conning tower, it was almost impossible to communicate. The pressure from the gunfire spurting through open ports was knocking men down." It was nothing like what a battleship experienced on the receiving end of that fury.

It had been just six minutes since the Kirishima Kirishima's gunners had lost a solution on the South Dakota South Dakota and checked their fire. Lookouts on the and checked their fire. Lookouts on the Atago, Atago, spotting the spotting the Washington, Washington, shouted, "There is another ship forward of the first, a big battleship!" Short seconds later the lookouts were crying, " shouted, "There is another ship forward of the first, a big battleship!" Short seconds later the lookouts were crying, "Kirishima is totally obscured by sh.e.l.l splashes!" According to Lee, the is totally obscured by sh.e.l.l splashes!" According to Lee, the Washington Washington's fire control and main battery "functioned as smoothly as though she were engaged in a well-rehea.r.s.ed target practice." The first salvo probably hit, and the second one certainly did.

Ash.o.r.e, roused from sleep by the heavy hammering of main batteries in the sound, Bill McKinney was among a team of Atlanta Atlanta electricians stationed on a searchlight installation that stood watch over Guadalca.n.a.l's northern coast. Defended by a detachment of marines, the facility consisted of a tower of sixty-inch searchlights with a diesel generator and a remote-control director station. It was inoperable because its power cable had been slashed by overzealous foxhole diggers. Now, awakened, they were seized by the sight of battle. There was no telling who was friend or foe. It was like watching a baseball game without lineup cards, with everyone in the same colorless uniform. Ships revealed themselves suddenly with long gouts of flame and the bright parabolas of tracer rounds lazing through the night. The luminous red globes that seemed to float across the water knew no nationality. A few of them seemed to hover and disappear into the silhouette of a large ship, which stopped firing. electricians stationed on a searchlight installation that stood watch over Guadalca.n.a.l's northern coast. Defended by a detachment of marines, the facility consisted of a tower of sixty-inch searchlights with a diesel generator and a remote-control director station. It was inoperable because its power cable had been slashed by overzealous foxhole diggers. Now, awakened, they were seized by the sight of battle. There was no telling who was friend or foe. It was like watching a baseball game without lineup cards, with everyone in the same colorless uniform. Ships revealed themselves suddenly with long gouts of flame and the bright parabolas of tracer rounds lazing through the night. The luminous red globes that seemed to float across the water knew no nationality. A few of them seemed to hover and disappear into the silhouette of a large ship, which stopped firing.

The Kirishima Kirishima took a frightful battering from the took a frightful battering from the Washington Washington. The first hit destroyed the forward radio room located at the base of the foremast paG.o.da, below the main deck. Sh.e.l.ls smashed into the barbettes of her two forward fourteen-inch turrets, starting fires that threatened the magazines. The battleship's a.s.sistant gunnery officer, Lieutenant Commander Horishi Tokuno, ordered a forward powder magazine flooded to prevent fires. The rush of water caused the ship to list slightly to starboard. Another projectile hit the steering machinery room, flooding it and leaving the rudder jammed to starboard. After this, only the ship's inboard shafts were working, making it impossible to steer by reversing the outboard shafts. When hydraulic pressure failed in the after part of the ship, her two after main gun turrets were left inoperable.

Heat and smoke from topside fires, sucked into the ship by ventilation turbines, forced the evacuation of the engine rooms. A pair of thirty-foot holes yawning in her deck amidships were the scars of this ma.s.sive a.s.sault. On the Kirishima Kirishima's bridge, Lieutenant (j.g.) Michio Kobayashi noticed the ship slowing and turning in a circle.

The Kirishima Kirishima's main battery managed to roar several times in return. The commanding officer, Captain Sanji Iwabuchi, thought his first salvo scored two hits, one of them blowing off the bridge of his target. "At least ten hits were made upon them, but the enemy could not be finished off," he said. It was the familiar optimism of a warrior lost in a battle larger than he can comprehend. The fourteen-inch armor-piercing rounds pa.s.sed like giant subway cars over the Washington Washington's rigging. "They must have been mighty close," a Washington Washington sailor said, "but an inch is as good as a mile." Ed Hooper's remorseless radars would have allowed no escape, even if the enemy ship retained the ability to maneuver. As the radar automatically lay the big rifles, the sailor said, "but an inch is as good as a mile." Ed Hooper's remorseless radars would have allowed no escape, even if the enemy ship retained the ability to maneuver. As the radar automatically lay the big rifles, the Washington Washington's gun trains kept rolling and the night rained murderously with heavy metal. The U.S. flagship's rapid-firing secondary battery popped five-inch rounds into the Kirishima Kirishima's paG.o.da foremast, stacks, and superstructure, causing untold loss of personnel.

When the officer in Main Battery Control ordered the guns to cease fire, based on an erroneous report that his target had sunk, Captain Iwabuchi tried futilely to conn the Kirishima Kirishima away from the away from the Washington, Washington, but "we couldn't make way at all," he said. "In the meantime, the engine rooms became intolerable because of the increased heat, and most of the engineers were killed though they had been ordered to evacuate. Only the central engine could make the slowest speed. Fires brought under control gained strength again, so that the fore and aft magazines became endangered. Orders to flood them were then issued." but "we couldn't make way at all," he said. "In the meantime, the engine rooms became intolerable because of the increased heat, and most of the engineers were killed though they had been ordered to evacuate. Only the central engine could make the slowest speed. Fires brought under control gained strength again, so that the fore and aft magazines became endangered. Orders to flood them were then issued."

Ninety seconds later, Captain Davis ordered his main battery, "If you can see anything to shoot at, go ahead," and the great guns opened up again on the Kirishima, Kirishima, whose gunners were able to respond with only her after turret. "More hits obtained," the action reported declared. whose gunners were able to respond with only her after turret. "More hits obtained," the action reported declared.

More than two hundred sailors lay dead in the Kirishima, Kirishima, victims of a stem-to-stern pummeling by at least twenty sixteen-inch sh.e.l.ls from the victims of a stem-to-stern pummeling by at least twenty sixteen-inch sh.e.l.ls from the Washington. Washington. Lieutenant Kobayashi believed the ship took half a dozen torpedoes as well, but these were most likely underwater hits. Many of the great twenty-seven-hundred-pound American projectiles struck short but plowed under the sea on flat trajectories to strike below the waterline. Admiral Lee, seeing their splashes, most likely counted these as misses. But they did, by far, the greatest damage to the Lieutenant Kobayashi believed the ship took half a dozen torpedoes as well, but these were most likely underwater hits. Many of the great twenty-seven-hundred-pound American projectiles struck short but plowed under the sea on flat trajectories to strike below the waterline. Admiral Lee, seeing their splashes, most likely counted these as misses. But they did, by far, the greatest damage to the Kirishima, Kirishima, all along her length. These underwater hits were Willis Lee's answer to the Long Lance torpedo. all along her length. These underwater hits were Willis Lee's answer to the Long Lance torpedo.

After midnight, Kondo ordered his battered Bombardment Unit onto a westerly course. Only the Atago, Atago, lightly damaged, and the lightly damaged, and the Takao, Takao, unhit, could comply. The unhit, could comply. The Washington Washington's radars tracked the j.a.panese ships as they withdrew-a light cruiser was fixed for the forward turrets, and a destroyer for the after turret. But Lee, unsure of the South Dakota South Dakota's location, would not allow the main battery to fire.

Captain Gatch was fortunate to escape with a seaworthy battleship. The South Dakota South Dakota had taken twenty-six hits, including eighteen by eight-inch projectiles and one by a fourteen-incher. The damage wrought to the upper works was serious. With all of the ship's lights out, working parties operated by feel as they searched for the dead in the darkened foremast tower. They would not soon forget the things they found. had taken twenty-six hits, including eighteen by eight-inch projectiles and one by a fourteen-incher. The damage wrought to the upper works was serious. With all of the ship's lights out, working parties operated by feel as they searched for the dead in the darkened foremast tower. They would not soon forget the things they found.

Having lost track of the Washington, Washington, Gatch decided that his night was over. His battered ship, alone, was unable to carry the fight any longer. He elected to retire. This decision came as a relief to Willis Lee, who had pursuit on his mind and didn't need a wounded compatriot to worry about. The last report from Cactus Control at 7 p.m. put five j.a.panese transports dead in the water about fifteen miles north of the Russell Islands, and four more limping northwest with a small combat escort. Gatch decided that his night was over. His battered ship, alone, was unable to carry the fight any longer. He elected to retire. This decision came as a relief to Willis Lee, who had pursuit on his mind and didn't need a wounded compatriot to worry about. The last report from Cactus Control at 7 p.m. put five j.a.panese transports dead in the water about fifteen miles north of the Russell Islands, and four more limping northwest with a small combat escort.

His big rifles not yet cool, Lee steered a course to intercept them the next day. The Washington Washington had come through virtually unscratched by enemy fire. A five-inch hole in her giant "bedspring" air-search radar transmitter was her only wound. She took a much worse thrashing from the blast of her own guns: bulkheads caved in, compartments violently tossed, and a floatplane left in ruins, suitable only for parts. Her only human casualties were a punctured eardrum and an abrasion to the back of a hand. She was the most powerful ship in these waters, but any ship alone is a vulnerable one. had come through virtually unscratched by enemy fire. A five-inch hole in her giant "bedspring" air-search radar transmitter was her only wound. She took a much worse thrashing from the blast of her own guns: bulkheads caved in, compartments violently tossed, and a floatplane left in ruins, suitable only for parts. Her only human casualties were a punctured eardrum and an abrasion to the back of a hand. She was the most powerful ship in these waters, but any ship alone is a vulnerable one.

Shadowed by several of Kondo's destroyers, Glenn Davis rang the Washington Washington's engine room to make emergency power, and his raging boilers piped enough steam to whistle up the four shafts to nearly twenty-seven knots. At that speed, the 44,500-ton battleship, accelerating through a turn, cleaved wakes from her bow and stern that, in collision, generated wave peaks high enough to register on radar and spook her plotting officers that enemy ships were close in pursuit. When the Washington Washington's radar registered real phantoms-small blips, presumably destroyers, on the starboard bow-and when a smoke screen was sighted ahead, Captain Davis turned sharply right to avoid contact with a torpedo-wielding enemy; he continued turning until the flagship was headed south, on course to retire. As he did so, large explosions raised great columns of water in her wake. He had turned away just in time.

The battered Kirishima Kirishima would not be saved. The light cruiser would not be saved. The light cruiser Nagara Nagara was nearby and Captain Iwabuchi requested a tow, but it was refused. The captain sent a radio message to Admiral Yamamoto, requesting that he order was nearby and Captain Iwabuchi requested a tow, but it was refused. The captain sent a radio message to Admiral Yamamoto, requesting that he order Nagara Nagara to tow the ship, but there was no time for intervention from Truk. The big vessel's list was just too severe. "An attempt to prevent the flooding of the steering gear room also failing, the ship became hopeless," Iwabuchi said. The ship alternated listing to left and to right, as the free-surface effect of floodwaters pulled her from side to side. Finally the ship listed to starboard so badly as to make it impossible to stand on the bridge. Iwabuchi ordered Lieutenant Kobayashi to use a flashlight to signal the destroyers to tow the ship, but there was no time for intervention from Truk. The big vessel's list was just too severe. "An attempt to prevent the flooding of the steering gear room also failing, the ship became hopeless," Iwabuchi said. The ship alternated listing to left and to right, as the free-surface effect of floodwaters pulled her from side to side. Finally the ship listed to starboard so badly as to make it impossible to stand on the bridge. Iwabuchi ordered Lieutenant Kobayashi to use a flashlight to signal the destroyers Asagumo Asagumo and and Teruzuki Teruzuki to come alongside, one to starboard, the other to port, to remove survivors. Officers in the wrecked and burning ship performed the earnest rituals of defeat-lowering the ensign to shouted banzais, transferring the emperor's portrait to the to come alongside, one to starboard, the other to port, to remove survivors. Officers in the wrecked and burning ship performed the earnest rituals of defeat-lowering the ensign to shouted banzais, transferring the emperor's portrait to the Asagumo Asagumo. As eleven hundred souls were taken off the colossal wreck, the list was so severe that Iwabuchi had no choice but to scuttle her. His engineers opened the Kingston valves, attached to the bottom of her fuel tanks to enable cleaning, and the sea flooded in.

Lieutenant Kobayashi had scarcely hopped over to the Asagumo Asagumo when the when the Kirishima Kirishima rolled hard and unexpectedly to port. The rolled hard and unexpectedly to port. The Asagumo Asagumo freed her lines and pulled safely away. The captain of the freed her lines and pulled safely away. The captain of the Teruzuki Teruzuki had to order an emergency back full to avoid being capped by the turtling battleship's superstructure. With about three hundred men still on board, the had to order an emergency back full to avoid being capped by the turtling battleship's superstructure. With about three hundred men still on board, the Kirishima Kirishima joined the boneyard in Ironbottom Sound shortly after 3 a.m. on November 15, about eleven miles west of Savo Island. "My men fought well and displayed the n.o.ble spirit of servicemen," Iwabuchi said. "My only regret is that we could not sink the enemy in exchange for our ship." Before the two fleets parted ways and returned home, the joined the boneyard in Ironbottom Sound shortly after 3 a.m. on November 15, about eleven miles west of Savo Island. "My men fought well and displayed the n.o.ble spirit of servicemen," Iwabuchi said. "My only regret is that we could not sink the enemy in exchange for our ship." Before the two fleets parted ways and returned home, the Atago Atago tried one final time to grapple with the American battlewagons. Captain Ijuin's ship launched a dozen torpedoes in three salvos, but these, fired at a poor angle astern their retiring target, never had a chance. The cruiser opened fire with her eight-inch main battery on the tried one final time to grapple with the American battlewagons. Captain Ijuin's ship launched a dozen torpedoes in three salvos, but these, fired at a poor angle astern their retiring target, never had a chance. The cruiser opened fire with her eight-inch main battery on the Washington Washington from fifteen thousand yards, but this was a halfhearted final gesture from a force that had spent its fighting energies. Ijuin ordered a smoke screen and turned away to the north. The from fifteen thousand yards, but this was a halfhearted final gesture from a force that had spent its fighting energies. Ijuin ordered a smoke screen and turned away to the north. The Washington Washington's fire-control specialists tracked the Atago Atago and observed the flashes of her gunfire, but Admiral Lee and Captain Davis had had enough for one night, too. They set course south and departed the battle area. and observed the flashes of her gunfire, but Admiral Lee and Captain Davis had had enough for one night, too. They set course south and departed the battle area.

Lee had good reason to be satisfied with his night's work. Beyond the hammer blows he had landed on the Kirishima Kirishima-the only battleship that would be sunk by another, one on one, during the entire Pacific campaign1-he knew that the j.a.panese troop transports, wherever they were, were too far away to reach Guadalca.n.a.l before sunrise, when Henderson Field's pilots, spared a thrashing from the sea, would be ready with a savage greeting. Lee directed the Gwin Gwin and the limping and the limping Benham Benham to head for Espiritu Santo, but the to head for Espiritu Santo, but the Benham Benham would not make it. Her fractured hull put her at risk of floundering and losing her entire crew. The would not make it. Her fractured hull put her at risk of floundering and losing her entire crew. The Gwin Gwin scuttled her that night. scuttled her that night.

Finally locating the South Dakota, South Dakota, which greeted them with the signal, " which greeted them with the signal, "I AM NOT EFFECTIVE," Lee and Davis formed up with Gatch. Following behind, the Washington Washington plowed seas tainted with the plowed seas tainted with the South Dakota South Dakota's bunker oil all the way back to Noumea. Shorn of the company of destroyers, the victorious American battlewagons, one riddled like a can on a stump, with thirty-nine fatalities, the other completely unscathed, rode beam-to-beam toward the comfort of their tropical home.

Later the South Dakota South Dakota's captain would marvel at the fact that the battleships hadn't been hit by torpedoes. Gatch credited the destroyers for this. He thought they had "indirectly deceived" the j.a.panese; judging by the swarms of torpedoes Kondo's escorts had fired at his van, Davis thought Kondo had mistaken the U.S. destroyers for more lucrative targets. "This probably saved the battleships being hit by torpedoes," he observed. When Lee asked Gatch afterward whether he felt the use of his destroyers had been proper in light of their near total loss, Gatch told him, "As things turned out, I thought it was." This was cold testimony to the expendability of the destroyer force, which lost more than two hundred men on the night of November 1415. Lee appreciated their sacrifice. "In breaking up the enemy destroyer attack, our destroyers certainly relieved the battleships of a serious hazard and probably saved their bacon," he wrote.

At Noumea, the crews of the two battleships were far less generous with each other. Until the South Dakota South Dakota departed for a stateside overhaul, they had more than a week to fight out the question of her combat performance in the bars and lockups. "War was declared between the two ships. It was that simple," a departed for a stateside overhaul, they had more than a week to fight out the question of her combat performance in the bars and lockups. "War was declared between the two ships. It was that simple," a Washington Washington sailor said. Furious, Lee finally called a truce, issuing a special Order of the Day that stated, "One war at a time is enough!" and arranging for the two battleships to stagger their liberties ash.o.r.e. sailor said. Furious, Lee finally called a truce, issuing a special Order of the Day that stated, "One war at a time is enough!" and arranging for the two battleships to stagger their liberties ash.o.r.e.

Halsey's decision to throw his two battleships into the breach was vindicated by victory. It was the sort of risk that Nimitz had implicitly counseled against, and that Fletcher had forsworn with his carriers. "Our battleships," Lee wrote, "are neither designed nor armed for close range night actions with enemy light forces. A few minutes intense fire, at short range, from secondary battery guns can, and did, render one of our new battleships deaf, dumb, blind and impotent through destruction of radar, radio and fire control circuits." Halsey would say of his decision to send in Lee's battleships: "How are all the experts going to comment now? The use we made of them defied all conventions, narrow waters, submarine menace, and destroyers at night. Despite that, the books, and the learned and ponderous words of the highbrows, it worked." Naval tacticians would find it tempting to undervalue what Lee accomplished that night, saying the Washington Washington did what any modern battleship should do to a smaller specimen of the previous generation. But his victory was anything but an anticlimax foretold in a war lab-especially to the men who were there. Had Lee not confronted Kondo, the airfield would have been a feast for the IJN that night and perhaps into the next morning. If Henderson Field had been neutralized, the did what any modern battleship should do to a smaller specimen of the previous generation. But his victory was anything but an anticlimax foretold in a war lab-especially to the men who were there. Had Lee not confronted Kondo, the airfield would have been a feast for the IJN that night and perhaps into the next morning. If Henderson Field had been neutralized, the Enterprise Enterprise would have been the only source of U.S. airpower left in the combat area, and a feeble one at that: When the carrier retired south, she had only eighteen Wildcat fighters on board. Her entire complement of Avengers and Dauntlesses had gone to operate with the Cactus Air Force at Henderson Field. would have been the only source of U.S. airpower left in the combat area, and a feeble one at that: When the carrier retired south, she had only eighteen Wildcat fighters on board. Her entire complement of Avengers and Dauntlesses had gone to operate with the Cactus Air Force at Henderson Field.

With the battle of giants over, Rear Admiral Tanaka turned the broad prows of his four navigable transports southward. (Several of their damaged cohorts would lie dead in the water near the Russell Islands, soon to fall victim to pilots from Guadalca.n.a.l.) Yamamoto himself endorsed Tanaka's plan to run the ships aground. It was around 4 a.m. when they beached themselves near Ta.s.safaronga. Though they brought one last load into "Starvation Island," they took themselves out of the war. These ships would be easy targets for attacks from air, land, and sea. Set upon by the forces of nature in the ensuing decades, the wreckage of the transports would stand as symbols of j.a.pan's futile determination to hold the southern Solomons. From a force of more than twelve thousand soldiers that Tanaka had originally embarked at Rabaul, only about two thousand straggled ash.o.r.e, along with 260 cases of ammunition and fifteen hundred bags of rice. Every one of more than fifty-five hundred men Turner had transported to the island that week arrived safely. The numbers would spell victory.

1 The IJN battleships The IJN battleships Yamashiro Yamashiro and and Fuso, Fuso, sunk during an engagement with U.S. battleships in Surigao Strait on the night of October 2425, 1944, were done in mostly by destroyer torpedoes. sunk during an engagement with U.S. battleships in Surigao Strait on the night of October 2425, 1944, were done in mostly by destroyer torpedoes.

38.

The Kind of Men Who Win a War THAT MORNING ON GUADALCa.n.a.l, IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE battle in the sound, the outcome was still in doubt. Word went around to everyone holed up on the north sh.o.r.e that if the j.a.panese had prevailed, their troops would be storming ash.o.r.e before dawn. The news pa.s.sed like a current among the electricians working to repair the power cables serving the remote-control searchlight battery. "This ruled out any further sleep," Bill McKinney wrote. When the familiar throaty rumble of U.S. PT boats rolled in from the sound, it was safe to presume a victory. And when a report came in from the waterfront of enemy corpses floating in the water-uncountable mult.i.tudes of them-a sense of rea.s.surance spread about the outcome. McKinney and his pals returned to work splicing cable, "like ladies in a sewing circle." battle in the sound, the outcome was still in doubt. Word went around to everyone holed up on the north sh.o.r.e that if the j.a.panese had prevailed, their troops would be storming ash.o.r.e before dawn. The news pa.s.sed like a current among the electricians working to repair the power cables serving the remote-control searchlight battery. "This ruled out any further sleep," Bill McKinney wrote. When the familiar throaty rumble of U.S. PT boats rolled in from the sound, it was safe to presume a victory. And when a report came in from the waterfront of enemy corpses floating in the water-uncountable mult.i.tudes of them-a sense of rea.s.surance spread about the outcome. McKinney and his pals returned to work splicing cable, "like ladies in a sewing circle."

There were more than a few Americans out there on the swells. Survivors from the Walke Walke and the and the Preston Preston were among the oil-soaked throng revealed by the sunrise. Fighters on the morning patrol dipped down for a closer look, buzzing them to indicate their location to rescue boats. More than once, the pilot of an Army P-400 Airacobra bore down on a cl.u.s.ter of bobbing heads with his finger tensed on the trigger in case the survivors were enemy. The Guadalca.n.a.l campaign marked the onset, as far as U.S. servicemen were concerned, of "total war." Marine Raider units among others were slaughtering prisoners rather than hauling them around. At sea and in the air, the same brutal ethic prevailed, no matter what the international accords required. These sailors breathed considerably easier after noon, when the destroyer were among the oil-soaked throng revealed by the sunrise. Fighters on the morning patrol dipped down for a closer look, buzzing them to indicate their location to rescue boats. More than once, the pilot of an Army P-400 Airacobra bore down on a cl.u.s.ter of bobbing heads with his finger tensed on the trigger in case the survivors were enemy. The Guadalca.n.a.l campaign marked the onset, as far as U.S. servicemen were concerned, of "total war." Marine Raider units among others were slaughtering prisoners rather than hauling them around. At sea and in the air, the same brutal ethic prevailed, no matter what the international accords required. These sailors breathed considerably easier after noon, when the destroyer Meade Meade arrived from Tulagi, lowered boats, and began taking them aboard. A pair of floatplanes left behind by Callaghan's cruisers puttered around, inviting survivors to grab a pontoon strut for a ride to safety. Taken to the arrived from Tulagi, lowered boats, and began taking them aboard. A pair of floatplanes left behind by Callaghan's cruisers puttered around, inviting survivors to grab a pontoon strut for a ride to safety. Taken to the Meade, Meade, they fouled the destroyer's well-kept wardroom, now a triage, with their blood. they fouled the destroyer's well-kept wardroom, now a triage, with their blood.

But the worst traumas of November reached waters far from Savo Sound. Most of the American sailors who were still missing in action at that time were beyond the reach of helping hands from Guadalca.n.a.l. An appreciation of the ordeal suffered by the survivors of the USS Juneau Juneau would be gained only in retrospect, when nothing remained to be done for them. The fact that as many as 140 men had lived through the ship's sudden loss to a submarine torpedo on the morning of the thirteenth would surprise all who had witnessed her loss. The detonation of the would be gained only in retrospect, when nothing remained to be done for them. The fact that as many as 140 men had lived through the ship's sudden loss to a submarine torpedo on the morning of the thirteenth would surprise all who had witnessed her loss. The detonation of the Juneau Juneau's powder magazine killed nearly everyone in her forward sections. Almost all those who survived were stationed in the after part of the ship. The survivors may have been spared by the fractured keel, whose wobbly state might have dissipated the blast wave as it flowed aft along the ship's spine.

Spared was the wrong word for most of the men. Beneath a cloud of fuel oil vapors and powder smoke, they hit the waters in a squall of shattered steel, flying hatch covers, and tumbling gun barrels and radar antennae, the hard gore of a warship that tore flesh and broke bone. One was the wrong word for most of the men. Beneath a cloud of fuel oil vapors and powder smoke, they hit the waters in a squall of shattered steel, flying hatch covers, and tumbling gun barrels and radar antennae, the hard gore of a warship that tore flesh and broke bone. One Juneau Juneau survivor would estimate that two-thirds of his surviving shipmates who hit the water alive had received serious wounds. According to Allen Heyn, "Some of them were in very bad shape. Their arms and legs were torn off. And one of them, I could see myself his skull. You could see the red part inside where his head had been split open you might say torn open in places." The next morning, Heyn noticed that "his hair had turned gray just as if he was an old man." survivor would estimate that two-thirds of his surviving shipmates who hit the water alive had received serious wounds. According to Allen Heyn, "Some of them were in very bad shape. Their arms and legs were torn off. And one of them, I could see myself his skull. You could see the red part inside where his head had been split open you might say torn open in places." The next morning, Heyn noticed that "his hair had turned gray just as if he was an old man."

Shortly after the Juneau Juneau's loss that morning, Gilbert Hoover had signaled her final coordinates to the pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress that happened by overhead, with a request to relay the information to Noumea. The pilot counted some sixty souls in the water and dropped a balsa life raft. His message to Halsey, however, took untold hours to be decoded, read, and acted upon. It was these sailors' vast misfortune to be cast adrift at a time when the Navy was gathering its resources for Lee's fight with Kondo. Search planes were scouring not the northern Coral Sea but the approaches to Guadalca.n.a.l. All available ships had been pressed into service either as convoy escorts or in a task force.

And so the Juneau Juneau's survivors bided their time. Addled by fatigue and exposure, some of them let go of the raft and swam below to search their ship's pa.s.sageways for something dry to eat. They quarreled and contended with sharks. One of these survivors, George Sullivan, paddled around calling out for his four brothers, long gone. The oldest and highest-ranked Sullivan must have felt he had let his little brothers down. For his other shipmates, suffering the agonies of brine-swollen tongues, sunburned shoulders, bloated limbs, delirium, and the predations of sharks, he did what he could. When George found some survivors who were unrecognizably fouled in bunker oil, he swiped the faces with gobs of toilet paper, looking for the familiar facial features of his kin beneath layers of drying fuel.

Allen Heyn, on the raft with Sullivan, fought to overcome a powerful impulse to swim to the ship that he thought he sensed hovering below. He recovered in time to save another man from this delirium. Heyn held on to him for a time, long enough for the man to give up all struggles. He was preparing to surrender the deceased man to the sea when he found himself standing athwart the fierce resolve of the Irishman from Waterloo, Iowa. "You can't do that," Sullivan said. "It's against all regulations of the Navy. You can't bury a man at sea without having official orders from some captain or somebody like that."

These words were spoken with the unshakable cert.i.tude of a scrambled mind. Heyn was considering his argument, holding on to the corpse, half on the raft and half in the sea, when a shadow moved below the surface; the dead man lurched and one of his legs was carried away, ending the argument. George Sullivan was left on the cusp of uncharted oblivion, still calling for his brothers, his fevers and delusions a merciful sedative to grief. That night, four days after his ship had been turned to particles, he left the company of his shipmates. Stripping off his clothes, he said he was going to take a bath, then floated away, paddling to the place where another deep shadow rose, mercifully ending the nightmare.

EARLY ON THE MORNING of November 15, four transports arrived at Espiritu Santo with wounded sailors and marines from Guadalca.n.a.l. One of the transports, the of November 15, four transports arrived at Espiritu Santo with wounded sailors and marines from Guadalca.n.a.l. One of the transports, the President Jackson, President Jackson, carried seven seriously burned men from the carried seven seriously burned men from the San Francisco San Francisco who did not survive the trip. Admiral Turner's who did not survive the trip. Admiral Turner's McCawley McCawley was among this newly arrived group, too. Shortly after his arrival, he sent an aide to summon the acting commander of the was among this newly arrived group, too. Shortly after his arrival, he sent an aide to summon the acting commander of the San Francisco San Francisco. Lieutenant Commander Schonland took the Helena Helena's motor whaleboat to the McCawley McCawley and was met at the gangway by Turner's flag lieutenant, who promptly told Schonland that his superior wanted to see not him, but the officer who was on the and was met at the gangway by Turner's flag lieutenant, who promptly told Schonland that his superior wanted to see not him, but the officer who was on the San Francisco San Francisco's bridge during the battle. The boat returned to the cruiser and came back with McCandless, who met with Turner and tendered his report.

The San Francisco San Francisco continued to Noumea, where Admiral Halsey came aboard to inspect the damage and give tribute to his men. Schonland met him at the top of the gangway. The damage-control officer must have recovered some of the pride he had lost after Kelly Turner's rebuff when Halsey gripped him by the shoulders and said, "Men like you, Schonland, are going to win this war." continued to Noumea, where Admiral Halsey came aboard to inspect the damage and give tribute to his men. Schonland met him at the top of the gangway. The damage-control officer must have recovered some of the pride he had lost after Kelly Turner's rebuff when Halsey gripped him by the shoulders and said, "Men like you, Schonland, are going to win this war."

Chick Morris, the young officer from the Helena, Helena, went into Noumea town, "a quaint place, small and very French, but to us it was a metropolis," he wrote. "We did the shops, where under the Cross of Lorraine, the insignia of the Free French Government, you could buy almost anything American. We strolled past little movie houses. But what we wanted most was to look at the flowers and the small French houses with their tiny backyard gardens. And so before long we were outside the town proper and climbing a hill that overlooked the harbor. went into Noumea town, "a quaint place, small and very French, but to us it was a metropolis," he wrote. "We did the shops, where under the Cross of Lorraine, the insignia of the Free French Government, you could buy almost anything American. We strolled past little movie houses. But what we wanted most was to look at the flowers and the small French houses with their tiny backyard gardens. And so before long we were outside the town proper and climbing a hill that overlooked the harbor.

"It was d.a.m.ned good to be walking on solid ground again. You went slowly, appreciating every step, almost tasting the earth with your feet through the soles of your shoes. All those days, weeks, months of ocean, and now something brown and firm that you could pick up in your fingers and look at-that you could feel and smell. And because it wouldn't last, you have the most aching desire to keep walking, walking, walking, just to feel it under your feet.

"The flowers were lovely. The little cottages with their gay little yards were lovely. The sun and the warmth and even the sight of the sea from the top of the hill were lovely. We soaked it up in silence."

Morris thought of a girl in Boston and his folks in New Hampshire. He then found a small Catholic church high on a hilltop. He wasn't a deeply religious man, but as he studied how the sun played on an old stained-gla.s.s window, he was moved to go inside.

The sanctuary was dimly lit, barely revealing the cobwebs in the hand-hewn wooden rafters. The ba.s.so tones of an old wheezing organ gently vibrated in the floor. An old lady knelt praying at the altar, where candles burned. Morris took a seat in a pew and lost track of time. "Down below in the harbor our ship lay quietly at anchor after slugging her way through a large part of the j.a.panese fleet, and we owed it to her and ourselves, I felt, to kneel for a moment and say thanks.

"How long I stayed there I don't remember. Not long, probably. I prayed, I think. I knelt and thought of guns thundering in the dark, of ships burning and men shouting as they leaped into the oily water. A prayer of thanks and grat.i.tude was hidden somewhere in those thoughts, if not put into words. And I was on my knees, whether praying or not, when I became aware of the sunlight again.

"The sun had fingered a row of windows which before had been in darkness, and now in bright golden bars it filled the church with warmth and light. I looked up at the windows, and one in particular held my attention. You looked at it because you had to-because in a strange way it beckoned." From where Morris sat, "the streaming sunlight clearly illuminated the inscription on the gla.s.s, beneath a haloed figure whose face and outstretched hands shimmered with light. It read: 'St. Helena.'"

MEN LIKE THIS WOULD win the war, and Admiral Halsey appreciated it. But as he reviewed the circ.u.mstances of the win the war, and Admiral Halsey appreciated it. But as he reviewed the circ.u.mstances of the Juneau Juneau's loss, he found his anger rising: Why hadn't Captain Hoover stopped to rescue survivors? Halsey was arriving at some severe conclusions about the Helena Helena skipper's suitability to command. He ordered him to report to his headquarters. skipper's suitability to command. He ordered him to report to his headquarters.

Hoover's decorations included two Navy Crosses, with a third (a second gold star) to follow after the events of Friday the thirteenth were duly considered. His destroyers had braved ma.s.sive explosions at Coral Sea to save survivors of the sinking Lexington Lexington. His ship had been instrumental in two naval victories. But when Halsey got wind of what had happened, not even the sympathy and concurrence of Admiral Nimitz himself would save him.

"Despite this officer's magnificent combat record...I questioned him very thoroughly in the presence of Miles Browning and a VA [vice admiral] and my opinion that he had made an error in judgment was strengthened. I later visited his ship and thought I sensed a deterioration of morale. I called a conference of a VA and RA [rear admiral] and my chief of staff and discussed this matter. They concurred in the opinion I had formed, in that this cruiser skipper was no longer fit for command in his then condition. I accordingly detached him from his ship and ordered him to report to CinCPac."

So wrote Halsey in a ma.n.u.script draft of his memoirs, at least. In the eventual published version, he took less ownership of this decision. In the revised and published account, it was no longer he who interrogated Hoover. That job fell to his advisers-Jake Fitch, Kelly Turner, and Bill Calhoun, he said. They determined that Hoover had done wrong and recommended his detachment. "Reluctantly, I concurred," Halsey wrote. "I felt that the strain of prolonged combat had impaired his judgment; that guts alone were keeping him going; and that his present condition was dangerous to himself and to his splendid ship. In this conviction, I detached him with orders to CINCPAC."

But the difference between draft and publication is interesting as an ill.u.s.tration either of the state of Halsey's memory, of the genuineness of his regret, or of his candor regarding his approach to leadership. The sympathetic concern Halsey professed for the captain's well-being was not borne out by the severity of his remedy. Halsey would regret that remedy soon enough.

WHEN THE JUNEAU JUNEAU'S LAST RAFT was finally located on the open sea, it contained but a single survivor, Allen Heyn. He was built like a weight lifter, a strapping young man with a broad face and black hair and a gap between his front teeth. Brought aboard the seaplane tender was finally located on the open sea, it contained but a single survivor, Allen Heyn. He was built like a weight lifter, a strapping young man with a broad face and black hair and a gap between his front teeth. Brought aboard the seaplane tender Ballard, Ballard, he didn't need long to regain his senses and tell his grim story, though a shark had done its best to remove all witnesses, taking a fist-sized bite out of his left b.u.t.tock. Three more survivors, Joseph Hartney, Victor James Fitzgerald, and Lieutenant (j.g.) Charles w.a.n.g, found by a seaplane, had the good fortune to reach San Cristobal under propulsion of a heavy squall that had foiled several attempts by Catalina flying boats to land and retrieve them. he didn't need long to regain his senses and tell his grim story, though a shark had done its best to remove all witnesses, taking a fist-sized bite out of his left b.u.t.tock. Three more survivors, Joseph Hartney, Victor James Fitzgerald, and Lieutenant (j.g.) Charles w.a.n.g, found by a seaplane, had the good fortune to reach San Cristobal under propulsion of a heavy squall that had foiled several attempts by Catalina flying boats to land and retrieve them.

With w.a.n.g severely wounded and delirious, Hartney and Fitzgerald had sustained themselves with good seamanship, by singing Irish folk songs, and by the imperative to tend faithfully to their gravely wounded shipmate. When their raft entered a lagoon on San Cristobal, they scarcely had the strength to paddle ash.o.r.e. At ebb tide they grounded themselves on a coral ledge, and slept. When they awoke, the tide was carrying them the rest of the way in, and on the white sand beach where they landed was a freshwater stream that literally saved their lives. Found by natives, they pa.s.sed into the care of a German-born copra planter who had no love for the j.a.panese.

On the nineteenth, a Catalina pilot reported ten men in a raft at 1113 South, 1159 East. Several ships were sent for them, and six men were rescued from rafts that originally held thirty. The final tally of Juneau Juneau survivors stood at ten after the sinking, not including O'Neil and the three corpsmen transferred to the survivors stood at ten after the sinking, not including O'Neil and the three corpsmen transferred to the San Francisco San Francisco. Killed or forever missing were 683 men of a crew of almost seven hundred. As a Navy Department official would explain to a bereaved relative, "Efforts consistent with the paramount tactical necessities of the time were made to rescue as many survivors as possible. That these efforts were not successful in the case of many gallant officers and men is deeply regretted by the Navy."

FOR THE j.a.pANESE, it was becoming increasingly clear that Guadalca.n.a.l had become their Stalingrad. That was the opinion of Matome Ugaki, and though all such comparisons are inexact, there was no denying that in their zeal to advance the j.a.panese had stretched themselves beyond the nourishment of their supply train and exposed themselves against an enemy who was proving to be absolutely implacable in defense. The extent of the disaster of the previous two nights was now in full view.

When Kondo's procession of cripples returned to Truk harbor on November 17, Ugaki was watching from the decks of the Yamato Yamato. "It was lonely indeed that we couldn't see Hiei Hiei and and Kirishima Kirishima among them," he wrote in his diary. When Hiroaki Abe came on board the among them," he wrote in his diary. When Hiroaki Abe came on board the Yamato, Yamato, he looked crestfallen. With a bandage swathing his lower jaw, he sorrowfully reported the loss of two ships. As Ugaki saw it, "He seemed to suffer especially for his sunken he looked crestfallen. With a bandage swathing his lower jaw, he sorrowfully reported the loss of two ships. As Ugaki saw it, "He seemed to suffer especially for his sunken Hiei Hiei. He even confided that he thought he would have been better to have gone down with Hiei Hiei. I can well appreciate how he felt." A fiction, however, was concocted to keep spirits up. "Morale was lifted as it became almost certain, as a result of an investigation conducted by the advance force, that two or three enemy battleships had been sunk," Ugaki wrote in his diary. For the first time, a pattern was set: The proud IJN was reduced to consoling itself with fantasy. Ash.o.r.e, the marines would learn that their j.a.panese opponents had been informed that New York and San Francisco had fallen to j.a.panese invasion forces.

The Juneau Juneau's survivors were still fighting the descent into madness at sea when Kelly Turner wrote Halsey to recommend a posthumous Medal of Honor for Dan Callaghan, who "by his daring, determination and tactical brilliance prevented [the j.a.panese] from accomplishing their mission." Turner wanted the slain admiral decorated "for distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk and cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty." Similar recommendations, duly acted on in time, were made for Bruce McCandless and Herbert Schonland for bringing the San Francisco San Francisco through the maelstrom that night. Turner wrote that " through the maelstrom that night. Turner wrote that "THE BEHAVIOR OF THE SHIP'S COMPANY IS BEYOND PRAISE, NOT ONLY FOR BRAVERY BUT ALSO FOR EFFECTIVENESS. FOR FIGHTING THEIR SHIP WELL AND EFFECTIVELY, FOR BRAVERY BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY FOR FIGHTING THEIR SHIP WELL AND EFFECTIVELY, FOR BRAVERY BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. AND FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN ACTION ON AND FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN ACTION ON NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 1213, 1213, I RECOMMEND THAT THE I RECOMMEND THAT THE SAN SAN FRANCISCO FRANCIs...o...b.. THE FIRST VESSEL IN THE BE THE FIRST VESSEL IN THE NAVY TO RECEIVE THE CITATION ANNOUNCED BY NAVY TO RECEIVE THE CITATION ANNOUNCED BY ALNAV 238 ALNAV 2381 FOR OUTSTANDING SHIP FOR OUTSTANDING SHIP."

Navy Secretary Frank Knox wrote to Halsey two days later, "sPEAKING FOR THE NAVY AS A WHOLE, I WANT TO EXPRESS TO YOU THE FEELING OF PRIDE AND SATISFACTION THE ENTIRE SERVICE FEELS IN THE GREAT VICTORY WON BY YOU AND YOUR MEN NAVY AS A WHOLE, I WANT TO EXPRESS TO YOU THE FEELING OF PRIDE AND SATISFACTION THE ENTIRE SERVICE FEELS IN THE GREAT VICTORY WON BY YOU AND YOUR MEN.... " Halsey replied, "MY DEEP THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRING MESSAGE. I AM Pa.s.sING IT ON TO THE HEROIC MEN WHO DID OUR FIGHTING I AM Pa.s.sING IT ON TO THE HEROIC MEN WHO DID OUR FIGHTING. sOPAC OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ARMY ARMY, NAVY AND NAVY AND MARINE MARINE CORPS RECOGNIZE NO DIVISION INTO SEPARATE SERVICES CORPS RECOGNIZE NO DIVISION INTO SEPARATE SERVICES. WE ARE ALL IN THE WE ARE ALL IN THE UNITED UNITED s sTATES SERVICE HERE. AS COMMANDER OF THAT SERVICE IN THIS AREA AS COMMANDER OF THAT SERVICE IN THIS AREA I GRATEFULLY ACCEPT YOUR TRIBUTE TO ITS HEROES WITH A SENSE OF HUMILITY FOR MYSELF AND GREAT PRIDE FOR THEM I GRATEFULLY ACCEPT YOUR TRIBUTE TO ITS HEROES WITH A SENSE OF HUMILITY FOR MYSELF AND GREAT PRIDE FOR THEM."

Nimitz wrote, "wE HAVE ADMIRATION BEYOND EXPRESSION FOR THE UNSWERVING OFFENSIVE SPIRIT OF YOUR FIGHTING FORCES AND THEIR ABILITY TO STRIKE DOWN THE ENEMY WHILE ABSORBING HIS BLOWS. wE REGRET DEEPLY THE LOSSES YOU HAD TO TAKE BUT THEY WERE GLORIOUSLY NOT IN VAIN." For the marines on the 'Ca.n.a.l, Frank Jack Fletcher's decision to withdraw the carriers seemed a lifetime ago. The Marine Corps' final verdict on the fighting Navy's importance to the campaign was rendered by the general who stood with his men since the first landings, Archie Vandegrift. "wE BELIEVE THE ENEMY HAS SUFFERED A CRUSHING DEFEAT. wE THANK LEE FOR HIS St.u.r.dY EFFORT LAST NIGHT LEE FOR HIS St.u.r.dY EFFORT LAST NIGHT. WE THANK WE THANK KINCAID KINCAID [ [SIC] FOR HIS INTERVENTION YESTERDAY FOR HIS INTERVENTION YESTERDAY. OUR OWN AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN GRAND IN ITS RELENTLESS POUNDING OF THE FOE OUR OWN AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN GRAND IN ITS RELENTLESS POUNDING OF THE FOE. THOSE EFFORTS WE APPRECIATE BUT OUR GREATEST HOMAGE GOES TO THOSE EFFORTS WE APPRECIATE BUT OUR GREATEST HOMAGE GOES TO SCOTT SCOTT, CALLAGHAN AND THEIR MEN WHO WITH MAGNIFICENT COURAGE AGAINST SEEMINGLY HOPELESS ODDS DROVE BACK THE FIRST HOSTILE STROKE AND MADE SUCCESS POSSIBLE CALLAGHAN AND THEIR MEN WHO WITH MAGNIFICENT COURAGE AGAINST SEEMINGLY HOPELESS ODDS DROVE BACK THE FIRST HOSTILE STROKE AND MADE SUCCESS POSSIBLE. TO THEM THE MEN OF TO THEM THE MEN OF CACTUS LIFT THEIR BATTERED HELMETS IN DEEPEST ADMIRATION CACTUS LIFT THEIR BATTERED HELMETS IN DEEPEST ADMIRATION." The Navy had earned nothing less. When it was all said and done at Guadalca.n.a.l, three sailors would die at sea for every infantryman who fell ash.o.r.e.

In a speech to the New York Herald Tribune New York Herald Tribune Forum on November 17, President Roosevelt lamented the loss of his former naval aide Dan Callaghan. "During the past two weeks," FDR said, "we have had a great deal of good news and it would seem that the turning point in this war has at last been reached." Forum on November 17, President Roosevelt lamented the loss of his former naval aide Dan Callaghan. "During the past two weeks," FDR said, "we have had a great deal of good news and it would seem that the turning point in this war has at last been reached."

On the nineteenth, Major General Alexander M. Patch, the commander of the U.S. Army's Americal Division and the successor to General Vandegrift, arrived on Guadalca.n.a.l and delivered the best gift the 1st Marine Division ever received during their tenure in the South Pacific: the news that their tour of duty was near an end.

1 "ALL NAVY" BULLETIN. "ALL NAVY" BULLETIN.

39.

On the Spot ON BOARD THE SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO, HALSEY DECORATED MANY OF THE HALSEY DECORATED MANY OF THE crew who had distinguished themselves, Jack Bennett among them. As the lieutenant junior grade's name was called, Halsey said into the standing mike, "Step closer, son." The words reverberated through the public-address system. When Halsey fixed the Navy Cross onto his shirt, its sharp pin stuck into Bennett's flesh, and Bennett was keenly aware of the microphone inches from his mouth. "I knew that any sound of pain I uttered would also boom out over the speakers," Bennett wrote. "I was already scared and now I had to grit my teeth and remain silent as the admiral continued trying to close the clasp, finally giving up when he saw the blood seeping through my shirt." crew who had distinguished themselves, Jack Bennett among them. As the lieutenant junior grade's name was called, Halsey said into the standing mike, "Step closer, son." The words reverberated through the public-address system. When Halsey fixed the Navy Cross onto his shirt, its sharp pin stuck into Bennett's flesh, and Bennett was keenly aware of the microphone inches from his mouth. "I knew that any sound of pain I uttered would also boom out over the speakers," Bennett wrote. "I was already scared and now I had to grit my teeth and remain silent as the admiral continued trying to close the clasp, finally giving up when he saw the blood seeping through my shirt."

The repair supervisors at Noumea, determining that the Sterett Sterett needed structural work, made plans to send her back to Pearl. "No sooner had the repair team left," Cal Calhoun wrote, "than we were told that Admiral Halsey himself was coming aboard to inspect our damage." No one could have failed to recognize the bushy eyebrows, the strong chin, or the direct gaze that bespoke confidence and strength. "He shook hands with each of us," Calhoun wrote, "and asked to be shown all of our battle damage." Halsey listened intently as Captain Coward cataloged the cost, human and material, extracted by each hit. "From time to time he simply shook his head as we described events," Lieutenant Calhoun wrote. By the end of the briefing, Halsey had tears in his eyes. In a low voice, he told Coward and his senior officers how proud he was of them. needed structural work, made plans to send her back to Pearl. "No sooner had the repair team left," Cal Calhoun wrote, "than we were told that Admiral Halsey himself was coming aboard to inspect our damage." No one could have failed to recognize the bushy eyebrows, the strong chin, or the direct gaze that bespoke confidence and strength. "He shook hands with each of us," Calhoun wrote, "and asked to be shown all of our battle damage." Halsey listened intently as Captain Coward cataloged the cost, human and material, extracted by each hit. "From time to time he simply shook his head as we described events," Lieutenant Calhoun wrote. By the end of the briefing, Halsey had tears in his eyes. In a low voice, he told Coward and his senior officers how proud he was of them.

"I wish I could recall his exact words," Calhoun wrote, "but I do remember some of his thoughts-he regretted that he had to send destroyers against battleships but was sure that the small ships would do their utmost; he was amazed that any destroyer could absorb eleven sh.e.l.l hits (three of which were fourteen-inch projectiles) and still steam away from the action under her own power; he was profoundly moved by the many stories of heroism, and by the mute but eloquent evidence of punishment and sacrifice that was apparent at every turn as he toured the ship. Finally he thanked us, with a sincerity that added a special quality to his words, and said, 'G.o.d bless you!' We stood there filled with admiration, respect, and pride and watched him climb into a waiting jeep and drive off. It was an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime occasion. To those of us who witnessed it, Admiral Halsey's name will always lead the list of inspirational combat leaders of World War II."

ON NOVEMBER 22, Admiral Halsey shared his thinking with Nimitz concerning his decision to relieve Gil Hoover: Admiral Halsey shared his thinking with Nimitz concerning his decision to relieve Gil Hoover: After a.n.a.lysis of the situation presented, I consider that the commanding officer, Helena, Helena, senior officer present in the task group, committed a serious and costly error in the action which he took; specifically: senior officer present in the task group, committed a serious and costly error in the action which he took; specifically:a) He should have made radio report of the torpedoing at once. Radio silence, as a measure of concealment, had ceased to be effective since the enemy was in contact. Only positive action to keep him submerged could be expected to delay his report.b) He should have inst.i.tuted offensive action, together with, or closely followed by, rescue operations, utilizing at least one of his destroyers.His failure to take prompt action on the above lines was further aggravated by lack of any follow-up to insure that senior commands were informed of the Juneau Juneau's loss. Commander South Pacific was first apprised of this fact as a result of his own inquiry into Juneau Juneau's status when she was not included in the arrival report of the group....In view of the above circ.u.mstances, I have this date relieved Captain G. C. Hoover of his command of the USS Helena, Helena, and ordered him by dispatch to proceed by the first available government air transportation and report to Commander-in-Chief for rea.s.signment. and ordered him by dispatch to proceed by the first available government air transportation and report to Commander-in-Chief for rea.s.signment.

Canny, cautious, and discerning, Admiral Spruance picked up on an a.s.sumption that underlay Halsey's censure-that Hoover had had the means at hand to attack the enemy submarine. He asked Hoover for comment, asking specifically whether his two destroyers had functioning sonar systems. Hoover conceded that both the Fletcher Fletcher and and Sterett Sterett had working sound gear, though the latter was badly damaged. He added that he felt the need to bring damaged ships safely home outweighed the uncertain gain of searching for survivors of a vessel that had exploded so violently. Hoover emphasized the dangerous nature of the waters he was transiting, pointing to the dispatch the had working sound gear, though the latter was badly damaged. He added that he felt the need to bring damaged ships safely home outweighed the uncertain gain of searching for survivors of a vessel that had exploded so violently. Hoover emphasized the dangerous nature of the waters he was transiting, pointing to the dispatch the Juneau Juneau sent him that morning, notifying him of the threat of enemy aircraft and urging him to ask for prompt support from the sent him that morning, notifying him of the threat of enemy aircraft and urging him to ask for prompt support from the Enterprise Enterprise task force. He mentioned that neither the task force. He mentioned that neither the Helena Helena nor the nor the San Francisco San Francisco had planes on board to hunt submarines. had planes on board to hunt submarines.

But the merits of arguments no longer mattered. The fix was in. According to Bin Cochran of the Helena, Helena, the brawling and ill-tempered Captain Miles Browning, Halsey's chief of staff, had argued fiercely for Hoover's relief and later bragged about having Hoover sacked. Cochran, like most of his shipmates, held Hoover in high esteem for the coolheaded manner in which he had led the ship through two ferocious actions. Browning impressed people less. the brawling and ill-tempered Captain Miles Browning, Halsey's chief of staff, had argued fiercely for Hoover's relief and later bragged about having Hoover sacked. Cochran, like most of his shipmates, held Hoover in high esteem for the coolheaded manner in which he had led the ship through two ferocious actions. Browning impressed people less.

Even Chester Nimitz's moderating voice couldn't overcome the d.a.m.ning effect of Halsey's memo. As reports and memoranda proceed up the Navy's chain of command, commanders are given the chance to add their own comments, or "endors.e.m.e.nts," for the benefit of higher-ups. In his December 4 endors.e.m.e.nt to Admiral King's copy of the memo, Nimitz acknowledged the difficult trial Hoover faced, confronted with a hard decision in perilous waters. He stated that the failure of the B-17 to report the loss of the Juneau Juneau in time was not Hoover's fault. Referring to sighting reports Hoover had received of enemy carriers, surface ships, and submarines nearby, he wrote, "Under these conditions the situation confronting Captain Hoover was one in which the necessity for getting his damaged ships back to a base was balanced against the natural instinct of every naval officer to go to the rescue of officers and men in distress and danger. Whatever may be the opinion of Captain Hoover's decision in this matter, he was the responsible officer on the spot and, from his war record, which includes two important night engagements, his courage may not be questioned." Breaking with Halsey, Nimitz recommended that King give Hoover "a suitable command at sea" after some time to rest. in time was not Hoover's fault. Referring to sighting reports Hoover had received of enemy carriers, surface ships, and submarines nearby, he wrote, "Under these conditions the situation confronting Captain Hoover was one in which the necessity for getting his damaged ships back to a base was balanced against the natural instinct of every naval officer to go to the rescue of officers and men in distress and danger. Whatever may be the opinion of Captain Hoover's decision in this matter, he was the responsible officer on the spot and, from his war record, which includes two important night engagements, his courage may not be questioned." Breaking with Halsey, Nimitz recommended that King give Hoover "a suitable command at sea" after some time to rest.

It didn't matter. In the compet.i.tive, political world of the admiralty, written criticism from an area commander was inerasable, a terminal act. Halsey's impulsive disgust could not be unwritten, not by the Pacific Ocean Area commander in chief, and not even by Halsey himself after he later admitted that he had acted unjustly and in haste. The variances in Halsey's written accounts of his evaluation of Hoover's performance are curious. In his memoirs he offered "a confession of a grievous mistake.... I concluded that I had been guilty of an injustice." The draft ma.n.u.script of his memoirs offers a fuller discussion of these events than appears in the published version.

CinCPac was in disagreement with me on my judgment, wondering if I had done an injustice to a man who had had a magnificent combat record. I was finally convinced that this man at the time in question was suffering from an aggravated case of combat fatigue and that his guts alone had kept him going. In modern warfare guts are not always enough-a man's brain must be clear. I wrote an official letter stating my belief that this officer had been suffering from combat fatigue at that time and that I had possibly committed an error of judgment in detaching him under such drastic circ.u.mstances. I requested that he be given a combatant command and stated that I should be delighted to have him in such a position under my command. I am afraid that my late action in attempting to clear this officer of the stigma that resulted from my detaching him had not been successful although it most certainly alleviated his feelings. I am deeply regretful of the whole incident. I have already acknowledged my mistake to him and to the Navy Department, and here I acknowledge it publicly. It is a tribute to the caliber of this officer that our personal relations are excellent.

In the published version, Halsey added that "Hoover's decision was in the best interests of victory," ev