The surprise appearance of a powerful Japanese surface fleet at dawn on October 25, 1944 off the Island of Samar in Leyte Gulf led to one of the most one sided (in capability) naval battles in history. In what Admiral Chester Nimitz called the U. S. Navy's most "glorious two hours of resolution, sacrifice, and success," Taffy III, six tiny escort aircraft carriers (CVE) and seven destroyers and destroyer escorts, faced and defeated a Japanese force many times its fighting power. Just the destoyers and cruisers of the Japanese fleet far outgunned Taffy III. But, the Japanese had brought the world's most powerful battleship (Yamato) along with three other strong battleships. Each 18.1" gun turret on the Yamato outweighed an American destroyer.

The how and why of the Japanese defeat can be attributed to a number of factors, but surely the gallant and sacrificial fighting spirit of the sailors and airmen of Taffy III is the primary factor.

Robert Jon Cox, whose great-uncle survived the sinking of one of Taffy III's CVE's, has written a well researched and easily understood account of the battle. Making extensive use of ship's logs and Talk Between Ships (TBS) radio logs, as well as survivors accounts and his own analysis, Cox provides a level of detail that is not present in other accounts of the battle, of which there are a number of very fine ones.

Even someone who has read the other accounts of The Battle Off Samar will enjoy and learn from Cox's book. A reader new to the battle will come away with an amazed appreciation of the "Cost of Freedom" and the gallantry of the men of Taffy III on that long ago October day.