13. The “Tin Cans” Against the Might of Japan
While Halsey was off chasing the Japanese decoy fleet, 23 Japanese battleships and heavy cruisers headed towards the nearly undefended Americans in Leyte Gulf. They included the world’s most powerful battleship ever, the 18.1 inch gun Yamato. The powerful Japanese force showed up north of Leyte Gulf, steaming towards the landing site under the command of an admiral Kurita. The Americans were caught by surprise.
The only thing standing between the Japanese and a massacre of the Americans at Leyte Gulf was an underwhelming collection of escort carriers and destroyer escorts. Their northernmost contingent, which first came in contact with the Japanese, was commanded by Rear Admiral Clifton Sprague, and was known as “Taffy 3”. It consisted of a measly 7 destroyers and destroyer escorts, nicknamed “tin cans” for their lack of protection.