The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

Written by James D. Hornsfischer

“Desperately fought on the morning of October 25, 1944, the Battle off Samar is one of the most celebrated engagements in United States naval lore. Facing overwhelming firepower, with no prospect of reinforcement, thirteen American warships began a fight they couldn’t win - and fought it to the death. Weaving together extensive interviews with veterans, unpublished eyewitness accounts, declassified documents, and rare Japanese sources, the author has created an unprecedented account of a naval engagement unlike any other in American history. A resonant portrait of the Navy man’s indomitable spirit and a stirring tale of heroism in the face of hopeless odds.”