For Crew and Country

The Inspirational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts

De: John Wukovits

Narrado por: Robertson Dean

John Wukovits tells of the most dramatic naval battle of the Pacific War and the incredible sacrifice of the USS Samuel B. Roberts.

On October 25, 1944, the Samuel B. Roberts, along with the other 12 vessels comprising its unit, stood between Japan’s largest battleship force ever sent to sea and MacArthur’s transports inside Leyte Gulf. Faced with the surprise appearance of more than 20 Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers - including the Yamato, at 70,000 tons the most potent battlewagon in the world - the 1,200-ton Samuel B. Roberts turned immediately to action with six other ships. Captain Copeland marked the occasion with one of the most poignant addresses ever given to men on the edge of battle: "Men," he said over the intercom, "we are about to go into a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected."

The ship churned straight at the enemy in a near-suicidal attempt to deflect the more potent foe, allow the small aircraft carriers to escape, and buy time for MacArthur’s forces. Of 563 destroyers constructed during World War II, the Samuel B. Roberts was the only one sunk, going down with guns blazing in a duel reminiscent of the Spartans at Thermopylae or Davy Crockett’s Alamo defenders. The men who survived faced a horrifying three-day nightmare in the sea, where they battled a lack of food and water, scorching sun and numbing nighttime cold, and nature’s most feared adversary - sharks.

The battle would go down as history’s greatest sea clash, the Battle of Samar - the dramatic climax of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

©2013 John Wukovits (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"On October 25, 1944, the USS Samuel B. Roberts took part in one of the most doomed naval battles in US history…. Wukovits recounts the battle in harrowing detail, while providing intimate glimpses into the lives of the men on board." ( Publishers Weekly)

Needs to be a movie!

The story of the battle of Taffy 3 needs to be a movie. It is one of the proudest moments in US Navy history. This book was excellent.

This should be required reading.

Is this an amazing story and history and should be required is required reading for every American.


The performance connected me with with each of the participants in the battle and made me think think that I was there on the ship. This is a riveting story of bravery and American exceptionalism, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Very good

Wish some of these books were required reading in school. Shows how many were willing to sacrifice their lives so we can be free today. Great story. Loved the way it singled out individual people. Some who lived and some who did not. Would read again.

Great Story

Great story, especially when this ship was recently found! much respect to all those that served

great narrative

honors our greatest generation in a very very genuine way with all their sacrifices to remember