USS Johnston's Last Stand

On board the Destroyer USS Johnston Commander Ernest Edwin Evans is proceeding with his usual routine when a radio transmission from a patrolling plane warns of an incoming enemy fleet. The Japanese Center Force has slipped through undetected and is barreling down upon them.

The pilot reports "I can see pagoda masts. I see the biggest meatball flag on the biggest battleship I ever saw!"

The American fleet is completely outclassed. With their 7 destroyers and 6 carriers the Yamato alone weighs more than the entirety of Taffy 3 combined.
It's an incredible story of bravery against overwhelming odds where the Evans and the crew of the USS Johnston take the battle to the vastly superior Japanese force.

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[ThunderBuddy]

My great grandpa was on the USS Johnston when it sunk during the battle of Leyte Gulf. He was also one of the last men to see the Captain before he abandoned ship. He also told me a another story of how the Japanese just waved at them while they in the ocean after the ship sunk. He was stranded in the Pacific for 3 days with no food and a couple drops of rain. If my grandpa didn’t survive, I wouldn’t be alive today. I was always thankful everyday for my grandpa and his service. I want to take this moment to thank you for making a video about this.
Rest In Peace Grandpa
(1923 - 2014)
USS Johnston (Purple Heart)

[andrewtaylor]

The Japanese ship that saluted the Johnston at the end was the IJN Yukikaze. Herself being something of a legend. Being one of the few Japanese warships to survive the entirety of the war. Being present at almost every major battle. And being present when each of the three Yamato class ships was sunk. Musashi (the day before the battle described here) Yamato in her suicidal charge to Okinawa for Operation Ten Go, and Shinano, the Un completed Yamato sister that was converted to a Carrier, and sunk off Japan by an American Submarine 10 hours after she was launched. As she was being moved between shipyards. The Yukikaze became known as “the one that survives”. And rather remarkably brought most of her crew home alive. After the war she was captured by the Americans and given to Taiwan. Where she served a particularly long career.

[oldgamesinvestigator]

US Navy vet here. I'm not crying. My vision is just blurry for some reason. Salute to the crew of this most awesome warship. Thank you, Yarnhub.

[huskydogg]

My father was on the Johnston. He was a helmsman on the ship and manually turned the rudder when hydraulics were destroyed. He joined the Navy on his 17th birthday, missed much of his high school and yet was a voracious reader his whole life. High school math teacher, GREAT football coach, retired and worked in the scouting department for an NFL team. Needless to say he was my hero as well as my dad, a total mensch. Unlike many people today he clearly knew right from wrong, was not religious but had a moral center that never waivered which I think was common for his generation. He's been gone eight years now and I miss him so much.

[billbombshiggy]

The Japanese captain saluting the ship is an amazing story. Even in war, some people still have honor and he absolutely had it.

[Ulquiorra]

A legendary destroyer captained by a legendary man and equally legendary crew, do or die grit only matched by it's fellow ships of Taffy 3 and the airmen of all three Taffy groups. The USS Johnston's wreck held the record as the deepest wreck for some time, it's guns still aimed upwards in defiance. The record has since been taken by another wreck: fellow Taffy 3 comrade USS Samuel B. Roberts. Legends and heroes all, all the respect to you, crew and airmen of Taffy 1, 2, and 3.

[jamalsowner]

My great-grandfather was a gunner on USS Johnston. Sadly, he died due to the injuries.

Thank you, Yarnhub, for making this video, it brings memories.

[williamromine]

For those unfamiliar with this battle, they might have wondered why the Navy planes weren't more effective. The carriers were not fleet carriers. They were providing infantry support. They did not have the weapons to sink ships. All they could do was harass the Japanese with bombs designed to support infantry, and strafe bridges and decks. These pilots did several sorties during the battle that day.

Every time I read about this battle, this 80 year old ends up with tears running down his face. This was truly the "greatest generation".

[timothy-bf]

There’s a book by James Hornfischer called “The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors” that beautifully describes this battle minute by minute, down to the level of individual gun crew captains. It’s epic, and this video barely scratches the surface of the valor of these men.

[Albion]

I'm British but damn. this even this makes me proud. i think even the pilots earned their due respect that day and i love the subtle nod at the end to the USS Samuel B Roberts almost like the torch was passed on to yet another legendary ship.

[bankerduck]

Good timing! A real American warship has just magnificently arrived at the Capital of my country for a joint military exercise. It looked epic and absolutely massive.

[Donkringel]

I see Johnston, I watch. Such an incredible crew.

[lrd_veiraj_]

Even though Samuel B. Roberts is the one known to fight like a battleship, Johnston also fought like one, and sunk like one as well. A legendary destroyer, crewed by a legendary crew and commanded by a legendary commander. My deepest respects for all those men🙏

[davidrussellhamrick]

Got me thinking of Mike Tyson's statement "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Getting that ship back in the fight after the bridge was taken out is a testimony to the experience, preparation, and skills of every member of the crew. It's one thing to have a bright shiny ship, it's another thing to have a crew that knows how to fight it.

[johndavies]

Having seen 'Taffy 3' and 'Yamato' already, it was good to see you complete the trilogy. Well, Captain Evans said she was a fighting ship, and he certainly spoke truly. What a man - straight out of the mould of Cochise, Sitting Bull and Geronimo. And what a crew.

[andywhite]

What a story. The courage of the US Navy in the Pacific war never ceases to amaze me. The captain was one seriously brave man and I can well believe that his crew would proudly follow his lead. RIP to the men who didn't make it but their sacrifice undoubtedly contributed to saving countless others.

[janiceduke]

“This is going to be a fighting ship. I intend to go in harm’s way, and anyone who doesn’t want to go along had better get off right now.” Lt. Ernest E. Evans, at the commissioning of the USS Johnston, October 27, 1943. He later added "[n]ow that I have a fighting ship, I will never retreat from an enemy force." Evans was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Battle off Samar. The citation read:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Johnston in action against major units of the enemy Japanese fleet during the battle off Samar on 25 October 1944. The first to lay a smokescreen and to open fire as an enemy task force, vastly superior in number, firepower and armor, rapidly approached. Comdr. Evans gallantly diverted the powerful blasts of hostile guns from the lightly armed and armored carriers under his protection, launching the first torpedo attack when the Johnston came under straddling Japanese shellfire. Undaunted by damage sustained under the terrific volume of fire, he unhesitatingly joined others of his group to provide fire support during subsequent torpedo attacks against the Japanese and, outshooting and outmaneuvering the enemy as he consistently interposed his vessel between the hostile fleet units and our carriers despite the crippling loss of engine power and communications with steering aft, shifted command to the fantail, shouted steering orders through an open hatch to men turning the rudder by hand and battled furiously until the Johnston, burning and shuddering from a mortal blow, lay dead in the water after 3 hours of fierce combat. Seriously wounded early in the engagement, Comdr. Evans, by his indomitable courage and brilliant professional skill, aided materially in turning back the enemy during a critical phase of the action. His valiant fighting spirit throughout this historic battle will venture as an inspiration to all who served with him. In 1955, the destroyer escort Evans was named in his honor.

[jacksonlee]

The story of the USS Johnston is such a great tale of heroism, it's good to have Yarnhub make this following up their video on the Battle of Samar.

[davidahlstrom]

I wish Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks would make a film about Taffy 3 and this famous naval battle near The Philippines. The Johnston and the Samuel B. Robert's - their stories should never be forgotten. Amazing battle - especially the nice History Channel documentary depictions of the relative sizes of the ships attacking and defending. Unbelievable heroics by the American navy here.

[tanjianyumoe]

The ship that saluted the Johnston was the IJN Yukikaze, she also had a legendary life. She escorted the Musashi, Yamato and the Shinano. She had a lucky life and was given to the Taiwanese Navy and served them until 1970, she was also somewhat hated because they think they would sink and the yukikaze wouldnt. Luckiest ship ever