Calhoun McWhorter

APPENDIX
Epilogue

Since I left the Sterett, she has continued to distinguish herself in a way apparently habitual with her. Upon completion of battle damage repairs at Mare Island, the Sterett was sent directly back to the Solomons, where she resumed her duties “up the Slot” in the invasions of other islands up the Solomons’ chain. In another night action in Vella Gulf on 7 August 1943, she received sole credit for sinking another Japanese destroyer and assisting in the destruction of others.

After this, she operated for several months with the fast battleship and carrier task forces that raked the Pacific from one end to the other.

In May 1945, in action off Okinawa against Japanese “Kamikaze” suicide planes, the Sterett shot down four planes before being struck by one. Her engineering plant disabled for the first time, she was towed back for repairs where she was once again restored to full fighting condition.

At the end of World War II, the total score of the enemy credited’ to the Sterett is as follows:

1 Battleship (seriously damaged—later sunk);
1 Cruiser (damaged);
Submarines: (1 believed sunk or damaged; I believed damaged);
Planes Destroyed: At least 10 (further information not available).

In Santo after the Battle of Guadalcanal one of our officers was talking to a Marine recently evacuated from Guadalcanal.

“Sterett?” the Marine asked. “Hell yes! Every Marine on Guadalcanal knows she’s the fightin’est tin can in the Navy!”

And she was, too.

Among the great fighting ships of all times, the Sterett can carry her head high.

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