OCTOBER 25.
Steaming as before in company with all units of Task Group 77.2 in battle approach disposition A-1, formed on east-west axis. Commander Destroyers (CDS-56) in NEWCOMB. Destroyers spaced in three (3) columns of three (3) ships each (three (3) sections) between cruisers and battleships. Cruisers on the advanced flank. O.T.C. (CTG 77) in LOUISVILLE. This vessel is guide for destroyers. Speed 5 knots.
Enemy task force has been contacted by subs and is at present estimated to be headed for Surigao Strait in an attempt to enter Leyte Gulf. Our disposition is spaced across the entrances from Surigao Strait into the Gulf, so as to intercept, attack and destroy.
Maneuvering on signal to maintain position across Strait. PT boats are in the south Strait to contact and attack. Desron-54 in advanced station in readiness to launch attack with torpedoes.
0225 PT boat made sight contact with two (2) large ships headed up the Strait.
0300 Desron-54 fired torpedoes, reporting five (5) targets seen. At this time the enemy showed searchlights and fired starshells to illuminate attacking DD’s, and soon thereafter opened fire on them.
0333 Having received ordered to attack with torpedoes, Comdesron-56 gave orders for three (3) section attack, using half salvo (5 torpedoes) individual target plan. Speed was increased and courses adjusted to clear and cross to south of cruisers. This required some time because cruisers increased speed, and we had to draw ahead of them before being able to cross. Cleared cruisers at 0351 and headed south at flank speed, directly for the enemy, which we had on our screen and had been reported to be one heavy and five (5) smaller ships. General bearing line 180°. By this time enemy had opened fire in full swing and a continuous series of flashes were seen in their direction, plus many tracers which appeared to be directed toward Dinagat Island.
0354 Our battle line opened fire and from this point forward, until we had retired back toward our forces, a continuous hail of salvos was overhead, passing to and from the enemy. The most thrilling, awe-inspiring sight and sound conceivable, though very little time was available to stop and admire it. We were in the line of fire.
0404 Having turned right, fired five (5) torpedoes at leading ship which is accepted to have been a battleship, though no definite decision can be made due to blinding flashes, etc. Many witnesses state it was a large battleship, Fuso class. At this time pips were discerned on the screen astern of the battleship. It is believed that our target had slowed considerably and was turning to retire when our torpedoes were launched. Firing range 6000 yards. Immediately after firing was completed course was changed to right and maximum speed made to clear the area. Funnel smoke was made and zigzagging commenced.
Just as we commenced the turn enemy gunfire began to get the range on us and splashes were seen landing close astern on port and starboard quarters.
0410 USS GRANT, third ship in our section received several hits and was seriously damaged causing her to slow and stop. This vessel, by some miraculous stroke of luck, was not hit. It is believed that GRANT was hit by enemy and own gunfire.
At approximately 15-20 seconds after the time of run of our torpedoes, large explosions were seen, causing huge blasts of flame, rising well up into the air. This command has the conviction that at least one of our torpedoes reached home. The solution and track seem to verify what we saw. This track will be submitted with action report.
0415 Ceased funnel smoke. Enemy fire appears to have stopped. Our torpedoes may have saved us.
0420 Changed speed to 20 knots and turned to 090 to clear battle line.
0431 Received permission to return to stand by USS GRANT, dead in water in battle area. Units of battle line headed into Strait to finish off any enemy in area. We proceeded south ahead of but clear of them.
0453 Stopped engines to lower boats. Sent rescue details to GRANT. Boats returned for all Medical unit[s] attached. Many critically wounded on board GRANT. At this time large glows of fires were visible to the south.
0540 Went alongside, experiencing difficulty due to darkness and drifting of GRANT in sea way.
0540 RICHARD P. LEARY doctor came on board to assist.
0600 Moored alongside and received injured (40) on board.
0630 Commenced towing GRANT clear of battle area, while supplying her with power and other services. Commenced serving breakfast to GRANT personnel on board NEWCOMB. GRANT galley and messhall out of commission.
0710 Flash Red. Jap planes in area.
0718 Making five (5) knots through water. All lines holding, after having parted wire. Making turns for 6.6 knots. Headed for southern anchorage, Leyte.
0745 McGOWAN and REMEY approached to send over doctors and medical supplies.
0753 Slowed to receive doctors aboard in our gig, which had been trailing us.
0805 Received warning of large air raid approaching. GRANT reported she could proceed on one engine and one boiler, so stopped all engines.
0807 Doctors from REMEY and McGOWAN came on board.
0812 Cast off lines and backed clear, after which commenced circling GRANT at high speeds to render aid against air attack or sub.
0829 Stopped to hoist gig.
0830 Continued screening GRANT.
0918 Learned that GRANT had additional injured. Stopped engines and lowered gig with REMEY doctor, who proceeded to GRANT to treat and remove injured.
0926 Flash White. No planes reached our ships.
0957 Gig returned with two (2) wounded men. Hoisted gig.
1000 GRANT requested all portable pumps to aid in controlling flooding, which was getting out of control. Sent all available gear and two (2) men to GRANT to assist. USS RICHARD P. LEARY ordered alongside to provide power and services.
1026 Left area at maximum speed proceeding to Leyte transport anchorage with wounded.
1125 Flash Red. Jap planes attacking transport area.
1137 Stopped engines, lying to off USS MERCY, transferring injured by small boats. Most of the cases are stretcher cases, making this a difficult task. Very fortunately no Jap plane came within range, though we did not trust them to ignore a hospital ship.
1337 Flash White.
1340 Hoisted boats and closed USS McGOWAN to return McGOWAN doctor.
1413 Stopped and sent boat with doctor to McGOWAN.
1430 Having hoisted boat, proceeded to Leyte Gulf, entrance in accordance with CTG 77.2 orders, to establish picket station to obtain early contact of enemy expected to be approaching from east. Our patrols extend across east entrance.
1643 Arrived on picket station, commenced patrol. No recent reports on movements of enemy group to the east.
2015 Air Flash Red.
2315 Air Flash White.