Halsey's Typhoon

[Remey688]

written by Bob Drury and Tom Claven. it is a historical book written about a real turning point in WWII--the Battle to recover the Philippine Islands. In late December 1944 our USN's Third Fleet under the command of Adm Halsey was screening the leeward side of the islands of Luzon and Samar. We were well ashore and MacArthur's Army was near victory at that time. The job of our navy's Third Fleet was to protect the Philippine Island's eastern flanks again Jap attack. It was attacked not by the Japs but by the weather. Bull Halsey's fleet was struck by a typhoon on 18Dec1944 shortly after midnight. Our Third Fleet was more than 100 miles off shore when weather struck, not by the Japs. Our Third Fleet sailed into a violent Pacific typhoon in the early hours of December 18, 1944--one of the worst on record. We lost our navy's ships USS Hull, USS Spence and USS Monaghan 18Dec1944 to weather--not the enemy. Almost 800 officers and men dead--more than our navy lossed at the Battle of Midway or the Coral Sea.

A first cousin of my mother's was married to a young USN Lieutenant serving aboard USS Spence. He was the Class of 1939 USNA. He died that day in the ocean and not to enemy action.

In the aftermath of losing the three ships that day is an interesting story. Lieutenant Commander Henry L. Plage (born here in OKC) defied orders, and turned his DE, USS Tabberer, a Destroyer Escort back and was able to save 55 our guys adrift in the ocean. He was Court Marshaled for his effort. I like a book that challenges me. This is one of the best. There is an effort I didn't know that developed from either the 55 sailors saved or their families as well as other concerned folks. I'm joining with them in the effort after reading this book. Plage not only should be exhonorated(sp) but should be awarded The Congressional Medal of Honor!

[Remey688]

I wrote the above post on a blog of local folks here in OKC that I post with.

[Sailor]

"In the aftermath of losing the three ships that day is an interesting story. Lieutenant Commander Henry L. Plage (born here in OKC) defied orders, and turned his DE, USS Tabberer, a Destroyer Escort back and was able to save 55 our guys adrift in the ocean. He was Court Marshaled for his effort."

Not having read the book or being familiar with the circumstances surrounding CAPT Plage's defiance of orders I really can't comment on the fairness or lack of it in his Court Marshal.

Indeed, the ship's history fails to note any courtmarshal resulting from the rescue effort. An excerpt:

"The high winds and seas continued to batter her on the 18th. By 1830, her mast and radio antennae were gone. At 2130, a signalman trying to rig an emergency antenna sounded the "man overboard" alarm. Tabberer rushed to the rescue Once on board, the sailor reported that he was from Hull (DD-350) and that his ship had gone down about noon that day. Thus, she was the first ship of the 3d Fleet to learn of the tragedy of 18 December 1944. Though unable to call for help, she immediately embarked upon a search for other survivors. Her rescue efforts continued through the night, all day on the 19th, and into the 20th. In all, she saved 55 officers and men both from Hull and Spence (DD-512). Later, Tabberer was relieved by other units of the fleet, and they rescued an additional 36 men, a few of whom belonged to the crew of the typhoon's third victim Monaghan (DD 354). Outstanding rescue efforts during the storm won several members of Tabberer's crew Navy and Marine Corps medals, Lt. Comdr. Plage, the Legion of Merit, and the ship, the Navy Unit Commendation."

www.geocities.com/de418/DEstory.html

A Legion of Merit Medal is a far cry from a Court Marshal. I'll have to see if I can find a copy of the book.

"From: Com Third Fleet (Admiral Halsey)
To : U.S.S TABBERER,

WELL DONE FOR A STURDY PERFORMANCE."

A recommendation for Court Marshal would necessarily have to pass through ADM Halsey's hands as would awards recommendations as TABBERER was part of his command. To say that I don't understand the disparity between the reported Court Marshal and the Ship's History is an understatement.