Honoring Heroism: The 80th Anniversary of the Battle off Samar and Old Salt Coffee's Founding

A Tale of Two Anniversaries

This October marks a dual celebration of courage and commitment. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle off Samar, we also celebrate the founding of Old Salt Coffee on October 25th. These two events, separated by decades yet intrinsically linked, tell a story of valor, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the U.S. Navy.

The Battle off Samar: David vs. Goliath at Sea

Setting the Stage

In the early morning hours of October 25, 1944, off the Philippine island of Samar, a small U.S. Navy task unit faced what seemed like certain doom. As part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, this group of destroyers and escort carriers found themselves squaring off against one of the most powerful Japanese fleets ever assembled.

The Tin Can Sailors' Last Stand

The American ships, affectionately known as "tin cans" due to their relatively light armor, were never meant to engage capital ships. Yet, on that fateful day, they did just that. Their story, immortalized in the late James D. Hornfischer's "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors," is a testament to the extraordinary courage of ordinary men.

USS Johnston (DD-557): The Spearhead of Valor

Commander Ernest E. Evans, a Native American from Oklahoma, embodied the fighting spirit of the U.S. Navy. Before the battle, he rallied his crew with words that would echo through naval history:

"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."

True to his word, Evans led the Johnston in a daring torpedo run against the Japanese battleships. Despite being outgunned and eventually sunk, the Johnston's actions disrupted the enemy formation and bought crucial time for the American forces.

USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413): The Destroyer Escort that Fought Like a Battleship

Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland, commanding the even smaller Samuel B. Roberts, knew the odds were grim. As they steamed towards the enemy, he addressed his crew:

"We are going into battle against overwhelming odds, from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can."

The "Sammy B," as she was affectionately known, engaged multiple Japanese cruisers, scoring hits and dodging return fire in a display of seamanship and gunnery that would become legendary.

USS Hoel (DD-533): Defiance in the Face of Defeat

Commander Leon S. Kintberger's USS Hoel joined the fray, launching torpedoes and drawing fire from the Japanese fleet. Even as the ship took hit after hit, Kintberger's calm leadership inspired his crew to fight on, embodying the Navy's "Don't Give Up the Ship" ethos until the very end.

Individual Acts of Heroism

Amidst the chaos of battle, individual sailors exhibited extraordinary courage:

• Chief Gunner's Mate Paul Henry Carr of the Samuel B. Roberts, mortally wounded, attempted to load one final round into his gun before succumbing to his injuries. His posthumous Silver Star stands as a testament to his valor.
• Countless unnamed sailors, knowing their ships were doomed, stayed at their posts, fighting to the last to protect their comrades and the larger Allied mission.

Naval Aviators: The Guardian Angels of Taffy 3

While the surface ships of Taffy 3 fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, they were not alone in their struggle. The Naval Aviators of the escort carriers played a crucial role in the battle, turning the skies above into another arena of heroism and sacrifice.

Escort Carriers: The Improvised Air Force

The escort carriers of Taffy 3, never designed for full-scale naval combat, found themselves thrust into the heart of the battle. Despite carrying planes meant primarily for anti-submarine warfare and ground attack, these "baby flattops" and their aviators rose to the challenge with extraordinary courage.

Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland's Daring Raids

As the surface battle raged, Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland (not to be confused with the USS Samuel B. Roberts' captain of the same name) led a group of Wildcat fighters and Avenger torpedo bombers from the USS St. Lo (CVE-63) in repeated attacks against the Japanese fleet. Despite being heavily outgunned, Copeland's aviators pressed home their attacks with remarkable tenacity.

In one particularly daring raid, Copeland's group attacked the heavy cruiser Chokai. Armed with only depth charges and machine guns, they managed to score critical hits, contributing to the cruiser's eventual sinking.

The Sacrifice of Ensign Kenneth Beckman

Ensign Kenneth Beckman, piloting an Avenger from the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71), exemplified the selflessness of the Naval Aviators that day. After expending his ammunition in multiple attacks, Beckman noticed that the Japanese battleship Yamato was targeting the USS White Plains (CVE-66). In a supreme act of sacrifice, he deliberately flew his aircraft towards the Yamato's bridge, forcing the battleship to take evasive action and disrupting its fire control. Beckman's aircraft was shot down, but his actions saved countless lives aboard the White Plains.

Commander David McCampbell's Aerial Prowess

Although not directly part of Taffy 3, Commander David McCampbell, the U.S. Navy's ace of aces, played a significant role in the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf. On October 24th, just a day before the Battle off Samar, McCampbell and his wingman attacked a formation of 60 Japanese aircraft, with McCampbell personally shooting down nine enemy planes. His extraordinary skill and bravery helped reduce the air threat to the American forces, indirectly aiding Taffy 3's survival.

The Relentless Assault from Above

Throughout the battle, wave after wave of American aircraft from the escort carriers struck at the Japanese fleet. Armed with whatever they had – from depth charges to machine guns – these aviators pressed home their attacks with incredible bravery:

• Fighters strafed the decks of enemy ships, disrupting their operations.
• Torpedo bombers made run after run, often with dummy wooden torpedoes when they ran out of live ones.
• Pilots who had expended their ammunition made dry runs to distract and harass the enemy.

Their relentless assault sowed confusion in the Japanese fleet, convincing Admiral Kurita that he must be facing a much larger and more powerful American force than was actually present.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

The cost of this aerial defense was high. Many aviators did not return from their missions, sacrificing everything to protect their comrades on the surface. The escort carrier St. Lo, which had launched many of these brave aviators, would herself fall victim to one of the first kamikaze attacks of the war later that day.

The actions of these Naval Aviators, flying outdated planes armed with makeshift weapons, epitomized the American fighting spirit. Their sacrifice and bravery complemented the surface action, creating a combined arms defense that would go down in history as one of the most impressive feats of naval warfare.

The Battle's Impact: A Pyrrhic Victory that Changed the War

While the tin can sailors and aviators suffered heavy losses, their sacrifice was not in vain. Their unexpected and fierce resistance threw the Japanese fleet into disarray, protecting the Allied landing forces at Leyte Gulf. This action played a crucial role in the liberation of the Philippines and the eventual Allied victory in the Pacific.

Old Salt Coffee: Born from the Spirit of the Tin Can Sailors

A Legacy Brewed in Honor

It's no coincidence that Old Salt Coffee chose October 25th as its founding date. Established to honor the heroic sailors who fought against impossible odds in World War II, our company embodies the values demonstrated during the Battle off Samar:

• Courage in the face of adversity
• Commitment to a greater cause
• Camaraderie that binds a crew together

More Than Just Coffee

At Old Salt Coffee, we believe that every cup we brew is a tribute to the legacy of naval heroes. Our mission goes beyond providing premium coffee; we aim to:

1. Educate the public about naval history and the sacrifices of servicemen and women
2. Support veterans and active-duty personnel through various initiatives
3. Inspire the next generation with stories of courage and commitment

Remembering the Past, Looking to the Future

As we mark this 80th anniversary, we invite you to join us in honoring the tin can sailors and naval aviators:

• Hoist a mug of Old Salt Coffee in remembrance of their sacrifice
• Share their stories with friends and family
• Support organizations dedicated to preserving naval history and supporting veterans

Let us ensure that the courage displayed off Samar on October 25, 1944, continues to inspire for generations to come.

In the spirit of Commander Evans, Commander Copeland, and all the brave sailors and aviators who fought that day, we at Old Salt Coffee reaffirm our commitment to excellence, service, and the unwavering spirit of the U.S. Navy.

Here's to 80 years of remembrance and many more years of honoring their legacy, one cup at a time.