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Admiral Ernest King faced an impossible decision in December 1944. Task Force 38 was caught in Typhoon Cobra - three destroyers were sinking, 800 men in the water.
Against all naval doctrine, King ordered his flagship USS New Jersey directly into the hurricane's path. "We're not losing more men," he said. For 12 hours, his ship plunged through 60-foot waves.
Crewmen were thrown about, equipment torn loose, the ship nearly capsized three times. But New Jersey rescued 203 men from the sea. King stood on the bridge the entire time, soaked, refusing to go below.
Three ships sank, 790 men died. But because King sailed into hell, 203 went home. A court of inquiry praised his decision: "His actions represented the finest tradition of the Navy."
King received no medal. He didn't want one. "I lost 790 that day," he said. "Every year on December 18, I count them."
Heartfelt WWII Stories
True accounts of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit during humanity's darkest hour
Showing 2 stories
The Admiral Who Sailed Into a Hurricane
"Into the storm, 203 souls saved"
The Captain Who Sank His Own Ship
"He went down with his men, all of them"
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Captain Edward Evans commanded HMS Exeter during the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. Facing the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, Exeter was crippled, burning, taking on water.
With 61 men dead or dying, ship sinking, Evans ordered "Abandon ship." Then he went below decks himself, searching for anyone left behind. He found three wounded men trapped, carried two out, returned for the third.
His ship sank with him still aboard, holding the hand of a dying sailor, singing "Rule Britannia" as water filled the compartments. They were rescued 8 hours later.
Evans received the Victoria Cross. Churchill called him "the spirit of the Royal Navy in human form." Evans said simply "You don't leave anyone. Not ever."
With 61 men dead or dying, ship sinking, Evans ordered "Abandon ship." Then he went below decks himself, searching for anyone left behind. He found three wounded men trapped, carried two out, returned for the third.
His ship sank with him still aboard, holding the hand of a dying sailor, singing "Rule Britannia" as water filled the compartments. They were rescued 8 hours later.
Evans received the Victoria Cross. Churchill called him "the spirit of the Royal Navy in human form." Evans said simply "You don't leave anyone. Not ever."