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Recently, a major World War II relic was located.
Off the coast of the Philippines Wednesday, Texas underwater exploration company Caladan Oceanic — along with the UK’s EYOS Expeditions — came upon a near-79-year-old American ship broken in two.
There beneath nearly 23,000 feet of ocean lay the wreckage of the USS Samuel B. Roberts I (DE-413) — otherwise known as the “Sammy B.”
Per the Naval History and Heritage Command, the ship “was laid down on 6 December 1943, at Houston, Texas, by Brown Shipbuilding Co.” It was launched on the following January 20th.
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort fought the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Battle of Samar during the Battle of Leyte Gulf’s final phase. It was the war’s largest conflict by sea, in which Japan suffered its greatest loss of ships. U.S. troops had earlier invaded Leyte as part of the liberation of the Philippines.
From Phys.org:
According to some records, the [Sammy B] disabled a Japanese heavy cruiser with a torpedo and significantly damaged another while battling the group led by the command battleship Yamato. After having spent virtually all its ammunition, it was critically hit by the battleship Kongo and sank. Of a 224-man crew, 89 died and 120 were saved, including the captain, Lt. Cmdr. Robert W. Copeland.
According to Samuel J. Cox, a retired admiral and naval historian, Copeland stated there was “no higher honor” then to have led the men who displayed such incredible courage going into battle against overwhelming odds, from which survival could not be expected.
“This site is a hallowed war grave,” Cox said, “and serves to remind all Americans of the great cost born by previous generations for the freedom we take for granted today.”
The Sammy B is the deepest wreck ever discovered, sitting 1,400 feet below the USS Johnston. That vessel was also located in the Philippine Sea — just last year — by Caladan Oceanic founder Victor Vescovo.
Via a statement, Victor — himself a former Navy commander — expressed humility toward the Sammy B’s discovery:
“It was an extraordinary honor to locate this incredibly famous ship, and by doing so have the chance to retell her story of heroism and duty to those who may not know of the ship and her crew’s sacrifice. In difficult times, it’s important to reflect on those who sacrificed so much, so willingly, in even more difficult times to ensure our freedoms and way of life. I always remain in awe of the extraordinary bravery of those who fought in this battle agains truly overwhelming odds – and won””
Watch the incredible footage below:
With sonar specialist Jeremie Morizet, I piloted the submersible Limiting Factor to the wreck of the Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413). Resting at 6,895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed. It was indeed the “destroyer escort that fought like a battleship.” pic.twitter.com/VjNVERdTxh
— Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 24, 2022
Part of the dive on the Sammy B. It appears her bow hit the seafloor with some force, causing some buckling. Her stern also separated about 5 meters on impact, but the whole wreck was together. This small ship took on the finest of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the end. pic.twitter.com/fvi6uB0xUQ
— Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 24, 2022
Some additional photos from the Sammy B. The bow, the fallen mast, the gap between fore and aft where she was hit by a battleship round, and the aft turret . . . where the brave and mortally wounded GM3 Paul H. Carr died trying to place a final round into the broken breech. pic.twitter.com/3VcZoZyPo3
— Victor Vescovo (@VictorVescovo) June 25, 2022
Of course, as we peer into the abyss, we’re also looking into time. The men who sailed on and fought from the Sammy B wouldn’t recognize 2022’s America.
Nor would they, contemporarily, identify the Navy.
Much has changed since the ship left the surface in October 1944.
In just the past few years, as an extension of America, our military has wholly taken new form:
Report: Navy Says Sailors Can Use Whichever Locker Room Suits Their Gender Identity
Soldiers May Be Allowed to Transfer From States That Don’t Affirm Their Gender Identities
US Army Mandates Training to Help Soldiers Shake off Their Sex ‘Assigned at Birth’
Military Generals Call for Increased Diversity, Encourage More Women in Combat
US Army Revolutionizes Its Fitness Standards so Girls Can Pass
Nevada Air Force Base Hosts Drag Show, and It’s Part of a Softer, Gentler Military
It’s been said no one can truly prepare for war, but the men of the Sammy B were doubtlessly more ready than would be today’s young men.
For a very long time in America, there existed a notion: The military will make you tough.
I’m not certain that idea will stay afloat. Similar to the Sammy B, it’s destined to be buried by a sea of change.
But what a sight to behold the USS Samuel B. Roberts. And for friends and families of 89 brave sailors, may the discovery of their last battle site bring something resembling peace.
From NBC News, a call to old-school heroes:
Despite being outgunned, the Sammy B attacked [the Japanese fleet]…before sinking under fire in the Philippine Sea, earning it a description as “the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship.”
-ALEX
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