DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Third Fleet

Adm. William Halsey, Commander of Third Fleet

Adm. John McCain, Commander of Task Force 38

Comdr. George Kosco, Chief Aerologist of Third Fleet

Adm. “Mick” Carney, Halsey’s Chief of Staff

Capt. Jasper Acuff, Commander of Task Group 30.8

Capt. Preston Mercer, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 1

Lt. (j.g.) Jerry Ford, USS Monterey

Capt. Charles Calhoun, USS Dewey

Capt. William Rogers, USS Aylwin

Capt. Stuart Ingersoll, USS Monterey

Capt. R. W. Bockius, USS Cape Esperance

Capt. Michael Kernodle, USS San Jacinto

Capt. Raymond Toner, USS Robert F. Keller

Capt. H. P. Butterfield, USS Nehenta Bay

USS Tabberer

Capt. Henry Lee Plage

Lt. Bob Surdam, Executive Officer

Lt. (j.g.) Howard Korth, Gunnery Officer

Louis Purvis, Bosun’s Mate 1st Class

Paul “Cookie” Phillips, Ship’s Cook 1st Class

William McClain, Mailman 3rd Class

Leonard Glaser, Shipfitter 3rd Class

John Cross, Signalman 3rd Class

Ralph Tucker, Chief Radioman

Tom Bellino, Gunner’s Mate

Lt. Frank Cleary, Medical Officer

USS Hull

Capt. James Marks

Lt. Griel Gherstly, Executive Officer

Lt. (j.g.) Lloyd Rust, CIC Officer

Archie DeRyckere, Chief Quartermaster

Pat Douhan, Petty Officer 2nd Class

Ray Schultz, Chief Bosun’s Mate

Tom Stealey, Fireman

“Spiz” Hoffman, Ship’s Cook 1st Class

Nick Nagurney, Fireman 1st Class

USS Monaghan

Capt. Bruce Garrett

Keith Abbott, Radar Technician

Joe McCrane, Watertender 2nd Class

Evan Fenn, Fireman

Joe Guio, Gunner’s Mate

USS Spence

Capt. James Andrea

Lt. (j.g.) Alphonso Krauchunas

Bob Ayers, Gunner’s Mate Striker

George Johnson, Chief Watertender

Floyd Balliett, Radar Technician

Other Officers

Adm. Ernest King, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations

Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Field Marshal, Combined American-Filipino Army

Adm. Chester Nimitz, Commander of Pacific Naval Operations (CINCPAC)

Arleigh Burke, Commander, DesRon 23, “Little Beavers”

Adm. Raymond Spruance, Commander of Fifth Fleet

Rear Adm. Thomas Kinkaid, Commander of (MacArthur’s) Seventh Fleet