USS Johnston (DD-557)

During World War II in the Pacific, the USS Johnston (DD-557) was Fletcher-class destroyer , commissioned on 27 October 1943. Throughout her career, her commanding officer was, Commander Ernest B. Evans,

She was very active in the Pacific during 1944, participating in the Marshalls, Marianas, Palaus and Leyte campaigns. On 15 May, while operating in the Solomons Islands, Johnston assisted in sinking the Japanese submarine I-176.

At the Action off Samar, she was closest to the enemy when they first appeared, laying a smokescreen as ordered, and, as she came into range, firing her 5" guns at cruisers. In torpedo range before her sister ships, she hit Japanese heavy cruiser, IJN Kumano and blew off her bow.

She then took several hits from 14" battleship and 6" cruiser guns, losing one engine.

It was like a puppy being smacked by a truck. The hits resulted in the loss of all power to the steering engine, all power to the three 5-inch guns in the after part of the ship, and rendered our gyro compass useless."

As the rest of the destroyers caught up and began their torpedo runs, she was out of torpedoes, and had had her speed reduced, but Evans called out, "We'll go in with the destroyers and provide fire support."

She sunk while attacking heavy Japanese forces in the Action off Samar of the Battle of Leyte, not before

Evans, who did not survive the action, received a posthumous Medal of Honor.