This would be history’s last great surface naval battle.
OUR ATTACK TOOKabout five minutes.
We were in total darkness inside the fire control director, a fully enclosed box above the bridge.
But occasionally, through my lens, I could see a salvo of shells coming down.
““Wow, we just got illuminated by a star shell!
““Those guys are on target!”
Nobody in our box was making a sound.
When our torpedoes finally launched, we made a fast turn.
I opened my hatch and watched the show.
I felt sorry for the Japanese.
I’m proud of my service to my country.
It will never happen again, a sea battle like that.
He passed away in March 2016 at age 90.
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