The Last Epic Naval Battle: Voices From Leyte Gulf

When a World War II Sailor went to General Quarters in proximity to the suspected presence of the enemy, he wasn't aware of any "big picture" strategy for the action his ship was about to see. Mr. Sears, in this marvelous book, captures the devotion to duty regardless of the inherent danger of everyday Sailors and Navy airmen. His approach, exploring the backgrounds and action activities of his subjects as this battle unfolded, makes for most enjoyable and exciting reading. We see in vivid detail the way Sailormen of the "Greatest Generation" conquered their fears and lived with the terror of combat and survival by remembering that they had a job to do and a duty to their ship and shipmates. Exploring the battle through those eyes and memories, as opposed to the records of the Admirals and Historical Section officers, makes this one of the best books in my military history collection.

David Sears expertly blends personal experiences of sailors in the Battle of Leyte Gulf with historical facts to bring to the reader a clear picture of events surrounding that combat action. It's the personal accounts interwoven into the clash of forces which make this book an exciting read. The reader is made to feel the danger and excitement which provide an understanding of the sacrifices made by those young men. One example is the incident during the battle when the PT boats are deployed against Japanese warships. Two crewmen were operating a 20 mm gun near the boat's stern when a Japanese 3 inch shell passed between them. One can only imagine their feelings. I highly recommend this book.