Book Review for

Halsey's Typhoon --
The True Story of a Fighting Admiral, and Epic Storm, and an Untold Rescue
by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin

This is the true story of a typhoon which takes the lives of almost 800 men,
sinks 3 destroyers, renders 12 ships inoperable, and destroys 146 aircraft, all
part of Admiral "Bull" Halsey's Third Fleet which is charged with protecting
General MacArthur's flank during the invasion of the Philippine island of
Mindoro in winter of 1944. Halsey's determination to not abandon MacArthur,
inadequate weather data, and errors in judgment combine to lead the fleet
into the direct path of the typhoon. Ninety-foot waves and 150-mph winds sweep
hundreds of men into the sea, where, for the next 3 days, small bands of survivors
fight dehydration, exhaustion, sharks, and hallucinations. A small destroyer
escort, the USS Tabberer, commanded by the courageous Lieutenant Commander
Henry Lee Plage, defies orders and turns back into the storm to engage in the heroic
rescue of 55 men. The story is being told now, 60 years later, because the
information has just been declassified. Another wonderful story of the courage
and heroism so prevalent in the men who fought in WWII.


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