Announced today was the discovery of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) in 22,621 feet of Pacific waters.

Nicknamed the 'Sammy B' or 'Sam Buca' (after the popular Italian spirit), the ship, USS Samuel B. Roberts, was laid down on 6 December 1943. On her duty post off the Samar Islands in the Philippine Sea on 25 OCT 1944, she was protecting the flank amphibious landing by escort carriers of Army Troops in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, when she was surprised at dawn by a 23 ship Japanese Task force of battleships, heavy cruisers and destroyers.

Totally outgunned.

At 0740, the Roberts’ commander addressed his crew: “This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can.”

At 0800, the Roberts launched its torpedoes against the cruiser Chokai crippling the ship. After 0810, the Roberts, returning to protect the escort carriers, ordered the two 5-inch guns into action against the cruiser Chikuma. During the next 35 minutes, Paul Henry Carr, Gun Captain, and his aft gun crew fired almost all of their 325 rounds, devastating the Chikuma bridge and superstructure.

Roberts fought with the Japanese ships for a further hour, firing more than six hundred 5 in shells, and while maneuvering at very close range, hitting Chokai's superstructure with her 40 mm and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. At 08:51, the Japanese landed two hits, the second of which damaged the aft 5 in gun, Captained by Carr. This damaged gun suffered a breech explosion shortly thereafter from a "cook off" which killed and wounded several crew members, including Carr.

Carr was found dying at his station from a severe intestinal wound, begging for help to load the last round he was holding into the breech. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

With her remaining 5 in gun, Roberts set the bridge of the heavy cruiser Chikuma on fire and destroyed the Number Three gun turret. Roberts was then hit by three 14 in (356 mm) shells from the battleship Kongo, which tore a hole 40 ft long and 10 ft wide in the port side of her aft engine room.

Gunners Mate 3rd Class Carr was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal.  The citation reads in part: “…for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Gun Captain on the USS Samuel B Roberts. He gallantly gave his life for his country.” He was also awarded the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation (Taffy 3) and the Award of the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

The Roberts’ commander, LCDR Robert W. Copeland, wrote to Paul’s wife, Goldie Lee, five months later and said that Paul Carr “…was one of our most outstanding men…His gun was the pride of the ship’s ordnance department, due not alone to his tireless energy…but due to his inspiring leadership, which shown forth like a beacon during the battle of October 25th. Gun “2” was always the outstanding gun, that day it was superb…from anyway we looked at it Paul was the outstanding example of American inspiration and courage on board the Samuel B Roberts that day, a courage and devotion to duty which was with him until his last breath.”

...Gunners Mate Carr rests with his 90 shipmates still at their General Quarters Station:

The last known survivor died on March 20, 2022.


"...After the battle, Samuel B. Roberts received the appellation "the destroyer escort that fought like a battleship."


World's Deepest Shipwreck Found

Oklahoma History -- Paul Henry Carr

excellent post.

one of several Okies that made history that day.

This post gives me a lump in my throat.

It warms my heart to read stories of badassery like this.

USS Johnston was commanded by an Okie Ernest Evans, Native American, they called him the Kamakazi Captain. Find the story and read it.

Haulsey should have had his pencil ass kicked that day. But there was a lot of brave souls in that engagement.

The Oklahoma Standard at work, 'lo those many years ago. BZ shipmate. We've got the watch.