Destroyer Squadron 23: Combat Exploits of Arleigh Burke's Gallant Force (Bluejacket Books) - Softcover

Jones, Ken

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1557504121 ISBN 13: 9781557504128

Publisher: Naval Institute Press, 1997

Synopsis

Called one of the most inspiring stories to come out of World War II when first published in 1959, this epic account of Arleigh Burke's legendary Destroyer Squadron 23 is much more than a story of ships and their tactical deployment. It is a story of men in action--some four thousand of them--and how they lived and fought as a magnificent combat team. Ken Jones not only records their heroic deeds but helps explain what prompted those deeds, including the leadership qualities that fired the men into action. In doing so he brings to life the outfit's fighting spirit--that mysterious combination of qualities inspired by great leaders that wins battles--and the man who led them. Commodore Arleigh Burke was the right man at the right place at the right time; his leadership fused the squadron into a superb combat organization. This book offers a vivid account of the fighting in the South Pacific during one of the most crucial periods of the war. In authentic, minute-by-minute detail drawn from once-secret documents, Jones describes the battles of Tassafaronga, Savo Island, Empress Augusta Bay, and Cape St. George. But the focus throughout is on the men as they meet the test of battle with a common bravery as staunch as any in the Navy's annals. No squadron in any navy is said to have won more battle honors in less time than the Fighting Twenty-third.

About this title

About the Author

Ken Jones served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and went to Korea as a war correspondent. He is the author of Destroyer Squadron 23.

From the Back Cover

History has recorded many instances in which the right man was present at the right time to further a just cause and bring credit to his nation at a critical moment. This book tells the story of such a man and such a time. Commodore Arleigh Burke provided the fire of leadership that fused a squadron of destroyers into a superb combat organization - the gallant squadron of this book - a real fighting outfit with that vital combat ingredient we know as "fighting spirit". Fighting spirit, like leadership, is difficult if not well-nigh impossible to describe - yet that spirit is brought to life in these pages. Here is a narrative that captures the elusive and mysterious combination of human qualities that add up to inspiration, because here is a story of action, human action, and reaction, in the heat of battle.

Edition details

• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1557504121
• ISBN 13: 9781557504128
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320