The USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413) was launched by the U.S. Navy on January 20, 1944, commissioned on April 28, 1944, and sunk by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944. Why would a destroyer escort that existed for less than one year merit a web site? Read on.
Though our crew had only six months in 1944 to get to know one another, we formed bonds that exist today. These bonds will continue, long beyond the time that the last survivor has gone on to join those crew members who were killed when our ship was sunk, so many years ago. Children and other family members have formed strong friendships which will endure.
In addition to the families of the original crew, there exists another family involved with the SAMUEL B. ROBERTS. This is the family of officers and men who have served on the namesakes of the DE 413: the destroyer SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DD 823), and the fast frigate, SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58). Additionally, let us not forget the fast frigate, USS COPELAND (FFG 25), named after our Captain, Robert W. Copeland, and the fast frigate USS CARR (FFG 52), named after our heroic Gunners Mate, Paul Henry Carr.
You will have to search the history books to come up with a heritage such as that of the Sammy B, as our ship has come to be known. We were a crew of teenagers on a ship of which we were immensely proud. As we sailed, we were still making friends, playing together, working together, sharing those pictures and letters from home, and wondering what the future might hold.
On October 25, 1944, we discovered abruptly what fate had in store for us. We were suddenly in mortal combat with our enemy, the Japanese. We fought well and died not so well, but drove off the enemy against unbelievable odds.
What follows is our story. We hope that through this website neither we, nor our comrades who went on before us, will be forgotten.
Read on.
I too have read “the Last stand of the Tin Can Sailors” along with other numerous books and magazine articles about naval combat in WWII. I can honestly say that battle off Samar has to be one of the most heroic acts of bravery by the US Navy. The odds were incredible. I salute all the men of DE-413 and Taffy 3. I am truly thankful for their service and sacrifice. May God bless them!
I just finished reading “The Last Stand of the Tin Cab Sailors” by James Hornfischer. What can any individual say? How can anyone stand up to what the crew of the Samuel B. Roberts went through and accomplished? I never served in the armed forces and as I read the book (and others) I’ve tried to imagine the unimaginable. The terror of that battle. The courage and sacrifice of every man on board. Horrible and uplifting at the same time. Magnificent but very, very sad. These men paid a more than ultimate price for what they did. Hopefully all will have eternal peace and the thanks of a forever grateful nation.
Thank you for the comment. This webmaster recently visited amazon.com and learned that the #1 helpful positive review was from my father, Dick Rohde, who passed away in 2009. I didn’t know that he had written the review. He was always humbled by those who served and were not as fortunate as he to survive the battle.
I served on the Samuel B Roberts from May 1961 thru April of 1964. [Ed. note: presumably a reference to the Samuel B. Roberts, DD-823] Would love to hear from any shipmates who servered at this time. Roger
David Gayton lilbigman76@yahoo.com
Dec 7, 2011
Shipmates,
My name is MM1(SW/AW)Dave Gayton and I am an Machinist Mate in our Navy. I take this time on the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack to let you all know I THANK YOU for your sacrifice for our freedoms. Without YOU I couldn’t see my little girl’s smile everyday and when I put on this uniform I honor those who have fallen! I thank DE 413 for their unwaivering courage during the Battle off Samar Oct 1944. I will never forget it or you shipmates.
Very Respectfully
MM1(SW/AW)Dave Gayton
Honored to read the warm words of so many on this site. My Dad, Peter Mihos served on the Beatty and the Tweedy in both WWII and Korea. His memories of his time serving were something I always looked forward to hearing. God Bless All Patriots Who Served Our Country. Christy
Hi.I ever was in the military.I just have a ball cap-a navy cap with Samuel B Roberts FFG 58 o n it and I was wondering if anyone wanted it-free including shipping.I decided that I am not going to keep it for my collection.I bought it at our church yard sale.If you would like to see a picture of it I posted it on my facebook page.Thanks y’all and God bless.
Having just finished reading “the Last stand of the Tin Can Sailors”, I have a far deeper understanding and respect for all US Navy’s Greatest Generation. Thank you and may you always have fair winds and following seas and may long your big jib draw.
I am writing regarding my father Francis Dickson. He is now 85 years old and suffering from advanced dementia. When he was younger he told us of his destroyer being sunk in the Philippines in 1944. He told us of floating at sea for several days and of being picked up by a ship. He had shrapnel wounds in his knee and suffered from malaria. He was not one to speak of the war often.
I contacted the records office in St. Louis many years ago to obtain his service records. There is no listing of where he was serving during the 1944-1945 time period.
While cleaning out my parent’s house after my mother’s death recently, I came across a newspaper clipping from November 1944 entitled “survivor” and accounting the events as described above, but no ship’s name is listed in the article.
I recently found your site and I have looked at the list of survivors of the USS Samuel Roberts to see if his name is on the list. It is not. I have also contacted the Hoel and Johnston Association. He is not on their lists either.
Can you tell me if this is a complete list of survivors and where I might be able to find information regarding what ship he may have been on?
Thank you for any information you can provide.
Sincerely,
Linda Congdon
You might consider the Museum of the Pacific War as a starting point. Good luck!
Hello,
My wifes grandfather was a crewman on the Sammy B. S 2/C John J. Paone MIA. My wifes family only has three picture of John and I was hoping to find some of him for them. If anyone remembers John or has any pictures of him the family would greatly appreciate it. I was also hoping to but a display together for my father in law and was wondering if anyone knew what awards he would have recieved had he survived. Thank you for any help.
Thank you for your service.
I had the honor to meet Mr Whitney Felt but never found out much about his service on the Sammy B until after his passing. A great American that served upon a mighty ship.
I am a plank owner of the USS Copeland (FFG-25) and trying to get a reunion together for her. Some of the crew suggests that we have a combined greeting with USS Carr, USS Samuel B. Roberts. Is there a point of contact for either the Carr or Roberts that I can contact. Thanks Rm1 Humphrey.
My father Frank S Bergman served on Destroyer Escorts during the same time period, I was wondering if any survivors of the D-E 413remmember serving with him. I’m not sure what ships he was on, But I do know two or more of them were lost in action. He was from Pittsburgh Pa and past away in 1966. If any one knows of serving with him, and on what ships he was on,I would like any information you can share. Thank you
I was wondering if there is a crews list anywhere of the Sammie B?
My fiancée’s father was on two different ships in WWII that were sunk while he was aboard them, He never spoke of either and has passed in the last few years, I am trying to help her find either ship, His name was” J. Poston”
I have read “The Last of the Tin Can Sailors” by James Hornfischer. This afternoon I was watching “WW II in HD” and the Roberts is in this show. I heard Jack Yusel talk about the Roberts.
My father was a paratrooper inWWII. When it came my time to serve, my father would not let me go. I regret not serving my country but do appreciate the sacrifices all of you have made. I have had a good life as I was lucky to meet and marry the girl of my dreams. We recently had our 37th anniversary. The service I still do is voluntering in the Boy Scouts of America. I am one of the persons who sign off on a Scout becoming an Eagle Scout. I feel every time we have a new Eagle Scout, the world is a better place. Thanks to all of you for what you have done.
I was a friend of Don Young SC2. He was an old timer in AA when I first met him at a meeting. Both Don and his wife Gin,interesting name for a wife of an alky, are gone now. He was my sponsor in AA and we were doing step work on my divorce when he said I need to talk to you about my WWII experience. I was a carrier sailor for Vietnam. He had put his Sammy B experience behind him, but his boys got him a picture of the ship for Christmas and all of the PTSD stuff came back to him and he needed to talk. That was 1996 and I have forgotten some of what he said, but I do remember saying that the Japanese put pastel dyes in their shells, so that they could tell what ship had sunk what. He floated around in the Pacific for two days before they were rescured. The steel on the Sammy B was so thin that the Japanese shells did not explode when they passed through the ship. They just punched holes in the boat, Don remember the ship being lifted out of the water by 3 to 5 feet when the shells hit. Thats all I remember about his experience. We all miss him at the Thursday Night meeting in Los Alamos, CA
I am writing b/c my grandfather was a survivor of this ship. He passed away a little over 2 years ago and have recently come across some of his possessions from the Navy. Looking for info., photos, etc. Thanks!
my father servered on the samual roberts 413.he was burned pretty bad from the oil/fuel in the water,he always spoke kindly of the men he servered with.he was a proud sailor,an never spoke much about their ordeal.god bless the men of ww11,a generation not soon forgotten.
Dear Survivors:
I just wanted to drop a note to say thanks. I think of you every time I hear the National Anthem.
Tom Williams
I just wanted to drop a line here. I’m not sure if I have the right sight. I think my grandfather served on this ship. His name was Jackson McCaskill. I never knew him and only saw him once before he died.
I was just online researching his name so I could try and find out anything about him.
Shawn:
I am a WWII historian writing a book about the Samuel B. Roberts. I would like to chat with you about your grandfather, as I am very interested in obtaining whatever information I can about him and his shipmates. Jackson was quite a heroic individual from what I can gather. E-mail me if you receive this.
Thanks,
John