Remembering Suwannee: U.S.S. Suwannee, Part 6

Eric Musgrove Contributor Last week, we ended our discussion with Suwannee’s part in the Battle off Samar, a heroic defense by outnumbered and outgunned small ships against the might of the Japanese Navy. This week, we wrap up Suwannee’s part in the pivotal Battle of Leyte Gulf, of which Samar was just one of the major encounters. The evening of Oct. 25, 1944, was no doubt spent in thanksgiving that Suwannee and most of her consorts had survived the near-disastrous Battle off Samar. The crew was shocked (but grateful) that the Japanese Navy had turned tail and run when they were on the verge of victory. However, the Battle of Leyte Gulf was not over yet. As dawn broke on Oct