naval operations, american

Recounts the 1944 ordeal of Admiral William "Bull" Halsey and the crew of the United States 3rd Fleet as they fought a massive typhoon in the South Pacific and struggled to survive while awaiting rescue from Lieutenant Commander Henry Lee Plage and the "USS Tabberer." Includes photographs.

"For the World War II submariner, every day was a life-or-death trial: going to sea for months at a time; existing in dank, claustrophobic conditions; enduring long stretches of monotonous silence punctuated by adrenaline-spiked episodes of paralyzing fear and victorious elation. It was a duty few men could handle--and even fewer would survive."--bookcover.

Examines the sinking of the "U.S.S. Indianapolis" by the Japanese on July 30, 1945; the crew's five days in the water; and the response of the Navy to the disaster, in which 883 of the 1,199 men on board died.

In this narrative written by his son, retired Marine Edgar Harrell describes his life, particulary as pertains to his serving on the U.S.S. Indianapolis at the time of its sinking and the struggle to survive the disaster, as well as the many years spent working to have the captain of the ship exonerated from charges leveled at him over the incident.