--- title: "This hero WWII destroyer was reached in the world’s deepest shipwreck dive" description: "75 years after she sunk, WWII Destroyer USS Johnston was discovered by the Vulcan Inc. research vessel, Petrel. See the photos here." date: "2022-05-01" modified: "2023-04-26" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/this-hero-wwii-destroyer-was-reached-in-the-worlds-deepest-shipwreck-dive/" categories: - "History" - "War History" - "World War II" --- # This hero WWII destroyer was reached in the world’s deepest shipwreck dive ![shipwreck]() On October 25, 1944, the [Japanese navy launched an all-out counterattack]() against the U.S. invasion of the Philippines. The Japanese were able to lure Admiral Halsey and the Third Fleet away from the Philippines by exposing the last of their aircraft carriers. With the departure of the Third Fleet, the small task force defending the island landings were left to face down the real Japanese attack. ![uss johnston in 1943]() **USS* Johnston *(DD-577) in 1943 (U.S. Navy)** The Japanese Center Force consisted of eleven destroyers, eight cruisers, and four battleships, [one of which was the super battleship *Yamato*](). With Halsey drawn away by the Japanese carriers, Task Unit 77.4.3 was all that stood in the way of the Japanese Navy destroying the invasion force. Known by their radio call-sign "Taffy 3", the small U.S. naval element consisted of just six escort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts. It would take an incredible amount of bravery and courage for the Americans to repel the huge Japanese offensive. Luckily, the crew of USS *Johnston* (DD-577) had both in spades. USS *Johnston* was commanded by Cdr. Ernest E. Evans. On the day of the ship's commissioning, Evans set the tone for his command. "This is going to be a fighting ship," he fortuitously declared. "I intend to go in harm’s way, and anyone who doesn’t want to go along had better get off right now." Seeing the mass of enemy ships bearing down on them, Evans ordered the [*Fletcher*-class destroyer]() to charge. USS *Johnston*'s frontal assault was met with heavy Japanese gunfire. Multiple shells struck the ship, causing heavy damage and casualties. Evans himself was wounded, but ordered a second charge. The crew had expended all of their torpedoes on their first charge. The guns that were still fightable were low on ammo, but the brave sailors of USS *Johnston* charged again. ![commander of wwii destroyer]() **Lt. Cdr. Evans at the* USS Johnston*'s commissioning in Seattle in 1943 (U.S. Navy)** On the second attack run, USS *Johnston* shot a total of 30 more rounds into a much larger Japanese battleship. When the enemy ships turned their attention to the escort carrier USS *Gambier Bay* (CVE-73), Evans didn't hesitate to issue new orders. "Commence firing on that cruiser," he commanded. "Draw her fire on us and away form *Gambier Bay*." Luckily for the escort carrier, the distraction worked. However, *Johnston* was not so lucky. After two-and-a-half hours of courageous and ruthless fighting, USS *Johnston* sat dead in the water. With Japanese ships closing in, Evans gave the order to abandon ship at 0945 hours. Twenty-five minutes later, USS *Johnston* rolled over and began to sink. Only 141 sailors of the 327-man crew survived the battle; Evans was not one of them. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic command of the USS *Johnston*. Cdr. Evans became the first Native American in the U.S. Navy and one of only two destroyer captains during WWII to receive the honor. The valiant head-on attacks by the crew of USS *Johnston* and the other sailors of Taffy 3 were able to route the Japanese attack. Their attacks were so fierce that the Japanese believed they were fighting a much larger force and decided to retreat. ![wwii destroyer bow]() *USS Johnston*'s bow featuring her ship number (Caladan Oceanic)** 75 years after she sunk, USS *Johnston* was discovered by the Vulcan Inc. research vessel *Petrel*. However, most of the wreck was too deep for their remotely operated submersible to reach. It was not until March 2021 that Caladan Oceanic was able to send a manned submersible down to *USS Johnston*'s wreck. "Just completed the deepest wreck dive in history, to find the main wreckage of the destroyer USS Johnston," tweeted Caladan Oceanic founder and submersible pilot Victor Vescovo. "We located the front 2/3 of the ship, upright and intact, at 6456 meters. Three of us across two dives surveyed the vessel and gave respects to her brave crew." The Caladan Oceanic crew also laid a wreath in the vicinity of the battle site to honor the sailors who paid the ultimate sacrifice that day. ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()