HEERMANN was the only surviving destroyer of Taffy III. At the outset of the engagement she laid protective smoke in the rear of the escort carriers with the smaller DE's. When the word, "small boys - intercept," was ordered by RADM Sprague, she bravely turned to attack the heavy cruisers and battleships of Centre Force. Although none of her torpedoes found their target, almost better results were realized. The mighty Japanese battleship HIJMS YAMATO was forced to comb her torpedo wakes and was subsequently placed out of position for the remainder of the action. After her torpedoes were expended, she bravely engaged the Japanese warships with 5-inch gunfire. She was hit several times and was notably down by the bow before the action concluded. Her superb action in defense of the escort carriers proudly shows that she was most likely the only U.S. destroyer in World War II to engage heavy cruisers and battleships directly and survive.
