This monument is dedicated to the memory of Vice Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague, USN, (1896-1955), and the 13 ships and 7,300 men of Task Unit 77.4.3, also known as "Taffy 3," which were under his command during the heroic Battle off Samar, October 25, 1944 during the Battle for Leyte Gulf.
The 13 individual ships of Taffy 3 are commemorated by plaques behind the bust of Vice Admiral Sprague, arranged according to losses at Samar:
USS WHITE PLAINS (13) — USS KALININ BAY (17) — USS KITKUN BAY (28) — USS FANSHAW BAY (40) — USS ST. LO (126) — USS GAMBIER BAY (137)
USS HOEL (252) — USS JOHNSTON (183) — USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (90) — USS HEERMANN (5) — USS DENNIS (4) — USS JOHN C. BUTLER — USS RAYMOND.
The inscription on the plaque behind Vice Admiral Sprague statue reads:
"Presidential Unit Citation
Awarded to task Unit 77.4.3
(also known as "Taffy 3")
For extraordinary heroism in action against powerful units of the Japanese Fleet during the Battle off Samar, Philippines, October 25, 1944. Silhouetted against the dawn as the Central Japanese Force steamed through San Bernardino Strait towards Leyte Gulf, Task Unit 77.4.3 was suddenly taken under attack by hostile cruisers on its port hand, destroyers on the starboard and battleships from the rear. Quickly laying down a heavy smoke screen, the gallant ships of the Task Unit waged battle fiercely against the superior speed and fire power of the advancing enemy, swiftly launching and rearming aircraft and violently zigzagging in protection of vessels stricken by hostile armor-piercing shells, anti-personnel projectiles and suicide bombers. With one carrier of the group sunk, others badly damaged and squadron aircraft courageously coordinating in the attacks by making dry runs over the enemy Fleet as the Japanese relentlessly closed in for the kill, two of the Unit's valiant destroyers and one destroyer escort charged the battleships point-blank and, expending their last torpedoes in desperate defense of the entire group, went down under the enemy's heavy shells as a climax to two and one half hours of sustained and furious combat. The courageous determination and the superb teamwork of the officers and men who fought the embarked planes and who manned the ships of Task Unit 77.4.3 were instrumental in effecting the retirement of a hostile force threatening our Leyte invasion operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy - 1944
Republic of the Philippines
Presidential Unit Citation
Awarded to Task Unit 77.4.3
1944"
The inscription on Vice Admiral Sprague monument, which holds his bust, reads:
"CLIFTON A. F. SPRAGUE
VICE ADMIRAL, USN
BORN 8 JANUARY 1896 - DIED 11 APRIL 1955
AWARDS
NAVY CROSS FOR THE 25 OCTOBER 1944 ACTION OFF SAMAR. ADMIRAL SPRAGUE WAS ABOARD THE ESCORT CARRIER USS FANSHAW BAY DURING THIS ENGAGEMENT.
LEGION OF MERIT MEDAL FOR HIS COMMAND OF THE USS WASP.
GOLD STAR IN LIEU OF SECOND LEGION OF MERIT FOR THE MOROTAI LANDINGS
GOLD STAR IN LIEU OF THIRD LEGION OF MERIT FOR THE IWO JIMA AND OKINAWA OPERATIONS
GOLD STAR IN LIEU OF THE FOURTH LEGION OF MERIT FOR OPERATION CROSSROADS.
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION TO TASK UNIT 77.4.3, THE ESCORT CARRIERS AND SCREEN HE COMMANDED OFF SAMAR.
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION TO TASK UNIT 77.4.3.
THE GUIDED MISSILE FRIGATE USS CLIFTON SPRAGUE (FFG-16) WAS LAUNCHED AT BATH, MAINE, ON 13 FEBRUARY 1980.
INDUCTED INTO THE CARRIER AVIATION HALL OF FAME IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON 13 OCTOBER 1985."
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