October 25th 1944 was the battle of Leyte Gulf, and a side battle but determining one in the Surigao Straits on the south side of Leyte. The USS Albert W Grant, DD 649, part of a destroyer squadron, sailed straight at the Japanese southern fleet, sending off torpedo after torpedo, and damaging several Japanese ships. Unfortunately, it has been alleged that the Captain of the light cruiser Denver decided, despite warnings to the contrary as reported later, fired on the Grant with 16" armor piercing shells. The good news was the Grant was a destroyer and armor shells did not explode. The bad news was that they went through the ship killing dozens.
Above is the burial at sea of some of the men. Their descendants, as I am one,
still remember the event.
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