President's Message

“The history of the United States Navy records no more glorious two-hours of resolution, sacrifice, and success.” Admiral Nimitz, commenting on the Battle off Samar, October 25, 1944.

On behalf of the USS St. Lo (formerly Midway) CVE-63/VC-65 Association, Welcome!

Our Association is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the men who served on the USS St. Lo and in the VC-65 Air Squadron during WW II. In defense of our nation and way of life, many of these young men made the ultimate sacrifice. They deserve the honor of our remembrances, as do the men who survived the battles.

The USS St. Lo participated in the largest naval battle in history, and claimed a pivotal part of that history by becoming the first US ship to be sunk by a kamikaze during the Battle off Samar, the third and final of the confrontations between the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

The Battle off Samar was a true David versus Goliath event. The much smaller destroyers, destroyer escorts, and jeep carriers of Taffy 3 fearlessly met the Imperial Japanese Fleet, comprised of battleships and cruisers. The men of these ships and aircrews fought so valiantly, the Japanese were forced to retire before accomplishing their mission of bombarding General MacArthur’s invasion beachhead at Leyte.

Of the thirteen ships of Taffy 3, five were sunk, the USS Hoel, the USS Samuel B. Roberts, the USS Johnston, the USS Gambier Bay (the only carrier sunk by gunfire in WW II), and the USS St. Lo. Over 900 hundred young men lost their lives.

Hermann Wouk wrote in War and Remembrance: “The vision of Sprague’s three destroyers – the Johnston, the Hoel, and the Hermann – charging out of the smoke and the rain straight toward

Kurita’s battleships and cruisers, can endure as a picture of the way Americans fight when they don’t have superiority. Our school- children should know about that incident, and our enemies should ponder it.”

It’s my pleasure to extend the welcome of the Association to any interested party. In addition to information about the Association, its members, officers, events, and reunions, you will find historical documents, pictures, and paintings regarding the USS St. Lo and VC-65, sister ships and air squadrons, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and links to other organizations, books, and information.

Please feel free to browse our website, and to stop by the “Commo Room” and sign our guest book.

May you enjoy clear skies and smooth sailing.




Michael South, President
U.S.S. St. Lo (formerly Midway) CVE-63/VC-65 Association, Inc.

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