On October 15, 1942, Japanese carrier planes attacked and sank the
destroyer USS MEREDITH off Guadalcanal Island. When the attack
became imminent, the crew of the accompanying tug VIREO was taken
aboard MEREDITH. Of the 329 men, only 96 survived. For four days
they struggled, combating dehydration, injuries, burns, shark
attacks, and strafing by enemy planes.
Robert Robinson miraculously survived the sinking of MEREDITH.
He served with Medical Officer Barry Friedman, on another
destroyer, USS RUSSELL. Lt. Cmdr Robinson died in 2004 after
serving in three wars. Dr. Friedman retired after a career as an
orthopaedic surgeon and lives in San Diego.
""Although both a thrilling sea adventure and a fascinating
historical insight into a little known aspect of the sea battle for
Guadalcanal, Dr. Friedman's work is more than just a book, it is a
heritage, something of great value that must be passed on to future
generations.
"The Short Life of a Valiant Ship grants insight into the world
of the Tin Can' sailors of the US Navy's destroyer fleet, a group
of very average young men from all across America who were lifted
out of their peacetime existences to be plunged, half-trained,
out-numbered and ill-equipped, into the most cataclysmic naval
campaign in history, and of how they arose triumphant at a terrible
price.
"'The Greatest Generation' is a phrase that has been much
bandied about in recent years, but it's not a cliche, it's a simple
truth.""
-James H. Cobb
Author of the Amanda Garrett Naval Thrillers; "Choosers of the
Slain," "Sea Strike," "Sea Fighter," & "Target Lock"
""I enjoyed reading The Short Life of a Valiant Ship very much.
The miracle of this nation is that, for over 200 years, generations
of' Americans have fought and died for the freedoms we all enjoy.
It is important to revisit the time when the issue of the war in
the Pacific was firmly in doubt and the odds faced by ships like
USS MEREDITH were daunting. The manner in which the officers and
men of MEREDITH responded to their challenges is inspirational....
A gripping story that is well told ""
-Rear Admiral Peter H. Daly, Assistant Chief Naval Operations
for Information, Plans and Strategy
General
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