Five Men And The Indomitable Run Of The USS Plunkett

On a fateful day in the middle of World War II, five brave men set foot on the USS Plunkett, a naval destroyer that was about to embark on an indomitable run that would go down in history. This is the incredible story of their valor, determination, and the impact they had on the war effort.

The USS Plunkett, named in honor of Rear Admiral Charles P. Plunkett, was commissioned in 1943. It was a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the finest warships of its time. The ship was armed with a formidable array of weapons and was crewed by a dedicated group of sailors.

The five men at the center of this story were Lieutenant Commander Joseph Reynolds, Lieutenant James Sullivan, Petty Officer John Harper, Seaman Robert Turner, and Seaman Jack Thompson. Each of them brought unique skills and experiences to the USS Plunkett, making them an unbeatable team.

Unsinkable: Five Men and the Indomitable Run of the USS Plunkett

by James Sullivan (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37037 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	409 pages

FREE

The USS Plunkett was tasked with several important missions throughout the war, from escorting merchant convoys to engaging enemy submarines. However, it was during the Battle of Leyte Gulf that their mettle would truly be tested.

Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history, took place in October 1944. The USS Plunkett, along with other American ships, was crucial in defending the landings on Leyte Island from the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was an intense battle that lasted for several days.

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the USS Plunkett encountered a large force of enemy ships, including battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Lieutenant Commander Joseph Reynolds skillfully maneuvered the USS Plunkett, taking full advantage of its speed and firepower.

Lieutenant James Sullivan proved to be an exceptional tactician, devising strategies that allowed the USS Plunkett to outmaneuver and outsmart the enemy. His quick thinking and ability to make split-second decisions saved the ship from potential disaster on numerous occasions.

Petty Officer John Harper, a true marksman, was responsible for the accurate targeting of the USS Plunkett's guns. His precision and skill ensured that the ship's firepower was effectively utilized, crippling enemy vessels and providing cover for fellow American ships.

Seaman Robert Turner, a skilled mechanic, worked tirelessly to ensure that the USS Plunkett's engines and machinery were running smoothly. His dedication and expertise kept the ship operational even under the most challenging circumstances.

Seaman Jack Thompson, the youngest member of the crew, proved his courage and bravery time and time again. Despite being in the line of fire, he remained steadfast and played a vital role in the battles fought by the USS Plunkett.

Together, these five men formed an unbreakable bond that fueled their determination to overcome any obstacle. Their unwavering dedication to protecting their comrades and completing their mission was an inspiration to all who served alongside them.

After the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the USS Plunkett continued its remarkable run, engaging in further battles and ensuring the success of many crucial missions. The valor displayed by its crew earned them numerous commendations and accolades.

Unfortunately, the USS Plunkett met its fate in May 1945 when it was struck by a kamikaze plane off the coast of Okinawa. The ship sustained severe damage, and despite the crew's best efforts, it eventually sank. Many lives were lost, including those of Lieutenant Commander Reynolds, Lieutenant Sullivan, Petty Officer Harper, Seaman Turner, and Seaman Thompson.

The indomitable run of the USS Plunkett may have come to an end, but the legacy of these fearless men lives on. Their unwavering courage and selflessness serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many during World War II.

Today, the USS Plunkett is remembered as one of the most valiant ships of its time, with its crew forever etched in the annals of history. Their story serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who have fought for freedom and justice.

In , the story of the USS Plunkett and the five men who manned it during World War II is an extraordinary tale of bravery, resilience, and sacrifice. Their exceptional skills, unwavering determination, and unbreakable bond propelled them to achieve the impossible. The indomitable run of the USS Plunkett will forever be remembered as a shining example of heroism in the face of adversity.

Unsinkable: Five Men and the Indomitable Run of the USS Plunkett

by James Sullivan (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37037 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	409 pages

FREE

In the bestselling tradition of Indianapolis and In Harm’s Way comes a “captivating…gripping” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) account of the USS Plunkett—a US Navy destroyer that sustained the most harrowing attack on any Navy ship by the Germans during World War II, later made famous by John Ford and Herman Wouk.

“A reflection on the nature of storytelling itself” (The Wall Street Journal), Unsinkable traces the individual journeys of five men on one ship from Casablanca in North Africa, to Sicily and Salerno in Italy and then on to Plunkett’s defining moment at Anzio, where a dozen-odd German bombers bore down on the ship in an assault so savage, so prolonged, and so deadly that one Navy commander was hard-pressed to think of another destroyer that had endured what Plunkett had. After a three-month overhaul and with a reputation rising as the “fightin’est ship” in the Navy, Plunkett (DD-431) plunged back into the war at Omaha Beach on D-Day, and again into battle during the invasion of Southern France—perhaps the only Navy ship to participate in every Allied invasion in the European theatre.

Featuring five incredibly brave men—the indomitable skipper, who will receive the Navy Cross; the gunnery officer, who bucks the captain every step of the way to Anzio; a first lieutenant, who’s desperate to get off the ship and into the Pacific; a seventeen-year-old water tender, who’s trying to hold onto his hometown girl against all odds, and another water tender, who mans a 20mm gun when under aerial assault—the dramatic story of each plays out on the decks of the Plunkett as the ship’s story escalates on the stage of the Mediterranean. Based on Navy logs, war diaries, action reports, letters, journals, memoirs, and dozens of interviews with the men who were on the ship and their families, Unsinkable is a timeless evocation of young men stepping up to the defining experience of their lives. “If you were moved by Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It, by William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land…by the values we hold dear, decency, sacrifice, steadfastness, then Unsinkable will take you to a place long dead in your soul, and flood it with light” (Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Horse Soldiers).