Give Me a Fast Ship

""Over three decades after publishing his classic The Battle of Leyte Gulf, Knox-medal winning naval historian Thomas Cutler returns us to the waters off Samar following the wake of Ernest Evans and the crew of USS Johnston in a dual individual/ship biographic journey that eclipses the late Jim Hornfischer’s classic Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors as testament to the heroism of a legendary captain and the destroyermen who fought under him. A must have book for the shelf of every Surface Warfare Officer!"" —David F. Winkler, PhD editor, Destroyers at War by Adm. James L. Holloway III, USN (Ret.) “Few exploits in the annals of the U.S. Navy can surpass that of Captain Ernest E. Evans and the crew of USS Johnston (DD-557) during the cataclysmic World War II Battle of Leyte Gulf. In the spirit of John Paul Jones, these men and their ship readily went “in harm’s way” against great odds and with self-sacrifice to turn back a battleship-heavy fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy. In Give Me a Fast Ship, Tom Cutler, a former officer and enlisted sailor, destroyer crewman, and combat veteran, speaks with great authority on the subject. Cutler’s insightful analysis of Evans’ experience as a Native American from Oklahoma, Naval Academy graduate, and destroyer commander in the early days of the Pacific war makes clear how his determined leadership, dedication to service, and courage inspired the sailors of Johnston to give their all. Give Me a Fast Ship is a stirring account that will undoubtedly become a standard work on the modern history of the U.S. Navy.”—Edward J. Marolda, Author of Admirals Under Fire: The US Navy and the Vietnam War ""The story of USS Johnston along with her captain, Ernest E. Evans and crew at the Battle of Leyte Gulf is one of World War II’s great tales of heroism and sacrifice. Historian and war veteran Thomas J. Cutler tells this thrilling story with verve but even better is his deep look at what made Evans and his crew capable of such deeds.  He has produced a wonderfully nuanced and uplifting story of values and motivations disguised as a thrilling war story.  Highly recommended."" —Vincent P. O’Hara, author of Torch and The Greatest Naval War ever Fought   “The story of Ernest Evans and the fighting and sinking of the USS Johnston is one of the most heroic stories ever told of men at war at sea. Thomas Cutler, who has served on Navy ships as an officer and enlisted man, fought in Vietnam and taught generations of Annapolis midshipmen, is the perfect man to tell it. Give Me a Fast Ship is a spell-binding tale—thrilling, moving, memorable.” —Evan Thomas, author of Sea of Thunder