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By Root 1798 0

were the youthful hope of the nation and the promise of mankind. Taking the world as we found it, in our way and in our time, we tried to remake the world—more hope, more possibility, a much larger community for happiness. That is what, years ago, brought us to Guadalcanal.”

The three men and the padre threw their leis onto the water, and then pushed the raft overboard with a copy of the text of the speech. “And we just stood there and everybody cried watching these float on the surface of the water away from the ship on the current. And then I remember when it was time to go, and the captain started the engine. I impulsively removed the Navy cap I brought with me and flung it into the water with the flowers. And I sat down in the corner of the upper deck and cried a little bit more.

“Finally we got back to shore, and that was that.”

PHOTO INSERT

(Photo Credit: 1)

Admiral Ernest J. King: “He would acknowledge no mind as superior to his own.”

(Photo Credit: 2)

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz: the Pacific War’s essential man.

(Photo Credit: 3)

Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley wasn’t Nimitz’s first choice to command South Pacific naval forces. His remote leadership style and tight nerves would lead to his relief by Halsey.

(Photo Credit: 4)

Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, victorious at Coral Sea and Midway, took heat for his cautious employment of his carriers off Guadalcanal.

(Photo Credit: 5)

Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, commander of amphibious forces, had a virulent disagreement with Fletcher over how Operation Watchtower should be run.

(Photo Credit: 6)

Rear Admiral John S. McCain, commander of land-based naval air forces in the South Pacific.

(Photo Credit: 7)

An F4F Wildcat prepares to launch from the Wasp in support of Watchtower, August 7, 1942.

(Photo Credit: 8)

Before dawn, the heavy cruiser Vincennes opens fire on Japanese positions on Guadalcanal. She went down in glory two nights later.

(Photo Credit: 9)

Captain Frederick L. Riefkohl, commanding officer of the Vincennes and Task Group 62.6.

(Photo Credit: 10)

The Astoria, in the early days of Operation Watchtower.

(Photo Credit: 11)

Astoria gunners in drills, spring 1942.

(Photo Credit: 12)

Captain William G. Greenman commanded the Astoria before her loss, then ran Guadalcanal’s makeshift naval base.

(Photo Credit: 13)

The Astoria, shown in Hawaiian waters in July 1942, prepares to recover a floatplane using her starboard-side crane.

(Photo Credit: 14)

The last photo of the Quincy, caught in the glare of Japanese searchlights, down by the stern in the Battle of Savo Island.

(Photo Credit: 15)

Rear Admiral Gunichi Mikawa, victor in the Battle of Savo Island.

(Photo Credit: 16)

Captain Samuel N. Moore, commander of the Quincy, was killed in action.

(Photo Credit: 17)

The Quincy in the South Pacific, August 1942.

(Photo Credit: 18a)

Two U.S. destroyers, the Blue and the Patterson (U.S. Navy)

(Photo Credit: 18b)

Chicago sailors cut away bow plating damaged by a Japanese torpedo, August 10, 1942.

(Photo Credit: 19)

Captain Howard D. Bode of the Chicago was among many who performed poorly at Savo Island. He would bear more than his share of the blame.

(Photo Credit: 20)

Two U.S. destroyers, the Blue (left) and the Patterson, assist the burning HMAS Canberra on the morning of August 8. She could not be saved.

(Photo Credit: 21)

Lloyd M. Mustin (shown here as a rear admiral), served as assistant gunnery officer in the Atlanta.

(Photo Credit: 22)

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, commander of the Imperial Combined Fleet, believed he would find his decisive battle off Guadalcanal.

(Photo Credit: 23)

Rear Admiral Norman Scott (shown here as a captain) taught the Navy’s light forces how to fight.

(Photo Credit: 24)

The light cruiser Boise in a South Pacific port, late August 1942.

(Photo Credit: 25)

Captain Robert G. Tobin (right) commanded Scott’s destroyers in the Battle of Cape Esperance. Here he receives the Navy Cross