Jesse Oldendorf: Difference between revisions
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While he met the Japanese at Surigao Strait with overwhelming force, he commented that his motto was "that of the old-time gambler: never give a sucker an even break." | While he met the Japanese at Surigao Strait with overwhelming force, he commented that his motto was "that of the old-time gambler: never give a sucker an even break." | ||
The [[Spruance-class]] destroyer ''USS Oldendorf (DD-972)'' was named for him. One might speculate that he would have preferred the way she ended her life, as a target, rather than ingloriously turned into scrap metal. | |||
Revision as of 15:27, 21 June 2010
Jesse Oldendorf (1887-1974) retired as an admiral of the U.S. Navy in 1948, after a distinguished World War II career best known for his victory at the Battle of Surigao Strait. He was a gunnery specialist who, as the battleship became obsolete as the dominant naval force, remained an expert in the use of naval gunfire support.
While he met the Japanese at Surigao Strait with overwhelming force, he commented that his motto was "that of the old-time gambler: never give a sucker an even break."
The Spruance-class destroyer USS Oldendorf (DD-972) was named for him. One might speculate that he would have preferred the way she ended her life, as a target, rather than ingloriously turned into scrap metal.