World War II in the Pacific

Historic US Navy Events & People in WWII

During the great typhoon of December 1944, the USS Tabberer, with her radio and radar knocked-out, was thought to have been lost. But she was busy at the unbelievable feat of picking up 55 survivors from the USS Hull and the USS Spence.

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This website is dedicated to the memory of the destroyer escort USS Tabberer (DE418), her courageous WWII commanding officer, Henry Lee Plage, and her gallant crew.

Here you can learn the story of the USS Tabberer’s unbelievable rescue of 55 sailors tossed into the sea when their ships capsized and sank during a December 1944 typhoon.

 

Ron Gottardi

Oral History Dept.

Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial

62 Battleship Place

Camden, NJ 08103

 

To contact us:

Phone: 856-608-7984

E-mail: rongo620@yahoo.com

Here you can also participate in the effort to recognize Henry Lee Plage’s bravery by petitioning congress to award the Medal of Honor to the Tabberer’s commanding officer. A suggested letter to congress is included here.

© 2011 Ron Gottardi

Website design by Ron Gottardi

The battleship USS New Jersey was flagship of the US Third Fleet in the Pacific during the Dec 1944 typhoon, under the command of Admiral William Halsey.

If you have a World War II US Navy in the Pacific story to tell, or have an oral history recording of this period, contact Ron (see Contact Us).