William T. Y'Blood (1937–2006)

I found this a good description of an important WWII Pacific battle. The maps are not the best feature of the book, but the insights are well phrased. Both Commanders entered the fight with misconceptions, and the USN had much better results given the set of misconceptions in the commander's' minds.
The battle missed being a complete destruction of the IJN, and the USN's handling of the battle failed to capitalize on its offensive ability. But it was a victory, and allowed the completion of show more the basic American plan for the campaign. show less

The fleet carriers get all the glory, but the story of the escort carriers is also interesting. Of course, this includes another retelling of the Action off Samar.

There were contemporary complaints that - having been built as merchant ships - the CVEs' equipment and fittings - and even the welding - were not milspec. Most of them were in commission for scarcely three years.

One of the solid, well written book that the late William Y'Blood wrote on Naval Operations in WWII. This one is about the Escort Carrier (CVE) effort in the Pacific. He also wrote one on the CVE effort in the Atlantic, equally well written.

Good overview with much information from fliers and others that participated.