Ouote of the book so far....
?At close range the [uSS] Johnston?s entire chorus of weaponry came to bear on the small island [Kwajalein in the Marshal Island complex]. There was the sharp, ear ringing bark of the five-inchers, the rhythmic thumping of the twin mounted forty-millimeter machine guns, and the faster metallic chatter of the single barreled twenties. Men from the damage control party broke out rifles and made like Davy Crocket from the main deck. LT Welch took out his .45-caliber pistol, outstretched his arm, and enfiladed the distant enemy with the handgun.
From his perch the gun director, Lt Hagen spied a Japanese officer on the beach, weaving a saber, rallying his troops to the fight, and thought, Why not? He put the officer in the sights of his slewing device. The fire control computer clicked and whirled and zipped coordinates to the Johnston?s five main gun turrets. When Hagen closed the firing key, they all barked as one. The technology lived up to its brutal promise. The five-shell salvo obliterated the man.
?Mr Hagen, that was very good shooting called Captain Evans {CO of the USS Johnston} from the bridge. ?But in the future, try not to waste so much ammunition on one individual?.
Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, Page 56
