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EXPLORERS LOCATE WRECK OF WWII DESTROYER

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A U.S. Navy destroyer that engaged a superior Japanese eet in the largest sea battle of World War II in the Philippines has become the deepest wreck to be discovered, according to explorers.

The USS Samuel B. Roberts, popularly known as the “Sammy B,” was identi ed on Wednesday broken into two pieces on a slope at a depth of 22,916 feet.

That puts it 1,400 feet deeper than the USS Johnson, the previous deepest wreck discovered last year in the Philippine Sea also by American explorer Victor Vescovo, founder of Dallasbased Caladan Oceanic Expeditions. He announced the latest nd together with U.K.-based EYOS Expeditions.

“It was an extraordinary honor to locate this incredibly famous ship, and by doing so have the chance to retell her story of heroism and duty to those who may not know of the ship and her crew’s sacri ce,” Vescovo, a former Navy commander, said in a statement.

The Sammy B. took part in the Battle off Samar, the nal phase of the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, in which the Imperial Japanese Navy suffered its biggest loss of ships and failed to dislodge the U.S. forces from Leyte, which they invaded earlier as part of the liberation of the Philippines.

According to some records, the destroyer disabled a Japanese heavy cruiser with a torpedo and signi cantly damaged another. After having spent virtually all its ammunition, she was critically hit by the lead battleship Yamato and sank. Of a 224-man crew, 89 died and 120 were saved, including the captain, Lt. Cmdr. Robert W. Copeland.

According to Samuel J. Cox, a retired admiral and naval historian, Copeland stated there was “no higher honor” then to have led the men who displayed such incredible courage going into battle against overwhelming odds, from which survival could not be expected.

“This site is a hallowed war grave, and serves to remind all Americans of the great cost born by previous generations for the freedom we take for granted today,” Cox said in a statement.

The explorers said that up until the discovery, the historical records of where the wreck lay were not very accurate. The search involved the use of the deepest side-scan sonar ever installed and operated on a submersible, well beyond the standard commercial limitations of 19,685 feet, EYOS said.”

NEW GENERAL WEARS WORLD WAR II ERA PATCH

In late 2018, the United States Army of cially introduced the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU), which replaced the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU), and it was quickly noted for closely resembling the Army’s World War II of cer’s attire. The uniform was dubbed “pink and greens” by service members in the 1940s as the pair of pants often had a pink hue. The AGSU currently consists of a green jacket, khaki (not actually pink) pants, a khaki dress shirt and brown oxford shoes. In addition, soldiers are now supplied matching socks, a tie and garrison cap, the at and straight-sided foldable hat.

The uniform may resemble what soldiers of the “Greatest Generation” may have worn, but U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the new commanding of cer of the Army’s First Infantry Division, will now have the added honor of wearing an actual shoulder patch that was issued during the Second World War, and was reportedly worn during the D-Day landings.

According to a post from the unit’s of cial social media account (@FightingFirst), Maj. Gen. Meyer has become the temporary caretaker of a patch that was worn by former commanders of the division.

“Did you know that the patch on MG Meyer’s shoulder is the same patch from D-Day? It is passed down from commanding general to commanding general. #Normandy,” the First Infantry Division announced via its #TriviaTuesday tweet in June.

It was on May 11 of this year at the Cavalry Parade Field, Fort Riley, Kansas that the First Infantry Division hosted the division change of command ceremony. It honored the division’s outgoing commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, and to welcome incoming commanding general, Maj. Gen. Meyer. “In my 31 years in the Army, I have had no job like this,” said Maj. Gen. Sims, who assumed command of the division and the fort in August 2020. “Removing the Big Red One patch from my left shoulder will be one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but it’s a bit easier knowing John and Kelley Meyer are here.”

Meyer’s of cially assumed command of the division with the passing of the colors, a historic military tradition that demonstrates a symbolic transfer of responsibility to a new leader.

The First Infantry Division’s insignia – a shoulder patch with a large red number “1” on a khaki eld led to the unit’s nickname, the “Big Red One.” It is also one of the most iconic shoulder insignia in the U.S. military.

Initially known as the “Fighting First,” the division was constituted on May 24, 1917 and was among the rst units to arrive in France as part of the First Expeditionary Division during the First World War. Yet, the origin of the insignia remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. One popular legend is that the 1st Division’s supply trucks were painted with large number 1’s on the side to help distinguish from other units. Some soldiers then took to put a red number one on their sleeves.

Another story is that an of cer in the unit felt a shoulder insignia was needed, and he cut a “1” from his annel underwear. This was later added on top of gray cloth from the uniform of a captured soldier.

Whatever the origin, it stuck and the Big Red One has remained an active unit of the United States Army, and its soldiers are easily recognized by its shoulder insignia.

— Enid Burns