Chronicles the U.S. Navy's rescue of forty Americans stranded on a wartorn Philippine island--a mission resulting in the capture of documents that thwarted Japanese efforts to anhilate the Pacific Fleet and ensured American victory in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Maps -- Author's note -- Prologue -- Special mission -- The missionaries -- Separation -- The sugar families -- The prisoners of war -- Independence Day -- Planter, soldier, oilman, spy -- The Samurai's story -- The seventh son -- Terms of exchange -- Converging paths -- The rescue -- Precious cargo -- Freedom -- The admirals -- Decisive battle -- Epilogue -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.