The story of the Battle of Samar and the sacrifice of the USS Samuel B. Roberts documents how the destroyer and its small unit confronted formidable Japanese forces to secure the region for MacArthur's transports inside Leyte Gulf, in an account that also describes the harrowing three days endured in the sea by the ship's survivors.

Formation of a crew -- "You are now a member of a great fighting team" -- The ship "Looked awful damn small" -- "Our war began" -- In the Pacific -- "We are doing something for the war effort" -- "We were not to be trifled with" -- The battle -- "We weren't supposed to have no surface engagement!" -- "Look at that little DE committing suicide" -- "Boys, take off your hats. there goes a good ship" -- "Such a helpless, useless feeling" -- Samar's aftermath -- "They did not die in vain" -- "A bond that will stand all time".