October 25, 1944

"Silhouetted against the dawn as the Central Japanese Force steamed through San Bernardino Strait towards Leyte Gulf, Task Force Unit 77.4.3 was suddenly taken under attack by hostile cruisers on its port hand, destroyers on the starboard and battleships from the rear. Quickly laying down a heavy smoke screen, the gallant ships of the Task Unit waged battle fiercely against the superior speed and fire power of the advancing enemy, swiftly launching and rearming aircraft and violently zigzagging in protection of vessels stricken by hostile armor piercing shells, and antipersonnel projectiles and suicide bombers."

Quote from TU 77.4.3 Presidential Citation

"The history of the United States Navy records no more glorious two hours of resolution, sacrifice, and success."

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, US Navy

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View the Original Artwork of "Freedom's Cost" on permanent display in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York.

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This book is unique for never before has virtually a whole crew of a ship shared experiences with an author, as the men of the Gambier Bay have done with Edwin P. Hoyt. The result is a multifaceted story of events and men at all levels from the captain down to the ordinary seaman gambling in the potato locker. From Pearl Harbor on December 7th to the towns and villages of America on that fateful day, the author traces the lives of those who would join the Gambier Bay, and brings them to their ship, and to VC-10, the Composite Squadron of naval aircraft that would fly from her 480- foot deck.