Destroyer Captain: The Life of Ernest E. Evans - Paperback

by James D. Hornfischer (Author), David J. Hornfischer (Author)

From James D. Hornfischer, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Stand of the Tin Can Soldiers, a riveting account of the life of WWII hero Commander Ernest E. Evans and his heroics and sacrifice during the Leyte Gulf Battle of Samar.

For the first time ever, acclaimed naval historian James D. Hornfischer, "the dean of World War II naval history," writing with his son David J. Hornfischer, explores Capt. E. Evans's incredible story, from his humble upbringing as a child of a Cherokee and Creek family in Pawnee, Oklahoma, and his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1931, to his service on fighting ships during the Pacific War and his selfless bravery and cool command during a valiant faceoff with the pride of the Japanese Navy.

Author Biography

James D. Hornfischer was a writer, literary agent, and book editor. He was the author of the New York Times bestsellers Neptune's Inferno, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Soldiers, Ship of Ghosts, and The Fleet at Flood Tide, all widely acclaimed accounts of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, as well as Who Can Hold the Sea, which covers the U.S. Navy's crucial role in the Cold War. His books have received numerous awards, including the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature and the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. James D. Hornfischer died in 2021.

David James Hornfischer is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree from the Walton School of Business. David has had a lifelong interest in history, particular WWII history where he had a front row seat throughout his father's military historian career. Since the age of 6 David has been his father's office assistant and book box carrier. David was fond of book signings where he could be of extra help with setting up books for these signings. Through the years as David's acumen and interest grew, he became an invaluable research assistant for various history projects. Destroyer Captain: The Life of Ernest E. Evans is his first book. Today David is leaning into his interest of history and is pursuing a career as a history teacher. David lives in Austin, Texas.