Word: buka
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Classic Action. In late November 1943, Burke's Little Beavers were refueling in Hathorn Sound when the call came to proceed "at 30 knots" (top speed) and intercept a Japanese force heading for Buka Island, off Bougainville's northern tip and 239 nautical miles away. Burke reported: "Proceeding at 31 knots." An hour later Admiral Halsey received Burke's latest position, along with word that the Little Beavers were still "making 31 knots." The next dispatch Burke received from Halsey was addressed to "31-Knot Burke." Burke had won his name...
Burke's speed placed him athwart the Buka-Rabaul neck of the Solomon Sea nearly two hours ahead of schedule-but none too soon to intercept the two Japanese destroyers, themselves far ahead of intelligence estimates, that soon bore into range. Burke launched his attack with a memorable order: "Hold your hats, boys; here we go." His destroyers headed for the enemy at flank speed, launched their torpedoes, turned hard to starboard. Both Japanese ships exploded, and Burke wheeled to face three more enemy destroyers just arriving. The newcomers saw what had happened and decided to depart -hastily. They...
...their instruments but also tried to be players. What was gained in verisimilitude was lost in the wooden-Indian school of acting: Crosby, in particular, delivered each line with a granite impassivity that Ed Sullivan might have envied. John Forsythe agonized as the dying piano player, and Actor Donald Buka gave the show a fine shot in the arm as a real gone musician who seemed right in the Bix Beiderbecke tradition...