World Battlefronts: MEN AT WAR: Fair Warning

As carrier task-force commander of Halsey’s Third Fleet, Vice Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher leads more big flattops and escorting warships than any other man in history. In the midst of one great air battle over the Philippines, Mitscher ordered one baby carrier and a couple of destroyer escorts to detach themselves from his huge armada and go off on an errand. The captain of the baby radioed to Mitscher: “Am proceeding in accordance with your orders. You are now on your own.”