It was a dark night, with long swells running. The U.S.S. Boise, knifing along at 25 knots, was part of a cruiser column, screened by destroyers, sent to head off a Jap landing force in the Solomons. Suddenly there were enemy ships to starboard.
Over the Boise's telephone jut-jawed Captain Edward J. ("Mike") Moron spoke to the spotter in No. 1 position: "How many ships have you spotted?"
"I have five in sight, sir."
"Pick out the biggest one and fire."
As the battered Boise came home for repairs last week, the U.S. people could add Mike Moran's seven words to the small and...