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By June 1939, Lieut. Commander Burke at last had a ship of his own, was piped aboard the U.S.S. Mugford as its skipper. Mugford was a destroyer, and thus began his second real romance. In the Solomons five years later, he was to handle destroyers with a deadly dash and affectionate skill that won him Navy renown as the most famous destroyer man in history.
Belay That Yo-Yo. The Navy was still trying to protect the Marines on Guadalcanal and gain control of the South Pacific when Burke was assigned to command Destroyer Squadron 23, which operated with Rear Admiral "Tip" Merrill's cruiser Task Force 39. Typically, Burke first set about building morale, christening DesRon 23 the "Little Beavers" after a comic-strip character, and making a deal with Merrill's well-stocked cruisers for tons of ice cream. He ran a taut ship with an easy hand. One of the few public reprimands he ever handed out was when one of his destroyers strayed out of formation. Over his TBS (Talk Between Ships) radio, Burke snapped to the offending skipper: "Mister, that's a destroyer, not a yo-yo."
Burke and his skippers loved nothing better than to bring their tin cans swooping into Blackett Strait, heeling them hard and sending giant waves to wash away Army and Marine latrines standing stilt-deep at water's edge (they tumbled best when top-heavy with occupants). For each such kill, a palm-thatched hut was painted on a destroyer bridge. This sport continued until an admiral, beseiged with Army complaints, collared Burke and roared: "Burke, if you or your men smash any more of these goddam privies, I'll see that you are put to sea in one yourself when this war is over."
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 were not fast enough; Burke fell on the rear enemy destroyer and sent it under with gunfire.