Light Cruiser Tama

Tama was the second ship of the Kuma class, laid down at Mitsubishi Nagasaki Shipyard, launched 10 February 1920, and commissioned 29 January 1921. She served throughout the Pacific War in cruiser and destroyer squadron flagship roles. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, Tama was assigned to Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa's Northern Force — the carrier decoy force intended to lure Halsey's Third Fleet away from the Leyte landings. On 25 October 1944, during the Battle of Cape Engano, Ozawa's force was found and attacked by aircraft from Halsey's carriers. Tama was struck by an aerial torpedo in a boiler room during the battle and badly damaged. After emergency repairs her escorts were called away to help damaged carriers, and the crippled Tama retired alone toward Okinawa at 14 knots. That night she was intercepted northeast of Luzon by the U.S. submarine USS Jallao (SS-368), broke in two under three torpedo hits and sank with all hands at approximately 21°23′N 127°19′E. She was one of the last Japanese warships sunk during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.