Everyone should read about Task Unit 77.4.3 ("Taffy 3") off Samar Island. They consisted of 6 CVE Escort Carriers, 3 Destroyers and 4 Destroyer Escorts. They attacked 23 Japanese Ships including Destroyers, Cruisers and Battleships, including the Yamato. While the Carriers fled and launched planes the Destroyers and DE's and planes attacked. The planes continued to harass the Japanese ships even after they ran out of bombs and ammo. They succeeded in driving off the Japanese while loosing two CVE's, 2 DD's and One DE. All of the surviving ships were damaged. An amazing story of heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.
If you can find a copy you should read:
United States Destroyer Action in World War II by Theodore Roscoe. This book is a history of every battle the included Destroyers in WWII. The narration of the Battle of Samar Island is just one of the many Naval Battles of WWII.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar
Apache