When Duty Whispers Low By: John J. Gobbell Reviewed by: James Healy Overall rating: Four stars--Highly recommended. An excellent book. Action in the Pacific in World War II! A bomb damaged Fletcher-class destroyer must be beached and then repel boarders while the survivors attempt to escape via PT boats. It's a novel, but actual historical events form the backdrop for Lt. Commander Todd Ingram's adventures. Linked to the story are the shooting down of Admiral Yamamoto and the introduction of the highly secret VT proximity fuze. As executive officer aboard the USS Howell, Ingram has already experienced the intense and very damaging attacks by enemy aircraft. When his skipper refuses to use the new fuzes (for specific reasons) and the Howell is nearly sunk, Ingram resents his skipper. But there's more, Ingram inadvertently sees secret documents and US agents are bent on taking him out. "When Duty Whispers Low" is the (apparent) last of a trilogy written by author John Gobbell on the World War II exploits of Todd Ingram. The first: "The Last Lieutenant" focuses on an escape from Corregidor as it succumbs to incessant bombardment, thus ending US organized resistance in the Philippines. There's a German spy with information about Midway, and romance, as Ingram is concerned over army nurse Helen Durand who might have to be left behind. The second novel: "A Code for Tomorrow" presents perhaps less plausible situations than the first book (and the last), and you might begin to say hey wait a minute this is too much! One subplot revolves around the ineffectiveness of the US torpedoes at the start of the war and the highly successful "long lance" torpedo of the enemy. In all three books many characters are encountered. The author's use of a "cast of characters" listing in the front of each novel will be used-especially if you put the book down for a day or two. Some may find his Japanese/Korean characters politically incorrect. As a former naval officer with destroyer experience (USS Tingey, DD-539 for one), the author is most effective describing the sea actions and weapons. As a result, navy people will be comfortable with his details. Read all three if you can. If you can only read one-pick "When Duty Whispers Low." Available: Tin Can Sailors Ship's Store.