American WWII Warship 'Dancing Mouse' Laid to Rest After 80 Years

A US destroyer that went down in a bloody battle with Japan during World War II has been found at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, bringing to an end one of the most enduring mysteries of the war. The USS Edsall, also known as "the dancing mouse" due to its elusive movements during the fight, was discovered by experts using advanced hydrographic survey capabilities.

The loss of the Edsall in March 1942 off the coast of Australia is a forgotten chapter in the history of World War II, but US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy celebrated the rediscovery of the wreck as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of Lieutenant Joshua Nix, its commander.

"A momentous day," Kennedy announced on Monday. "This remarkable find honors the memory of those brave men who served with Lt. Nix, fighting against overwhelming odds."

The Edsall's history is one of valiant defense. Under Nix's command, the ship defied Japanese forces in a desperate bid to protect Australia from attack. With its 4-inch guns, the destroyer evaded over 1,400 shells and fought off attacks from 26 carrier dive bombers, taking only a single fatal hit before eventually succumbing to the might of Japanese warships.

Australian Navy Chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond praised Nix's crew for their "heroic efforts" in defending Australia during the early days of the war. The find marked a poignant culmination to an 80-year wait for answers about one of the war's most enigmatic events.

According to US records, the Edsall was spotted by a Japanese airbase radar around 200 miles south-southeast of Christmas Island, and its presence seemed to infuriate Japanese Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, who ordered its interception. But despite being vastly outgunned and outnumbered, Nix led his crew in a courageous last stand.

In the face of overwhelming fire power, Nix famously made the Edsall "dance" away from danger before succumbing to the tide of battle. This act of defiance has been immortalized on an American military iconography that saw Lt Nix depicted making a last gesture of bravery before being overcome by his enemy's sheer firepower.

Since that fateful day, history has often remembered USS Edsall only in fragmented pieces but Monday's revelation sees it brought back to view for posterity bringing closure and pride once more into those family who lost a loved one.