"Eh, that excuse does not really hold water for Kurita's force. Most of those ships had taken few casualties to that point in the war, and the crews were largely intact."

Yes, his blunder is certainly as bad as Halsey's was. He had the battle won, really, but did not know it. The bravery of Taffey Three's Destroyers, CVE's and those Wildcat and Avenger pilots should get as much noteriety as the men who stormed Normandy Beach.