[Verse 1]
It was early in December in 1944
That our fleet came steaming into Ormoc Bay
And the Japanese were busy on some other local shore
So we stood along the deck in brave array (Brave array)

[Verse 2]
There were eighty warring vessels in our van that fateful date
And their task it was to land upon the beach
But before we sent our aircraft out, we knew we'd have to wait
Until MacArthur made another speech (Another speech)

[Verse 3]
Then the word was quickly flashed for our planes to disembark
And the brass was told to hurry up the crews
For the hour was getting late, and the sky might soon grow dark
And the Stateside magazines were out of news (Out of news)

[Verse 4]
Things were going pretty well, and the beaches all looked swell
When the Japs decided they might like to stay
So they stabbed us in the back with a sneaky air attack
And it spoiled what could have been a pleasant day (Pleasent day)

[Verse 5]
Then our ship was whirled around till the cans fell off the shelves
And the Mahan and the Ward met with defeat
And their wreckage looked so bad that we sank them both ourselves
Just to keep the little Navy looking neat (Looking neat)
[Verse 6]
But with all the noise and fuss we enjoyed that little hop
And it's probable we won't forget the day
For hours go slowly by on our harmless old flattop
Save for moments like the fun in Ormoc Bay (Ormoc Bay)