Battle of Java Sea Holds Crucial Lessons for Today VIEWPOINT DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 12/30/2020 By Brent D. Sadler Philippine navy sailors participate in a visit, board, search and seizure practical scenario training as part of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training 2018. Naval History and Heritage Command Speaking in October this year on the readiness of U.S. armed forces, then-Secretary of Defense Mark Esper referenced Task Force Smith — a unit decimated in the early days of the Korean War as a result of being sent into combat with insufficient training, inadequate munitions and equipment, and understrength manning. This spectacular battlefield failure gave birth to a new rallying cry: “No more Task Force Smiths!”