Byron and the Barracuda's shootout with the Japanese destroyer is based on the action of the U.S.S. Salmon (SS-182) in late October 1944. After sustaining a near fatal depth charge attack, the Salmon battle-surfaced and engaged an escort vessel at point-blank range, killing or wounding most of the escort's topside personnel with gunfire and rendering it powerless. (The Salmon survived the encounter but was decommissioned due to battle damage the following year.)
Unlike the book, Natalie survives and Louis is killed.