The Buffer. J.E. Macdonnell's Royal Australian Navy World War II Fiction, #48

A battle-hardened destroyer cuts through the Pacific at the height of World War II - and at its heart stands one unforgettable man: Chief Petty Officer William "Hooky" Walker. Tough, fearless, and fiercely loyal, Hooky has survived combat, betrayal, and the brutal demands of life at sea. With a steel hook in place of his right hand and a reputation forged in fire, he keeps discipline aboard the Wind Rode with sharp eyes and sharper instincts. But danger doesn't only come from enemy submarines and Japanese bombers.
Beneath the surface of shipboard routine simmer rivalries, hidden fears, and deadly tensions among the crew. As a young and inexperienced officer clashes with seasoned veterans, Hooky must hold the ship together while the war presses closer with every passing hour. Packed with gripping naval action, razor-sharp dialogue, and the raw authenticity of men who live one torpedo away from death, The Buffer is a classic wartime adventure bursting with courage, camaraderie, and the unforgiving reality of combat at sea.