NAVSHIPS A-3 (420)

SUMMARY OF WAR DAMAGE

TO

U. S. BATTLESHIPS, CARRIERS, CRUISERS, DESTROYERS AND DESTROYER ESCORTS

8 DECEMBER 1943 TO 7 DECEMBER 1944

Preliminary Design Section
Bureau of Ships
Navy Department
1 June 1945

Printed by U. S. Hydrographic Office

CONTENTS

SECTION

PAGE

I

FOREWORD

1

II

SUMMARY TABLES

2

III

SHIPS LOST DURING THIRD YEAR OF WAR

6

IV

SHIPS DAMAGED DURING THIRD YEAR OF WAR

16

LEGEND


*War Damage Reports Not Yet Issued.

--i--


References:

(a) Buships ltr. C-FS/L11-1(374); C-EN28/A2-1 of 17 April 1942.
(b) NavShips A(374) - Summary of War Damage to U. S. Battleships, Carriers, Cruisers and Destroyers, 17 October 1941 to 7 December 1942. - dated 15 September 1943.
(c) NavShips A-2(374) - Summary of War Damage to U. S. Battleships, Carriers, Cruisers and Destroyers, 8 December 1942 to 7 December 1943 - dated 10 March 1944.

FOREWORD

1. This is the third in a series of annual summaries of war damage to U. S. naval vessels covering the third year of the war, 8 December 1943 to 7 December 1944. References (b) and (c) covered the first two years of the war.

2. This summary is based on the best information available to this Bureau. Receipt of information in correction of any of the data which may be found in error will be appreciated.

3. Some of the cases listed in this publication will be described in detail in the war damage reports prepared by the Bureau of Ships. A number of reports are now under preparation. Where reports have already been issued, the number of the report is given below the name of the vessel. The number of ships lost and damaged by enemy action continues to increase and it remains impracticable for the Bureau to issue a detailed report for each case. It has been necessary to continue the policy of issuing detailed reports for only the most important cases for which the data are reasonably complete. It is hoped that the rate of preparation of the reports by the Bureau will increase and that all cases covering important lessons can be issued. To this end, it will be of great assistance to the Bureau to receive detailed reports from the forces afloat as soon as practicable after a ship is lost or damaged. Material lessons of great importance may be missed if reports covering essential data, in accordance with reference (a), are not received - particularly in cases when ships are lost.

--1--


TABLE I

SHIPS DAMAGED OR LOST DUE TO ENEMY ACTION 17 October 1941 to 7 December 1944

SUMMARY

Cause of Damage or Loss

Type of
Ship

Aircraft

Submarine
Torp.

Surface
raft

Mine

Shore
Battery
Gunfire

Disappeared

Total

Bomb

Torp.

Bomb § Torp.

Suicide
Plane

Aircraft
Strafing

Torp.

Gunfire

Torp. §
Gunfire

Submarine
Ramming

BB

5

2

4

3

1

2

5

22

CV

8

2

2

6

4

22

CVL

1

1

2

4

CVE

2

5

2

4(1)

13

CA

3

2

1

4

5

4

1

1

21

CL

10

4

2

3

2

3

3

1

2

30

DD

33

6

1

10

3

13

10

24

2

1

8(2)

19

4

134

DE

1

1

1

8

2

2

1

16

Total

63

18

9

29

4

31

1 7

40

7

3

9

27

5

262

There have been numerous ships which have received negligible damage from strafing by aircraft. The Bureau's records indicate however, that only 4 cases of such damage are sufficiently serious to include in this summary.

In some cases of damage and loss, a combination of weapons not listed in the above table was involved. All such cases of combined damage have been classified under the weapon which caused the major portion of the damage. Notes (1) and (2) clarify the 4 important cases of combined damage.


(1) Includes both White Plains (CVE66) and Kalinin Bay (CVE68) which also were damaged by Suicide Plane attacks. Major portion of damage in both cases caused by gunfire.
(2) Includes both Corry (DD463) and Glennon (DD620) which also were damaged by Shore Battery Gunfire. Major portion of damage in both cases caused by mines.

--2--


TABLE II

SHIPS DAMAGED OR LOST DUE TO ENEMY ACTION 17 October 1941 to 7 December 1944

SUMMARY

Cause of Damage or Loss by Years*

Type of
Ship

*

Aircraft

Submarine
Torp.

Surface
Craft

Mine

Shore
Battery
Gunfire

Disappeared

Total

Bomb

Torp.

Bomb §
Torp.

Suicide
Plane

Aircraft
Strafing

Torp.

Gunfire

Torp. §
Gunfire

Submarine
Ramming

BB

1

4

1

4

1

2

12

2

3

1

1

3

5

10

CV

1

4

2

4

10

2

1

1

3

4

1

6

11

CVL

1

2

1

1

3

1

2

3

CVE

1

2

1

1

3

2

5

1

4(1)

12

CA

1

2

1

4

4

4

1

16

2

1

1

2

3

1

1

1

3

CL

1

3

1

1

1

2

1

9

2

3

1

1

3

1

9

3

4

2

3

1

2

12

DD

1

10

2

1

8

3

14

2

4

44

2

12

3

4

5

6

1

31

3

11

1

10

3

1

2

4

1

7(2)

19

59

DE

3

1

1

1

8

2

2

1

16

Total

1

23

4

8

15

7

22

7

5

91

2

15

7

1

5

8

8

1

45

3

25

7

29

4

11

2

10

3

8

27

126


* 1. Ships damaged and lost - 17 October 1941 to 7 December 1942
  2. Ships damaged and lost - 8 December 1942 to 7 December 1943
  3. Ships damaged and lost - 8 December 1943 to 7 December 1944
  See notes (1) and (2) page 2

--3--


TABLE III

SHIPS LOST DUE TO ENEMY ACTION

30 October 1941 to 7 December 1944

SUMMARY

Cause of Loss by Years*

Type of
Ship

*

Aircraft

Submarine
Torp.

Surface
Craft

Mine

Shore
Battery
Gunfire

Disappeared

Total</span>

Bomb

Torp.

Bomb §
Torp.

Suicide
Plane

Aircraft
Strafing

Torp.

Gunfire

Torp. §
Gunfire

Submarine
Ramming

BB

1

1

1

2

2

3

CV

1

2

2

4

2

3

CVL

1

2

3

1

1

CVE

1

2

1

1

3

1

1

1

3

CA

1

1

1

2

1

5

2

1

1

3

CL

1

1

1

2

2

1

1

3

DD

1

5

1

1

5

3

4

2

4

25

2

3

1

4

3

11

3

1

1

2

1

1

2

3(2)

11

DE

1

2

3

5

1

1

7

Total

1

5

2

4

8

4

5

5

5

38

2

3

2

_

5

4

14

3

2

1

3

7

1

4

4

22


* 1. Ships Lost — 30 October 1941 to 7 December 1942
  2. Ships Lost — 8 December 1942 to 7 December 1943
  3. Ships Lost — 8 December 1943 to 7 December 1944
  See note (2) Page 2

--4--


TABLE IV

SHIPS DAMAGED DUE TO ENEMY ACTION

17 October 1941 to 7 December 1944

SUMMARY

Cause of Damage by Years*

Type
of Ship

*

Aircraft

Submarine
Torp.

Surface
Craft

Mine

Shore
Battery
Gunfire

Total

Bomb

Torp.

Bomb §
Torp.

Suicide
Plane

Aircraft
Strafing

Torp.

Gunfire

Torp. § Gunfire

Submarine
Ramming

BB

1

4

3

1

2

10

2

3

1

1

3

5

10

CV

1

4

2

6

2

1

1

3

4

1

6

11

CVL

1

2

1

1

3

2

2

CVE

1

2

3

2

4

3(1)

9

CA

1

2

1

3

3

2

11

2

1

1

3

1

1

1

3

CL

1

3

1

1

_

2

7

2

3

1

1

2

1

8

3

4

2

3

_

1

2

12

DD

1

5

1

3

10

19

2

9

2

2

6

1

20

3

10

8

3

1

2

1

4

19

48

DE

1

2

3

1

1

1

3

1

2

9

Total

1

18

2

4

7

3

17

2

53

2

12

5

1

4

8

1

31

3

23

6

26

4

4

1

6

3

4

27

104


*1. Ships Damaged — 17 October 1941 to 7 December 1942
  2. Ships Damaged — 8 December 1942 to 7 December 1943
  3. Ships Damaged — 8 December 1943 to 7 December 1944
  See note (1) Page 2

--5--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST DURING THIRD YEAR OF WAR

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS LIGHT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

PRINCETON (CVL23)

10/24/44

East of Luzon Island

Bomb - 1

Sunk by U.S. forces

250 Kg. SAP Japanese bomb penetrated flight deck at frame 98. Detonated at, or slightly below, second deck, above after engineroom. Serious fire in hangar never brought under complete control. Several explosions among planes in hangar. 100-pound GP bombs stowed in main deck space aft of hangar mass detonated about 5-1/2 hours after hit, causing destruction of after portion of ship above waterline and severe topside damage to BIRMINGHAM. Sunk by U. S. forces.

--6--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

BLOCK ISLAND (CVE21)
War Damage Report #49

5/29/44

Western Atlantic

Submarine Torpedo - 3

Plunged by stern

Struck almost simultaneously in forward peak tank and under after elevator pit by two German submarine torpedoes on the port side. Moderate flooding aft. All propulsion and steering control lost. About ten minutes later third torpedo detonated at about frame 140 port. Extensive flooding. Plunged by the stern about one hour and a half after third hit.

GAMBIER BAY (CVE73)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire -over 26

Capsized to port § sank

Numerous topside hits before sustaining underwater damage. Two projectiles penetrated shell plating below waterline and detonated in forward engineroom and after engineroom, respectively. Other under water hits. Steering control and all power lost. Severe fires. Listed to port. Abandoned. Capsized to port and sank about one hour and a half after first hit, still under fire by enemy.

--7--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

ST. LO (CVE63)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Capsized § sank by stern

Japanese suicide plane released bomb before crashing into flight deck at about frame 125. Plane carried overboard at bow. Bomb penetrated flight deck about frame 130 and started severe fire among planes in hangar. Eight explosions reported - gasoline vapor, depth bombs and torpedoes. Capsized and sank by stern.

--8--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

LEARY (DD158)
1200 Tons Standard

12/24/43

North Atlantic

Submarine Torpedo - 3

Sank by the stern.

Struck by two German submarine torpedoes on the starboard side in way of after engineroom and storeroom just forward of propellers. All power lost. Severe structural damage. Struck by third torpedo starboard side in forward engineroom, after ship had been abandoned. Sank bodily by the stern with 30-degree starboard list about 5 minutes after third hit.

BROWNSON (DD518) 2100 Tons Standard

*War Damage Report #51

12/26/43

Cape Gloucester New Britain

Bomb - 3

Sank bodily by the stern.

Struck by one 250 SAP and one 63 Kg. Japanese GP bomb abaft No. 2 smokepipe. Severe structural damage. Longitudinal strength seriously reduced. Three machinery spaces flooded. Moderate damage from one near miss close aboard on port quarter. Sagged amidships and sank by stern in 18 minutes.

LANSDALE (DD426)
1620 Tons Standard

4/20/44

Western Mediterranean

Aircraft Torpedo - 1

Broke in two. Both sections plunged by break.

Struck by German aircraft torpedo on starboard side in way of forward fireroom. Listed 80 degrees to port and broke in two. Shock effect severe. Small oil fire. Stern section sank in about one half hour followed by the bow about 20 minutes later.

--9--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

CORRY (DD463)
1630 Tons Standard

6/6/44

English Channel

Mine - 1 Gunfire -several

Jack-knifed and sank bodily.

Small contact or large ground mine detonated under forward two machinery spaces. Three forward machinery compartments flooded. All power lost. Smoke apparatus on fantail was struck by small caliber projectile releasing FS fumes. Ship broke amidships, settled bodily in six fathoms of water.

GLENNON (DD620)
1630 Tons Standard

6/8/44

English Channel

Mine- 1 Gunfire -at least 11

Listed § sank bodily.

On 8 June: German mine, probably acoustic, detonated about 18 feet below port quarter. Hull girder very nearly severed at frame 163. Stern section settled and grounded at angle of 30° to horizontal. Attempts to tow unsuccessful.

On 10 June: At least 11 hits from German shore batteries and numerous shorts resulted in progressive flooding. Listed about 90° and sank about 17 hours after first hit.

MEREDITH (DD726)
2200 Tons Standard

6/8/44

English Channel

Mine - 1

Broke in two and jackknifed.

On 8 June: German contact mine detonated under forward engine-room to port. All power lost. Free flooding in three machinery spaces through a hole in port shell 65 feet long. Displaced machinery, caused 12° list starboard. Towed to anchorage. Bow and stern worked noticeably relative to each other during the night. About 29-1/2 hours after mine detonation broke in two and jack-knifed with the stern sinking first.

--10--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Report on Damage

HOEL (DD533)
2100 Tons Standard

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire -numerous

Capsized § sank by stern.

More than 40 Japanese 5-inch, 8-inch and 16-inch projectiles riddled ship. First hits knocked out communications and fire control. Port turbine hit. No. 3 upper handling room fire extinguished. After guns put out of action. All power lost from hit in forward engineroom. Small fire from hits in No. 1 magazine. No magazine explosions. Abandoned, dead in water with 20° port list and main deck aft awash. Capsized 15 minutes later. Sank by stern about 90 minutes after first hit.

JOHNSTON (DD557)
2100 Tons Standard

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire -many

Capsized § sank by bow.

Three major caliber Japanese projectiles penetrated main deck passing into after two machinery spaces, detonating respectively in reduction gear, turbine and No. 4 boiler. Innumerable small and medium caliber projectiles struck subsequently. All power lost. Progressive flooding. Local fires. Capsized and sank by bow about two and one half hours after first hit.

ABNER READ (DD526)
2100 Tons Standard
*War Damage Report #51

11/1/44

Leyte Gulf

Suicide Plane Crash

Capsized to starboard and sank

by stern.

Japanese suicide plane crashed into superstructure abaft after smoke pipe and plunged into sea on port side. Deluged topside between after smoke pipe and 5-inch mount No. 3 with burning gasoline. Uncontrollable fire. Detonation in after lower handling room. Capsized to starboard and sank by the stern 36 minutes after crash.

--11--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

COOPER (DD695)
2200 Tons Standard

12/3/44

Comotes Sea Philippines

Torpedo (probable)

Jack-knifed

During surface night action probably struck by large Japanese torpedo amidships on starboard side. Heeled 45° to starboard. Broke in two and sank in less than one minute.

MAHAN (DD364)
1500 Tons Standard

12/7/44

Comotes Sea Philippines

Suicide Plane Crash - 3
Strafing

Sunk by U.S. Forces

Japanese suicide plane struck ship at forecastle deck level just abaft bridge starboard side. Forward smoke pipe and foremast severely damaged. Fires. Second plane hit abreast 5-inch gun No. 2 at water-line starboard. One engine skidded across platform deck and went through port shell plating. Flooding. Fires. Third plane struck abreast 5-inch gun No. 2 between waterline and forecastle deck port. Uncontrolled fires. Strafed. Sunk by U. S. Forces.

--12--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYER ESCORTS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

LEOPOLD (DE319)

3/9/44

North Atlantic

Submarine Torpedo - 1

Broke in two Bow capsized.
Later sunk by U. S. Forces.
Stern sank.

Struck amidships by a German submarine torpedo, port side. Most of underwater hull in way of detonation destroyed. Broke in two and bow section capsized about 40 minutes later. Stern plunged after floating about 4 hours. Bow was sunk by gunfire from U. S. Forces.

FECHTELER (DE157)

5/5/44

Western Mediterranean

Submarine Torpedo - 1

Broke in two.
Both sections plunged after jack-knifing.

Struck portside about frame 90 by German submarine torpedo. Three machinery spaces flooded. Main deck buckled at frame 90. Broke in two about an hour and a half later. Both sections plunged about 20 minutes later, stern sinking first.

--13--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYER ESCORTS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

RICH (DE695)

6/8/44

English Channel

Mine - 3

Broke in two.
Stern sank.
Forward section plunged by bow.

German ground mine detonated about 50 yards on starboard beam. Slight shock damage. Second mine detonated under stern 3 minutes later. 50 feet of stern blown off. Third mine detonated about frame 40. Forward section sagged and flooded, plunging by the bow several minutes later,

FISKE (DE143)

8/2/44

North Atlantic

Submarine Torpedo - 1

Broke in two.
Bow plunged.
Stern sunk by U.S. Forces.

Struck by German submarine torpedo at about frame 99 between two after machinery spaces. All power lost. Internal explosion forward occurred about five minutes later. Broke in two. Bow listed to port and plunged about one hour after hit. Stern capsized and assumed vertical position with screws awash. Sunk by U. S. Forces.

--14--


COMBATANT SHIPS LOST

DESTROYER ESCORTS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Manner of Sinking

Remarks on Damage

SHELTON (DE407)

10/3/44

Off Halmahera Island

Submarine Torpedo - 1

Capsized -Sunk by U.S. Forces.

Struck by Japanese torpedo under stern on starboard side. Abandoned. Taken in tow. Slow flooding reduced stability and caused starboard list. Started to break up with hull hinging at about frame 125. Finally capsized to starboard about 15 hours after hit. Hulk sunk by gunfire from U. S. Forces.

SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE413)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire - about 20

Listed to starboard and plunged by stern.

Struck by about 20 small, medium and major caliber Japanese projectiles along port side. Severe structural damage. All power lost. Serious fire aft. Listed about 80° to starboard and plunged by stern.

EVERSOLE (DE404)

10/29/44

Off Philippines

Submarine Torpedoes - 2

Rolled over on side -Broke in two. Sections sank bodily.

Struck simultaneously by two Japanese submarine torpedoes, one in vicinity of after engineroom and other slightly aft of first. Rolled over on side. Broke in two. Both sections sank bodily in about 11 minutes.

--15--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED DURING THIRD YEAR OF WAR

BATTLESHIPS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

IOWA (BB61)

3/18/44

Mille, Marshall Islands

Gunfire - 2

Medium caliber Japanese shore battery projectile detonated on port side of turret No. 2. Fragment damage to turret fire control instruments. Second projectile detonated on contact with port shell plating just below main deck at frame 134. Minor damage.

CALIFORNIA (BB44)

6/14/44

Saipan Island

Gunfire - 1

Small caliber Japanese howitzer projectile struck corner of splinter shield on main battery fire control platform at frame 68-1/2 starboard. Deflected downward, detonating high order at deck. Fragment damage. Small electrical fires. Minor damage.

--16--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

BATTLESHIPS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

TENNESSEE (BB43)

6/15/44

Tinian Island

Gunfire - 3

Struck almost simultaneously by three 6-inch Japanese projectiles fired from shore batteries. First detonated on 5-inch gun No. 7 just inside shield. Small fire. Second detonated against side blister several feet below main deck at frame 89 starboard. Third detonated on main deck about frame 98. Minor fragment damage.

INDIANA (BB58)

6/19/44

Southwest of Saipan Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Burning Japanese suicide plane crashed into starboard quarter at waterline. Shell dented but not ruptured. Minor damage.

--17--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

BATTLESHIPS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

SOUTH DAKOTA (BB57)

6/19/44

Southwest of Saipan Island

Bomb - 1

250 Kg. SAP Japanese bomb with instantaneous fuse detonated on port side of 01 deck at frame 72-1/2. Severe blast and fragment damage in wardroom and nearby vicinity. Small local fires.

MARYLAND (BB46)

6/22/44

Saipan Island

Aircraft Torpedo - 1

Japanese aircraft torpedo struck port side about frame 8 between first and second platforms in way of gas tanks. No fire or vapor explosion. Limited structural damage for a torpedo. Slight flooding.

--18--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

BATTLESHIPS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

TEXAS (BB35)

6/25/44

English Channel

Gunfire -several

One medium caliber German shore battery projectile struck top of conning tower and detonated against foremast structure. Control lost from bridge. Severe fragment damage. A slightly larger (240mm) dud projectile ricocheted from the water and penetrated the hull base first at about frame 18 at the second deck port side. Many "straddles" causing widespread fragment damage.

COLORADO (BB45)

7/24/44

Tinian Island

Gunfire -

22

Sustained eleven direct hits from Japanese medium caliber shore batteries on starboard shell plating from frame 61 forward. Eleven hits on forecastle and superstructure decks. Extensive fragment damage. Several blister compartments ruptured. Eleven local fires. Fighting efficiency not seriously impaired.

--19--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

BATTLESHIPS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

COLORADO (BB45)

11/27/44

Leyte Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane crashed into port side of upper deck at about frame 86. Considerable fragment damage. Minor structural damage. Small fires. 5-inch and 40mm guns in vicinity destroyed.

MARYLAND (BB46)

11/29/44

Leyte Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane struck deck between turrets I and II. Small fire. Bomb carried by plane pierced upper and main decks detonating on second deck. Extensive structural damage caused by Mast and fragments. Hull penetrated by bomb fragments port and starboard.

--20--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

INTREPID (CV11)

2/17/44

East of Truk Island

Aircraft Torpedo - 1

Deep-running Japanese aircraft torpedo struck starboard side just forward of rudder post. Steering gear largely destroyed. Otherwise moderate structural damage and flooding. Ship steered by engines.

WASP (CV18)

2/19/44

Southwest of Saipan Island

Bomb - 5

Near miss bomb detonated upon impact with water about 50 feet abreast frame 6 on port side. Minor fragment damage. Three other near miss bombs, one off port bow and two on starboard quarter caused minor fragment damage and small local fires. One bomb detonated in air above flight deck at frame 150 with no appreciable damage.

--21--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

BUNKER HILL (CV17)

6/19/44

Southwest of Saipan Island

Bomb - 1

Near miss bomb detonated on water impact about fifty feet from port side abaft No. 2 elevator at about frame 105. Fragments punctured pipe lines, caused minor flooding and started small fire in one ready room.

FRANKLIN (CV13)

10/13/44

Off Formosa

Strafing Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane crashed on deck just abaft island structure, slid across flight deck and burst into flames upon striking water on starboard side. Negligible damage. Minor damage from strafing.

--22--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

HANCOCK (CV19)

10/14/44

Formosa Island

Bomb - 1

250 Kg. SAP Japanese bomb pierced 20mm gun platform at frame 14, port gallery, entered water and detonated about 50 feet from shell, a short distance below the surface. Minor fragment damage.

FRANKLIN (CV13)

10/15/44

West of Luzon

Bomb - 3

Small Japanese bomb penetrated after outboard corner of deck edge elevator. Detonated just below flight deck level. Minor fragment damage. Small gasoline fire. Second bomb detonated on striking water close aboard to port opposite frame 77. Third bomb detonated on striking water close aboard to starboard opposite frame 96. Minor damage.

INTREPID (CV11)

10/29/44

East

of Luzon

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane crashed into 20mm gun No. 10 at frame 117. Minor fire. Slight damage.

--23--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

FRANKLIN (CV13)

10/30/44

East of Samar Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane with bomb load aboard crashed through flight deck at frame 127, igniting planes parked at after end of flight deck. Bombs carried forward and detonated in hangar among gassed planes. Fire gutted after portion of flight deck and hangar. It spread to second and third deck spaces. Gas explosions occurred in hangar. All fires extinguished in 2-1/2 hours. Extensive structural damage to flight and gallery decks and to structures within hangar.

LEXINGTON (CV16)

11/5/44

Off Luzon

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane dropped small bomb on secondary conning station and then crashed into starboard side of island aft. Detonation of bomb severely damaged conning station. Plane exploded. Minor damage to island structure by blast fragments and small fire.

--24--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

ESSEX (CV9)

11/25/44

East of Luzon

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane carrying a bomb, probably 63 Kg SAP, missed the island and crashed into outboard edge of flight deck port side about frame 70. Bomb detonated causing fragment damage. Bulk of plane carried over side. Minor fires and minor flight deck damage.

INTREPID (CV11)

11/25/44

East of Luzon

Suicide Plane Crash - 2

Two Japanese suicide planes, each carrying a 250 Kg SAP bomb, struck flight deck. One crashed 30 feet to port of the centerline at frame 126. Its bomb detonated just below flight deck. Severe fire in gallery and hangar spaces. Fragment damage. Second released bomb just before crashing from astern at frame 141. Bomb carried forward and detonated in hangar about frame 110. Extensive fire and structural damage. Fire spread through gassed and armed planes in hangar, gutting a large part of the hangar. It was extinguished in about 2 hours.

--25--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS LIGHT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

BELLEAU

WOOD (CVL24)

10/30/44

East of Samar Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane crashed into flight deck about frame 135 in midst of fully serviced planes. Explosion and severe gasoline fires on flight deck, gallery deck and 01 deck. Serious damage.

CABOT (CVL28)

11/25/44

East of Luzon

Suicide Plane Crash -2

Japanese suicide plane carrying a 63 Kg. GP bomb, struck edge of flight deck at frame 24 port side. Small fires. Minor structural damage. Second suicide plane and bomb exploded on surface amidships port side. Severe fragment damage.

--26--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

FANSHAW BAY (CVE70)

6/17/44

Saipan Island

Bomb - 1

63 Kg. GP Navy bomb with instantaneous nose fuze detonated after penetrating after elevator platform, while in the up position. Torpex loaded warheads struck by fragments; filler spilled and burned on deck, but no explosion occurred, indicating that fragments were below critical velocity. Several compartments aft flooded by fractured fire main below hangar deck. Several small fires, both electrical and ignited by blast. Emergency steering used. Considerable fragment damage.

FANSHAW BAY (CVE70)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire - 6

Struck by four medium caliber AP Japanese Naval projectiles forward on flight deck between frames 13 and 34. Penetrated into lower deck spaces and out through shell plating without detonating. Minor damage to wiring and hull. Small fires. Slight fragment damage from two shorts on port bow.

--27--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

KALININ BAY (CVE68)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire - 15
Suicide Plane Crash - 2

Struck by 12 medium caliber Japanese Naval projectiles on port side forward and on flight deck. Two medium caliber projectiles detonated under counter. Fragment from major caliber short penetrated hull. Minor fires. Considerable flooding amidships. Three and one-half hours later, a suicide plane crashed onto the flight deck at about frame 125. Large hole in flight deck. Fire. Second suicide plane crashed into port after smoke pipe.

KITKUN BAY (CVE71)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane and bomb crashed into port catwalk and fell into sea about 25 yards off port bow. Small fires and minor fragment damage.

--28--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

SANGAMON (CVE26)

10/25/44

Southeast of Surigao Strait

Bomb - 1

Struck by Japanese bomb on starboard side at frame 83, main deck level, under forward 40mm mount. Bomb ricocheted and detonated (low order) close aboard just above waterline. Shell plating deflected over large area with minor rupture at about frame 83.

SANTEE (CVE29)

10/25/44

Southeast of Surigao Strait

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane carrying a small bomb crashed into port side of flight deck outboard of after elevator. Bomb penetrated flight deck and detonated in hangar at about frame 63. Severe fragment damage. Torpex loaded depth bombs ruptured by fragments burned but did not explode, indicating that fragments were below critical velocity for producing detonation. Underwater explosion at frame 58 starboard, either of torpedo, or more probable, jettisoned depth charge. Heavy flexural vibration. Flooding with 5° starboard list.

--29--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

SUWANNEE (CVE27)

10/25/44

Southeast of Surigao Strait

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane carrying bomb crashed through flight deck about frame 64 starboard. Bomb detonated between flight and hangar decks. 25-foot hole in hangar deck. Minor fire. Fragment damage.

SUWANNEE (CVE27)

10/26/44

Southeast of Surigao Strait

Suicide Plane Crash Bomb - 1

Japanese suicide plane carrying bombs crashed into VT parked on forward elevator on flight deck. One bomb detonated in hangar. Later, 250 Kg. bomb penetrated flight deck and detonated in catapult machinery space frame 84. Severe fire on flight deck. Propulsion and steering control lost temporarily.

--30--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ESCORT

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

WHITE PLAINS (CVE66)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire
many Suicide Plane Crash

Many shorts from major caliber Japanese Naval guns. One caused minor hull damage below the waterline on port quarter. Starboard main engine out of alignment. Severe flexural vibration. Shock damage. Suicide plane and bomb exploded a few feet above the water several yards off the port quarter. Minor fragment damage to shell, decks, topside gear, and piping.

--31--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED HEAVY CRUISERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

SAN FRANCISCO (CA38)

2/2/44

Marshall Islands

Gunfire - 1

One small caliber Japanese shore battery projectile penetrated shell plating on starboard side forward. Negligible damage.

MINNEAPOLIS (CA36)

6/19/44

Southwest of Saipan Island

Bomb - 1

Bomb detonated on impact with water about 10 feet abreast frame 28, starboard. About 175 small fragment holes in starboard shell plating between frames 18 and 42. Minor flooding in forward living compartments. Minor structural damage. Small bedding fire.

CANBERRA (CA70)

10/13/44

Off Formosa Island

Aircraft Torpedo - 1

Struck by deep-running Japanese aircraft torpedo starboard side in vicinity of bulkhead between Nos. 3 and 4 firerooms and in way of outboard shaft. Both enginerooms flooded from firerooms through bulkheads torn open by displaced shaft. All power lost. Severe machinery damage in firerooms. Shock damage. Towed to advance base.

--32--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

LIGHT CRUISERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

ST. LOUIS (CL49)

2/14/44

Bougainville Island

Bomb - 4

Struck by Japanese bomb about frame 100 on superstructure deck. Detonated just above second deck. Severe blast and fragment damage. Small fires. Three near miss bombs, one on starboard bow and two on port quarter, within 50 yards, caused minor hull damage. Severe flexural vibration. Slow leakage through seams.

MONTPELIER (CL57)

5/20/44

Shortland Island

Gunfire - 1

155mm common projectile, from Japanese shore battery struck anchor chain on forecastle at frame 15. Deck defeated projectile. Fragment damage in vicinity and to 20mm gun shield No. 2.

NASHVILLE (CL43)

6/4/44

Biak Island

Bomb - 1

63 Kg. GP Japanese Navy bomb detonated about 5 feet below surface of water approximately 10 feet from starboard side abreast frame 117. Shell plating buckled and ruptured by fragments. Minor structural damage. Moderate flooding caused 3° starboard list. Slight shock damage.

--33--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

LIGHT CRUISERS

Ship Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

PHOENIX (CL46) 6/4/44

Biak Island

Bomb - 2

Japanese bomb detonated on striking water about 50 feet from starboard side about frame 70. Second bomb detonated about 100 feet from port side about frame 100. Minor leakage and minor fragment damage to smoke pipes and superstructure.

BIRMINGHAM (CL62) 6/14/44

Saipan Island

Gunfire -several

Minor fragment damage from numerous straddles from small caliber Japanese shore battery projectiles. Damage mostly on starboard quarter and port side in vicinity of forward smoke pipe. Note: Damage caused by straddles not shown on profile.

HOUSTON (CL81) 10/14 § 16/44

Off Formosa Island

Aircraft Torpedo - 2

14 October: Japanese aircraft torpedo struck bottom at frame 74 starboard while in sharp turn to starboard. No. 1 engineroom seriously damaged. All machinery spaces flooded because of displaced shaft. 16° list. Flexural vibration. Electrical fires. All power lost. Towed.

16 October: Japanese aircraft torpedo struck starboard quarter at about frame 145 while under tow. Hangar opened to sea. Stern structure from frame 129 aft twisted upward and to port. Increased flooding. Gasoline fires. Towed to advance base.

--34--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

LIGHT CRUISERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

RENO (CL96)

10/14/44

Off Formosa Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane struck main deck aft on port side, slid across deck and exploded. Majority of fragments went overboard on starboard side. Small fire started Minor structural and armament damage.

HONOLULU (CL48)

10/20/44

Leyte Island

Aircraft Torpedo - 1

Struck by Japanese aircraft torpedo on port side about frame 51. Several magazines, IC room and central flooded. 13° port list. Severe structural damage. Flexural vibration.

DENVER (CL58)

10/28/44

Leyte Gulf

Bomb - 1

Japanese suicide plane crashed about 50 feet from starboard side abreast frame 107. Bomb released shortly before crash and detonated on surface impact, giving near miss effect. Minor flooding in vicinity caused 3° starboard list.

--35--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

LIGHT CRUISERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

RENO (CL96)

11/3/44

East of Luzon

Submarine Torpedo - 1

Struck by Japanese submarine torpedo on port quarter at frame 92. After engineroom and living compartments flooded. After fireroom partially flooded. Extensive flooding on second deck. Stability seriously reduced. Structural strength greatly impaired. All power lost when forward main board shorted out. Steering gear inoperable. Forward engineroom secured and ship towed to advanced base.

MONTPELIER (CL57)

11/27/44

Leyte Gulf

Suicide Plane Crash - 3

Japanese suicide plane struck water off port beam. Parts of plane caused minor damage to hull, smoke pipes and uptakes at about frame 87. Fragment struck 5-inch mount No. 4. Second plane crashed after releasing bomb which struck off starboard quarter. Minor fragment and shock damage. Minor damage from third plane crash off starboard bow.

ST. LOUIS (CL49)

11/27/44

Leyte Gulf

Suicide Plane Crash - 2

Japanese suicide plane with bomb crashed into main deck frame 128. Large hole in main deck. Serious fragment damage. No. 5 turret out of action. Large fires. Second plane grazed 5-inch gun No. 2 - plunged into sea abreast frame 62 port close aboard. Bomb detonated about 15 feet below waterline. 4-1/2° port list. Shell plating indented and torn at seams. Minor flooding. Shock damage. Flexural vibration.

--36--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

BOYD (DD544)
2100. Tons Standard

12/8/43

Nauru Island

Gunfire -several

One 6-inch Japanese shore battery projectile pierced the hull just above the waterline and detonated in forward engineroom. Severe internal fragment damage. Engineroom flooded. Fragments from several shorts caused damage to smoke pipes, 40mm clipping room and torpedo tube air flask.

LAMSON (DD367)
1500 Tons Standard

12/26/43

Cape Gloucester

Bomb - 1

Japanese bomb detonated about 25 feet off starboard quarter. Minor flooding starboard stuffing box compartments.

MUGFORD (DD389)
1500 Tons Standard

12/26/43

Cape Gloucester

Bomb - 2

Two Japanese bombs detonated on surface impact off starboard beam. Numerous fragment holes in shell above waterline and smoke pipe. Minor shock damage to radar and fire control equipment.

--37--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

SHAW (DD373)
1500 Tons Standard

12/3/43

Cape Gloucester

Bomb - 3

Three near misses by Japanese bombs. One 10 feet from starboard side frame 50. Shell plating buckled and seams opened. Slow flooding forward of machinery spaces. Two near misses 85-95 feet on port beam. Several small fragment holes.

MAYO (DD422)
1620 Tons Standard

1/24/44

Point Astura, Italy

Mine - 1

German contact mine detonated at frame 129 about 8 feet below the waterline. Starboard side holed from just below main deck to keel between frames 122-136. Two after machinery spaces flooded. Propulsive power lost.

PLUNKETT (DD431)
1630 Tons Standard

1/24/44

Nettuno, Italy

Bomb - 1

Struck by German GP bomb on 1.1-inch mount at frame 130. After deckhouse destroyed between frames 128 and 148. Fire in 1.1-inch and 20mm ready service ammunition. Port turbine damaged by fragments.

--38--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

ANDERSON (DD411)
1570 Tons Standard

1/30/44

Kwajalein Atoll

Gunfire - 1

Medium caliber Japanese projectile from shore battery detonated on port bulkhead of CIC at about frame 57. Moderate fragment damage.

LUDLOW (DD438)
1630 Tons Standard

2/8/44

Anzio, Italy

Gunfire - 1

Slight damage by a medium caliber dud projectile from shore battery. Struck director deck at frame 55, with about 60° angle of fall, and penetrated to first platform. Fractured fire main. Minor fires in 20mm ready service ammunition.

BUCHANAN (DD484)
1630 Tons Standard

2/25/44

Kavieng, New Ireland

Gunfire - 2

Medium caliber Japanese shore battery projectile detonated at junction of sheer strake and main deck, frame 115 starboard. Slight fragment damage. Another projectile which fell short caused minor buckling at frame 111.

--39--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

FARENHOLT (DD491)
1620 Tons Standard

2/25/44

Kavieng, New Ireland

Gunfire - 1

Medium caliber Japanese shore battery projectile detonated in way of the after engineroom starboard side, just above waterline. Serious fragment damage to boilers, piping and bulkheads. Slight flooding through hole caused grounded electrical circuits.

NICHOLSON (DD442)
1630 Tons Standard

3/6/44

Admiralty Islands

Gunfire - 1

12 cm Japanese Naval projectile from shore battery detonated in way of No. 2 upper handling room at frame 45. Moderate damage from fragments. No fires.

HALL

(DD583)
2100 Tons Standard

4/4/44

Wotje Atoll

Gunfire - 3

Struck by three Japanese medium caliber shore battery projectiles with short delay fuses. One penetrated the hull and detonated just inside engineer's log room. Second pierced forecastle, detonated and damaged anchor windlass, capstan and shafting. Third was a dud causing slight damage to radar antenna. Small fires.

--40--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

CHAMPLIN (DD601)
1620 Tons Standard

4/7/44

Off Northeast Atlantic Coast

Ramming Gunfire -several

Several tanks forward were ruptured by ramming submarine. Several small caliber projectiles from German submarine caused slight damage in the vicinity of the pilot house.

HUTCHINS (DD476)
2100 Tons Standard

5/27/44

Biak Island

Gunfire - 1

A small caliber Japanese shore battery projectile passed through the deckhouse at frame 75-1/2 going from starboard to port and detonated about fifty yards beyond the ship.

McCOOK (DD496)
1630 Tons Standard

5/28/44

England

Bomb - 2

Two delay-action German bombs detonated below the surface about 50 feet from starboard side abreast frames 80 and 175. Minor deflection of shell plating and frames occurred. The starboard shaft was misaligned slightly. Shock damage occurred to radars and fire control equipment.

--41--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

STOCKTON (DD646)
1630 Tons Standard

5/28/44

Biak Island

Gunfire - 1

Struck by one small caliber Japanese shore battery projectile about frame 27 just above the waterline. Moderate fragment damage occurred in living compartment A-202-L.

REID (DD369)
1500 Tons Standard

6/3/44

Biak Island

Bomb - 4

Four Japanese bombs detonated on surface impact within 50 yards of port side. Minor fragment damage to superstructure and smoke pipe.

BALDWIN (DD624)
1630 Tons Standard

6/6/44

English Channel

Gunfire - 2

Struck by two small caliber German shore battery projectiles. Slight fragment damage.

--42--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

KALK (DD611)
1620 Tons Standard

6/12/44

Biak Island

Bomb - 1

Struck by Japanese 63 Kg. GP bomb on torpedo mount at frame 93-1/2. Penetrated two tubes (including torpedo air flasks), superstructure deck and detonated in diesel generator room. Air flasks exploded, causing "washboard" effect on forward and after smoke pipes. Severely damaged torpedo mount.

NELSON (DD623)
1630 Tons Standard

6/12/44

English Channel

"E"-boat torpedo - 1

German "E" boat torpedo struck about frame 177 starboard. Structure, including shafts and propellers, missing aft of frame 159, except a small portion of keel and associated structure. All power lost. Severe shock. Severe structural damage from No. 2 smoke pipe aft. Complete flooding aft with exception of one 5-inch powder magazine. Towed to England.

BRAINE (DD630)
2100 Tons Standard

6/14/44

Tinian Island

Gunfire - 1

Small caliber Japanese shore battery projectile struck aft of No. 2 smoke pipe on port side and detonated on impact with deckhouse. Minor fragment damage to surrounding superstructure and armament.

--43--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

align="center"Remarks on Damage

PHELPS (DD360)
1850 Tons Standard

6/18/44 and 6/21/44

Saipan Island

Gunfire - 5

18 June: Short from medium caliber Japanese shore battery caused minor fragment damage amidships on starboard side. One projectile hit below bridge and detonated in the Executive Officer's cabin. Second hit detonated on starboard side near base of No. 2 smoke pipe. No. 2 fireroom inoperable. Small fires. 21 June: While being repaired, received two hits with small caliber projectiles from Japanese small craft. One in vicinity of after 40mm ready service stowage. Other ricocheted off hull starboard side at frame 72. Negligible damage.

DAVIS (DD395)
1850 Tons Standard

6/21/44

English Channel

Mine - 1

Detonation (probably acoustic mine) occurred on port quarter about 75 feet from ship in 65 feet of water. Minor buckles and wrinkles along after port shell. Some shock damage to machinery and piping.

BARTON (DD722)
2200 Tons Standard

6/25/44

English Channel

Gunfire - 1

240mm armor piercing dud projectile from German shore battery struck water, ricocheted and penetrated shell plating sideways at about frame 156 just above waterline. Minor structural damage. Projectile jettisoned.

--44--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

LAFFEY (DD724)
2200 Tons Standard

6/25/44

English Channel

Gunfire - 1

German medium caliber shore battery dud projectile struck water close to port bow and ricocheted into ship above waterline just aft of stem. Negligible damage.

O'BRIEN (DD725)
2200 Tons Standard

6/25/44

English Channel

Gunfire - 1

Hit by one medium caliber German shore battery projectile in vicinity of signal bridge. Detonated at starboard after corner of CIC. Fragment damage to surrounding structure. Small fire.

NORMAN SCOTT (DD690)
2100 Tons Standard

7/24/44

Tinian Island

Gunfire - 6

Hit six times within a few seconds by medium caliber Japanese shore battery projectiles. Three hit in the superstructure and one each on 40mm gun No. 3, torpedo mount No. 2, and 5-inch mount No. 5. High order detonations with local fires from shorted electrical circuits and burning debris.

--45--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

FLUSSER (DD368)
1500 Tons Standard

9/7/44

Wotje Atoll

Gunfire -several

Several shorts from small caliber Japanese shore battery caused considerable fragment damage to starboard side. Fragment holes in hull, smoke pipes, superstructure, torpedo tubes and warheads. Piping and wiring damaged. No underwater damage. Note damage caused by shorts not shown on profile.

WADLEIGH (DD689)
2100 Tons Standard

9/16/44

Palau Island

Mine - 1

Struck large moored Japanese mine about frame 111 between starboard bilge keel and vertical keel. Severe structural damage. Nearly all longitudinal strength lost. Sagged 12 inches amidships. After three machinery spaces flooded. 5-degree starboard list. All power lost. Severe machinery damage. Shock damaged miscellaneous equipment. Towed to anchorage.

BAILEY (DD492)
1620 Tons Standard

10/1/44

Off Palau Island

Strafing

Severely strafed by Japanese planes. Superstructure and shell plating pierced in numerous places. Some flooding through holes in port shell in vicinity of waterline. Ordnance equipment and some machinery damaged.

--46--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

CASSIN YOUNG (DD793)
2100 Tons Standard

10/12 §13/44

Off Formosa

Strafing

Minor damage to No. 2 smoke pipe by strafing Japanese plane. Negligible damage.

AULICK (DD569)
2100 Tons Standard

10/19/44

Leyte Island

Gunfire - 3

Struck by small caliber Japanese shore battery dud projectile on main deck about frame 186. Ricocheted into 5-inch mount No. 5. Second projectile penetrated after bulkhead of main deckhouse frame 170 and detonated within. Severe local fragment damage. Third projectile detonated in air about 15 feet abeam of frame 68 at superstructure deck level. Fragment damage to superstructure, smoke pipes, ordnance equipment and topside gear.

ROSS (DD563)
2100 Tons Standard

10/19/44

Leyte Island

Mine - 2

Struck two small Japanese moored mines under machinery spaces. First detonated under keel about frame 151. Second about frame 91 port side. Severe structural damage. Three machinery spaces flooded. Other flooding aft. 14° port list. Propulsive power lost. Some flexural vibration. Towed to advance base.

--47--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

BENNION (DD662)
2100 Tons Standard

10/20/44

Leyte Gulf

Gunfire - 1

Hit by Japanese shore battery projectile port side about frame 66, causing minor fragment damage. Several shorts caused fragment damage from bow aft to No. 2 smoke pipe. Torpedo warhead punctured. No detonation.

ALBERT W. GRANT (DD649)
2100 Tons Standard
*War Damage Report #51

10/25/44

Surigao Strait

Gunfire -20

Eleven 6-inch U. S. projectiles, (including six duds), struck starboard side between after smoke pipe and frame 15. Forward living compartments and two forward machinery spaces flooded. Serious machinery damage. Damage to superstructure. Five small caliber Japanese projectiles (including two duds) and four shorts caused minor hull damage on the port side.

HEERMAN (DD532)
2100 Tons Standard

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire -several

Struck simultaneously by two Japanese medium caliber projectiles which passed through ship without detonating. One entered through spray shield above the main deck at frame 72 port and left at frame 91 starboard. Second entered at frame 18 just below second platform and left at frame 16. Moderate flooding forward. Short at frame 32 starboard caused damage to shell plating and keel with some flooding. Minor fragment damage from other shorts.

--48--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

AMMEN (DD527)
2100 Tons Standard

11/1/44

Leyte Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Plane crash-dived amidships, shearing off No. 1 smoke pipe and damaging No. 2. Fell into sea on starboard beam. Speed reduced due to difficulties with boiler air supply and uptakes.

ANDERSON (DD411)
1570 Tons Standard

11/1/44

Panaon, Philippine Islands

Suicide Plane Crash

Plane strafed ship; passed over starboard quarter; grazed smoke pipe and crashed into after port boat davit and main deck just aft of the break. Fires. Fragments ruptured steam line to forced draft blower necessitating that No. 1 and No. 2 boilers be secured.

BUSH (DD529)
2100 Tons Standard

11/1/44

Leyte Gulf

Bomb - 1 Strafing

Japanese bomb detonated on water impact about 60 feet off starboard quarter. Radio and fire control equipment somewhat damaged by shock. Small hole in shell above the waterline. Starboard side strafed, causing minor damage.

--49--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

CLAXTON (DD571)
2100 Tons Standard

11/1/44

Leyte Gulf

Suicide Plane Crash

Plane made a suicide dive and crashed with its bomb close aboard on starboard quarter. Large hole in shell just above waterline. Severe fragment damage. Some shock damage. Several after living compartments and magazines flooded.

KILLEN (DD593)
2100 Tons Standard
*War Damage Report #51

11/1/44

Leyte Gulf

Bomb - 1

Japanese bomb penetrated shell plating just below first platform deck, frame 33 port side, pierced second platform deck and detonated in No. 2 handling room. Powder fire of short duration in forward magazine. Extensive structural damage. Serious flooding. Minor fires in first platform spaces.

AULICK (DD569)
2100 Tons Standard

11/29/44

Leyte Gulf

Suicide Plane Crash - 2

Japanese suicide plane struck radar antenna and exploded on striking water about 15 yards off port bow. A second plane, carrying bomb, struck starboard side of bridge windshield. Detonation of bomb occurred above main deck outboard of wardroom. Severe fragment damage to starboard side. Powder in No. 2 upper handling room ignited.

--50--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

SAUFLEY (DD465)
2100 Tons Standard

11/29/44

Leyte Gulf

Suicide Plane Crashes - 2
Bomb - 2

Japanese suicide plane with bomb crashed on contact with water about 40 feet abreast frame 38 starboard side. Bomb detonated. Considerable buckling of forward starboard shell. No flooding. Some shock damage and flexural vibration. Second plane crashed into port side frame 74, just below forward boat davit; glancing off, it burst into flames close aboard on port bow. Minor damage. In third attack, two bombs struck water close aboard and detonated in vicinity of frame 74 starboard side, causing negligible damage.

ALLEN M. SUMNER (DD692)
2200 Tons Standard

12/2/44

Leyte Gulf

Bomb - 1 Strafing

Japanese bomb detonated on water impact about 30 feet off starboard bow abreast frame 22. Minor fragment damage to electrical equipment and hull. Small fire. Minor damage from strafing.

MOALE (DD693)
2200 Tons Standard

12/3/44

Leyte Gulf

Gunfire - 1 Strafing

Struck by over 75 phosphorous machine gun projectiles throughout length. Main deck and superstructure penetrated. Small phosphorous fires on fantail. Small caliber dud projectile penetrated shell plating at stern. Minor damage.

--51--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYERS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

DRAYTON (DD366)
1500 Tons Standard

12/5/44

Off Leyte Island

Suicide Plane Crash Bomb - 1

Small Japanese bomb detonated on water impact about 30 feet off starboard beam. Minor fragment damage to hull and superstructure. Japanese suicide plane struck in vicinity of 5-inch gun No. 1. Serious fire from burning gasoline and ready service ammunition. No detonations.

MUGFORD (DD389)
1500 Tons Standard

12/5/44

Off Leyte Island

Suicide Plane Crash

Japanese suicide plane crashed into uptakes of No. 3 boiler port side just above main deck. Slight damage to superstructure. Temporary loss of power. Moderate fire.

LAMSON (DD367)
1500 Tons Standard

12/7/44

Comotes Sea, Philippines

Suicide Plane Crash Bomb - 1

Near miss bomb detonated on water impact about 90 feet off port quarter, causing fragment damage. Japanese suicide plane, carrying several small bombs, crashed into bridge from astern. Some bombs detonated. Serious fires forward of No. 1 smoke pipe caused ship to be abandoned for a short time. No. 1 fireroom flooded.

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COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYER ESCORTS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

HERBERT C. JONES (DE137)

2/15/44

Anzio, Italy

Bomb - 2

Severe shock damage from two near miss glider bombs. One detonated on surface abreast frame 30 about 20 feet from port side. Second detonated on surface abreast frame 160 about 40 feet from starboard side. Some structural damage. All radar and radio equipment failed.

HOLDER (DE401)

4/11/44

Western Mediterranean

Aircraft Torpedo - 1

Struck by German aircraft torpedo on port side under smoke pipe. High percentage of ship's longitudinal strength lost. Three machinery spaces flooded. Small fires. Severe machinery damage. Fragment damage in area of detonation. Towed to New York. Stricken from register. Stern used to repair MENGES (DE320).

GANDY (DE764)

4/16/44

Atlantic

Ramming
Gunfire -several

Rammed German submarine. Minor structural damage to bow. Struck by machine gun projectiles from submarine. Minor damage to smoke pipe and superstructure.

--53--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYER ESCORTS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

DONNELL (DE56)

5/3/44

North Atlantic

Submarine Torpedo - 1

German submarine torpedo detonated in vicinity of starboard propeller. Stern blown off. Propulsive power lost. Shell, decks and supporting members buckled from amidships aft. Ship girder broken at frame 139. Stern raised to angle of about 45° hinged at frame 112. Flooding aft of machinery spaces. Towed to Boston, and scrapped.

MENGES (DE320)

5/3/44

Western Mediterranean

Submarine Torpedo - 1

German submarine torpedo detonated under counter from dead astern. Both propellers and rudders carried away. After third of ship severely, damaged. Hull broken at frame 126. Tanks ruptured just forward. Towed to New York. Repaired, using stern of HOLDER (DE401).

BUCKLEY (DE51)

5/6/44

Middle Atlantic

Ramming Gunfire - 2

Rammed German submarine deflecting bow to port. Submarine rammed BUCKLEY in way of after engineroom starboard. Small holes below waterline. Starboard shaft damaged. Two holes in starboard side of smoke pipe made by small caliber projectiles.


--54--


COMBATANT SHIPS DAMAGED

DESTROYER ESCORTS

Ship

Date

Place

Source

Remarks on Damage

BARR (DE576)

5/29/44

North Atlantic

Submarine Torpedo - 1

German submarine torpedo detonated just forward of starboard propeller. Stern blown off. Propulsive power lost. Ship girder buckled at frame 128. Remainder of stern raised. Flooding in all compartments aft of after engineroom. Some flexural vibration. Small electrical fires. Towed to advance base.

DENNIS (DE405)

10/25/44

East of Samar Island

Gunfire - 4

Struck by two medium caliber Japanese projectiles on port side. One passed through ship above waterline at about frame 35 without detonating. Minor electrical fires. Second detonated at after 40mm director. Fragment damage. Shorts caused minor fragment damage to forward 5-inch gun and also to shell plating at about frame 137 port.

RICHARD

M. ROWELL (DE403)

10/25/44

Southeast of Surigao Strait

Strafing

Minor damage to 5-inch gun No. 1 from machine gun projectile during Japanese strafing attack.

--55--