They started landing while I was having breakfast and the last plane hit the water at eight oclock plus or minus. At the same time we were bracketed with bombs. General quarters and back out to sea the only damage so far was Mcguier,TF sf3/c dropped a shell on his right hand and Finicum, R.J. s2/c powder case fell on hand, Richards, D.M. burned hands handling hot shells. I still dont know how that could happen as 538;s are a cold projectile with two silk bags of powder behind it. Comes up to the gun on a lift and automatically pushed into the breech, but then what do I know I was a radioman.

We zigged and zagged full steam and when that attack was over we reentered Palu Reef into Saboe Bay to continue fueling planes. For continuing flight back to Espirito Santo. Upon completion of that the two boats were to go to Peou Bay and await the return of the chinc at ten twenty maneuvering at different speeds on various courses and cleared Palu entrance into Saboe Bay. There were five-twin engine bomber in that group. In the official log they call them Vals, Sallies and Knells. I think they were our name for a Mitsubishi twin-engine bomber and that was Bettys. At 11:10 sighted nine Jap bombers circling the bay. We opened fire with all four 5 38 guns fore and aft. Underway at various speeds to avoid bombs. 11:39 planes making third approach dropping bombs, no direct hits sustained.

Steaming as before on various courses and making preparations for entering Saboe Bay. We fueled the remaining PBYs with sufficient gas to return to Espirito Santo. We cleared the reef and back out to sea. Went to general quarters as unidentified planes were picked up on radar. There five bombers approaching from the NE. At 11:47 opened fire. Planes dropping bombs bracketing ship. No direct hits but sustaining splinter damage on boat, port side. 11:51 ceased firing. 11:59 five enemy bombers sighted in direction of the sun. Started firing.

Standing as before. Bombs bracketing the ship, one bomb piercing main deck and second deck exploding in the after engine room. All personnel (eight men) including Mr. Weaver (a wonderful officer) were killed. One fireman killed in forward messing compartment. Speed reduced to about ten knots. Steaming on starboard shaft only. 12:01 ceased firing. Began tracking. 12:15 one enemy plane approaching on port side. Commenced firing. 12:17 ceased firing. Developing engine trouble in forward engine room. Speed reduced to about five knots. 2:40 all ships power failed. Commenced steering by manual control. 14:20 sighted three enemy bombers coming in at about 8,000 feet from starboard beam. 14:22 opened fire with all guns. Local control. On the run enemy bombers dropped a series of green flares while heading into the sun. 14:24 enemy bombers began circling and started another bombing run. Ship was bracketed by bombs.

At least one approximately 200 lb. Bomb fell along port side stopping forward engine. The splinters and concussion produced by this bomb resulted in considerable damage to personnel and ship. Number three five inch gun crew reports that one Jap plane broke formation and veered off trailing smoke during this attack and a second plane smoke trailing. At 1450 one enemy plane started a bombing run from port side, bombs fell about 200 yards off port. 1452 cease firing. After compartments completely flooded water coming in through numerous large splinter holes causing the ship to a heavy list to starboard. All available men, including gun crews organized into bucket brigades. Bucket brigades were placed in the main flooded compartments astern and amidships.

All handy billies (two cycle gas engine pumps) were put into service. As before continuous efforts being made to control flooding, ship listing 16 degrees to starboard. Water in forward engine room under control at a depth of three feet. All efforts being made to place forward engine in commission. 22:35 both the 100 kw and 200 were started. 23:05 forward main engine started. 23:30 underway at about 8 knots, steering course 163 degrees.

Now I have to take over as I saw it. There were hundreds of shrapnel holes in the stern on the starboard side. Sailors were in the water pounding wooden pegs in the holes. Not an easy job with sharks around.

In the radio shack when the power went out Mr. Crook the radio officer asked the chief to get the emergency radio out. He didnt know his name less the gear. He asked a first class and he never heard of it. I dont use names to protect the guilty. I was still sitting at the NPM sked position. That was my g.q. station. He asked me and I said, yes sir, remember on the Northampton we were drilled on that gear. Of all the men T.R. Gray trained it was likely I was the only one that ever had to use it. I got a couple of guys to go with me aft and bring the bags up to the radio shack. It had different ways to get power I used a three legged generator with hand cranks. A striker named Sage was on one side and Wilshon on the other. I set up the tranciever and loaded it up on the ships antenna. Then informed Mr. Crook I was ready. I called the USS Tangier, our command and made contact. Then some lame brain on the bridge and I knew who it was sent down a message by a yeoman to send. Crook made up the heading (address) and authentication and I sent it. being bombed then a second message bombed again then the third. still being bombed by enemy bombers the forth I took exception to. It read deliberately being bombed by enemy bombers. I told Mr. Crook anyone seeing that would think we were hospital ship. These messages were forwarded to NPM in Pearl Harbor and sent to all ships and stations. My brother would see it. Believe me. This doesnt seem possible but it is all true. I finally got a decent msg to send. Our position. Due to this the USS Thornton came along side around midnight. On an earlier attack the fuel pumps on the stern were set afire. I have a picture of the chink burning off Vanikoro taken by French overseer and enlarged by a brother of the sailor killed in the forward mess hall. Kenny Starret, I mentioned him earlier was in radio two with Phillip Yee Lee. Wilbur Morgan and Lubbner. Kenny got curious and went out on the stern when the gasoline pumps were set afire. He was a human torch they told me and he ran and jumped over the lifeline into the water.