Fletcher-class destroyer USS
Haraden (DD-585) after being hit by a kamikaze, 13 December 1944.
USS
Haraden (DD-585) after being hit by a Kamikaze in the Sulu Sea on 13 December 1944, while enroute to the Mindoro invasion. USS
Twiggs (DD-591) is alongside rendering assistance.
Haraden and the escort carriers entered the Sulu Sea 13 December, and were attacked that day by four Japanese aircraft.
Haraden assisted in downing three of the raiders, but the fourth banked left and dived for the destroyer. Trailing smoke from hits by
Haraden's gunners, she crashed into the destroyer's side, putting her forward engine room out of commission and severely damaging her topside. As
Haraden lay dead in the water, the destroyer
Twiggs came alongside to help and the
Haraden was soon underway on her own power. She arrived at
San Pedro Bay 14 December 1944 and transferred her casualties—14 killed and 24 wounded. Steaming on toward the United States via Hawaii, she arrived at
Puget Sound Navy Yard,
Bremerton, Washington on 14 January 1945 for battle repairs.
