On October 24, 1944, USS Princeton (CVL-23) was struck by a single Japanese bomb during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The bomb penetrated to the hangar deck and detonated the torpedoes stored there, triggering a catastrophic series of explosions. Princeton burned for hours as surrounding light cruisers and destroyers fought to rescue her crew under continuing air attack. The cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62) pulled alongside to fight the fires and was devastated when Princeton’s after magazines detonated, killing and wounding hundreds of Birmingham’s crew. Despite those losses, the destroyers and cruisers of the task group ultimately saved 1,440 men from Princeton before she was scuttled by torpedoes. This page from the Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin recounts the rescue operation as an example of seamanship and courage under fire.
Click to enlarge
