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On the afternoon of 5 January1945,
northwest of Manila Bay, during the invasion of Luzon,
Stafford was attacked by numerous
Japanese aircraft. The Stafford's antiaircraft fire splashed one of
the planes. Immediately a second plane was hit and, after continuing about
500 yards, turned sharply and headed for the Stafford's bridge.
Unable to gain altitude, the aircraft made a deliberate suicide crash into
the ship's hull on the starboard side. The Stafford began to lose
speed and preparations were made to abandon ship. Fifty-eight crewmen were
transferred to the
USS Halligan
while a nucleus crew stayed onboard
Stafford. Once flooding was checked and all topside depth charges,
several guns, and other equipment were jettisoned, the ship's stability
improved. Stafford then headed for Lingayen Gulf, arriving 10 January
. Two Stafford crewmen were killed or missing and 12 were wounded.
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