|
On April 7, Wesson relieved
Sterett (DD-407) north of Ie Shima and the Motobu Peninsula and took
station screening two LCIs. Shortly after 9 am Wesson opened fire on
three enemy planes crossing her bow and then engaged a plane diving from the
clouds to starboard. The plane crashed into the destroyer escort's torpedo
tubes amidships. Five men died instantly, one was missing, and 25 were
wounded, two of whom died later. All power was lost aft, propulsion was lost
on the port shaft, and the rudder jammed full right. Lang (DD-399)
took Wesson under tow. When the tow line parted, Wesson steamed into
Kerama Retto under her own power with Lang screening.
|
