Memories of the USS Laffey Rescue
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I Don't Remember to much about the Laffey. However, I do know what she looked like after she was attacked. As far as I know the Mac took her in tow, but for some reason we could not tow her because of the damage. A sea-going tug came and towed her in. That's all I know about the rescue. I went top side to take a look at her and she was sure an awful mess, and I went below again. Jim Spencer FC2 We were ordered to proceed at flank speed and give assistance. We were on radar picket duty off Okinawa at the time. When we got to the Laffey the attack was over before our arrival. She was a MESS. We rendered what assistance we could at the time . We took her in tow, with much difficulty, I believe we used either two mooring lines or one doubled up. I remember we had a difficult time getting her moving. Also thought (my memory) that a tug came out and took her to the anchorage. We returned to our stations . At this time I believe there was only one destroyer at a time on a radar picket station. Bob Utter When we pulled alongside the Laffey to use our pumps to help keep the ship from sinking, the water was smooth as glass. Of course we were dead in the water. The Laffey was filled with smoke - I don't recall seeing any flames. Bodies of crew members were all over the decks. About this time (it had to be mid-day), the announcement over the PA system said "chow down". Ted Hoch and I responded - who can eat after witnessing this? Ken McElveen ".. At 2000 arrived RP#3, joined by LCS's 101 and 102. April 16, 1945 at 0840 large enemy air raids struck RP#15, RP#1, and RP#2. All DD types these stations hit, or sunk. At 0935 MACOMB proceeded at 34 knots to assistance of LAFFEY in RP#1 taking 12 F4U's, of CAP as support. At 1132 picked up pilot in immediate vicinity LAFFEY. At 1150 took LAFFEY in tow. At 1351 turned tow over to ATF185, remained in area until 1435; arrived RP#3 at 1735..." --excerpt from USS Macomb action report
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