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| The USS PORCUPINE, IX-126, a 441 foot tanker filled with aviation fuel, is
struck by a kamikaze plane on December 30, 1944. Having
survived the treacherous voyage to resupply forces at Mindoro, the PORCUPINE
was struck off White Beach at about 1549 (3:59 PM) by one of five attacking
Japanese Vals. Destroyers, such as the USS BUSH, had continued to screen the
unloading supply and transport ships.
The attacker dropped a bomb on the PORCUPINE, then crashed into the her as well, killing seven of her crew and wounding eight others. Attempts to stop the resulting fire from reaching the aviation fuel failed. The PORCUPINE burned to the water line. |