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19284 T.G. 78.12 U.S.S.
PC 623 Task Group 78.12 was formed by C.T.F. 78 to search for, pick up, and return to Leyte, U. S. Navy survivors from CVE's, DD's, and DE's sunk during enemy action eastward of Samar Island. At 1700 (1) Task Group consisting of, PC 623, PC 1119, LCI (R) 34, 71, 337, 340, and 341 was underway from San Pedro Bay to search area surrounding--Lat. 11-15 N. Long. 126-30 E. Lt. Comdr. J.A. Baxter, USNR., in PC 623 as Task Group Commander. 2000:
10-11 N . 26 October 1944 At 0600 Task Group assumed formation for searching and at 0830 ship on right flank passed through reference point. Plan was to search 35 miles north of point and after consulting pilot chart search was conducted to westward as moderate N.E. wind and current direction indicated drift of survivors would be to S.W. and West. At 1200 line of ships was shifted west and southerly sweep began. At 1600 plane was si8hted circling heavy oil slick; investigated area with no resuIts. At 1640 sighted PBY circling second heavy oil slick; upon searching this area (Radius 2 miles) numerous articles were sighted bearing Japanese labels. In this area (11-16 N. 126-08 E.), the LCI 340 pic:ked up a Japanese prisoner-of-war who was sitting on a floating box. No other enemy survivors were found. Prisoner was turned over to C.T.F. 78 at 0430 on 28 October. At 1900 search was again shifted to the westward, at 2009 assuming a northerly course with intentions about 0000 to again shift to west and sweep back southward. At 2229 flares (Red, Green and white) were observed bearing 225° T. and 270° T. from position 11-31 N., 126-01 E., distance not determined; but at this time Samar Island was 32 miles distant, visibility was good with good moonlight. PC 623 left formation at 2237, instructing other ships to continue search; proceeding in direction of flares. At 2347 observed flares were from raft and first raft of survivors were sighted and identified; other ships were notified to close on PC 623.
27 October 1944 0000-0335 directed picking up of survivors from CVE 73. Samar Island now 11-1/2 miles distant. 0348 detached PC 1119 to return to base with their survivors (approximately 200) and make full report to C.T.F. 78. 0615 Formed search line of remaining ships, closed island to 8 miles then continued search in North Westerly direction. At 0745 other rafts of survivors sighted, identified and taken aboard. These were from the DE 413. Search was then continued in a Northwesterly direction. At 0837 sighted other rafts with men from DE 413 and DO 533. At this time a count gave us approximately 900 survivors on board five LCIs and PC 623. At 0950 enemy plane entered area and passed over, after being fired upon by ships of group. At 1019 upon orders from C.T.F. 78, formed cruising disposition to return to Leyte Gulf .
0113 Anchored in Leyte Gulf, survivors were then transferred to hospital and quarter ship. 0458 All survivors transferred from ships of Task Group and Task Group dissolved. In general survivors from CVE 73 suffered from exposure, exhaustion, and thirst. Some were lightly, few severely, wounded in addition. After the first group was taken aboard, PC 623 went to each raft and took aboard severely wounded as the doctor was on board that ship. The survivors from the DE 413 and DD 553 were oil covered and in addition suffered from exposure, exhaustion, thirst, wounds and shock. No accurate count was made of the number survivors because of the crowded conditions on board each ship; 1150 is a good approximation. Personnel of ships of this group must be commended for furnishing own clothing and blankets; continuously serving and caring for all survivors for 30 hours without rest, and for numerous other deeds to alleviate suffering among survivors.
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