Air Attack off Iwo Jima
During an air attack off Iwo Jima, 18 February 1945, Blessman was hit by a 500-pound bomb which exploded in the mess hall knocking out all power and starting fires; she suffered 40 killed and 23 wou nded. Her gallant crew extinguished the fires with assistance from Gilmore (DE-18) and the next day the damaged transport departed for Saipan and emergency repairs, in tow of Ardent (AM-340).
