Kamikaze Attack near Ormoc Bay
On December 12, while escorting landing craft to Ormoc Bay Caldwell bore the brunt of a fierce air attack. ... Hit on the bridge simultaneously by a suicide plane and fragments from a two-bomb straddle, the destroyer suffered 33 killed and 40 wounded including the commanding officer. ... Despite the heavy damage, Caldwell's after guns continued to fire on enemy planes, while her well-trained damage control parties saved the ship.
