Struck Mine off the French Coast
On June 8, the Glennon's stern struck a mine. A whaleboat picked up survivors while minesweepers Stag and Threat arrived on the scene, one passing a towline while the other swept ahead of the damaged destroyer. Destroyer escort Rich closed in the wake of the minesweepers to assist, then felt a heavy explosion as she slowly rounded Glennon's stern to clear the area. Minutes later a second explosion blew off a 50-foot section of Rich's stern, followed by a third mine explosion under her forecastle. She went under within 15 minutes of the first explosion. Minesweeper Staff found she could not budge Glennon whose fantail seemed to be firmly anchored to the bottom by her starboard propellor. Most of her crew boarded Staff and those remaining on Glennon lightened her stern by pumping fuel forward and jettisoning depth charges and topside gear.On June 9, salvage equipment was assembled, and some 60 officers and men of the Glennon came back on board. The following morning, just as Comdr. Johnson was preparing to resume efforts to save his ship, a German battery near Quinneville found her range A second salvo hit Glennon amidships and cut off all power. After a third hit, Commander Johnson ordered abandon ship and the men were taken off in a landing craft. Glennon floated until 2145 June 10, 1944, then rolled over and sank. She suffered 25 lost and 38 wounded.
