Explosion near Salerno Italy
Mayo gave fire and antiaircraft protection to the beachhead at Salerno, Italy, September 8, 1943, and again January 22 to 24, 1944 to the assault beaches at Anzio. ... At 2001 on the 24th a sudden explosion killed seven and wounded 23 of her crew while almost breaking her in two. ... Despite a gaping hole at the waterline, starboard she survived a tow back to Naples for a temporary patch and 3 March began the long tow back to the States.
