Under Constant Attack By Japanese Fighter Planes
On 14 May, Tekesta took up station at Ie Shima and, for the following month, conducted rescue and salvage missions from that islet. She frequently fought off air attacks. On 25 May, while bringing Spectacle (AM-305) into Ie Shima, she fired on kamikazes. Three days later, she fired on a four-plane flight of Japanese aircraft. She hit one, but it managed to crash into SS Brown Victory. Tekesta immediately came to the aid of the stricken merchantman with fire-fighting crews and medical aid. On 10 June, the tug rushed to the aid of William D. Porter (DD-579), but only arrived in time to watch helplessly as the destroyer rolled over and slipped beneath the sea. Three days later, she returned to Kerama Retto and, the following day, departed the anchorage with Newcomb in tow for the Marianas.
Read more about this topic: USS Tekesta (AT-93)
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