USS Velocity (AM-128) - Velocity Shoots Down Attacking Aircraft

Velocity Shoots Down Attacking Aircraft

She conducted sweeping operations on the day of the landings, 20 October, at Leyte and continued this duty until the 23rd, at which time she and her sister sweepers were ordered to join the antiaircraft screen for the transports. On the 26th, when a formation of twin-engined "Betty" bombers attacked the anchorage area, Velocity splashed one of the attackers. During the confused melee, an American Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter went down due to a fuel shortage. Velocity quickly sent her motor whaleboat to pick up the aviator, but a boat from Token (AM-126) arrived on the scene first. On the 27th, however, Velocity took her turn at bat and rescued a pilot from a crashed American aircraft.