Hollandia, New Guinea, assault (22–28 April); capture of Saipan (14–22 June); Leyte occupation (18 November-4 December); Mindoro invasion (12–18 December); and the Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, landings (3–6 January 1945). Fate At 1252 on 6 January 1945, the worst day for the Navy during the costly Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, a Japanese kamikaze crashed into Brooks port side, causing extensive damage and starting a fire amidships. The main and auxiliary steam lines were severed, the fire main was broken, and the sea valve to the condenser was pierced, causing the forward engine room to flood. Three of Brooks crew were killed and 11 wounded. A number of Brooks's abandoned survivors, were rescued by the adjacent HMAS Warramunga (I44) and later transferred to her sister ship the USS Hovey, a minesweeper staged in Minesweeping Unit 1 for the Lingayen invasion, as was Brooks. Five more of Brooks's crew were killed when the US Hovey was sunk by an aerial torpedo at 455 on the following morning of 7 January. The badly damaged Brooks was towed to San Pedro, California, Watch Hill and decommissioned there on 2 August 1945. Brooks was sold 30 January 1946. Awards Brooks received the Navy Unit Commendation and six battle stars for her World War II service. As of 2015, no other U.S. Navy ships have been named Brooks. See also USS Brooke (FFG-1) for a ship with a similar name. References Citations External links Roll of Honor Clemson-class destroyers World War II destroyers of the United States World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States World War II auxiliary ships of the United States Ships built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation 1919 ships Ships of the Aleutian Islands campaign Maritime incidents in January 1945