November. As she approached Empress Augusta Bay on the 17th, she was attacked by a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" torpedo plane of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service's 702 Kōkūtai, which launched a torpedo off the starboard quarter. McKean turned to avoid the weapon; but at 0350 the torpedo struck the starboard side, exploding the after magazine and depth charge spaces and rupturing fuel oil tanks. Flaming oil engulfed McKean aft of the No. 1 stack, and she lost all power and communications. Burning oil on the water killed men who were blown or jumped overboard. Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Ralph L. Ramey, ordered her abandoned at 0355; at 0400 she began to sink by the stern. He went over the side 12 minutes later; her forward magazine and oil tank exploded at 0415; and her stacks disappeared at 0418. 64 of her complement and 52 of her embarked troops died from the explosions or flames. The survivors were picked up by rescuing destroyers, the and USS Talbot (APD-7) which were alongside for approximately two hours trying to rescue survivors. Awards McKean received four battle stars for World War II service. McKean received the Navy Unit Commendation award. Four US Coast Guard sailors, assigned to serve as coxswains of four landing craft working from the McKean earned Silver Stars during the amphibious assault on Tulagi. References External links Photos NavSource Photos Wickes-class destroyers World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States Destroyers sunk by aircraft Shipwrecks in the Solomon Sea Ships built in San Francisco 1918 ships Maritime incidents in November 1943 Ships sunk by Japanese aircraft