TACHIBANA MARU MISSION

Destroyers CHARRETTE (ComDesDiv 102)and CONNER departed Manila on 27 July for Morotai. After refueling and waiting a day they departed Morotai on 31 July. Their mission was to intercept and inspect the Japanese hospital ship TACHIBANA MARU. The ship was transiting the Banda Sea and had been spotted by air patrols. The destroyers refueled at Morotai and sighted the ship by radar on 2 August and intercepted the ship on the 3rd. As the ship was carrying contraband (arms, ammunition, and 1,500 healthy soldiers), a prize crew of 80 marines and sailors was placed on board. TACHIBANA MARU, CHARRETT, and CONNER returned to Morotai on 6 August.