An Eyewitness Account of the Sinking of the USS Pledge by
Russell D. Stephens, RM3 from aboard the Destroyer Endicott

Minesweeper Pledge - Sinks Page 1

On October 12, 1950, the Endicott and another destroyer, were supposed to be the gunfire support for a group of smaller sweepers. About five or six Japanese sailors of fortune in small wooden sweepers were to lead the group followed by several AMS's, from US Navy, and then the USS Pirate and USS Pledge, both 185 AM class minesweepers. Then after the Pirate and Pledge came the Endicott and the other destroyer.

Someone got their wires crossed, and the Japanese sailors of fortune and the AMS's finally arrived on the scene. In the mean time, the Pirate and the Pledge were leading the pack, with the Endicott behind them.