On 14 February 1945, Radford was mined in Mariveles Harbor at the entrance to Manila Bay while maneuvering to take in tow the damaged La Vallette which had, herself, been mined. Three Radford crewmembers were killed. Again on the West Coast for repairs, Radford did not return to the war zone but was decommissioned there, having earned 12 battle stars on her Asiatic-Pacific campaign ribbon. -- Source
Another destroyer, USS La Vallette DD 448, was ordered to finish firing at the still floating mines in the area we had left earlier, but the ship hit an uncut mine, opening a huge hole in its starboard side, it nearly sank with its bow nearly level with the waves. A second destroyer, USS Radford DD 446, was dispatched to rescue it, but then, also hit a mine in the same forward fireroom, starboard side as the La Vallette. The casualties for the Radford were less when the Captain had already ordered all unnecessary men normally below, to stay on deck. The Radford was able to tow the La Vallette the 30 miles back to Subic Bay, mentioned earlier. Both were given enough repairs to handle the trip to a West Coast shipyard for restoration.

Oct. 1997-J.V.Jensen --Source

George Reynolds Baker