On the morning of 24 October 1944, while supporting the invasion of Leyte, the USS Princeton was bombed by a Japanese Judy.  The 550 pound bomb penetrated down three decks, exploding and causing raging fires in the hangar deck.  The destroyer Irwin and light cruiser Birmingham came along side to provide fire-fighting assistance.  As other fires erupted, there were additional explosions, the force of which blew across the deck of the Birmingham resulting in horrendous casualties.   There were 108 men were killed on the Prinston and 227 lost on the Birmingham.