At 1747, eight Japanese planes, probably Zeros, came in low and out of the sun. "Stafford", , and were screening . The three escorts quickly brought their anti-aircraft batteries to bear and opened fire at targets approximately away. At about the same point, four of the enemies peeled off to the right. The remaining four bore down on the carrier and her three protectors. Each of the escorts splashed a plane, but the fourth kamikaze crashed into "Stafford"s starboard side, amidships, just abaft the stack. The stricken destroyer escort lost way rapidly, and she began taking on water. All crew members, save a nucleus crew, were transferred to "Ulvert M. Moore"; and all topside depth charges, K guns, and loading machines were jettisoned to improve her stability. "Stafford" remained in the vicinity of Lingayen until 11 January, when, after receiving the rest of her crew, save casualties, she departed with a slow convoy for Leyte.