15 Marines were killed on Kotang and 50 more wounded during the fighting that raged throughout the day. Three CH-53 Jolly Green Giants went down during the rescue operation. The survivors were in the water for hours until a gig from one of our escorts pulled them to safety. Darryl saw the enormous explosion, followed by a shockwave, the blast unleashed. It obscured the island and swept right across the coral sea,. causing the huge carrier to shudder from its impact.