During Operation Dragoon (the Invasion of Southern France), U.S. PT boats of MTB Squadron 15 were in use as a screen against attack by enemy craft. For several boats fuel was running low and their tanker was still at the dock due to a mechanical breakdown. Conducting operations and running low on fuel not only did they have to search for the enemy, they also had to search for fuel, the lack of fuel would cost the U.S. two P.T. boats and one man.

At 1945 hrs on August 16, 1944 USS PT-202 and USS PT-218 were directed to refuel from an unknown tanker located somewhere in the assault area, vague orders, but they left Baie de Briande and headed toward the assault area. While en route USS PT-207 passed close by and informed them that a tanker, the Empire Damsel, was in the CAMEL assault area in the Gulf of Fréjus.

They proceeded through the Gulf and at about 2050 hrs PT-202 (leading) hit a mine a mile or two off St. Aygulf, France. The stern was blown off and everything from the after engineroom bulkhead back was gone. Several men were blown overboard and the boat was sinking. Lt (j.g.) Wesley J. H. Gallagher, USNR, commanding officer of PT-202 had signals sent requesting assistance for his men. If it were not bad enough to be sinking in a minefield, an air raid was in progress overhead. The anti-aircraft fire being put up by the assault ships a few miles away, was coming down around the two PT boats. Fortunately it appears none of the men were injured by the falling shot.

Lt. Robert A. Dearth, USNR, commanding PT-218 maneuvered his boat into the minefield and rescued the men in the water, then turned toward PT-202. Before he reached the stricken craft his boat ran afoul of a mine, the explosion of which blew off his stern. Several men on PT-218 were wounded, but all would survive.

The two crews were now in rubber liferafts with no help coming, but they were close to shore. The secret papers from PT-202 were dropped into the water less than a mile off shore because it was unknown if this area had been taken or if the Germans were still in control. The radar and IFF (Identification, Friend or Foe) units on the boats were supposed to be destroyed so they would not fall into enemy hands. There were self-destruct mechanisms for both of these units, but they were not used. It was thought by the commanders that as the boats were sinking quickly in deep enough water that there was no possibility that the Germans would recover them.

When all the survivors were together a muster roll was taken, it was found that one man from PT-202 was missing, a search that was made did not find him and he was presumed lost. The men made their way to shore and landed about 15 minutes after midnight. After crossing a barbed wire barricade a small cottage was found and the survivors remained hidden their until daylight. In the morning a U.S. Army patrol was found, the wounded were removed to aid stations and the remaining men made their way back to their base.