Bataan, Elrod Rescue 277

The crews of the amphibious assault ship Bataan and frigate Elrod responded June 6 to a distress call in the Mediterranean Sea, and rescued 277 persons from a sinking small vessel. The victims were boarded onto Bataan, which provided food, medical assistance and shelter before transporting them to a Malta armed forces offshore patrol vessel. Five of the victims were medically evacuated.