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Okinawa naval order of battle

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Landings on Okinawa and neighboring islands
Destroyer William D. Porter sinks after a kamikaze attack off Okinawa, 10 June 1945. A landing craft, support stands by to pick up survivors.

For the April 1945 invasion of Okinawa (Allied codename: Operation Iceberg), the Allies assembled the most powerful naval force in history. Since the few remaining capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Combined Fleet had been sunk or otherwise put out of action at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Allies were effectively unopposed in terms of major surface vessels; a single mission consisting of the superbattleship Yamato and a few escorts was undertaken, but the task force did not get within 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) of the invasion area. The main Japanese naval opposition within the invasion area came from hundreds of Imperial Japanese Navy Shin'yō-class suicide motorboats and Maru-Ni Imperial Japanese Army attack boats.

Since the Japanese air arm had been equally decimated by this point in the war, the lack of trained and experienced pilots led them to deploy the kamikaze extensively in the waters off Okinawa.

US Navy combat ships:
11 fleet carriers, 6 light carriers, 22 escort carriers, 8 fast battleships, 10 old battleships, 2 large cruisers, 13 heavy cruisers, 13 light cruisers, 4 anti-aircraft light cruisers, 132 destroyers, 45 destroyer escorts

Amphibious assault vessels:
84 attack transports, 29 attack cargo ships, LCIs, LSMs, LSTs, LSVs, etc.

Auxiliaries:
52 submarine chasers, 23 fast minesweepers, 69 minesweepers, 11 minelayers, 49 oilers, etc.

Royal Navy combat ships:
5 fleet carriers, 2 battleships, 7 light cruisers, 14 destroyers

Losses
The smaller ships were least able to withstand damage from kamikaze attacks.

Allied command structure

[edit]
Naval commanders for Operation Iceberg
Adm. Chester W. Nimitz
Adm. Raymond A. Spruance
Vice Adm. Richmond Kelly Turner
Ground force commanders
Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, USA (KIA)
Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger, USMC
Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge, USA
[edit]

The roles of Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPOA) and Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC) were both exercised by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz from his headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Since the "Big Blue Fleet" was at this time under the command of Admiral Raymond Spruance aboard his flagship USS Indianapolis, the force was designated Fifth Fleet. (It had been Third Fleet until Spruance relieved Admiral William Halsey in January, as part of the "alternating command" system).

The ships and troops of Operation Iceberg were under direct operational command of Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner aboard amphibious command ship Eldorado.

Ground troops

[edit]

Son of a Confederate army general, Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. was one of four US lieutenant generals to die during World War II, but the only one to die by enemy action. On 18 June, Buckner was visiting a forward observation post when a Japanese artillery shell struck a coral outcropping, fragments of which struck Buckner in the chest. Command of Tenth Army passed to Marine Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger.
United States Tenth Army (Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. (KIA))

Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army - MajGen Francis P. Mulcahy/MajGen Louis E. Woods
III Amphibious Corps (Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger)
Left beaches: 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.)
Right beaches: 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle)
XXIV Army Corps (Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge)
Left beaches: 7th Infantry ("Bayonet") Division (Maj. Gen. A.V. Arnold)
Right beaches: 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division (Maj. Gen. J.L. Bradley)
Landed L+8: 27th Infantry ("New York") Division (Maj. Gen. G.W. Griner, Jr.)

Allied amphibious forces

[edit]

Joint Expeditionary Force (Task Force 51)

[edit]
Amphibious command ships
USS Eldorado
USS Mount McKinley

Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner in amphibious command ship Eldorado

Western Islands Attack Group (Task Group 51.1)
Attack transport LaGrange
Destroyer transport Scribner
Landing craft repair ship Egeria
Tugboat Yuma
Attack transport Hendry
Rear Admiral I.N. Kiland in amphibious command ship Mount McKinley
Embarking 77th Infantry ("Statue of Liberty") Division and
one Marine BLT (Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce, USA)
Transport Group "Fox"
Commodore T.B. Brittain
Transport Division 49
4 attack transports: Chilton, LaGrange, Tazewell, St. Mary's
2 attack cargos: Oberon, Torrance
Transport Division 50
4 attack transports: Henrico, Pitt, Natrona, Drew
1 attack cargo: Tate
1 evacuation transport: Rixey
Transport Division 51
5 attack transports: Goodhue, Eastland, Telfair, Mountrail, Montrose
2 attack cargos: Wyandot, Suffolk
Reconnaissance section
2 destroyer transports: Scribner, Kinzer
Western Islands Tractor Flotilla: 18 LSTs
Western Islands Reserve Tractor Group: 10 LSTs
Western Islands LSM Group: 11 LSMs
Western Islands Control Unit: 7 submarine chasers: (3 steel hull, 4 wooden hull)
Western Islands Support Craft Flotilla
Mortar support divisions 6, 7, 8
RCM and Rocket Division 3
Gunboat Support Divisions 1, 3, 4, 5
LSM(R) Group
Western Islands Hydrographic Survey Group: 4 submarine chasers (steel hull)
Western Island Service & Salvage Unit
1 salvage vessel: Clamp
1 landing craft repair ship: Egeria
2 fleet tugs: Yuma, Tekesta
2 LCI(L)s
1 LCT
Screen
Captain Frederick Moosbrugger in amphibious command ship Biscayne
8 destroyers
8 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Picking, Sproston, Wickes, William D. Porter,[a] Isherwood, Kimberly, Luce, Charles J. Badger
6 destroyer escorts
3 John C. Butler-class (2 x 5-in. main battery): Richard W. Suesens, Abercrombie, Oberrender
3 Cannon-class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Riddle, Swearer, Stern
3 destroyer transports: Humphreys, Herbert, Dickerson[b]
Demonstration Group "Charlie" (Task Group 51.2)
Rear Admiral Jerauld Wright
Embarking Demonstration Landing Force (2nd Marine Division), Major General Thomas E. Watson, USMC
Transport Squadron 15
5 attack transports: Bayfield, Mellette, Hendry, Sibley, Berrien
3 attack cargos: Shoshone, Theenim, Southampton
1 evacuation transport: Pinkney

Northern Attack Force (Task Force 53)

[edit]
Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger (third from left) and his staff planning the Marine Corps phase of the invasion of Okinawa. Chief of Staff Silverthorn is gesturing toward the map.
Catskill-class vehicle landing ship at Subic Bay, 1945
Steel-hulled sub chaser

Rear Admiral Lawrence F. Reifsnider in amphibious command ship Panamint
Embarking III Amphibious Corps (Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger, USMC)

Transport Group "Able" (Task Group 53.1)
Commodore H.B. Knowles
Embarking 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., USMC)
Transport Division 34
6 attack transports: Cambria, Marvin H. McIntyre, Adair, Gage, Noble, Gilliam
2 attack cargos: Sheliak, Hydrus
Transport Division 35
5 attack transports: Clay, Leon, George Clymer, Arthur Middleton, Catron
2 attack cargos: Caswell, Devosa
Transport Division 36
5 attack transports: Monrovia, Wayne, Sumter, Menifee, Fuller
3 attack cargos: Aquarius, Circe, Casa Grande
1 vehicle landing ship: Catskill
Transport Group "Baker" (Task Group 53.2)
Commodore J. G. Moyer
Embarking 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle, USMC)
Transport Division 52
8 attack transports: Burleigh, McCracken, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Carroll, Barnett, Andromeda, Cepheus, Oak Hill
1 vehicle landing ship: Monitor
Transport Division 53
5 attack transports: Marathon, Rawlins, Renville, New Kent, Burleson
2 attack cargos: Centaurus, Arcturus
Transport Division 54
5 attack transports: Dade, Magoffin, Navarro, Effingham, Joseph T. Dickman
3 attack cargos: Betelgeuse, Procyon, White Marsh
Northern Tractor Flotilla (Task Group 53.3)
Capt. J. S. Laidlaw
Tractor Group "Able": 16 LSTs carrying 6 LCTs, 22 pontoon barges and 6 pontoon causeways; 7 LSMs
Tractor Group "Baker": 16 LSTs carrying 10 LCTs, 16 pontoon barges and 6 pontoon causeways
Tractor Group "Charlie": 14 LSTs carrying 20 pontoon barges; 8 LSMs
Northern Control Group: 18 submarine chasers (4 steel hull, 9 wooden hull, 5 sweeper type), Northern Beach Party
Northern Attack Force Screen (Task Group 53.6)
Captain J. H. Wellings
Buckley-class destroyer escort
Armadillo-class oil storage ship
13 destroyers
2 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Massey, Hugh W. Hadley
4 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Pringle,[c] Hutchins, Stanly, Howorth
4 Benham class (4 x 5-in. main battery): Lang, Stack, Sterett, Wilson
3 Sims class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Morris, Mustin, Russell
5 destroyer escorts
4 Buckley class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Gendreau, Fieberling, William C. Cole, Paul G. Baker
1 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Bebas
2 destroyer transports: Charles Lawrence, Roper
3 submarine chasers (2 escort type, 1 wooden hull)
Northern Defense Group (Task Group 53.7)
Capt. W. W. Weeden
Embarking Marine Corps support units and high priority cargo: 21 LSTs carrying LCT and pontoon causeways
2 oil storage ships: Elk, Camel
1 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery) destroyer escort: Fair
2 submarine chasers (wooden hull), 7 motor minesweepers

Southern Attack Force (Task Force 55)

[edit]
Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge
Attack cargo ship Algorab
Landing ship, tank (LST)
Evarts-class destroyer escort
Landing craft, infantry (LCIs)
Cannon-class destroyer escort

Rear Admiral John L. Hall in amphibious command ship Teton
Embarking XXIV Army Corps (Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge)

Transport Group "Dog" (Task Group 55.1)
Commodore M.O. Carlson
Embarking 7th Infantry ("Bayonet") Division (Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold, USA)
Transport Division 37
4 attack transports: Harris, Lamar, Sheridan, Pierce
1 attack cargo: Algorab
Transport Division 38
4 attack transports: Barnstable, Elmore, Alpine, Lycoming
1 attack cargo: Alshain
1 landing ship dock: Epping Forest
Transport Division 39
4 attack transports: Custer, Freestone, Kittson, Baxter
2 attack cargos: Algol, Arneb
Transport Division 13
4 attack transports: Appling, Butte, Audrain, Laurens
2 attack cargos: Aurelia, Corvus
1 vehicle landing ship: Ozark
Tractor Group "Dog"
16 LSTs, 12 LSMs, 2 LCIs
Tractor Group "Fox"
14 LSTs carrying LCTs and pontoon barges, 10 LSMs
Transport Group "Easy" (Task Group 55.2)
Commodore C.G. Richardson
Embarking 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division (Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley, USA)
Transport Division 40
4 attack transports: Mendocino, Sarasota, Haskell, Oconto
2 attack cargos: Capricornus, Chara
1 landing ship dock: Lindenwald
Transport Division 41
4 attack transports: Olmstead, La Porte, Fond du Lac, Banner
2 attack cargos: Diphda, Uvalde
Transport Division 42
4 attack transports: Neshoba, Oxford, Latimer, Edgecombe
1 attack cargo: Virgo
1 landing ship dock: Gunston Hall
Transport Division 14
4 attack transports: Allendale, Meriwether, Menard, Kenton
1 attack cargo: Achernar
Tractor Group "Easy": 23 LSTs, 5 LSMs
Beach Party "Easy", Southern Beach Party
15 submarine chasers: 4 steel hull, 7 wooden hull, 4 sweeper type
17 LCS(L)s, 6 LSM(R)s
Screen (Task Group 55.6)
Captain E.W. Young
13 destroyers
4 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Hyman, Purdy, Wadsworth, Putnam
9 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Anthony, Bache, Bush,[d] Mullany, Bennett, Hudson, Beale, Ammen, Rooks
6 destroyer escorts
2 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Crouter, Carlson,
2 Buckley class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Damon M. Cummings, Vammen
1 Cannon class (3 x 3-in. main battery): O'Neill
1 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): Walter C. Wann
1 destroyer transport
Sims
Southern Defense Group (Task Group 55.7)
Commander B.T. Zelenka
1 Evarts-class destroyer escort: Manlove
1 destroyer transport: Stringham
34 LSTs, 14 LSMs, 6 motor minesweepers, 2 LCIs
1 oil storage ship: Grumium

Expeditionary Troops (Task Force 56)

[edit]
Final photograph of Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, Jr. (right), shortly before his death by artillery fire on Okinawa

Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., USA (KIA 18 June)
Consisting of United States Tenth Army

Northern Landing Area
III Amphibious Corps (Embarked in Task Force 53)
Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger, USMC
Left beaches: 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., USMC)
Right beaches: 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle, USMC)
Southern Landing Area
XXIV Army Corps (Embarked in Task Force 55)
Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge, USA
Left beaches: 7th Infantry ("Bayonet") Division (Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold, USA)
Right beaches: 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division (Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley, USA)
Landed L+8: 27th Infantry ("New York") Division (Maj. Gen. George W. Griner, Jr., USA)
Western Islands
Landed L+26: 77th Infantry ("Statue of Liberty") Division and one Marine BLT (Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce, USA)

Allied combat ships

[edit]

Amphibious Support Forces (Task Force 52)

[edit]
Rear Adm. William H.P. Blandy
Rear Adm. Clifton A.F. Sprague

Rear Admiral William H.P. Blandy in amphibious command ship Estes

Escort carrier Savo Island
Marine Corps Corsairs in 1944
Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters
Support Carrier Group (Task Group 52.1)
Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin
Unit One
Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague
7 escort carriers
Makin Island (Capts. W.B. Whaley and I.E. Hobbs)
VC-84 (Lt. D.K. English, USNR), 27 aircraft
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Fanshaw Bay (Capt. M.E. Arnold)
VOC-2 (Lt. Cmdr. R.M. Allison), 30 aircraft
24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
6 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Lunga Point (Capt. G.A.T. Washburn)
VC-85 (Lt. Cmdr. F.C. Herriman), 30 aircraft
18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Sangamon (Capts. M.E. Browder and A.I. Malstrom)
Air Group 33 (Cmdr. F.B. Gilkeson), 30 aircraft
24 F6F Hellcat fighters
6 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Natoma Bay (Capts. Albert K. Morehouse and B.B. Nichol)
VC-81 (Lt. Cmdr. W.B. Morton, USNR), 32 aircraft
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Savo Island (Capt. W.D. Anderson)
VC-91 (Lt. F.M. Blanchard, USNR), 35 aircraft
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Anzio (Capt. G.C. Montgomery)
VC-13 (Lt. Cmdr. R.P. Williams, USNR), 24 aircraft
12 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Commander J.C. Zahm)
6 destroyers
1 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Ingraham
3 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Boyd, Bradford, Hart
2 Bagley class (4 x 5-in. main battery): Bagley, Patterson
11 destroyer escorts
9 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): Lawrence C. Taylor, Melvin R. Nawman, Oliver Mitchell, Robert F. Keller, Tabberer, Richard M. Rowell, Richard S. Bull, Dennis, O'Flaherty
2 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Sederstrom, Fleming
Unit Two
Rear Adm. Felix B. Stump
Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber
Destroyer escort Ulvert M. Moore, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump
7 escort carriers
Saginaw Bay (Capts. F.C. Sutton and Robert Goldwaite)
VC-88 (Lt. E.L. Kemp, USNR), 32 aircraft
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Sargent Bay (Capt. R.M. Oliver)
VC-83 (Lt. Cmdr. B.V. Gates (KIA) and Lt. M.S. Worley, USNR), 28 aircraft
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Rudyerd Bay (Capts. C.S. Smiley and J.G. Foster)
VC-96 (Lt. Cmdr. W.S. Woollen, USNR), 31 aircraft
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Marcus Island (Capt. H.V. Hopkins)
VC-87 (Lt. H.N. Heisel), 32 aircraft
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Petrof Bay (Capt. R.S. Clarke)
VC-93 (Lt. Cmdr. C.P. Smith), 28 aircraft
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Tulagi (Capts. J.C. Cronin & W.V. Davis)
VC-92 (Lt. Cmdr. J.B. Wallace), 31 aircraft
19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Wake Island (Capt. A.V. Magly)
VOC-1 (Lt. Cmdr. W.F. Bringie), 32 aircraft
26 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
6 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Captain G.P. Hunter)
4 destroyers
1 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Lowry
3 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Capps, Evans, John D. Henley
6 destroyer escorts
4 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): William Seiverling, Ulvert M. Moore (Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., USNR), Kendall C. Campbell, Goss
2 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Tisdale, Eisele
Unit Three
Rear Adm. William D. Sample
Escort carrier Suwannee at Kwajalein, 1944
Rear Admiral William D. Sample
4 escort carriers
Suwannee (Capt. D.S. Cornwell)
Air Group 40 (Lt. Cmdr. R.D. Sampson (KIA) and Lt. Cmdr. J.C. Longino), 27 aircraft
17 F6F Hellcat fighters
10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Chenango (Capts. George van Deurs and Harry D. Felt)
Air Group 25 (Lt. Cmdr. R.W. Robinson (KIA), Lt. B. Phillips and Lt. Cmdr. P.M. Paul), 30 aircraft
18 F6F Hellcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Santee (Capt. J.V. Peterson)
Air Group 24 (Lt. Cmdr. R.J. Ostrom (KIA) and Lt. P.N. Charbonnet), 30 aircraft
18 F6F Hellcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Steamer Bay (Capt. J.B. Paschal)
VC-90 (Lt. Cmdr. R.A. O'Neill), 31 aircraft
19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Captain Alvin Duke Chandler)
5 destroyers
1 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Drexler
3 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Metcalf, Fullam, Guest
1 Bagley class (4 x 5-in. main battery): Helm
2 destroyer escorts
2 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): John C. Butler, Edmonds
Special Escort Carrier Group
Gunnery practice aboard escort carrier Hollandia, 1944
Captain C.L. Lee (arriving 4 April)
4 escort carriers
Hollandia (Capt. Lee)
White Plains (Capt. D.J. Sullivan and Frederick Funke)
Sitkoh Bay (Capts. R.G. Lockhart and J.P. Walker)
Breton (Capt. Frank Obeirne)
Marine Air Group 31 (Col. John C. Munn, USMC)
Marine Air Group 33 (Col. W. E. Dickey, USMC)
192 F4U Corsair and 30 F6F Hellcat fighters to operate from Okinawa airfields
Screen (Commander R.A. Wilhelm, USNR)
4 destroyer transports: Kilty, Manley, George E. Badger, Greene
Mine Flotilla (Task Group 52.2)
Former destroyer Gherardi in minesweeper configuration
Auk-class minesweeper
Admirable-class minesweeper
Ailanthus-class net laying ship
Rear Admiral Alexander Sharp and Captain R. P. Whitemarsh in Terror
Destroyer Minesweeper Group (Task Group 52.3)
Capt. R.A. Larkin
13 fast minesweepers (ex-destroyers): Forrest, Hobson, Macomb, Dorsey, Hopkins, Ellyson, Hambleton, Rodman, Emmons,[d] Butler, Gherardi, Jeffers, Harding
3 fast minelayers (ex-destroyers): Gwin, Lindsey, Aaron Ward
Minesweeper Group One (Task Group 52.4)
Captain T.F. Donohue
18 Auk-class minesweepers: Champion, Heed, Defense, Devastator, Ardent, Requisite, Revenge, Pursuit, Sage, Sheldrake, Skylark,[e] Starling, Swallow,[f] Gladiator, Impeccable, Spear, Triumph, Vigilance
4 fast minelayers (ex-destroyers): Adams, Tolman, Henry A. Wiley, Shea
3 submarine chasers (steel hull): PC-1128, PC-1179, PC-1598
Minesweeper Group Two (Task Group 52.5)
Captain L. F. Freiburghouse
18 Admirable-class minesweepers: Skirmish, Staunch, Signet, Scurry, Spectacle, Spector, Superior, Serene, Shelter, Strategy, Strength, Success, Ransom, Diploma, Density, Facility, Rebel, Recruit
2 fast minelayers (ex-destroyers): Tracy, J. William Ditter
3 motor gunboats (steel hull): PGM-9, PGM-10, PGM-11
Reserve Sweep Group (Task Group 52.7)
Cmdrs. E.D. McEathron and J.W. Wyckoff
6 Admirable-class minesweepers: Buoyant, Gayety, Design, Device, Hazard, Execute
Reinforced by the following in May:
2 Admirable-class minesweepers: Fixity, Dour
8 Auk-class minesweepers: Chief, Competent, Token, Zeal, Strive, Oracle, Velocity, Prevail
14 motor minesweepers
4 destroyer transports with sweep gear-equipped landing craft personnel, ramped (LCP(R)s) embarked: Reeves, Daniel T. Griffin, Waters, Sims
2 minelayers: Weehawken, Monadnock
1 repair ship: Mona Island
Net and Buoy Group (Task Group 52.8)
Cmdr. G. C. King, USNR
9 Ailanthus-class net laying ships: Snowbell, Terebinth, Corkwood, Spicewood, Cliffrose, Stagbush, Abele, Winterberry, Pinon
3 Aloe-class net laying ships: Mahogany, Aloe, Chinquapin
1 mine and net laying ship: Keokuk
2 net cargo ships: Sagittarius, Tuscana

Gunfire and Covering Force (Task Force 54)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Morton L. Deyo
Battleship Texas in Hawaiian waters in 1945
Heavy cruiser Wichita firing broadside in 1944

Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo in battleship Tennessee

Unit One (Rear Admiral Peter K. Fischler)
2 battleships: Texas, Maryland
1 heavy cruiser: Tuscaloosa
4 Fletcher-class destroyers: Laws, Longshaw, Morrison, Prichett
Unit Two (Rear Admiral C. Turner Joy)
2 battleships: Arkansas, Colorado
2 heavy cruisers: San Francisco, Minneapolis
3 Fletcher-class destroyers: Halligan,[g] Paul Hamilton, Twiggs[h]
1 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer: Laffey
Unit Three (Rear Admiral Bertram J. Rodgers)
2 battleships: Tennessee, Nevada
1 heavy cruiser: Wichita
2 light cruisers: Birmingham, St. Louis
4 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers: Mannert L. Abele,[i] Zellars, Barton, O'Brien
1 Fletcher-class destroyer: Bryant
Unit Four (Rear Admiral Lynde D. McCormick)
2 battleships: Idaho, West Virginia
2 heavy cruisers: Pensacola, Portland
1 light cruiser: Biloxi
5 Fletcher-class destroyers: Porterfield, Callaghan,[j] Irwin, Cassin Young, Preston
Unit Five (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith)
Battleship Division 3 (George L. Weyler): 2 battleships: New Mexico, New York
Cruiser Division 5 (Allan E. Smith): 2 heavy cruisers: Salt Lake City, Indianapolis
Destroyer Squadron 56 (Roland N. Smoot): 5 Fletcher-class destroyers: Newcomb, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, Bennion, Leutze
Unit Six (Commander W.B. Hinds, USNR)
2 Cannon-class destroyer escorts: Samuel S. Miles, Wesson
6 Buckley-class destroyer escorts: Foreman, Whitehurst, England, Witter, Bowers, Willmarth
Reported to TF 54 after L-day
1 battleship: Mississippi
1 heavy cruiser: New Orleans
1 Fletcher-class destroyer: Daly
1 fast minesweeper: Forrest

British Carrier Force (Task Force 57)

[edit]
Royal Navy admirals
Vice Adm. Sir Bernard Rawlings, RN
Rear Adm. Sir Philip L. Vian, RN
Supermarine Seafire fighter
Supermarine Walrus reconnaissance plane
Battleship King George V in Apra Harbor, Guam, 1945
Light cruiser Achilles at anchor

Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, RN

First Aircraft Carrier Squadron (Task Group 57.2)
Rear Admiral Sir Philip L. Vian, RN
5 fleet carriers
HMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), 44 aircraft
29 F6F Hellcat fighters
15 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers
HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN), 53 aircraft
37 F4U Corsair fighters
14 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers
2 Supermarine Walrus scout planes
HMS Illustrious (Capt. C.E. Lambe, RN), 52 aircraft
36 F4U Corsair fighters
16 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers
HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), 69 aircraft
40 Supermarine Seafire fighters
20 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers
9 Fairey Firefly fighters
HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, RN), 43 aircraft
28 F4U Corsair fighters
15 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers
First Battle Squadron (Task Group 57.1)
Vice Admiral Rawlings
2 battleships
HMS King George V (10 x 14 in. main battery)
HMS Howe (10 x 14 in. main battery)
Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Task Group 57.4)
Rear Admiral E.J.P. Brind
7 light cruisers
2 Crown Colony class: HMNZS Gambia (12 x 6 in. main battery), HMCS Uganda (9 x 6 in. main battery)
1 Minotaur class: HMS Swiftsure (12 x 6 in. main battery)
1 Leander class: HMNZS Achilles (6 x 6 in. main battery)
3 Dido class: HMS Argonaut (8 x 5.25 in. main battery), HMS Euryalus (10 x 5.25 in. main battery), HMS Black Prince (10 x 5.25 in. main battery)
Screen (Task Group 57.8)
Rear Admiral J.H. Edelston
4th Destroyer Flotilla
24th Destroyer Flotilla
25th Destroyer Flotilla
27th Destroyer Flotilla
British Fleet Train (Task Force 112)
Rear Admiral D.B. Fisher, RN
70+ auxiliaries including repair ships, oilers, minesweepers, hospital ships, etc.

Fast Carrier Force (Task Force 58)

[edit]
Carrier admirals
Vice Adm. Marc A. Mitscher
Rear Adm. Joseph J. Clark

Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Bunker Hill

Task Group 58.1
Fleet carrier Bennington October 1944 during shakedown in Caribbean Sea
Anti-aircraft light cruiser San Juan off Norfolk in 1942
Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer Drexler refueling, February 1945
Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark
3 fleet carriers
Hornet (Capt. Austin K. Doyle)
Air Group 17 (Cmdr. E.G. Konrad), 101 aircraft
VF-17: 71 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-17: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-17: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Wasp (Capts. O.A. Weller and W.G. Switzer)
Air Group 86 (Cmdr. G.R. Luker), 100 aircraft
VBF-86: 36 F4U Corsair fighters
VF-86: 34 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-86: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-86: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Bennington (Capts. J.B. Sykes and B.L. Braun)
Air Group 82 (Cmdr. G.L. Heap), 92 aircraft
VF-82: 37 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-82: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-82: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
VMF-112: 18 F4U Corsair fighters
VMF-123: 17 F4U Corsair fighters
2 light carriers
Belleau Wood (Capts. John Perry and W.G. Tomlinson)
Air Group 30 (Lt. Cmdr. D.A. Clark), 34 aircraft
VF-30: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters
VT-30: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
San Jacinto (Capt. M.H. Kernodle)
Air Group 45 (Cmdr. G.E. Schecter), 34 aircraft
VF-45: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters
VT-45: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Battleship Division 8 (Rear Admiral John F. Shafroth Jr.)
3 fast battleships
South Dakota (Capts. C.F. Stillman and Charles B. Momsen) - flagship
Massachusetts (Capts. W.W. Warlick and John R. Redman)
Indiana (Capts. T.J. Keliher and Francis P. Old)
Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Admiral Lloyd J. Wiltse)
3 heavy cruisers
Baltimore (Capt. C.K. Fink)
Quincy (Capt. John Augustine Waters Jr)
Pittsburgh (Capt. John E. Gingrich)
Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Admiral Francis E. M. Whiting)
3 light cruisers
Vincennes (Capt. W.G. Lalor)
Miami (Capt. Thomas H. Binford)
Vicksburg (Capt. W.C. Vose)
1 anti-aircraft light cruiser[k]
San Juan (Capts. J.F. Donovan and G.H. Bahm)
Screen
21 destroyers
9 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Dehaven, Mansfield, Lyman K. Swenson, Collett, Maddox,[l] Blue, Brush, Taussig, Samuel N. Moore
12 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Wedderburn, Twining, Stockham, John Rodgers, Stevens, Harrison, McKee, Murray, Sigsbee, Ringgold, Schroeder, Dashiell
Task Group 58.2
Carrier admirals
Rear Adm. Ralph E. Davison
Rear Adm. Gerald F. Bogan
Fletcher-class destroyer underway
Rear Admirals Ralph E. Davison and Gerald F. Bogan
3 fleet carriers
Enterprise (Capt. Grover B. H. Hall)
Night Air Group 90 (Cmdr. W.I. Martin), 53 aircraft
VFN-90: 32 F6F Hellcat fighters
VTN-90: 21 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Franklin (Capt. Leslie E. Gehres)
Air Group 5 (Cmdr. E.B. Parker Jr.),[2][3] 107 aircraft
VF-5: 19 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-5: 8 SB2C Helldiver, 11 SBW Helldiver dive bombers
VT-5: 6 TBF Avenger, 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
VMF-214: 18 F4U Corsair fighters[4]
VMF-452: 18 F4U Corsair fighters
Randolph (Capt. F.L. Baker)
Air Group 12 (Cmdrs. C.L. Crommelin (KIA), E.J. Pawka, USNR), 97 aircraft
VF-12: 33 F6F Hellcat fighters
VBF-12: 24 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-12: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-12: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
1 light cruiser
Santa Fe (Capt. H.C. Fitz)
Screen
8 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 x 5-in. main battery): Miller, Owen, Hickox, Hunt, Lewis Hancock, Marshall, Stephen Potter, Tingey
Task Group 58.3
Light carrier Cabot in 1945
Fast battleship North Carolina underway
Heavy cruiser Indianapolis
Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman
3 fleet carriers
Essex (Capt. C.W. Wieber)
Air Group 83 (Cmdr. Harmon Tischer Utter), 102 aircraft
VF-83: 36 F6F Hellcat fighters
VBF-83: 36 F4U Corsair fighters
VB-83: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-83: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Bunker Hill (Capt. G.A Seitz)
Air Group 84 (Cmdr. G.M. Ottinger), 93 aircraft
VF-84: 27 F4U Corsair fighters, 10 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-84: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-84: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
VMF-221: 18 F4U Corsair fighters
VMF-451: 18 F4U Corsair fighters
Hancock (Capt. R.F. Hickey)
Air Group 6 (Cmdr. H.L. Miller), 94 aircraft
VF-6: 36 F6F Hellcat fighters
VBF-6: 36 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-6: 12 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-6: 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
2 light carriers
Cabot (Capt. W.W. Smith)
Air Group 29 (Lt. Cmdr. W.E. Eder), 33 aircraft
VF-29: 24 F6F Hellcat fighters
VT-29: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Bataan (Capt. J.B. Heath)
Air Group 47 (Cmdr. Walker Etheridge and Lt. Cmdr. A.H. Clancy), 36 aircraft
VF-47: 24 F6F Hellcat fighters
VT-47: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Battleship Division 6 (Rear Admiral Thomas R. Cooley)
2 fast battleships
North Carolina (Capts. Oswald S. Colclough and Byron H. Hanlon)
Washington (Capts. Roscoe F. Good and Francis X. McInerney)
Cruiser Division 17 (Rear Admiral J. Cary Jones)
1 heavy cruiser
Indianapolis (Capt. C.B. McVay)
4 light cruisers
Pasadena (Capts. R.B. Tuggle and James H. Doyle)
Springfield (Capts. F.L. Johnson and T.J. Kelley)
Astoria (Capts. George C. Dyer and W.V. Hamilton)
Wilkes-Barre (Capt. R.L. Porter)
Screen
17 destroyers
9 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Ault, English, Charles S. Sperry, Waldron, Haynsworth, Wallace L. Lind, John W. Weeks, Hank, Borie
8 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Erben, Walker, Hale, Stembel, Black, Bullard, Kidd, Chauncey
Task Group 58.4
Rear Adm. Arthur W. Radford
Fleet carrier Intrepid off Newport News, August 1943
Fast battleship New Jersey underway
Large cruiser Alaska at anchor, 1944
Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford
2 fleet carriers
Yorktown (Capts. T.S. Combs and Walter F. Boone)
Air Group 9 (Cmdr. P.H. Torrey and Lt. Cmdr. H.N. Houck, USNR), 95 aircraft
VF-9: 40 F6F Hellcat fighters
VBF-9: 33 F6F Hellcat fighters
VB-9: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-9: 7 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Intrepid (Capt. G.E. Short)
Air Group 10 (Cmdr. J.J. Hyland), 96 aircraft
VF-10: 30 F4U Corsair, 6 F6F Hellcat fighters
VBF-10: 36 F4U Corsair fighters
VB-10: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
VT-10: 15 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers
2 light carriers
Langley (Capt. J.F. Wegforth)
Air Group 23 (Lt. Cmdr. Merlin Paddock, USNR (KIA) and Cmdr. J.J. Southerland), 34 aircraft
VF-23: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters
VT-23: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Independence (Capt. N.M. Kindell)
Air Group 46 (Cmdr. C.W. Rooney), 33 aircraft
VF-46: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters
VT-46: 8 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Battleship Division 9 (Rear Admiral Edward W. Hanson and Louis E. Denfeld)
3 fast battleships
Wisconsin (Capt. Earl E. Stone and John W. Roper)
Missouri (Capts. W.M. Callaghan and Stuart S. Murray)
New Jersey (Capt. Edmund T. Wooldridge)
Cruiser Division 16 (Rear Admiral Francis S. Low)
2 large cruisers
Alaska (Capt. K.H. Noble)
Guam (Capt. Leland P. Lovette)
1 light cruiser
St. Louis (Capt. J.B. Griggs)
3 anti-aircraft light cruisers[k]
Flint (Capt. C.R. Will)
Oakland (Capt. K.S. Reed)
San Diego (Capt. W.E.A. Mullan)
Screen
17 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 x 5-in. main battery): Remey, Norman Scott, Mertz, Monssen, McGowan, McNair, Melvin, McCord, Trathen, Hazelwood, Heermann, Haggard, Franks, Hailey, Cushing, Colahan, Uhlmann, Benham

Allied logistics and support vessels

[edit]

Support and Service Units (Task Force 50)

[edit]
Seaplane tender Chandeleur
Martin PBM Mariner
Oiler Escambia
Ammunition ship Akutan
Hospital ship Mercy
Destroyer tender Cascade
Search and Reconnaissance Group (Task Group 50.5)
Commodore Dixwell Ketcham
3 seaplane tenders
Hamlin (Capt. G.A. McLean)
VPB-208 (Lt. Cmdr. A.J. Sintic, USNR)
12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats
St. George (Capt. R.G. Armstrong)
VPB-18 (Lt. Cmdr. R.R. Boettcher)
12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats
Chandeleur (Cmdr. J.S. Tracy)
VPB-21 (Lt. Cmdrs. J.E. Dougherty & J.D. Wright)
12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats
3 small seaplane tenders
Yakutat (Cmdr. G.K. Fraser)
Onslow (Cmdr. A.D. Schwarz)
Shelikof (Cmdr. R.E. Stanley)
VPB-27 (Lt. Cmdr. E.N. Chase)
12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats
Bering Strait (Cmdr. W.D. Innis)
VH-3 (Lt. Cmdr. W.D. Bonvillian)
6 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats
2 destroyer seaplane tenders: Thornton,[m] Gillis
1 Clemson-class destroyer: Williamson
Logistics Support Group Fifth Fleet (Task Group 50.8)
Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary in light cruiser Detroit
Support escort carriers
Shamrock Bay (Capts. F.T. Ward and J.E. Leeper)
VC-94 (Lt. Cmdr. J.F. Patterson, USNR (KIA) and Lt. L.E. Terry)
18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Makassar Strait (Capt. Herbert D. Riley)
VC-97 (Lt. Cmdr. M.T. Whittier, USNR)
14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
CVE Plane Transport Unit (Task Unit 50.8.4)
Attu (Capt. H.F. MacComsey)
Admiralty Islands (Capt. M.E.A. Gouin)
Bougainville (Capt. C.A. Bond)
Windham Bay (Capt. G.T. Mundorff)
Logistics and Support Vessels
49 oilers: Cuyama, Brazos, Cimarron, Platte, Sabine, Kaskaskia, Guadalupe, Chicopee, Housatonic, Merrimack, Kankakee, Lackawanna, Monongahela, Tappahannock, Patuxent, Neches, Suamico, Tallulah, Ashtabula, Cacapon, Caliente, Chikaskia, Aucilla, Marias, Manatee, Nantahala, Severn, Taluga, Chipola, Tolovana, Pecos, Atascosa, Cache, Enoree, Escalante, Neshanic, Niobrara, Millicoma, Saranac, Cossatot, Cowanesque, Escambia, Cahaba, Mascoma, Ocklawaha, Ponaganset, Sebec, Tomahawk, Anacostia
16 ammunition ships: Akutan, Firedrake, Lassen, Mauna Loa, Shasta, Vesuvius, Wrangell, Canada Victory,[n] Bedford Victory, Bucyrus Victory, Manderson Victory, Las Vegas Victory, Logan Victory,[n] Greenburg Victory, Pierre Victory, Hobbs Victory[n]
9 cargo ships: Adhara, Alkaid, Alkes, Allegan, Appanoose, Fomalhaut, Matar, Mintaka, Rotanin
8 hospital ships: Bountiful, Comfort, Hope, Mercy, Relief, Samaritan, Solace, plus transport Wharton
6 reefers (store ships): Adria, Athanasia, Bridge, Latona, Lioba, Merapi
2 survey ships: Armistead Rust, Bowditch
2 stores-issue ships: Antares, Castor
9 gasoline tankers: Wabash, Genesee, Kishwaukee, Nemasket, Escatawpa, Hiwassee, Ontonagon, Yahara, Ponchatoula, Sacandaga
6 station tankers: Armadillo, Giraffe, Marmora, Moose, Whippet, LCI(L)-993
10 repair ships: Vestal, Aristaeus, Nestor, Oceanus, Anchor, Clamp, Current, Deliver, Gear, Shackle
6 floating drydocks: ARD-13, ARD-22, ARD-27, ARD-28, AFD-14, AFDL-32
12 fleet tugs: Arikara, Chickasaw, Cree, Lipan, Mataco, Menominee, Munsee, Pakana, Tawakoni, Tekesta, Tenino, Ute
4 ocean tugs, 3 ocean tugs (rescue)
Screen: Screening vessels for the Logistics Group were assigned to TG 50.8 units as needed from a pool of 11 destroyers and 24 destroyer escorts.

Japanese order of battle

[edit]

Japanese Combined Fleet[5]
Admiral Soemu Toyoda

Super battleship Yamato under air attack, 7 April 1945

Surface Special Attack Force

[edit]

Vice Admiral Seiichi Ito (KIA)

Super battleship: Yamato[o]
Captain Kosaku Aruga (KIA)
Destroyer Squadron 2 (Rear Admiral Keizo Komura)
Light cruiser: Yahagi[o] (Captain Tameichi Hara)
Destroyer Division 41 (Capt. M. Yoshida): Fuyutsuki, Suzutsuki
Destroyer Division 17 (Capt. K. Shintani – KIA): Isokaze,[p] Hamakaze,[o] Yukikaze
Destroyer Division 21 (Capt. H. Kotaki – KIA): Asashimo,[p] Kasumi,[p] Hatsushimo
[edit]

The following table lists the Allied naval vessels that received damage or were sunk in the Battle of Okinawa between 19 March – 30 July 1945. The table lists a total of 147 damaged ships, five of which were damaged by enemy suicide boats, and another five by mines. One source estimated that total Japanese sorties during the entire Okinawa campaign exceeded 3,700, with a large percentage kamikaze, and that the attackers damaged slightly more than 200 Allied vessels, with 4900 naval officers and seamen killed and roughly 4,824 wounded or missing.[6][7] The USS Thorton is not listed as it was damaged as the result of a collision with another US ship. Those ships in a pink background, and with an asterisk were sunk or had to be scuttled due to irreparable damage. Of those sunk, the majority were relatively smaller ships; these included destroyers of around 300–450 feet. A few small cargo ships were also sunk, several containing munitions which caught fire. Those ships whose names are preceded by a "#" pound sign were scrapped or decommissioned as a result of damage.

Allied Naval vessels damaged and sunk by Japanese forces at Okinawa, primarily kamikazes, 19 March – 30 July 1945[8]
Day Ship Type Cause Killed Wounded
19 Mar 45 USS Franklin Carrier Air Attack, two 550 lb. bombs thru to hangar deck 724 265
19 Mar 45 USS Wasp Carrier Air Attack, bomb thru flight & hangar decks 101 269
20 Mar 45 USS Halsey Powell Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze 12 29
26 Mar 45 *USS Halligan Destroyer Mine, 3 miles SE of Maye Shima,
exploded 2 forward magazines, bow blown off[9]
153 39
26 Mar 45 USS Kimberly Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze 4 57
26 Mar 45 USS Nevada Battleship Air Attack, kamikaze 11 49
26 Mar 45 USS Biloxi Light Cruiser Air Attack, kamikaze 0 0
27 Mar 45 USS Murray Destroyer Air Attack, bomb 1 116
27 Mar 45 USS O'Brian Destroyer Air Attack, Val kamikaze w/bomb 50 76
28 Mar 45 *USS Skylark Small Minesweeper Mine, struck mines twice off Hagushi beaches, 1st amidships 5 25
28 Mar 45 USS LSM(R)-188 Landing Ship Air Attack by single kamikaze 15 32
29 Mar 45 USS Wyandot Attack Cargo Ship Mine, possibly bomb 0 1
31 Mar 45 USS Indianapolis Cruiser Air Attack, bomb thru fuel tanks 9 20
1 Apr 45 USS Adams Destroyer Minelayer Air Attack, kamikaze w/bombs to fantail 0 0
1 Apr 45 USS Alpine Attack Transport Air Attack, bomb and kamikaze 16 27
1 Apr 45 USS Hinsdale Attack Transport Air Attack, kamikaze w/bombs hit waterline 16 39
1 Apr 45 #USS LST-884 Tank Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze, scuttled May 6 24 21
2 Apr 45 *USS Dickerson Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze Nick crashed bridge, towed, scuttled[10] 54 23
2 Apr 45 USS Goodhue Attack Transport Air Attack, kamikaze aimed at bridge glanced mainmast,
hit cargo boom, gun tubs, over side[11]
24 119
2 Apr 45 USS Henrico Attack Transport Air Attack, kamikaze w/bombs hit bridge 49 125
2 Apr 45 USS Achernar Attack Cargo Ship Air Attack, kamikaze w/bomb hit starboard 5 41
3 Apr 45 USS Wake Island Escort Carrier Air Attack, kamikaze blew below waterline 0 0
3 Apr 45 USS Pritchett Destroyer Air Attack, 500 lb bomb 0 0
3 Apr 45 USS Foreman Destroyer Air Attack, bomb passed thru her bottom, exploded below 0 3
3 Apr 45 USS LST-599 Tank Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze thru main deck, fires[11] 0 21
3 Apr 45 #USS LCT-876 Landing Craft Tank Air Attack 0 2
4 Apr 45 *USS LCI(G)-82[12] Landing Craft, Infantry Suicide Boat 8 11
5 Apr 45 USS Nevada Battleship Coastal Battery 2 16
6 Apr 45 *USS Bush Destroyer Air Attack, 3 kamikaze hits 2 between stacks, blew
forward engine room, broke in half[13]
94 32
6 Apr 45 *USS Colhoun Destroyer Air Attack, 4 kamikaze hits, bombs blew forward,
& aft fire rooms at waterline[13]
35 21
6 Apr 45 USS Howorth Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze struck superstructure, fires put out[14] 9 14
6 Apr 45 USS Hyman Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze Hampton hit torpedo tubes twixt stacks[15] 10 40
6 Apr 45 #USS Leutze Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze blew at fantail, bad flooding[16] 7 34
6 Apr 45 #USS Morris Destroyer Air Attack, Kate kamikaze portside 0 5
6 Apr 45 USS Mulaney Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit depth charges 13 45
6 Apr 45 #USS Newcomb Destroyer Air Attack, multiple kamikazes 40 24
6 Apr 45 USS Haynsworth Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze 7 25
6 Apr 45 #USS Witter Destroyer Escort Starboard waterline kamikaze 0 5
6 Apr 45 USS Fieberling Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze near miss 6 6
6 Apr 45 *USS Emmons Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, 5 kamikaze hits, scuttled 7 April 64 71
6 Apr 45 USS Rodman Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, 4 kamikaze hits 16 20
6 Apr 45 USS Defense Small Minesweeper Air Attack, two kamikaze strikes 0 9
6 Apr 45 *USS LST-447 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze hit close above waterline, bomb blew 5 17
6 Apr 45 *SS Hobbs Victory Small Cargo Air Attack, kamikaze struck port, flames ignited ammunition 15 3
6 Apr 45 *SS Logan Victory Small Cargo Air Attack, kamikaze struck
superstructure, flames ignited ammunition
16 11
7 Apr 45 USS Hancock Carrier Air Attack, cartwheeling kamikaze 72 82
7 Apr 45 USS Maryland Battleship Air Attack, kamikaze hit starboard 16 37
7 Apr 45 USS Bennett Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit engine room 3 18
7 Apr 45 USS Wesson Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze starboard 8 23
7 Apr 45 *USS PGM-18 Small Gunboat Mine, powerful explosion 14 14
7 Apr 45 *YMS-103 Small Minesweeper Mine, struck two mines, blowing off her bow
and stem rescuing PGM-18[17][18]
5 0
8 Apr 1945 USS Gregory Destroyer Air Attack, port kamikaze amidships near waterline 0 2
8 Apr 45 USS YMS-92 Small Sweeper Air Attack 0 0
9 Apr 45 USS Charles J. Badger Destroyer Suicide Boat threw depth charge or mine[19] 0 0
9 Apr 45 USS Sterett Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit starboard at waterline 0 9
9 Apr 45 USS Hopping Destroyer Transport Coastal Battery, damaging hits off Buckner Bay 2 18
11 Apr 45 USS Kidd Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze 38 55
12 Apr 45 USS Tennessee Battleship Air Attack, kamikaze hit signal bridge 25 104
12 Apr 45 *USS Mannert L. Abele Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze 79 35
12 Apr 45 USS Purdy Destroyer Air Attack, splashed kamikaze bomb skidded in 13 27
12 Apr 45 USS Cassin Young Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit foremast 1 59
12 Apr 45 USS Zellars Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze crashed port, bomb blew 29 37
12 Apr 45 USS Rall Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze starboard aft, bomb blew 21 38
12 Apr 45 USS Whitehurst Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze w/bomb crashed pilot house 37 37
12 Apr 45 USS Lindsey Destroyer Minelayer Air Attack, 2 kamikaze Val strikes 56 51
12 Apr 45 USS LSM(R)-189 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze 0 4
12 Apr 45 *USS LCS(L)-33 Landing Craft Air Attack, kamikaze Val amidships 4 29
12 Apr 45 USS LCS(L)-57 Landing Craft Air Attack, 3 kamikaze strikes 2 6
14 Apr 45 USS Sigsbee Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze damaged port engine 4 74
16 Apr 45 USS Intrepid Carrier Air Attack, kamikaze crashed deck, fires put out 10 87
16 Apr 45 USS Bryant Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze to bridge, w/explosion 34 33
16 Apr 45 USS Laffey Destroyer Air Attack, multiple kamikaze hits 31 72
16 Apr 45 *USS Pringle Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze Val hit abaft
stack No. 1, explosion, broke in half
65 110
16 Apr 45 USS Bowers Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze to bridge, bomb hit pilot house 48 56
16 Apr 45 #USS Harding Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, kamikaze struck side near bridge 22 10
16 Apr 45 USS Hobson Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, near miss kamikaze's bomb veered in 4 8
16 Apr 45 USS LCS(L)-116 Landing Craft Air Attack, kamikaze hit aft gun mount 12 12
18 Apr 45 USS LSM-28 Landing Ship Air Attack 0 0
22 Apr 45 USS Isherwood Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze w/bomb crashed gun mount 42 41
22 Apr 45 *USS Swallow Small Sweeper Air attack, bad kamikaze hit flooded her, 3 mins sunk 2 9
22 Apr 45 USS LCS(L)-15 Landing Craft Air Attack 15 11
27 Apr 45 #USS Hutchins Destroyer Suicide Boat explosive blew close 0 0
27 Apr 45 #USS Rathburne Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit port bow waterline 0 0
27 Apr 45 *SS Canada Victory Small Cargo Air Attack, kamikaze hit stern, lit ammo, sunk 10 mins 12 27
28 Apr 45 USS Pinkney Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit aft of superstructure, lit ammo 35 12
28 Apr 45 USS Comfort Hospital Ship Air Attack, kamikaze thru 3 decks to surgery 30 48
29 Apr 45 #USS Haggard Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze went thru hull, blew engine room 11 40
29 Apr 45 USS Hazelwood Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze Zero hit port bridge 46 26
29 Apr 45 #USS LCS(L)-37 Landing Craft Suicide Boat 0 4
30 Apr 45 USS Terror Minelayer Air Attack, kamikaze blew thru main deck 48 123
3 May 45 *USS Little Destroyer Air attack, 5 kamikaze strikes 30 79
3 May 45 #USS Aaron Ward Destroyer Minelayer Air Attack; 3 kamikaze hits and bomb frags 45 49
3 May 45 USS Macomb Destroyer Minelayer Air Attack, kamikaze 7 14
3 May 45 *USS LSM(R)-195 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze hit rockets, sunk 8 16
4 May 45 USS Hopkins Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, glancing blow by burning kamikaze 0 1
4 May 45 #USS Sangamon Escort Carrier Air Attack, kamikaze & bomb blew thru flight deck 46 116
4 May 45 USS Birmingham Light Cruiser Air Attack, kamikaze hit forward 51 81
4 May 45 USS Ingraham Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze above port waterline, bomb blew 14 37
4 May 45 *USS Luce Destroyer Air Attack, 1st kamikaze bomb hit, 2nd kamikaze struck aft 149 94
4 May 45 *USS Morrison Destroyer Air Attack, 1st kamikaze hit bridge, then 3 more hit 159 102
4 May 45 USS Shea Destroyer Air Attack Ohka kamikaze thru starboard bridge 27 91
4 May 45 USS Carina Cargo Ship Suicide Boat ramming caused explosion 0 6
4 May 45 *USS LSM(R)-190 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze set off her rockets 13 18
4 May 45 *USS LSM(R)-194 Landing Ship Air Attack 13 23
9 May 45 #USS England Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze dive bomber 35 27
9 May 45 #USS Oberrender Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze hit starboard gun
mount, bomb thru main deck
8 53
11 May 45 USS Bunker Hill Carrier Air Attack, 3 kamikaze hits with bombs thru flight deck 396 264
11 May 45 #USS Hugh W. Hadley Destroyer Air Attack, Aft bomb, an Ohka, and 2 more kamikazes struck 28 67
11 May 45 #USS Evans Destroyer Air Attack, Struck by 4 kamikazes, fires put out 30 29
11 May 45 USS LCS(L)-88 Landing Craft Air Attack 7 9
13 May 45 USS Enterprise Fast Carrier Air Attack, 2 kamikazes, struck port, & under starboard bow 13 68
13 May 45 USS Bache Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit, bomb
exploded amidships just above main deck
41 32
13 May 45 USS Bright Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze Zero hit fantail, bomb exploded 0 2
17 May 45 USS Douglas H. Fox Destroyer 2 kamikaze strikes, one to forward gun mounts, one to fantail 9 35
18 May 45 *USS Longshaw Destroyer Coastal Battery, 4 hits, one ignited magazine,
blew off bow back to bridge[20]
86 97
18 May 45 *USS LST-808 Landing Ship Tank Air Attack 11 11
20 May 45 #USS Chase Destroyer Escort Air Attack, Splashed kamikaze skidded in,
bombs opened hull, w/flooding
0 35
20 May 45 #USS Thatcher Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze Oscar struck aft of bridge, large hole 14 53
20 May 45 #USS John C. Butler Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze hit to mast and antennas 0 0
25 May 45 USS Stormes Destroyer Air Attack, crashed aft torpedo mount,
bomb blew large hole, flooded aft
21 6
25 May 45 USS O'Neill Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze 0 16
25 May 45 USS Butler Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, kamikaze bombs exploded under keel 0 15
25 May 45 #USS Spectacle Small Minesweeper Air Attack, kamikaze crashed port gun tub causing fires 29 6
25 May 45 *USS Barry Destroyer Transport Air Attack, kamikaze badly crashed
starboard side, fires, abandoned
0 30
25 May 45 *USS Bates Destroyer Air Attack, 2 kamikaze hits, fires,
abandoned, towed, later sank
21 35
25 May 45 USS Roper Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit off Hanagushi, Okinawa 1 10
25 May 45 *LSM-135 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze caused fires, beached, abandoned 11 10
25 May 45 SS William B. Allison, aka USS Inca

[21]

Cargo Ship, Liberty Ship Air Attack, Aerial Torpedo off Nakagusuku Wan 8 2
27 May 45 USS Braine Destroyer Air Attack, 2 kamikazes,
1st hit bridge, and 2nd hit amidships
66 78
27 May 45 #USS Forrest Destroyer Minesweeper Air Attack, kamikaze crashed starboard side waterline 5 13
27 May 45 USS Rednour Transport Air Attack, 2 kamikaze hits,
one made 10-foot hole in main deck
3 13
27 May 45 USS Loy Destroyer Escort Air Attack, kamikaze near miss sprayed fragments 3 15
27 May 45 LCS(L)-119 Landing Craft Air Attack 12 6
28 May 45 *USS Drexler Destroyer Escort Air Attack, 1st kamikaze Frances hit topside,
2nd Frances w/bombs crashed superstructure
158 51
28 May 45 USS Sandoval Attack Transport Air Attack, kamikaze hit portside of wheelhouse 8 26
29 May 45 USS Shubrick Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze bomb hit starboard
causing hole, exploding depth charge
32 28
3 June 45 #USS LCI(L)-90 Landing Craft Infantry Air Attack, kamikaze 1 7
6 June 45 #USS J. William Ditter Destroyer Minelayer Air Attack, 1st kamikaze glanced,
2nd hit port near main deck
10 27
6 Jun 45 USS Harry F. Bauer Destroyer Minelayer Air Attack, kamikaze hit superstructure 0 0
10 Jun 45 *USS William D. Porter Destroyer Air Attack, splashed kamikaze Val's
bomb exploded close underwater
0 61
11 Jun 45 USS LCS(L)-122 Landing Craft Air Attack kamikaze hit conning tower base,
bomb fragments caused fires[22]
11 29
16 Jun 45 *USS Twiggs Destroyer Air Attack, splashed kamikaze and
bomb blew in hull plating, w/structural damage
126 34
21 Jun 45 USS Halloran Destroyer Escort Air Attack, splashed kamikaze's bomb struck 3 24
21 Jun 45 USS Curtiss Seaplane Tender Air Attack, kamikaze and bomb
ripped 2 holes in hull and blew
41 28
21 Jun 45 *USS LSM-59 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze strike while
towing USS Barry, sank in 4 minutes
2 8
22 Jun 45 USS LSM-213 Landing Ship Air Attack, kamikaze strike at Kimmu Wan, hull damage[23] 3 10
22 Jun 45 USS LST-534 Landing Ship Tank Air Attack, While offloading on Nagagusuku Wan,
kamikaze hit bow doors, tank deck[23]
3 35
29 Jul 45 *USS Callaghan Destroyer Air Attack, bi-plane kamikaze hit,
its bomb blew aft engine room, sunk
47 73
30 Jul 45 USS Cassin Young Destroyer Air Attack, kamikaze hit
forward, earlier hit April 12
22 45

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Sunk by kamikaze 10 June
  2. ^ Scuttled 4 April following severe damage from kamikaze on 2 April
  3. ^ Sunk by kamikaze 16 April
  4. ^ a b Sunk by kamikaze 6 April
  5. ^ Struck mine 28 April
  6. ^ Sunk by kamikaze 22 April
  7. ^ Struck mine 26 March
  8. ^ Sunk by kamikaze 16 June
  9. ^ Sunk by kamikaze 12 April
  10. ^ Sunk by kamikaze 28 July
  11. ^ a b These cruisers were intended as destroyer leaders when designed. After the first two to be used in this role, Atlanta and Juneau, were lost at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, this mission was rejected and the anti-aircraft mission adopted.[1]
  12. ^ About 19 years after Okinawa, the Maddox was involved in the Tonkin Gulf Incident that served as a pretext for the escalation of US combat forces in Vietnam.
  13. ^ Sunk after collision 5 April
  14. ^ a b c Sunk by kamikaze
  15. ^ a b c Sunk by US carrier planes 7 April
  16. ^ a b c Scuttled after receiving severe damage from US carrier planes 7 April

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Stille, p. 7
  2. ^ O'Callahan, Joseph T. (1956). I Was Chaplain on the Franklin. New York: The Macmillan Company. p. 40. LCCN 56010786.
  3. ^ Foster, Jeremiah D. (November 21, 2019). "Franklin III (CV-13)". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Condon, John P. "U.S. Marine Corps Aviation". Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) and Commander, Naval Air Systems Command. p. 21. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  5. ^ Morison, p. 202
  6. ^ Toll, Ian, Twilight of the Gods, (2020) Norton and Co., New York, New York, pg. 593
  7. ^ "The British Fleet at Okinawa". The British Fleet at Okinawa. WWII Forums. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  8. ^ All information is public domain from United States Navy, with casualties taken from individual action reports, table format and structure is heavily borrowed from Morison, Samuel, Eliot, Victory in the Pacific, 1945, (Copyright 1960), Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, Appendix II pgs. 390–392
  9. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 115–116
  10. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 176
  11. ^ a b Morison, Victory, pg. 177
  12. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 218
  13. ^ a b Morison, Victory, pg. 186–191
  14. ^ "Destroyer History, USS Howorth". Destroyer History. Destroyer History Foundation.
  15. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 192
  16. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 184
  17. ^ "Loss report of PGM-18". www.fold3.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  18. ^ "Loss report of YMS-103". www.fold3.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  19. ^ Toll, Ian, Twilight, pg. 597
  20. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 147
  21. ^ "Daily Event for May 24, 2008, William B. Allison". Maritime Quest Article on William B. Allison. Maritime Quest. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  22. ^ Morison, Victory, pg. 275
  23. ^ a b Morrison, Victory, pg. 279

See also

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1960). Victory in the Pacific, 1945. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. XIV. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 0-7858-1315-2.
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1970). U.S. Warships of World War II. Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co. ISBN 0-8702-1773-9.
  • Toll, Ian W. (2020). Twilight of the Gods, War in the Western Pacific 1944-45. New York, NY: Norton and Company. ISBN 9780393080650.