Okinawa naval order of battle
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 , 12 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.
12 to kamikaze : Twiggs , Mannert L. Abele , Callaghan , William D. Porter , Pringle , Bush , Dickerson , Emmons , Swallow , Canada Victory , Logan Victory , Hobbs Victory
2 to mines: Halligan , Skylark
1 to collision: Thornton
Allied command structure
Vice Adm. Richmond Kelly Turner
Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, USA (KIA)
Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger, USMC
Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge, USA
Naval
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
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
Joint Expeditionary Force (Task Force 51)
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)
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)
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)
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
Amphibious Support Forces (Task Force 52)
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)
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
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.
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 )
2 heavy cruisers
Baltimore (Capt. C.K. Fink)
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
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
Support and Service Units (Task Force 50)
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
Japanese Combined Fleet [ 5]
Admiral Soemu Toyoda
Super battleship Yamato under air attack, 7 April 1945
Surface Special Attack Force
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
Naval vessels damaged and sunk at Okinawa
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
^ Sunk by kamikaze 10 June
^ Scuttled 4 April following severe damage from kamikaze on 2 April
^ Sunk by kamikaze 16 April
^ a b Sunk by kamikaze 6 April
^ Struck mine 28 April
^ Sunk by kamikaze 22 April
^ Struck mine 26 March
^ Sunk by kamikaze 16 June
^ Sunk by kamikaze 12 April
^ Sunk by kamikaze 28 July
^ 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]
^ 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 .
^ Sunk after collision 5 April
^ a b c Sunk by kamikaze
^ a b c Sunk by US carrier planes 7 April
^ a b c Scuttled after receiving severe damage from US carrier planes 7 April
References
^ Stille, p. 7
^ O'Callahan, Joseph T. (1956). I Was Chaplain on the Franklin . New York: The Macmillan Company. p. 40 . LCCN 56010786 .
^ Foster, Jeremiah D. (November 21, 2019). "Franklin III (CV-13)" . Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved July 2, 2020 .
^ 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 .
^ Morison, p. 202
^ Toll, Ian, Twilight of the Gods , (2020) Norton and Co., New York, New York, pg. 593
^ "The British Fleet at Okinawa" . The British Fleet at Okinawa . WWII Forums. Retrieved November 4, 2020 .
^ 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
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 115–116
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 176
^ a b Morison, Victory , pg. 177
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 218
^ a b Morison, Victory , pg. 186–191
^ "Destroyer History, USS Howorth" . Destroyer History . Destroyer History Foundation.
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 192
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 184
^ "Loss report of PGM-18" . www.fold3.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020 .
^ "Loss report of YMS-103" . www.fold3.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020 .
^ Toll, Ian, Twilight , pg. 597
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 147
^ "Daily Event for May 24, 2008, William B. Allison" . Maritime Quest Article on William B. Allison . Maritime Quest. Retrieved June 10, 2021 .
^ Morison, Victory , pg. 275
^ a b Morrison, Victory , pg. 279
See also
Bibliography
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 .