United States Benson-Livermore Class Destroyers
Kamikaze plane coming in on a destroyer off Okinawa in 1945.
Benson-Livermore's in Action -- Battle's off Okinawa
The amphibious invasion of Okinawa was the last major battle for the Allies. If one thought the Japanese were about to give up, one could just look at the casualty reports of the US Navy ships offshore and the Marines on Okinawa.
The most deadly foe was the Japanese suicide planes called the Kamikaze. American destroyers showed heroic efforts in damage control, anti-aircraft fire, and general protection of the fleet.
The exploits of the Benson-livermore class destroyers are decribed here. Their sacrifice is unmatched in human history.
USS Harding War Reports, damage photos, XO's report of 16 April 1945 attack.
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