Henrico (APA 45) - Naval Cruise Book

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FOLLOWING KAIVIIKAZE ATTACK KERAIVIA RETTO HARBOR 3 APRIL 1945 From 21 March until the evening of 2 April 1945 HENRICO participated in the invasion of Okinawa. While proceeding to night retirement about four miles from Kerama Retto Harbor, Okinawa, the ship was hit by a Francis, twin engine Kamikaze Bomber. The kamikaze with his bombs struck the starboard side of the Navi- gation Bridge causing extensive damage. Two 250 pound bombs penetrated two deck levels and exploded on the main deck, resulting in fires and flooding that were not brought under control until 2100. Two hours later the ship was taken in tow by the USS SUFFOLK C AKA- 69D to Kerama Retto Harbor. As a result of the attack, thirty-seven Navy and fourteen Army personnel were killed including the Transport Division Commander, the Commanding Officer, and the Troop Commander. LIEUTENANT W. D. CRAIG, USNR, the Executive Officer, had assumed command. On 14 April 1945, after completing temporary repairs, HENRICO got underway for the United States. During the transit at Ulithi, Atoll o-n 19 April 1945 CAPTAIN J. H. WILLIS, USN, re- turned to resume command. Upon arrival at San Francisco on 13 May 1945, the ship entered the Bethlehem Shipyard for extensive repairs of her battle damage.

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HENFIICO UKPA-451 IN REPLY REFER TO ze June 1944 APA4s!A4-S qoosy f'i'7Tx ff .g' -Dm AU RUEwfU 715 fx' If 1121. . fi? The Commanding Officer. Rggfjul 3 NMCA K, J The Naval Commander Western Task Force. xgU,Hg. The Commander Assault Group 0-1. Brief Chronological Narrative Report of Oper- ations from Time of Departure for Assault to and Including 17 June 1944. Cal CNWTF desp. l8l2l2B of June 1944. NARRATIVE: - 1735 Underway from Portland, England, in company with Task Force 124, Western Naval Task Force, Assault Force VON. This vessel attached to As- sault Group 0-1, Assault Group Commander in U.S.S. SAMUEL CHASE. Embarked aboard were the Sixteenth Infantry Battalion, U. S. Army, and attached units, under command of Lieutenant Col- onel Herbert C. HICKS, Jr., U. S. Army. 1824 Buoy 02 abeam to port, distance 200 yards. Changed course to 1320 T., proceeding to trans- port area, standard speed 12 knots, through swept channels, in accordance with Operation Plan . 2331 Heavy A.A. gunfire was observed on t e assault beaches approximately 20 miles. - 0240 Approaching anchorage in transport area. Ships in convoy maneuvering to assigned positions. 0327 Anchored in transport area Baie de la Seine, position 490 30' 30V N., 009 44' 000 W., in 17 fathoms of water, 65 fathoms of chain on the port anchor. 0331 Assault boats were lowered. 0411 First assault wave left the ship for the rendez- vous area. 0500 Second assault wave left the ship for the rendezvous area. 0527 Third and fourth assault waves left the ship for the rendezvous area. .,,,, sp 2 fr. N A 7 f A f 2 f A f f W 0 0 .3 ff, s,fff,fff,,,,f 7,f 'f 1 . ,aai --144'1, 1 -sfe .,...... 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W! 3 girth., M, ,irtlgw .,,,,,.W,.W,,,,x35 .tc... , , ,,,17.,,, f, ,,,,,VlNyV,,, is 2 X eff Jess! A, 24 msc? fv QZV. ah iw' 6 ,W f X APA4sfA4-3 foosy s E QED aches- - Subject: 26 June 1944. Brief Chronological Narrative Report of Operations from Time of Departure for As- sault to and Including 17 June 1944. 1710 U.S. LCGCLJ 0449 moored starboard side to transfer casualties and survivors. 1722 LCT 0544 and LCGILJ 0449 cast off. 1730 All boats on board and secured, except following LCVCPJ's: 02, 06, 011, 012, 021, 022, 027, and 031, which were lost due to enemy action. The following casualties and survivors ffigures corrected to last minute sailingj were aboard: Kal ARMY: GRAND TOTAL: 101 A. STRETCHER CASES: 52 B. AMBULATORY CASES: 26 C. SURVIVORS NOT INJURED: 16 4 , , . f was , W, .ef .s 0 , hrsswgqx VW Q j , 2QsSZZgS Z?sSZZs5 Z?fiZ?sS SQZSYZQ APMSJA4-3 foosy -0 gases? Subject: 26 June 1944. Brief Chronological Narrative Report of Operations from Time of Departure for As- sault to and Including 17 June 1944. 0537 Fire Support Vessels of Task Force 124 commenced bombardment of Assault beaches. 0723 LCT 0599 moored starboard side to embark Army personnel and equipment. 0745 First LCVCPJ re- turned from Easy Red Beach. First returning boat officer reported strong machine gun fire opening on men as teams were disembarked. Surf and beach conditions normal. Apparently only one DD tank arrived at Easy Red Beach. 0748 LCT 0306 moored port side to embark Army person- nel and equipment. 0750 LCVfPl's commenced re- turning from the assault beaches bringing casualties. 0805 LCVCPJ I3 and 020 returned to the ship in a sinking condition due to enemy action, hoisted aboard. 0820 The crew of LCVIPJ 021 reported on board, their boat having been sunk due to enemy action. 0838 LCT 0537 moored starboard side to embark Army personnel and equipment. 0850 LCT 0600 moored port side to embark Army personnel and equipment. 0856 LCT 0537 cast off to proceed to Assault Beach Fox Green. 0907 LCT 0559 cast off to proceed to Assault Beach Fox Green. 0919 LCVfPJ's 4, 7, 9, 14, 22, 32 left the ship to report to the U.S.S. ANNE ARUNDEL, as per operation orders. 0932 LCT 0306 cast off to proceed to Fox Green. 0937 Sixteenth Infantry Battalion, U. S. Army, and attached units and equipment completely dis- embarked. 1000 Crews of boats numbers 6 and 21 reported on board, their boats having been lost due to enemy action. ll30 Hoisted all boats on board with the exception of LCVfPJ's numbers 2, 6, ll, 12, 21, which were lost with all equip- ment due to enemy action. No other damage was sustained by this vessel due to enemy action. 1207 Orders received from Assault Group Commander 0-l to send all available LCVCPJ's to the Control Area to assist inlanding troops from LCI's and to return with casualties. 1530 LCT 0544 moored starboard side to transfer survivors and casualties. Zicggfr :W ,lid if Q, W ' ,fy ,.,. 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Subject Action Report U S S HENRICO CAPA-455 dated Classifiication SECRET CDeclassiiiedQ 2 April 1945 0811 Anchored in Southern Anchorage Kerama Retto after return from night retirement Standing by with float- ing reserve as before ' 23 April 1945 ' ' ' 1550 1700 1710 1741 1823 1828 1836 1838 1845 1900 2100 2250 2330 Underway to night retirement. Standing by in area George awaiting signal to get underway for night retirement. Underway from area tceorgev to night retirement. OTC and formation guide in the U.S.S. CHILTON CAPA-385 in convoy position 31. This vessel in posi- tion 11. Base course 1800 true, standard speed 12 knots. Changed course to 1350 true. Air alert Flash Blue, Control Yellowi' was received via TBS from OTC, at this time gun crews were alerted by the control oiiicer. Unidentified planes were observed and reported as bearing 1350 relative, 2700 true, distance about seven miles. A twin-engined bomber Francis emerged from the clouds and approached this vessel. An Army 40mm set up at the starboard side of No-. 1 Hatch opened fire on the plane, expending 25 rounds. No. 9 20mm located on the signal bridge, starboard side, opened fire but expended only 10 rounds. Plane crashed on the starboard, side of the bridge deck at frame 96. U.S.S. HOBSON CDM-265 standing by to render assistance. U.S.S. SUFFOLK CAKA-695 standing by to assist and take this vessel in tow. All fires were under control. Attempted to get vessel underway under own power but was -unable to, due to salt water damage to gen- erators and auxiliaries due to leakage from fire main and fire fighting. Taken in tow by the U.S.S. SUFFOLK CAKA-695 proceeding to Kerama Retto anchorage. 1