Henrico (APA 45) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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POST WAR LET UP KFRONTJ THE WAR IS OVER KBACKJ