Louisville (CA 28) - Naval Cruise Book

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tion for LCI's and other small ships lpatroling close inshore to intercept suicide boats. 0ur position was off the southern part of the island, a highly undesirable area from the standpoint of air attack. At 1830 we relieved the New York, taking position about three miles off the coast. The Mississippi was two miles astern. The Rocks, our escorting de- stroyer, was about 2,000 yards in the lead. Weather was not favorable for illu- mination work, the sky being overcast. It was hot and the air hung heavily over the ship, indicating an approaching storm. Men moved topside from the stulfiness below decks, to write letters and get a breath of the early evening air. Two radio- men just relieved from duty remained in Radio One to exchange stories. Meanwhile, one of the doctors having completed sick call, joined an officer friend for an eve- ning stroll around the decks. Time was progressing slowly. The doc- tor and his friend passed number one A low-flying Jap suicider coming in at dusk. 182

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, -.n,,,v.-ww,--tgwgifff,-,-.-W... .tv - ,. ii' were sure of his intentions. The plane continued his circling. Then suddenly it straightened for a run on an LCI out to port. Streamers of orange tracers shot up from the LCI. Tension eased aboard ship as the Jap attacker was hit, and fell flam- ing into the sea. 'cfiaid 55-zero six zero-two miles from Bolo. This is Delegate, outf' Meanwhile, the fire northward had in- creased. It now seemed beyond Hagushi Anchorage. We learned next day that two Jap Sallys, loaded with suicide squads, had landed on our air strip at Yontan Field. As the enemy planes landed, the suicide squads leaped out and threw hand grenades into our parked planes and fuel dumps. A half dozen aircraft were de- stroyed and an immense quantity of fuel fired before the daring ,laps were killed. Across the island at Nakagusuku Wan, reports came of suicide boat attacks. Speed boats, with explosive charges in their bows, were used by suicide crews as a means of attack on our surface units. All boats were destroyed without damage to us. Notice also came of an attack on the Talbot by two small' craft loaded with grenade-armed soldiers. Survivors of the boats refused rescue. No prisoners were taken. The night was almost over when the last of the enemy planes was driven from the area. The untiring voice of Delegate then gave us a HFlash White,,' and some were able to catch a bit of sleep. With the coming of morning, we again joined the bombardment group. As we stood off shore in the afternoon, looking Opposite page, top: A destroyer disabled by kamikaze- Middle: Naval bombardment of the beach. Bottomr. On Cvery hand warships pour big stuffw into the .THD lines- over recent gains of our forces, the Officer of the Deck saw the sea spout up into a geyser a short distance ahead. Our main battery quickly went into action as the Amtracks bring wounded marines out to the ship. third shell from the enemy shore battery burst close aboard. After a few, of our salvos, the enemy ceased firing. However, we learned the next day that we had not permanently silenced him, for he opened up on other ships. They were within range and immediately took him under fire. That time he was quieted forever. On May 30 we pulled into Kerama Retto, a group of small islands near Oki- nawa known as 'gWiseman's Cove, for fuel and ammunition. Here was our logis- tic center, and the graveyard of damaged ships. Thereafter, we returned to the Hr- ing line for several days, and on June 4, entered HWiseman's Cove again for more ammunition. Targets were getting scarce, 6'Delegate was having fewer dread warnings. On June 5, we got orders to flycatcher duty with the Hooks. 'Tlycatcher dutyv consisted of supplying star shell illumina- 181

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