We saw one large plane splashed by our C.A.P. (Combat Air Patrol) in the early morning around three o’clock and it really made a large flash when it exploded. The planes dropped several large bunches of flares on us and we were expecting a nice stick of bombs in our laps but they never came. We received word early next morning that the combat air patrol had shot down over thirty planes during the night and the fleet had accounted for nearly 20 more.
Then next morning we received word that another destroyer had shot down 14 planes and 5 more had crashed into her. This brought a total of 19 planes for the lone destroyer and although badly damaged she was still afloat and on her way into port for repairs. She paid a terrific price though because the casualties were heavy.
That day a suicide plane crashed into the "Big E" (Enterprise) and hit the forward elevator and started a fire in the hangar deck. However, we received no news as to the extent of damage of loss of personnel.
After that night on suicide patrol we were plenty tired out and we remained on station the next day. We had several general quarters and nothing happened as our C.A.P. were on the ball.
All over the ship was an air of tense expectancy. For the first time everyone work helmets and life jackets as they were supposed to, and all over the deck the fire hoses were connected up and Handy Billies ready to go with the repair party standing by.
Although we had been in action many times before this was by far the worst run we had been assigned to because nearly all the destroyers which had been hit or sunk had been on the same patrol and we knew we could and would get plenty. We were the 18th can to go out on picket around Okinawa. The record before had been 17 on patrol and 17 either sunk or seriously damaged. We were the first can to break the bad streak of luck.
During the day we sank a Japanese mine and it really exploded with a terrific roar. Shrapnel rained down on the main deck like hail and many of the crew had large pieces for souvenirs. We joined several other destroyers and started with the rest of the fleet to the fueling area. Were certainly glad to get away from our last patrol as now we were heading south for fuel and possibly mail. There was little done the next day and everyone really caught up on some much needed sleep.
We stayed in the fueling area for two days and waited for all larger ships to refuel. We had the misfortune to catch a mail passing detail and passed mail to quite a few of the big boys. There was no mail for us however and everyone was wondering why.
After two day we left again and headed north. We supported the troops on Okinawa for the next day by sending air strikes over. Everything was quiet and we had no bogies.
We left the fleet on the evening of May 17 and went out on the advanced radar picket patrol. This is the same old suicide run and all watches were on their toes. After 36 hours of this patrol we rejoined the fleet. For once this run was quiet and we certainly glad because these suicide planes are certainly no joke especially to sailors on tin cans.
After a day and night we returned to the fleet and operated off Okinawa. There had been little doing until after the 20th when two destroyers the Longshaw and Fox were hit by suicide planes. The Longshaw was sunk and the fox being towed back to port seriously damaged with 90% of her personnel casualties.