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Coincident with
the air offensive of Task Force 58 against Mainland Japan,
other American forces were closing in for the invasion of
Okinawa, where the initial landings occurred on 1 April.
Three Marine Divisions (1st, 2nd, and 6th), plus four Army
Divisions (7th, 96th, 77th, and 27th) were employed in this
operation, the last of the major island assaults of the
Pacific war. Okinawa was needed because it was best located
to support the planned invasion of the Home Islands of Japan,
and because it offered airfields and anchorages required
for that purpose. Task Force 58 covered the operation, providing
air support and fighter defense.
The NORTH CAROLINA,
in company with other fast battleships, conducted a pre-invasion
bombardment of Okinawa from very long ranges on 24 March;
and fired again, in support of a feint landing on 17 April.
On 6
April, in the heat of an air attack with all ships firing,
the NORTH CAROLINA was accidentally hit by a 5-inch AA Common
projectile fired at a low-flying kamikaze by a friendly
ship. The projectile struck the supporting trunk of the
secondary battery director (Sky 2), killing three men, wounding
44, and disabling the director. During a lull in the fighting,
the dead were buried at sea with members of the crew sadly
bidding their shipmates a last farewell in the traditional
solemn rites.
Just
before taps that night, the voice of the Chaplain came over
the ship's public address system with the following prayer: "Heavenly
Father, today we committed to the deep three of our shipmates
who gave their lives so that others may live. We are particularly
mindful at this time of their loved ones at home. Sustain
them in their sorrow. Help them to understand that those
they love gave their lives for their protection and care.
Be with all the officers and men of this ship. Give all
of us heart and mind to serve thee and our country willingly
and faithfully...."
The NORTH CAROLINA,
with Task Force 58, was in the thick of the fighting around
Okinawa for a total of 40 days before being ordered to withdraw
for repairs to her battle damage. During this 40-day period,
hundreds of kamikaze attacks were launched against naval
units operating in the vicinity of Okinawa, and a total
of 73 ships were crashed by them. Of these, 20 were sunk
or so badly damaged they had to be scuttled, and 22 were
damaged to the extent that repairs would not be completed
before the war was over. However, for every kamikaze pilot
who succeeded in crashing one of our ships, there were scores
shot down by our fighters and ship's gunners.
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