Final Days of May (May 1945)

On Radar Picket Station #15 our Captain Harry McElwain was cool, calm, intelligent, capable and resolute under attack. We weren’t the first to see those characteristics or he wouldn’t be commanding a destroyer at barely 28-years old. We are, indeed, fortunate to have him as our skipper.

Word has reached us that yesterday the Japs made a Kamikaze attack on Yontan Air Field. They used twelve “Sally” bombers (Army twin-engine bomber with a crew of seven) that carried 136 Paratroopers. The troops bailed-out over Yontan and ran directly to the parked U. S. aircraft and ammunition dumps, hurling phosphorous bombs and hand grenades. We lost two men and another eighteen were wounded before the raiders were either killed, wounded or captured. The raid destroyed seven parked U.S. planes and seventy thousand gallons of aviation gasoline. Four of the planes carrying suicide raiders were shot down. The Japs had 112 men dead on the ground.

We went to G.Q. at 0330 on May 25th with 30 Bogies in the area, but secured from G.Q. at 0405 and got underway to take on fuel after daybreak. When fueling was completed we were directed to go alongside a munitions ship to replenish our ammunition. While we were taking on ammunition, G.Q. was sounded and the FOOTE immediately cast off and moved away .-..there was a large group of Bogies in the area at 0900. We did not fire. At 1040 the Bogies had cleared the area and we were back alongside the munitions ship to finish replenishment. All hands, regardless of rate, were working at a furious pace to get away from the ammunition ship - some of the crew had not worked so hard and fast in their life - we finished and cast off all lines at 1330. That was a long three hours. There have been over 300 Bogies in the area since midnight. Fifty-four Jap planes have been “splashed” since 0100 - business is definitely picking up and being tied up to a munitions ship is not the place to be.

The USS STORMES (DD-780) that relieved us yesterday on Radar Picket Station #15 was hit at 0905. A Kamikaze crashed into their torpedo mount and a bomb the plane was carrying exploded in the magazine under her No. 3 5-inch gun mount. The crew fought fire and flooding until noon before they were confident they could save the ship. Twenty-one members of the crew were killed and 20 injured. A bit earlier and that could have been the FOOTE. And, to think, the STORMES only arrived at Okinawa on May 23rd and was hit less than 48-hours after arriving from Pearl Harbor in company with the cruiser USS LOUISVILLE (CA-28).

During the STORMES saga Radar Picket Station #5 shot down a “ Betty” bomber carrying an OKA (Called “ Baka” by the U.S. Navy - that is Japanese for “stupid”) strapped under a two-engine bomber. The OKA (Baka) is a human piloted suicide bomb, rocket-propelled, launched from underneath a “Betty” bomber. They have a warhead with 1,190-lbs. of high explosive and a speed up to 600 MPH. Range is about 15-miles. Once it is released by the “Betty” it is hard to defend against, but they are not very accurate - may be having trouble getting good pilots.
This turns out to be one of the big efforts by Japan against the invading forces. May 24-25 recorded 492 Jap planes of all types attacked the forces around and at Okinawa.

This was one of Japan’s massive attacks they called “Floating Chrysanthemums”. The final score in ships for May 24-25 was USS BATES (APD-47) and LSM-135, sunk - the USS GUEST (DD-472), USS WILLIAM C. COLE (DE-641), USS BUTLER (DMS-29), USS SPECTACLE (AM-305), USS BARRY (APD-29), USS O’NEILL (DE-188), USS STORMES (DD-780), USS ROPER (APD-20), USS FORREST (DMS-24) and PC-1603 damaged by Kamikaze. The LSM-135 had picked up the survivors from BATES when she was sunk. Those stark statistics for two days are grim evidence of the savagery of the war being waged at Okinawa. The carnage goes on and at 1500 extremely heavy rains begin. I feel sorry for the “grunts” fighting in the mud on the island
The FOOTE reported to Commander Task Group 51.5 for duty in the transport anti-aircraft screen. We took station in the transport screen in company with USS WATTS (DD-567), USS PUTMAN (DD-757), USS WREN (DD-568) and USS DYSON (DD-572). There was a short G.Q. at 1905, and then---sleep.

We went to morning G.Q. on the 26th in the rain. It had rained all night - very hard - monsoon kind of weather. No Bogies in the area - no G.Q. all night - our sleep was only interrupted by the watch we stood. After some very valuable sleep, we get mail - called “sugar reports” by those with “candy legs”.. We got underway at 1549 to join the transport anti-aircraft screen again. The USS PUTMAN (DD-757) is O.T.C. (Officer in Tactical Command). We are in company USS PUTMAN (DD-757), USS WATTS (DD-567), USS DYSON (DD-572), USS MASSEY (DD-778), USS AULICK (DD-569) and USS BAUER (DM-26). At 2025 all the screening ships returned to Hagushi Anchorage and we dropped the hook in Berth H-119.

The Battleships and Cruisers continue their relentless shelling of the island. This has been going on for almost two months. In addition, when the weather permits, there is a steady low level bombing by our planes plus the battering by our artillery ashore. I don’t see how anyone could survive this pounding.

On the morning of the 27th we get underway at 0702 when enemy aircraft approach the anchorage. Our assignment has been changed to another anti-aircraft screening station about 30-miles south of “Point Bolo” (Point of reference on Okinawa. Everything is referred to “Bolo”). The O.T.C. is in USS FULLAM (DD-474).

As part of the ongoing general attack on Okinawa one hundred seventy-five planes took off from Japan on the 27th (Navy Day in Japan) and headed for the Radar Picket Stations. In an effort to cope more effectively with suicide attacks the Navy had established sixteen Radar Picket Stations, normally manned by three destroyers each, around Okinawa to cover the more probable approaches of Jap aircraft. Some of the best Fighter Directors were assigned to the R.P. Stations to control the C.A.P., directing them out to intercept incoming Bogies. As the suicide campaign developed in intensity, it was necessary to assign small craft to each location that steamed at a safe distance, to provide assistance when the destroyers were hit. The destroyer crews called them the “Little Boys” or “Pallbearers”. The destroyer pickets were stationed at distances up to about 75-miles from point “Bolo” on Okinawa. Pickets patrolled at 12-15 knots, reversing course ever 30-minutes and they maintained continuous radar, visual air and surface searches and were inclined to shoot at all unidentified aircraft that approached within 10,000-yards range. The picket stations were the first ships the Japs saw on their way to Okinawa and they usually attacked them with a fury.

The USS BRAINE (DD-630) (Little Beaver) and USS ANTHONY (DD-515), on R.P. Station #5, had fought off both suicide planes and OKA (Baka) successful on the 25th, when they came under concentrated attack. But, today, without C.A.P. cover, because of foul weather, the two gallant ships had to fight it out alone. They shot down two planes before a third crashed into the BRAINE, demolishing the Wardroom and seriously damaging the bridge. Immediately a fourth plane, which had been orbiting in front of the ANTHONY, dove on the crippled BRAINE and hit by gunfire, splashed fifty feet from the ship. The BRAINE was almost immediately hit by a second suicide plane that blew the No. 2 stack overboard and demolished the amidships superstructure. She was dead in the water and two LCSs (“Pallbearers”) moved in to give assistance. Another “Little Beaver” is out of action with 50 dead and 78 wounded.

“ACADEMY” began reporting Bogies in the area of Hagushi Anchorage and CTG-51.5 directed the FOOTE to proceed at full speed to reinforce the transport anti-aircraft screen there - so, we go directly to the Jig-line at Okinawa - arriving about dusk. We went to G.Q. at 1900 with a heavy overcast and occasional rain. At 2030 we leave the Jig-line and move in and anchor on the edge of the transport area. We set a modified condition watch at 2300 with one-half of all guns manned. Bogies are still in the area - looking and probing - then “ACADEMY” calls for smoke. It’s hard to say which is worse - being out in the clear where it’s possible to use the guns or in smoke where all you can do is strain your eyes and ears. Our radar is useless for anything close - too much geography and too many close ships. It is a peculiar feeling to hear an aircraft you know is enemy, but not be able to see it. Seventeen Jap planes were shot down today - nine by the C.A.P. and eight by ships. That does not include the planes the Japs lost by flying into ships.

At 0000 on May 28th all Fifth Fleet Task Forces are reassigned to the Third Fleet. The first second of this day the FOOTE becomes part of the Third Fleet - the Fifth Fleet no longer exists. The administrative commanders remain the same, but Admiral William F. Halsey, USN, is ComThrdFlt with USS MISSOURI (BB-63) as his flagship. The FOOTE is assigned to Task Force Thirty-one (CTF-31 is Vice Admiral H. A. Hill, USN) Task Group Thirty-one point Two Five (CTG-31.25 is Rear Admiral L. F. Reifsnider, USN) and Task Unit 31.25.3 (CTU 31.25.3 is Captain T. B. Dugan, USN, ComDesRon-23 with USS CHARLES AUSBURNE (DD-570) as his flagship).

We are still standing port and starboard watch in the transport anchorage screen. Radio traffic indicates Radar Picket Station #15 and #16 are catching hell. We went to G.Q. at 0455 with enemy planes approaching the transport area. One of the other destroyers shot down one Bogie at 0509. The FOOTE was ordered to get underway at 0636 and proceed to Nakagusuku Wan to rendezvous with the USS FORREST (DMS-24) that had been damaged by a suicide attack. We were to escort the FORREST to Kerama Retto (Wiseman’s Cove). We made rendezvous with the FORREST at 1245. It was reported that the FORREST was attacked by three Kamikaze - they shot down two, but the third crashed into her starboard side at the waterline. She was heavily damaged, but was able to make way. She had six dead and thirteen wounded. When we saw her, it was obvious that the war had ended for this gallant ship as it had for her sister, USS BUTLER (DMS-29), two days ago.

We arrived in Kerama Retto with the FORREST at 1810. The Keramas are a small group of islands located a few miles southwest of Hagushi Anchorage, near the southern end of Okinawa. These islands were taken from the Japs on March 27, 1945, a few days prior to the invasion of Okinawa. U.S. invading forces captured or destroyed over 300 Jap suicide boats when they captured the islands. Kerama Retto is uniquely positioned and an excellent natural harbor for auxiliary and fleet repair ships. There are ships of ever conceivable type in the protected inner harbor - repair ships, tenders, oilers, munition ships, transports, sea-plane tenders, and auxiliary vessels. But, most dramatic of all, it is a graveyard for fighting ships. As you enter the harbor there are ghostly hulks of ships with burnt, twisted, mangled steel remains - once proud destroyers, tied up in nest at tenders. Some were still floating that, logically, should have been at the bottom of the sea. This is the grim evidence of a nation that uses suicide as a national war policy.

As we escorted the FORREST into the inner harbor we ran into intermittent clouds of smoke, laid down to shield the anchored ships from suicide attack. We found our assigned anchorage at 1854 - in this sheltered place - in this place of sanctuary.

Word reaches us that the USS DREXLER (DD-741) on Radar Picket Station #15 has been sunk. She and the USS LOWRY (DD-770) were attacked by six “Frances II” (Twin engine bombers). Although they were able to shoot down four of the six - two crashed into the DREXLER. The first plane crashed into the after Fire Room at the waterline on the starboard side. They were dead in the water, with decks ablaze, when she was hit by a second bomber on the port side at the base of the number two stack. There was a tremendous explosion and the ship rolled over on her starboard side and sank, stern first - it had been 49-seconds since the second hit. Her station was marked by floating debris - cans, mattresses, life jackets, insulation, boxes, etc. - all covered in fuel oil. Two thirds of the crew was dead, missing or wounded.

We go to G.Q. at 2025 when the area is declared CONDITION RED . Due to vagaries of the wind, the smoke over Wiseman’s Cove leaves the FOOTE in a hole about 600-yards in diameter - just like a “bulls-eye”. One raid gets in as close as 2,000-yards. All ships in the anchorage are ordered not to fire - they will let the C.A.P. take care of the Bogies. Fifty-four Bogies have been splashed in the past 24-hours.

We enter the 29th anchored as before, but at 0912 we get orders from CTU-31.25.3 to weigh anchor and go alongside an oiler to take on fuel. All unit commanders try to keep their destroyers “topped off” with fuel so there will be no delay if a quick sortie is necessary. When fueling was complete at 1105 we anchored in Berth K-12 and spend most of the afternoon taking on stores from small boats alongside.

The rain started in mid-afternoon - no wind, just steady rain. It is decided Condition Affirm (Port & Starboard Watch) is no longer necessary and we go to Condition II, Mike. All ships go to G.Q. in the early evening when enemy aircraft approached the area - they were intercepted by the C.A.P. before they reached the anchorage.

On May 30th we weighed anchor and got underway at 0951 in company with USS CHARLES AUSBURNE (DD-570), USS EDMONDS (DE-406) and USS CONVERSE (DD-509) and made way to the Hagushi Anchorage, Okinawa Gunta. We anchored at 1205 in Berth H-168 among a lot of loaded LSTs, so it looks like some of the rumors about us taking part in another landing may be true. Rumor has it that we will invade a small island to establish some shore based radar to relieve the Picket Stations that have been taking such a beating offshore. I’ll vote for that. We went to G.Q. again at 1420 - and the rains came.

It’s official, at 1610 - in accordance with OpOrder (Operational Order) A408-45 Task Group 31.25 will support the landing and occupation of Iheya Retto and Aguni Shima. There are about 50 small craft LSTs (Landing Ship Tank), LCIs (Landing Craft Infantry), and LCM (Landing Craft Mechanized) in the invasion force - five Destroyers and four Destroyer Escorts will support the effort. They must not expect too much opposition.

We weigh anchor at 1242 on May 31st and get underway to, once again, top-off our fuel tanks, at sea, from the USS CACHE (AO-67). When we completed fueling we returned to Hagushi Anchorage and rejoined our invasion group at 1545. At 2340 we get underway in company with Task Group 31.25 - it is a pitch black night and so calm you have to look over the side at the phosphorescence to be sure we are moving. The sea was as smooth as glass. About three hours later we turn back because of heavy fog - visibility is almost zero - and at daybreak our little invasion force is back in Hagushi Anchorage. Just another night with no sleep.

It has been two months since “Love Day” - Easter Sunday - April Fools Day - invasion day at Okinawa. Rumor has it that things will be secure on the island in another two weeks. It seems strange sitting here with that bloody land battle only a matter of some hundreds of yards away - visible through the optics in the Main Battery Director - maybe tomorrow we go invading - who knows?
(USS FOOTE Deck Log, USS FOOTE War Diary, USS FOOTE General Action Report and Gene Schnaubelt)