Title
Set of USS Laffey Damage Photographs, Tacoma, Washington
Description
Set of twenty-two photographs of the USS Laffey (DD-724) showing the damage received off Okinawa while on display in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington as part of the Shipyard Worker Retention effort.
Collection
Wilbert Gauding Collection
Context
Both a plank owner and serving on board the USS Laffey (DD-724) throughout the war, Machinist’s Mate 2/c, Wilbert C. Gauding was aboard the destroyer at D-Day and the Battle of Okinawa.
Of the deadly attack off Okinawa, Gauding described listening for the guns. “The five-inch guns would start to fire, then the 40 mm, and last, the 20mm. I knew the suicide planes were about to hit!” That day, the Laffey became the most bombed ship to survive World War II without sinking. Gauding survived the deadly attack and became a life-long supporter of the USS Laffey and Patriots Point.
Of the deadly attack off Okinawa, Gauding described listening for the guns. “The five-inch guns would start to fire, then the 40 mm, and last, the 20mm. I knew the suicide planes were about to hit!” That day, the Laffey became the most bombed ship to survive World War II without sinking. Gauding survived the deadly attack and became a life-long supporter of the USS Laffey and Patriots Point.
Accession #
2022.0009
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Secondary Object Name
Album, Photograph
Primary Object Name
Album
Sub-Class Name
Memorabilia
Class Name
Documentary Objects
Category Name
Category 08: Communication Objects
