81st Anniversary Ceremony - The Battle of Okinawa Attack on the USS Laffey

Join us as we honor the courage and sacrifice of the USS Laffey’s crew during one of the fiercest attacks in U.S. naval history. On April 16, 1945—81 years ago this year—the Laffey was struck by 22 Japanese aircraft during the Battle of Okinawa. Seven kamikaze planes and four bombs hit the ship, killing 32 crew members. Against overwhelming odds, the crew fought back, shooting down 11 enemy planes and saving their ship. Their actions earned the USS Laffey the nickname: “The Ship That Would Not Die.”

We invite you to join us at 11:00 a.m. on April 16, 2026, for a ceremony commemorating this observance. This will take place at the main museum entrance of the USS Yorktown, and museum admission will be waived for those attending the ceremony.