Staying the Course

On April 15th, 1945, the USS Laffey (DD-724) was assigned to help repel an air attack just 30 miles north of Okinawa, Japan. During the attack, thirteen Japanese aircraft were downed. The following day, April 16th, fifty Japanese planes were launched into battle. Badly damaged by four bombs, six kamikaze crashes, and strafing fire, the USS Laffey continued to fight. Despite losing 32 sailors and 71 wounded, the brave men in Gun Mount 53 repelled the enemy fighters, buying time to save the ship. Visit the Mount 53 exhibit to catch a glimpse of what it took to survive this event.