The Naval Battle of Okinawa

The Battle of Okinawa was the largest and deadliest battle of the Pacific campaign. But the terrible battle on the island was only part of the fight, as the ships of the Navy faced an onslaught of Kamikaze attacks. The History Guy recalls the many desperate actions to save the ships of the Okinawa armada.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by THG
#WWII #thehistoryguy #okinawa

[@kevinbendall9119]

I knew of the individual tragedies of the Navy at Okinawa, but even Naval history classes never put it together for me like this. A truly outstanding episode, and a perspective that truly deserves to be remembered.

[@loganpe427]

Thank you, you found the words that eluded me! The History Guy is truly a unique presenter!

[@janbadinski7126]

@@loganpe427 He's beyond amazing.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@janbadinski7126 this battle taught us a hard lesson about wooden flight decks....

[@timothymorris1925]

My father fought on Okinawa. He fought it almost every night of his life afterwards. God rest his soul.

[@kurtsherrick2066]

My dad was there but on a PT Boat. My mom said for years when the testing of the Warning Sirens if he was asleep he would jump up and thought for a few seconds that he would think he needed to get to b Battle Stations. He spent also 2 years on a Destroyer in the Atlantic. The only thing he ever said that was something funny that happened. But he did talk a little about that Island. He talked about mass graves.

[@kevinbrink423]

So did my Grandpa, and likewise. Cheers.

[@tunes5077]

My father also... May he rest in peace.

[@663rainmaker]

That flamethrower we see on the TV clips...? Brother Lou sat me down... and told me since he was the smallest person in the outfit he was selected to try a new weapon for the Pacific Theater WW2 and the Flamethrowers... and the stories of our USA 🇺🇸 Veterans and, Incredible History USA 🇺🇸 Dee Crumpie Ayers and Step Brother Horace Van Wood Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941 USS Arizona.... both died aboard the Arizona!

[@SHAd0Eheart]

Amen.

[@TigerPantsRocks]

My grandfather was an aviation and flight engineer for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Corp. He was transferred from his base at the Tachikawa technical institute to help the grounds crew in preparing the kamikaze attacks during the battle of Okinawa. My grandfather knew that the war was coming to an end soon. He would tell the pilots not to sacrifice their lives and to return home. He was ordered to only fill up enough fuel for the one way trip to Okinawa. My grandfather would fill the tank up to full, so that the pilots could fly back to safety after the attack. He risked court marshall to save a few pilots, but none of them ever returned alive. They all died valiantly for Japan. My grandfather survived the war, and became an avid pacifist.

[@brt-jn7kg]

What your grandfather didn't tell you was that those pilots were told if they flew back and landed that airplane they would have faced huge dishonor and most likely the a death sentence. My uncle was a flight engineer but on b-29 bomber specifically The Great Artists B-29. It was on both atomic bombing missions.

[@et76039]

Thank you for your perspective. My uncle was on a minesweeper serving on aircraft picket duty at Okinawa, and watched a boyhood friend get killed in front of him. He thought the only reason he lived was because an ammunition bandolier was strapped across his chest. A very brave university professor at Sasebo deeply influenced my uncle's life. He and some of his friends had just gotten off of the ship as part of the occupation forces, when they were approached by an English-speaking Japanese who offered them his umbrella, and proceeded to show them the town. His gesture deeply affected my uncle, who wrote to pen pals in Japan until he died in a veterans home last year.

[@user-82719a]

Respect to your ancestors, but fuck the IJN (In a historical sense).

[@vernondoane4865]

My Uncle, Harold Mills was on the bridge of the Bunker Hill when the kamikazes attacked. Many years ago he said that the young Japanese kamikaze pilot looked him in the eye just prior to the explosion. What makes his story so compelling is the fact that he had just come off a 12 hour shift when he was ordered to report to the bridge and replace another young sailor who had become ill. My uncle said everyone in his sleeping quarters were killed as a result of that kamikaze attack. He said being exhausted and initially complaining about his order haunted him. His buddies all died and he lived to tell that story. He was a great guy and one of my favorite Uncles. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 My Uncle’s eldest son served in Vietnam 1967 -68 with the CB’s …..I offend wondered what was going on in his head with a son in combat and he did see action. Some sacrificed so much for our country and many don’t understand!

[@thomasbedard2017]

MY dad was on that also shi p never talked about it

[@dankmiecik8039]

I have a relative who died in a kamikaze attack during the battle of Okinawa. I researched what happened to him and his story deserves to be remembered. Long story short, I was puzzled why 2 aviation mechanics were all alone on a LCM ship in the middle of the ocean when they died on the last day of the battle. It turns out the navy was looking for a way to counter kamikaze attacks. They raised a previously sunken destroyer and made it into a decoy ship. They gutted the destroyer and rigged it to have fake smoke and blinking lights to mimmick anti aircraft fire to lure the kamikaze planes. The two AM3s on the LCM had a remote control that controlled the lights and smoke. On the first day out to sea, the Japanese took the bait. As the destroyer was being pulled out to sea by the tugboat 2 planes came. One struck the destroyer with no one onboard, and unfortunately the other plane struck the LCM. I fortunately stumbled across a story from a member of that tugboat and solved the mystery of why were 2 aviation mechanics all alone on a landing ship in the middle of the ocean. They sacraficed their lives so other ships and lives could be saved. God Bless those heros and all the heros of WW2.

[@LolUGotBusted]

this absolutely deserves to be remembered

[@lesterscates774]

Thanks so much. Great story!

[@sledawgpilot]

Greater love hath no man...

[@AudieHolland]

3 points: *1.* True heroes. *2.* Great, ingenuous diversion. *3.* Great marksmanship (unfortunately) by the Japanese Kamikazes.

[@user-yp5fp8gn7o]

I never knew that they had those decoys during the war. Thanks for that unknown tidbit. Rich

[@timhall5256]

My father was in the Marines among the land invasion at Okinawa. He never talked about it, my mother said he was never really right when he came back. A good friend of his was with him on island and once told me my Dad saved his live, and killed untold enemy soldiers. Both men are dead now, but as an almost 70 senior citizen, I am more thankful everyday for what these men did so that I could have the great life me and my family have lived. Thanks Dad and Vince. RIP

[@davidroby7290]

truly the greatest generation

[@morgan97475]

America....F**k Yeah!

[@jamescannon5630]

May God bless them all.

[@philgiglio7922]

Understand completely. Found my Dad's dog tags and turned 1 into an ear ring.Just my way to remember him daily.

[@kevinbrink423]

What was your father's role? My Grandpa was also an Okinawa Marine. He was in rocketry: read that as "back the pickup truck with rockets on the back into position, RUN out of the cab, light the rockets off, RUN back into the cab, FLOOR IT OUT OF THERE, and watch the return fire in the rearview mirror."

[@wrobinson1702]

This is my favorite episode yet from "The History Guy". My father was a US Navy pilot flying a TBM Avenger torpedo bomber off the USS San Jacinto (along with another young pilot who was in his Flight school class named George HW Bush). The San Jacinto a light carrier serving in Task Force 58, under Admiral Marc Mitscher off Okinawa in the Spring of 1945. My dad often said that only by chance was he NOT among the 4400 or so USN officers and men who died in that "miserable stretch of ocean." He died of cancer in 1979, and never really said much more than that about the experience-largely to avoid reliving the horrors, I suspect. I had tears in my eyes as I listened to this video, particularly the ending, and I still do as I write this. This truly was the finest hour for those tens of thousands of US Navy sailors and pilots. Americans of today desperately need to be reminded of the sacrifices those guys made. Perhaps more people would stop and think before getting so angry about the "issues" we currently face. The things we do today in order to make ourselves feel good pale in comparison to what Americans of that generation did. Thank you, Mr Geiger, for this channel.

[@frankcarelli5166]

.46

[@ScoutSniper3124]

My Dad passed away a few years back. I knew he had served on a U.S. Navy Destroyer in WWII and a Rocket Landing Craft in Korea. He didn't talk much about his time at war, except one time when he missed the boat in Korea and spent a few days ashore tagging along with the Army. I dug up his discharge papers, and under Campaigns is listed Saipan and Okinawa. I can only imagine the things he must have seen and endured. It didn't take military service for him to be MY hero, but I wish I had asked him more about it while I still had the chance.

[@mjc11a]

Hi Ryan. Thanks very much for your comments. I understand fully as my father served in the European theatre of operations during WWII. And, like your dad, my dad never spoke of his experiences. We knew he served but when pressed for details, he would politely - but firmly - change the subject. It wasn't until four or five months after his death in 1985 that my mom set her three sons down at the kitchen table and showed us his discharge papers and all the medals and letters of commendation that had been awarded to him. It absolutely blew us away as we had no clue. The more I learned from shows like THG and my own studies, convinced me that men like your dad, my dad, and thousands of other men came from a 'different cut of the cloth' and are worthy of our praise and gratitude. I am eternally grateful for their service. Again, thank you for your comments and be safe 🙏

[@ddjsta]

My grandfather served in the pacific theater. I had asked my mother and uncle if he had ever spoke of the war and they said never. My uncle had told me before they moved away to California in 59 he left his uniforms and his medals in the attic on purpose. His last visit while we were out to eat my grandfather on his own desire started telling us about how they were island hopping, shelling , hand to hand combat and building runways for the airplanes . About 5 minutes and he stopped.. He waited until he was 87 yrs old to talk about it only once and died when he was 94 . These men were brave. I am proud.

[@sportdriver]

My father was 2nd Infantry Div. In WW2. He rarely spoke about it except maybe to another WW2 veteran or a couple of times to a very persistent history obsessed son. Like you, my father was my hero. He's been gone many years now. I still miss him.

[@thewaywardwind548]

Ryan -- My Dad was in the Army Air Force and was also at Saipan and Okinawa along with other islands. He was in a B-25 outfit that spent a lot of time in support of ground troops and fighting submarines and surface ships. He spoke little of his experiences on the Pacific islands but he was very vocal about the Japanese. You see, Dad had already been in the Army Air Corps before it became the Army Air Force and had been discharged early in 1941. Then, in February 1942, he got a letter from his favorite uncle in Washington inviting him back into uniform. Dad lost his hearing in a B-25 and spent the remainder of the war in the same squadron as a supply sergeant. To Dad, the enemy was never the Japanese -- they were always Japs and it was blasphemy to own a Toyota or Sony.

[@randallcraig1913]

I knew there were terrible losses to naval personal and ships. Didn't realize they eclipsed the ground forces. A side note. This is an amazing channel. Your in depth knowledge is awesome. I'm a history buff myself and find each and every video better than the last

[@ferdinandates2433]

Puy

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

randall IKR

[@Michael-yl2iq]

The Navy suffered terribly and fought bravely but I think you are incorrect about them having higher loses than the ground forces.

[@hermesten1000]

@@greenstar9491 And that's what he said, the Navy had more killed than the Marines OR the Army. Also in the Guadalcanal campaign, Navy KIA (4911) were almost 3 times that of Marines KIA (1768).

[@nuduce123]

My first video I watched was a recommendation after watching The Wierd History channel. It was about dandelions. I subscribed after watching that. So I can guarantee you that no one else in the world could make you subscribe with dandelions. Now the History Guy is my go to channel.

[@trumpetfoote]

In 1995 I was stationed on Okinawa assigned to the III MEF headquarters. I was privileged to escort Marines returning for the 50th anniversary of the battle. The aged warriors pointed out exact locations where they fought for their lives. It became obvious as they told their stories that they were mostly frightened teenagers at the time but their fear became their determination to survive. The tales of individual self sacrifice during the Battle of Okinawa almost sound like myths from a bygone era. Make no mistake, they are true. These men were made of solid iron.

[@cesarebeccaria7641]

Kids now of the age of those on Okinawa in the battle...are somewhat softer than solid iron. They need spaces that are safe from harsh language and opinions they don't like. God help us if we had to defend our nation today! Bill (U.S. Army 1965-68, Vietnam 67-68)

[@hshs5756]

@@cesarebeccaria7641 Actually I find it auspicious that most of these youth are such snowflakes, because the next time we have to defend our nation it will be against them. Hostilities have already broken out.

[@dennisbast743]

@@cesarebeccaria7641 Don't be misled by a couple of well-publicized snowflakes, Brother. Kids of today, put under the same pressure, will show the same steel their Grandfathers did. They are our blood, after all; and like us and our Fathers, some will fall and some will be heroic, no better and no worse. Have faith, Brother. Blood will tell.(Besides, you can't deny that most of them are a great deal smarter than WE were at that age. :-) (U.S. Army '65-'68) Stay safe Be well

[@user-yp5fp8gn7o]

Average age in ww2 was 26 compared to Nams 19 for perspective, but yeah, kids to codgers like me. Rich

[@moncorp1]

@@cesarebeccaria7641 ~ your got that right. Most of the panty waists that age I work with can't do anything remotely resembling manual labor for more than 5 minutes without whining about it and sulking off to look at their phones.

[@skiller189x4]

As with most documentaries on the naval battle of Okinawa, you emphasized the Kamikaze attacks while completely overlooking one of the true heroic events: the sinking of the destroyer USS Longshaw and the actions of her rescue ship the USS Arikara. On 18 May, the Longshaw ran aground on a reef near Naha and the Japanese shore batteries literally pounded the ship through most of the day, while the Arikara valiantly assisted the crew of the Longshaw to escape the burning ship, to Arikara’s own peril. The skipper of the Longshaw and 86 members of the crew were lost in the battle. My father was a radioman on the Longshaw and was one of the lucky ones, having survived being blown through a bulkhead. When Japan surrendered he was still in the hospital. He went on to attend Longshaw ship reunions well into his 80’s, and the Longshaw survivors never forgot to invite their rescuers, the men of the USS Arikara as well. A story of true heroism, but often a smaller footnote in the Naval history books.

[@johnlough9310]

Kñmnnmmoonoñm

[@johnlough9310]

Mpmommmlo

[@johnlough9310]

Lm

[@johnlough9310]

Pmp9knn

[@johnlough9310]

Nmmnmpmñmnmñmnnmnnñ

[@williammeredith4323]

I simply love the ending, referring to the countless acts of heroism and bravery as the United States Navy's FINEST HOUR! This, Sir, is an episode that deserves to be remembered!

[@williamsanders5066]

In awe of the men of the Greatest Generation of our Navy. From a retired sailor, thank you for those still living. OS1(SW/AW) Sanders USN Ret.

[@brettsalling]

Thank you for your service sir.

[@emmy1cat]

I was an OS3 during Vietnam. I concur wholeheartedly.

[@caesarillion]

My father was there but never talked about it. USS Indianapolis. "44 months in the Pacific" was all that he would say, and "duty." Mom said tho that he shot down an airplane and also got in trouble for tracking his gun across the ship. RIP 1980, Captain A. W. Venne Jr. Retired, USN. Thank you sir for the remembrance, Paul Louis Venne, Thailand

[@phillipstoltzfus3014]

Was he on the ship when it sunk?

[@caesarillion]

@@phillipstoltzfus3014 Indianapolis was damaged by a Kamikazi hit during the Marianas Turkey Shoot and returned to Mare Island for repair, if I remember right. At this point he disembarked his post in the engine room to attend the National War College. Indy was repaired and loaded the atomic bomb for Tinian and sailed off to history and destiny. Again if I remember the details correctly. Another detail from the war is that my Pop, his nick name with me, had hearing damage from all the bombardments of the 5" guns. Muzzle velocity for a 8" naval gun is 2800 fpm apparently. I wonder how many rounds Indy fired? She had 10 Bronze Stars at the end of the war, from as many bombardments?? That seems like a lot to me but Enterprize had 20 Bronze Stars. Any corrections on the above are welcome. Sincere regards and thanks and live 100 years, Paul Venne

[@828enigma6]

@Robert Klein Your comment has no place here. Go to Fox News or somewhere. We're discussing brave men in both sides

[@sarjim4381]

@@caesarillion Combat deafness was a huge problem right up to and through the Vietnam war. It wasn't just the 5" guns that were used for shore bombardment and antiaircraft defense that caused deafness, it was the smaller guns like the quad 40 mm mounts and 20 mm cannon. These tertiary guns fired millions of round during the Kamikaze attacks, and even long term exposure to rifle fire without hearing protection could cause later loss of hearing. The same issues applied to artillerymen ashore. My brother was was assigned as a battery captain to a 105 mm battery in the Mekong Delta and has profound hearing loss on his right ear from all the firing his battery did during the ten months he spent in the Delta. It was only all the VA medical claims for deafness that finally convinced the military to provide hearing protection starting the late 80's.

[@phillipstoltzfus3014]

That's a lot of good information! I can imagine you would get hearing damage on those ships. I just learned about the Indianapolis and her fate. Live more than a hundred years, Phillip Stoltzfus

[@JamesLoxley-hd1uc]

Thank you for including the Royal navy, Australian and New Zealand navies in this program. They are often left out of this campaign so there lives are not remembered.

[@williampaz2092]

A friend of mine, a US Marine, told me the one story his father, a retired Marine, told him about Okinawa: Every single morning you could go down to the beach and there would be dead US Navy Sailors everywhere. You could see columns of smoke from burning ships over the horizon and shattered, burning Navy Destroyers still providing gunfire support. You could sometimes look up and see clouds of Japanese Kamikazes heading for the ships. USN Hellcat Fighters and Marine Corp Corsair Fighters would tear into them, growling, slashing and spitting through their ranks. But enough would get through: you could see the Naval Gunfire Support Destroyers and Cruisers shuddering under Kamikaze hits, gouts of fire blossoming with each hit. At night you could see the red glow of ships on fire. But the ships would not leave, many sailors flatly refusing to be relieved, and continued to supply gunfire support. And in the morning the beach would covered with dead sailors again. But the ships still would not leave. And there was nothing the Marines could do to help them. Absolutely nothing. His father would break down and start crying at this point and could not go on.

[@philgiglio7922]

The "fleet that came to stay" was the nickname given to that particular Taffy. Also "the big blue blanket".

[@FasterthanSpeed414]

He said he said….

[@Ass4ss1n83r]

Whilst not present at Okinawa, the talk of the Kamikaze attacks reminds me of HMAS Australia (II). She had the distinction of being one of the most "Kamikazied" allied ships to survive the war. She survived at least five kamikaze strikes. I remember reading about it in Mike Carlton's book Flagship, about HMAS Australia (II) and her sister ships.

[@BC-op7rj]

21 October 1944 in Leyte Gulf is argued to be the first planned Kamikaze attack. These attack Corps were authorized only the day before to begin operations. Opposing arguments are that this was not a pre “organized” Kamikaze attack citing that there were other examples of such attacks since 1942 by individual Japanese pilots willing to sacrifice themselves. The first planned Kamikaze attack was on the escort carriers USS Suwannee and USS Santee on October 25. After repairs and return to service the next hit was on January 5 and again the next day. On the same day another attack was stopped before. Hitting. On January 7 two Japanese aircraft were crashed into the ship but did not stop bombardment operations. At the end of that day another hit forced the decision to withdraw for repairs. USS Laffy was hit by six Kamikaze but had to be towed. This appears to make HMAS Australia the most hit to steam away under her own power.

[@spasjt]

Leave it to the Aussies to build a such tough vessel of war. Respect from USA.

[@tomw7967]

@@spasjt Actually, HMAS Australia(II) was a County Class heavy cruiser....built by the Poms. The RAN purchased their major warships from England at that time but yeah, they were tough ships

[@spasjt]

@@tomw7967 Didn't know that either, thanks.

[@jeremyb4590]

@@tomw7967 great book too, just finished it

[@telluricman]

My grandfather lost his Minesweeper the USS Spectical at Okinawa. He was always late and was an officer trained under the "90 day Wonder." He was late to be on-deck when a Kamikaze attacked and hit the officer deck. Being late can be a good thing.

[@lambastepirate]

lol not so much for the guy he should have replaced!

[@misterjag]

The men of Battery D of the 129th Field Artillery Regiment would disagree with your assessment of Truman's performance in WWI.

[@waltlawhead4260]

My grandfather picked up the survivors from the Spectacal on board the LSM 135. Shortly afterward, while heading back to Ie Shima, the LSM 135 was hit by a kamikaze and my grandfather and ten crew and officers were killed. He was listed as MIA for ten days and was found in the crew quarters after the ship grounded off of Ie Shima.

[@stephenjacks8196]

Politicians were kissing babies in the 1800s. You'd love the 1880 op-ed rant in the times about politicians kissing babies. Good thing Trump doesn't kiss babies with that mouth.

[@baldeagle5297]

@@stephenjacks8196 Biden just likes to sniff them. I hope that's all.

[@jamesweil3470]

I spent 22 years in the Navy and never heard The battle of Okinawa explained like that, it sent chills through my body.

[@CapnBlackJackHonour]

“6 June, J. William Ditter was attacked by a large group of kamikazes. The ship's gun crews downed five of the planes; but a sixth glanced off her No. 2 stack; and another crashed into her on the port side near the main deck. The ship lost all power and suffered many casualties; but damage control kept her afloat until she could be towed by tug Ute to Kerama Retto the next day.” The Ditter was my fathers Ship. The Ditter was also the ship that the USS Laffey relieved from picket duty on the day the Laffey became “the ship that would not die”.

[@deewhitedove8290]

You are correct my dad was on the Laffey

[@lemmdus2119]

Radar Picket Station 1....the worst of the worst

[@CapnBlackJackHonour]

@@deewhitedove8290 I did an interview with the son of a Laffey Sailor, over on my channel. Had an item from ebay stolen off my porch, but luckily I saved the images and looked up the name, and then I realized what ship the sailor had served on. It's one video I'm glad and proud to have had the chance to make.

[@roadscholar05]

My dad was wounded on board the USS Bunker Hill during a Kamikaze attack, Dad was a tail gunner in VB-84 with the future actor Paul Newman was a radioman/gunner in VT-84. Dad spent the remainder of the war in hospitals and Paul Newman would to to another squadron and ship. I wish I new about Paul Newman before my dad passed in 2004. They shadowed each other for year and a half and probably rubbed elbows in chow lines.

[@comm2531]

Congradulations. Can I rub elbows with a friend of a friend of a friend?

[@chrissheppard5068]

I think your dads war service was a bit more important than the shallow fact of rubbing shoulders.

[@scoobycarr5558]

Hey, why not enjoy Paul's collection of grocery items known as Newman's Own at your local store? All proceeds from the sales of Newman's Own go to charities. Perhaps one charity is one that donates to Veterans' groups.

[@chrissheppard5068]

@@scoobycarr5558 How did this go from a serious battle to Paul Newman and ketchup................

[@scoobycarr5558]

@@chrissheppard5068 My belief is that Paul himself founded the Newman's Own brand.

[@blank557]

My Dad was a 19 year's old Marine assigned to a shore party unloading supplies and witnessed the awesome display of a Kamikaze attack against the Navy ships at sea. He didn't get to watch long before his Sgt. told him and his fellow Marines to stop watching the show and get back to work. Imagine having that noisy death struggle going on in the background while you work.

[@olliefoxx7165]

It's hard to imagine all those ships, planes, guns firing and bombs going off with the proper grand scope.

[@emmy1cat]

The Corps waits for no man or much of anything else.

[@bartsiegwart2996]

I've binged a lot of history programs. You are, hands down, the King of hstory presemtations particularly wwii. Thank you for hours of great entertainment and real unbiased, non partisan, history. Make a million more. You should open a school to teach others how you do what you do.

[@bradleycred99]

My late Dad was a 23 year old LtJg on an LSM at Okinawa. He never talked much about the war, but I once asked him what it was like on the morning of the attack, with Kamikaze planes trying to smash into his ship, and he replied with “I remember saying to myself that this is going to be one hell of a day!” It turned into many “hell of a day’s” for him and his brother’s U.S.S. Barry that was sunk at Okinawa by Kamikaze attack. His brother and a majority of the crew survived and were rescued by another U.S. Navy vessel. He never said another word to me about the war after that. Thank you for producing this video and honoring my late Dad’s military service and 10’s of thousands of others.

[@Peasmouldia]

After the war there was an effort to downplay the role of Kamikaze aircraft. Back in the 60's, as schoolkids here in the UK, we were given the impression that it was just a few fanatics. Spot on as ever THG, thank you sir.

[@blank557]

I was shocked to discover that the Japanese expended 2,500 aircraft and 3,000 men to attack the US. ships.

[@lordgarion514]

@grumpy old fart The kamikaze attacks killed people and damaged ships, but it was totally ineffective at stopping them. And in fact, made things worse for them since it lead to the use of nukes.

[@brucefrytz8611]

The US Navy made a concerted effort to keep reports of the damages caused by the kamikazes under wraps, we did not want the Japanese to learn just how effective they were.

[@jimmym3352]

@@lordgarion514 I wouldn't say it made it worse for them. In the end, the use of nukes almost certainly saved Japanese lives, since more Japanese would have died from the invasion of the home islands. It was better for them in the end, the country rebounded quickly and became an economic powerhouse.

[@RodneyGraves]

@@lordgarion514 The only reason the Japanese did not die in job lots after the surrender was the incredible influx of food provided by the U. S. and Allied forces. Another six months of naval blockade and mining would have starved them out, a fact we only discovered after the surrender.

[@garyinocencio4879]

As a young Marine, I was stationed in Okinawa. It was during the summer, while training up in the Northern Training Area (NTA), most of us were constantly complaining about the heat, humidity and the general discomfort. After a couple of days of this, our platoon sergeant remarked "Yeah. Its pretty bad up here. Imagine having to actually fight in these conditions." We all kind looked at each other. No one complained after that. It was humbling to be reminded that we were standing on the very ground that, many years ago, our brother Marines and soldiers had bled and died there.

[@LolUGotBusted]

Semper Fi devil dog

[@comm2531]

Ya. Been to Oki several times. Kadena, Hansen, Foster. BC street

[@cardio0007]

Very sobering message. I thank you for your service.

[@gaijinfishing]

I've trained up there too. Just walking around Okinawa to this day, I try to imagine making my way through this terrain with the crazy thick vegetation and having to fight in it. Add mud, disease, mosquitoes, snakes, etc. Hellish environment.

[@comm2531]

@Me Smith true. Yes I was in NAHA. I was surprised how big the city was. I was at the rotating restaurant tower there and I checked out a few seafood, fruit markets there. This was about 1989. Orion beer.

[@roxannmartin4621]

My father, who passed in 2019 was in Okinawa. He told little of his time in the Navy, but when he did it would always bring tears to his eyes.

[@georgeking6356]

My uncle Art Muffett served as a shell striker in a 5" twin mount on USS Alabama. He did not know at the time that he was firing support for his brother-law Tom Ryan who was a marine infantryman struggling in the land battle. They both survived. It is not a battle that either of them would speak of in later years.

[@kevinthomas895]

The USS Alabama is still in Mobile telling their story

[@thebigsad9463]

Mate you don't need a complex intro, you speaking is the best intro we could ever ask for

[@AverageJoe928]

Couldn't agree more

[@donnyboon2896]

After doing this a while, I'm sure he likes to experiment. 😀

[@NoPe-no4sn]

It’s a 5 second animation. We’re not talking about the open to the Olympics here.

[@charliebankston636]

I thought it was pretty cool

[@cesarebeccaria7641]

It's a plus for short attention span viewers. Drawback for those who like to say the words along with THG!

[@tylerfoss3346]

Wow! #9! I'm surprised and honored. My Dad was there serving as a MCWO for the USN. RIP, Dad.

[@pbodymathis]

My dad was a a meat cutter/cook in the Navy Sea Bees who followed the marines onto Okinawa. He said his first duty was to get his generators up and running to keep the refrigerators cold and then make ice. He only told us about the good things he saw and one was the children who would wander into the area and look at the Americans in awe. He said he would take some ice and place it in their hands and the expressions on their faces were of joyful wonder. He would later give them ice cream to more delightful expressions. Until this video, I never knew it was that big of a battle. Thanks for presenting this historical information. We were more than blessed by this generation and the men who led them into battle!

[@steveclark6514]

I found the book “ The Franklin Comes Home “ in my middle school library when I was in the 6th grade. I was the only person to check that book out for 3 years. I would check it out, return it and recheck it out. In 1992 I met a sailor in Baltimore who served aboard the Franklin at a church shrimp feast I played music for. The next year I found him again and presented him a plastic model of the Franklin I built for him. He cried, I cried and his brother cried. He then recalled the story of that day. He was a 40 mm loader aft of the island.

[@constipatedinsincity4424]

I use to live in Okinawa as a youth. I have so many great memories. They had respect for their elders which is sorely lacking in our country lives and homes. While living there my Nanny took me to her village. That visit made me the man I am now. She told me to never bring shame to the face of your family. Never bring shame on the name of your family. I saw a man commit Seppuku in the middle of her village. She said he brought shame to his family's name. That's something that I can still see it like it was happening now. I saw people who survived Nagasaki with one whole side scared the hair bald and eyes the color of milk. The Japanese are a proud people not boastful. But self assured. Thank you HI Guy for doing that thing you do !

[@o6ina]

This sounds a bit weird. The locals don't consider themselves Japanese, and they don't have the sentiment neither for the Americans nor for the Japanese.

[@malcolm.mercieca]

How can you possibly dislike this. Seriously?!?!

[@tfranken1561]

I think some people just dislike anything to do with war without even watching it. You shouldn't be allowed to like or dislike without watching at least 75% of it

[@TheStephencraig01]

@wargent99 Huh, interesting. I am also often confused by people who dislike quality/positive content. Yours is the first semi-rational explantion for this I have seen. Thanks for that. However I wonder why they click on the video in the first place if they are so disinterested.

[@TheStephencraig01]

@wargent99 Honestly I took it as more as a negative/positive signal. Meaning that people found this either good content or bad content as a whole. I have noticed that almost no video is universally liked and there are always a handful of people who dislike it. My assumtion was that they were trolling otherwise "postive" (meaning nice), content. But I have to admit your explanation makes sense and makes me feel slightly better about humanity notwithstandig your DUH and stupid additions. Anyhoo, thanks for the explanation.

[@csours]

@wargent99 show me less of this attitude

[@malcolm.mercieca]

So much for a harmless tongue-in-cheek comment gents. I’m not the one getting my panties in a knot. I think it’s great content; to be frank, I don’t care about the whole rationale about the KZbin algorithm. I found it interesting that the video had been up for only a few minutes and some hero decided to shoot it down for no good reason. FYI I’m not American so I’m not predisposed to take offense to absolutely everything.

[@PNut8421]

By the end, I could share this fast enough. Having served in the Navy, we were always told about the heroics of our predecessors during Okinawa. Seeing their stories finally being brought to the forefront is amazing. My grandfather, who served in the Us navy throughout WW2 on board USS Enterprise, would have been ecstatic to watch this if he were still with us.

[@sonyascott6114]

My uncle was on the Enterprise,44,and 45.He passed a few yrs ago after being T- boned in his vehicle in ga .He should not have been driving to start with.

[@davidmuise5073]

My Father in law was on The USS Flint CL 97 was there in the Battle. Still alive today at 95 yrs.

[@LolUGotBusted]

"I'll never abandon ship, so long as a single gun will fire." Oh man I got some patriotism in my eye.

[@shadetreewelding]

"Damn the Torpedoes, Full speed ahead!" David Farragut "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." John Paul Jones The US Navy has had some bad asses!

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

Captain of the Samuel B. Roberts Paraphrasing here “We are going into a battle for which Survival cannot be expected we will do what damage we can”

[@RodneyGraves]

@Karla Kirkpatrick He was quoting John Paul Jones, who when asked if he had struck (the colors having been shot away in the battle [Bon Homme Richard vs HMS Serapis]} replied "I have not yet begun to fight."

[@RodneyGraves]

@@shadetreewelding Admiral Halsey to his chief of staff, returning to Pearl Harbor on December 8th "When this is over the Japanese language will only be spoken in Hell."

[@patr10t762]

Put it on your bucket list to visit the USS Laffey. Until that day bring up the USS Laffey turret KZbin video on your large screen and surround sound.

[@blackhawkinternationalsecu6962]

Thank you for mentioning the USS Franklin, CV13!!! That ship alone would make a great history story. After all she had a 60 foot unlucky "13" painted on her deck. Only the USS Arizonian lost more men. My dad served aboard as a rear gunner on a bomber. He was in his plane, on the flight deck March 19, ready to take off when the ship was bombed. More than 800 men died in that attack. 1,100 Purple Hearts were earned from that attack but were not given out until the ship came to NY. There were not enough Purple Hearts in Pearl Harbor at the time. Air Group 13, assigned to the Franklin, has the largest number of loses and was in the hanger deck when the bombs went off. Only two survived from the hanger deck. The Franklin only saw action for nine months, from June 1944 until March 1945. Twice during that time she received the worst damage of any US carrier, Oct 30, 1944 and March 19, 1945. There is so much more, It goes all the way from the Captain charging a large number of the crew for Desertion Under Fire (which all were dismissed) to the only ship's crew to receive two CMHs, to the most decorated crew, to the US Naval ship that received the most damage, and lastly, to the first carrier to land a nuclear capable aircraft. Just absolutely incredible service record.

[@oebrooksjr]

My uncle Malcolm Brooks was a radar technician on a supply ship during the battle and found himself in very high demand. He was ferried to multiple ships during the battle to keep ship radars operational, the most effective early warning for incoming kamikaze attacks. He shared that while perched up high in a radar mast performing repairs he was able to see the 16” shells from the West Virginia going inland. He claimed they were so close his ears would pop as the projectiles flew by but that might have been one of his “Uncle Mac stories”. What I do know was that following the war he had a full career helping to design radar sets for Airborne Instrument Labs (AIL) in Deer Park, NY and he had a reputation for being able to fix pretty much anything, a skill he attributed to his time served in the USN. Thanks History Guy for helping to keep the memories alive!

[@stevenrisso5535]

My Father was a 19 year old Merchant Marine that witnessed this battle. He rarely spoke of his service but did say years later he was surprised to have survived the naval battle. If you haven't already done so would you consider doing an episode of our Merchant Mariners? They suffered heavy casualties and to this day were not really recognized. Thanks again for your work, much appreciated

[@hoberghacienda2267]

Thank you! I love this episode! My father served on the USS LCS(L) 86 which was pictured helping the USS W. D. Porter. "The Kamikazes were as thick as mosquitoes." was what he used to say.

[@timdake]

The USS Laffey is part of the "Patriots Point Naval Museum" in Charleston, SC. Along with the aircraft carrier Yorktown, and the submarine Clagamore. Absolutely excellent destination, for naval history enthousiasts.

[@cesarebeccaria7641]

Thanks. That's on my road trip list...in the event we ever get to travel again!

[@vcv6560]

@@cesarebeccaria7641 Ditto.

[@TheMotorick]

The Clagamore is not there any more. It was towed to somewhere in Florida and sunk as an artificial diving reef.

[@klatubaradanikto]

I got to visit the Laffey & Yorktown & Clamagore last Summer. The Laffey has the best interactive museum experience of all the museums & ships I have toured. I try to seek these out during business trips & steal away for the afternoon. It's a shame about the Clagamore, it was in bad shape last Summer but it seems like they could have put in in dry dock in the park at least.

[@olliefoxx7165]

@@TheMotorick Dang. Why did they tow it out? Couldn't dry dock it?

[@VengerDFW]

The internet is generally a sewer pipe - but once in a while, you see it's potential, with every video released by The History Guy. The ability to share knowledge is why we live in cities and have civilizations, rather than living and dying as lone creatures or members of a small pack. This channel is a service to all who visit it.

[@d.b.cooper8379]

Thank you for this video. I grew up in Okinawa from 1967-1972. My dad took me to see where Erny Pyle was killed. My grandfather(not by blood)was at the battle for Okinawa in the USN on the USS Texas. I loved Okinawa!! Yes, we still had a lot of unexploded ordinance at the time. My late wife's brother was stationed on Okinawa while in the USAF at the same time I was in Okinawa.

[@vivians9392]

The USS Texas is berthed not too far from my hometown, Houston, in San Jacinto battle park. I have toured her many times while growing up!

[@Nakrin27]

My grandpa enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on the USS _Vicksburg_ (CL-86), a light cruiser in the Asiatic Pacific. As a Seaman First Class, he fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. During Iwo Jima, he operated a coastal artillery gun, laying down both bombardment and coordinated suppressing fire on key Japanese positions. At Okinawa, he again assisted in shore bombardment, as well as manning an anti-aircraft gun against Japanese kamikaze attacks. That battle was truly a “Typhoon of Steel.”

[@EldarKinSlayer]

I was always proud to be a US Navy Sailor, I have always been aware that my predecessors had established a tradition that I had to try to live up to. Thank You for telling their story.

[@snipe1066]

I served 6yrs active duty on 3 ships USS White Sands ARD-BS 12, USS Marvin Shields DE/FF 1066 and USS Turner Joy DD 951 from 72-78 I always look at the”greatest generation” as having earned that title many times over!

[@jimmym3352]

Likewise. Although I didn't make a career out of it, I don't regret my time in at all. I served my time on the USS Enterprise. Machinist Mate 2nd class.

[@pandax75]

Same here brother. Served 4 years. Cryptologic Tech. First duty station was Naples, Italy then ship's crew on USS Long Beach

[@johnemerson1363]

My brother retired a CPO, I retired a SCPO. My youngest daughter is an FT-1 USNR and my oldest daughter is USAFA graduate (2003). I take great pride that my family also served.

[@Chris-jr1sh]

My 95 year old Grandfather was aboard the USS Thomas Jefferson during the battle of Okinawa. I always have enjoyed your videos and very much enjoyed this one with its connection to my family! Thank you!

[@joevaughn8198]

My Uncle, Highland Kirkland , served on the USS Twigs and was killed in that kamikaze attack. Thank you for recognizing his ship.

[@richardmourdock2719]

My father was on LST 181, damaged by a Kamikaze and the she was hauling aviation gas in barrels below decks. The crew managed to ground the ship though many in the crew were lost. A few years ago, my father toured the last remaining self-powered WWII ship, LST 325 in Evansville, Indiana. He was explaining to us from the bridge... "The plane hit right over there, and Wilson jumped overboard his clothes on fire right there.... " then he grew silent and said nothing more. Obviously though an old, old video tape of sorts was playing in his memory. I'll never forget that day. It was hot and humid and we were in the area between the inner and outer hull, where hammocks were "stacked." Dad started counting as we passed them, "one, two, three, four", then counted from the lower hammock to the top, "one, two, three. This was me!" It was hot, humid miserable, but the thought hit me, in the south Pacific, every day would have been hot, humid miserable and Dad spent his 19th, 20th, and 21st birthdays in that hammock. The Greatest Generation for sure. Thanks H.G. This time you made it personal.

[@squiresam]

I also toured the LST-325, when it was docked in Decatur, Alabama, last summer. The dedication of the volunteers who keep her afloat and touring the country each summer deserves mention. If you ever get the chance, go take the tour. It is well worth the small admittance fee to see a part of our history.

[@richardmourdock2719]

@@squiresam I live in Evansville and LST 325 has become quite an attraction here. The day that Dad toured the ship, my mother went along too. She was also in the Navy during WWII, though ironically, had never seen an LST until that day. Had their grandchildren along too, glad they got to experience it with their grandparents who are now in the National Military Cemetery in Georgia.....

[@allenschmitz9644]

Yes they fought for FDR and Stalin to win us the world wide 2020 bolshevik Utopia we have now..and my dad fought the only ones fighting communism back then..the GERMANS.

[@olliefoxx7165]

@@allenschmitz9644 Yeah. Well its a good thing most the veterans cant see what has become of those efforts. We made a deal with a devil to beat a devil. The lesson to learn is not to make deals with devil's. They usually backfire.

[@barrybarkley1316]

My grandfather was shot by a machine gun there, he survived, but never talked about it until I joined the Marine Corps. The best generation for a reason!

[@dangreving1094]

Semper Fi. !

[@tempestfury8324]

This might be your "finest hour". Thank you so much for another great video.....but much more than that, thank you for retaining our American history....the good, bad, and ugly. We aren't perfect..... we're human, with all our brilliance and faults. To erase history, or distort it, is perhaps the greatest error we can make.

[@russyeatman5631]

I had a friend who shall remain nameless, who corrected me by saying, "I am a Marine" when I suggested he was a part of "ground forces". He was one of the kindest and most humble people I have ever known.

[@brianfrost2695]

Thank you for doing an episode on the battle of Okinawa. My dad was on the USS Hadley. Their story alone is worthy of an episode. They hold the naval record for enemy craft shot down and earned The Presidential Unit Citation as you mentioned in this episode. Thank you for your efforts. I enjoy all of them!

[@jed4998]

My Mothers Uncle earned the Silver Star (posthumously) on May 11th.

[@patrickschiesser8110]

Very good episode, times I actually had tears in my eyes. Such a great and brave group of man bring that time. My grandfather, 97 years old serve in the Pacific from 42 to 45. He still around Mikal story is pretty awesome. Salute to all the brave soldiers and sailors!

[@bigscrap84]

I'd like to thank all who served. I especially would like to thank Paul Newman he gave me and my siblings so many memories at his summer camp. We really would never have had any of those memories without him

[@kennethcaine3402]

Great video, there has never been a battle like this, my Father was in the 1st Marine Division on Okinawa and he saw the attacks on those Naval Vessels and he said it was a miracle that so many survived.

[@pilottou]

It makes you feel nostalgic, and proud to hear these stories of heroism and bravery in a darker time. Young men in their 20’s risking all to do their duties, just to live to fight another day. Then I watch the current news, shake my head and wonder how we ended up with the happenings of today....Safe spaces back then meant manning your post.

[@joesterling4299]

@Jason Bowman And that's where we are right now. I guess the silver lining is our next generation may be strong, and lead our descendants out of the dystopia.

[@user-yp5fp8gn7o]

Im sure most wished they were somewheres else by then. As a 20 yr old kid signin up from a bumfuck kansas farm never having been over 100 miles from that farm it sounded like an exciting time and the govt propaganda made it patriotic but when the bullets fly and ur best new friends head rolls by ur views radically change. Rich

[@svosprey]

@@joesterling4299 I agree. They are smart and know things must change if they are to have a future for their kids.

[@ChasWG]

@Rob C my son is about to become one of the US Navy's newest Ensigns. He is already a Mechanical Engineer after attending one of the hardest engineering schools in the US. And instead of taking his first high pay job as engineer, he chose to serve this country. He was accepted into the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion School (not an easy thing at all) and then chose the submarine service to top it all off. He has another year and a half or so of schooling before he gets his first assignment to a sub, The Navy likes these young officers to be well educated. Look at the education level of any of the Navy officers and you will see many years spent learning all sorts of skills. He will spend a year in South Carolina for Nuke school, then 3 months at sub school and then he also wants to be dive certified. The Navy wants all of that for him as well. I'm encouraged by my own son as well as many of his friends and classmates. I also have faith in our young people. Here's to a brighter future!

[@josephdestaubin7426]

Safe spaces still means manning your post, it's just that the huddled, ignorant, selfish, masses thinking otherwise believe they are safe, but they are not.

[@wyominghorseman9172]

My Dad served on a Destroyer during WW2 and his ship was hit and sunk by a Kamikaze at Okinawa. He didn't talk much about the war to his kids or Mom only to other veterans and my Uncle Mark. He did tell me about the hospital ships being targeted by the Kamikaze and that they had to come in after dark, load the wounded and be beyond the range of the attackers by daylight. After his ship was sank he was attached to a Construction Battalion (CB) unit and as an Electricians mate 2nd class was assigned to em-place 9 Cat diesel generators which he mounted on RR Ties and synchronize and duty cycle them to operate the surgical and emergency hospital. Because of constant sniper and sapper attacks he slept under the generators with his carbine on his chest. I would guess he didn't sleep much. ( I guess that's why I became a Master Electrician). They had a sniper pick a guy off right at dusk and at dawn for several days before they figured out he had nested in a collapsed wooden water tower. They all opened fire and promptly killed the bastard. (from Dad). From the son of the Greatest Generation. I miss you Dad.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

my father in law was part of a group that escaped through a porthole when his destroyer/ minesweeper went down...the first man out got stuck and the rest only got out when the chief behind him applied the proper motivation by stabbing him in the rear end!.....

[@georgecullen759]

What was the name of your dad's ship. My dad's was DD 792 USS CALLAGHAN. She was the last ship sunk by kamikaze.

[@BrotherDamon73]

My Grandfather and was 7th Battalion Seabees at Okinawa. He told me a few stories when I was on leave from the Navy and I believe a hospital ship being targeted was one of them. It’s been a long time and I miss him dearly.🇺🇸⚓️

[@beckyburtis9977]

My father was in the Navy in the Pacific Theater on the USS Abner Reed which was destroyed once by torpedo and once by kamikazee. I was the only one in the family to whom he told anything at all. With the first attack he was in a lifeboat but in the second attack only his life jacket was between him and the ocean, other torpedoes... We all have suffered the results of these battles. Heartbreaking. These stories need to continue to be told. Thank You, History Man!

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

This is the type of history our children should be learning. Thank you and may GOD bless our GREATEST GENERATION.

[@myhousenow]

I only wish these snippets of history were included in my history classes. I would have paid attention more and slept less, as the tea her droned on about nothing but dates and dull stuff.

[@myhousenow]

Thank you kind sir for all you've taught me and others. RIP to the men of the greatest generation,

[@howard6798]

The damage to the Indianapolis off Okinawa set in motion the events that eventually resulted in its loss after delivering the atomic bomb. The loss of the Indianapolis is one of the most awful in Naval history. Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic's book covers the Indy tragedy in depth, but perhaps there's a story that hasn't been told?

[@ELCADAROSA]

I've read that book. They did excellent research & writing.

[@Mark.G475]

It's the best scene in the movie Jaws, there drinking and comparing scars. When the captain shows his scar from a shark. He was on the Indianapolis.

[@tygrkhat4087]

@@Mark.G475 IIRC, the aftermath of the sinking of the Indianapolis was Quint's excuse for hunting sharks. He was out for revenge.

[@grapeshot]

My great-uncle was a Montford Point Marine. He fought in the Battle of Okinawa as well as in the Battle of Peleliu.

[@titinroman2933]

Je

[@gilramsey3518]

My father was in the Navy at Okinawa. He told me about a Japanese Kamikaze hitting an LST. He was ashore and sitting on a sea wall and was so close to the aircraft that he could see that the Kamikaze pilot was smiling before struck the LST. I'm guessing that was LST-534 mentioned in this video. Thanks so much for covering this epic battle.

[@ike621]

Such an amazing lesson, I've been stationed at Kadena AB on Okinawa for 3 years and haven't seen such a well put together explanation before. Thank you.

[@WiliiamNoTell]

This is history that definitely needs to be remembered! I greatly appreciate your work history guy. Never knew Paul Newman was a veteran!

[@ronfullerton3162]

So many of the acters in the period right after the war were vets. It was an amazing long list with some very big surprises and accomplishments.

[@cesarebeccaria7641]

@@ronfullerton3162 Quite a contrast with those inhabiting Hollywood these days!

[@ferengiprofiteer9145]

My father served on an LST. He claimed it stood for Large Slow Target. Thanks History Guy!

[@scoobycarr5558]

Those LSTs also took part in D Day on June 6, 1944 if I may recall. Large Slow Target or otherwise, those vessels and the men who operated them were tough as nails in the face of enemy fire.

[@raystory7059]

LST's would transport smaller LCT's over the Pacific. LCT's were only 118 feet and a LST would carry a LCD on its deck and launch one by making a hard turn and the LCT would slide off as the LSD gave birth at sea. I seen a Navy training film of the process online but sorry no link. I know because my Dad was a Coxwain of one at the battle of Okinawa. His rank was Petty Officer 1st class. His LCT BOAT was transported via a LST SHIP according to his service records. Landing Craft Tactical =LCT

[@frankpienkosky5688]

floating parking garage...one big empty space inside...built a lot of them right here in my town and floated them down the river to the gulf...take a trip down to Evansville to see the 325...the only functioning one left...they take it on a cruise every summer....

[@spasjt]

First, I had no idea about the number naval casualties at Okinawa. Thank you for that. Those men too deserve remembrance. Lastly, your intro special effect of the reverse explosion is pretty cool.

[@philiphencherick5298]

Thank you for this remembrance of the last battle of the war. My Father 's ship USS Vesuvius, AE-15 was part of service squadron six that allowed front line servicing for the Fleet that came to stay to do what had to be done. The acts of bravery and duty will never fully be accounted for since these men kept this amongst themselves. Thank God for our armed services and the brave service personnel.

[@schlirf]

To be fair, the Grunts tried to warn Gen.Buckner that he stood out like sore thumb on the front. Some Japanese forward observer took full advantage of that.

[@Mondo762]

My father was within 100 yards of General Buckner when he was killed.

[@sparky6086]

Sounds like one of those, "They couldn't hit an elephant from th... BOOM!" type situations!

[@schlirf]

@@sparky6086 Had a few officers like that in the CAV, they didn't last very long.

[@D__Lee]

Gen. Buckner had no real combat experience. I believe he was in command of troops in Alaska when he was given command of the invasion of Okinawa. After Gen. Buckner was killed, the next highest ranked officer was a USMC General who became the first Marine to command US Army and USMC units in combat.

[@stephenjacks8196]

Darwin Award for Buckner

[@dickdowdell5813]

I hadn't realized that Navy casualties at Okinawa were greater than those of the Army or Marines. 20 years after the war, I can remember my father, a TBM pilot, and Al Miller, his ball turret gunner, talking about the battle when they'd been drinking. Otherwise, they never talked about the war.

[@allenschmitz9644]

Look at the ww2 propaganda cartoons they showed the solders..yep they were fooled just like that whole generation.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

planes sink ships...and at much less cost....now imagine what missiles could do.....

[@dickdowdell5813]

@@frankpienkosky5688 Your Point is?

[@hddun]

God Bless your Dad Mr. Dowdell. My Dad fought across the Pacific on a Destroyer. He said fighting off the Kamikazi was TERROR on steriods. And you are correct-over 8,000 sailors died in the 2 month battle and 30 ships were sunk. He told me that he was on his gunmount (Quad 40mm Bofors AA Cannon) for 3 to 4 days without a break. They had runners bring them water but only had peanut butter sandwiches because the supply ships were being bombed. He said the hardest part was leaving My Mom and me to go to war. He was exempt until 1943 because he was an engineer building a war plant for steel mill. But then he got his draft notice and he went ot Navy and joined. When I had my kids, I thought of my Dad and how terrible to be 25 years old and have to go 12,000 miles and maybe never come back. But he came home to us-I was 3 years old and didn't know who he was. But he loved us and was so glad to be home, he got in on the peacetime boom for US Vets and built schools and was successful. Also, My neighbor was on the USS Ben Franklin (CV-13) when hit by a 500# bomb in March 1945. Good verbal history of his survival: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn7Cgoh3hNeimtE

[@dickdowdell5813]

@@hddun Thanks for your comments. God bless your father. My dad got out after the war and went back to college. He got called back for Korea where he flew close air support. I was 10 years old when he finally graduated from Brown. He later became the head of the Aerospace Division of Fram Corporation. He and his ball-turret gunner remained close friends until my father's death in 1976.

[@bloodhaus4677]

My daughter is also a master degree holder in History we both love you show keep up the good work

[@steveshoemaker6347]

l had an uncle who was in the Navy....He was on a ship that was hit in that battle....He lived thru it and came home....Thanks....Mr History Guy & Wife....y'all are the best...Cat and all..!

[@jacqueschouette7474]

My father was on the light cruiser USS Birmingham at Okinawa when it was hit by a kamikaze. He didn't talk much about it since he considered the kamikaze strike as not much compared to the explosion of the aircraft carrier USS Princeton at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. His ship was along side the Princeton fighting fires when it exploded and his ship lost more men from the explosion than from the kamikaze hit. According to him, his ship was closer to sinking from the explosion than from the kamikaze hit.

[@shadetreewelding]

I am a US Navy Veteran, I served on the USS Harry W. Hill (DD-986) a Spruance class destroyer. I was a Damage Controlman. I have been to the USS Laffy twice now. It is a wonderful museum, if you are in Charleston, SC I highly recommend it. I find the Laffy a better visit than the USS Yorktown (I might be a bit prejudiced being a Destroyerman myself), but the USS Yorktown is excellent as well. The submarine USS Clagamore is a nice walk through as well, I hope they can get her out of the water and restored. I would recommend, doing the Clagamore first, it is a short self guided tour of 10-15 minutes or longer if you look around a lot. The Laffy is 2-3 hours tops, but is excellent and does a great job of giving you the feel for the Battle of Okinawa. The rest of the day can then be spent on the Yorktown, I don't think you can do the whole Yorktown in a day. www.patriotspoint.org

[@philgiglio7922]

DD 661, USS Kidd; also a kamikaze victim at Okinawa is on permanent display in Baton Rouge.I was there the day they towed her in...wish my photos had developed well < they sat for a year before I could afford to develop the roll and the prints suffered for it.

[@twenty2too]

love everything you do. as an old navy destroyer sailor i especially loved this one, Thank you. All our vets deserve to be remembered and respected.

[@puremaga17]

The Okinawa campaign also took the life of legendary war correspondent Ernie Pyle .. We should have stopped the "Island Hopping" at Tinian imho, and let the B-29's finish the job.. The ultra secrecy of the Manhattan project was so tight, it was not factored in as a option... RIP Ernie! and Thank you History guy for your wonderful video's! 👏💯

[@ryanhenak]

Love your channel! Thanks for keeping history alive!

[@edcliffyzukowski5473]

My Great-Uncle was a gunner on the USS Quincy and fought in this battle. He always remarked about the Kamikazes and their relentless efforts.

[@tarasbulba3190]

My Uncle was on Radar Picket #9 aboard a "Mighty Midget" LCS(L)101 "Lucky Lady". They were there when a Kamikaze struck and sank the USS Callaghan DD792, the last US warship sunk by Kamikaze attack.Thank you History Guy! UDA MAN!

[@Dtsmith69]

My grandfather was aboard the USS Gregory DD-802 at the battle of Okinawa. My grandfather was wounded from shrapnel from a kamikaze plane that hit amid ships on April 8th. She was part of the escort for the USS Intrepid CV-11. My grandfather was manning a 20MM shooting down kamikazes at the time if his wounds. Im a history nut myself. great vid Sir. Thank you

[@RedBaronFilms1918]

Off-topic: Today is my birthday, and I am so grateful to wake up to such a wonderful historical gift being uploaded this morning. Thank you for all that you do, History Guy!

[@andrewostrelczuk406]

Happy birthday

[@mikecurtin9831]

Happy Birthday.

[@cesarebeccaria7641]

And thanks to these guys and those in Europe and North Africa, you get to wake up and get a history lesson IN ENGLISH!

[@dannyjones3840]

Lance, if you ever get a chance to travel to oki, you need to! I rotated to Okinawa twice in the Marines before this whole desert fight started. It's a beautiful country, wonderfully nice people, and with a rich battle history. I've stood where General Buckner died, walked through the fighting tunnels the Japanese forced the Okinawans to dig through coral for them- full of creepy crawly things lol- and even toured the Japanese naval hq, where several commanders committed suicide with hand grenades- the walls still showing the marks today. Yes, history that definitely deserves to be remembered.

[@rmrevisions3428]

Thanks for remembering this battle and making the video. My grandfather was on the battleship USS Pennsylvania and this is one of the only battle stories I remember him telling. His ship was hit by a torpedo during this battle.

[@halfarthing6798]

My grandfather, a young navy lieutenant, was killed by a kamikaze attack on Mother’s Day 1945 during the battle of Okinawa aboard the USS Bache. He left behind a wife and 4 yo son. I was named after him. We as a country ,enjoy so much because of the sacrifices of so many.

[@larryshaw6517]

My uncle was there on a troop ship, he never talked about it much now used why. Thank you.

[@swiftgabe1]

As a recently retired USAF Veteran, I truly appreciate your coverage of military history! Keep it coming!

[@maniyan_wanagi]

My Grandfather, and another man who was my mentor for 48 years were there - it was interesting to compare their perspectives. Both were U.S. Navy, but in very different occupations. Thank you, History Guy!

[@michaelfraser4396]

Thanks HG and Mrs HG. I never realized how deadly that battle was. My Uncle Mark survived the sinking of the Carrier Wake island.

[@robertwatson9359]

my Dad survived the Battle of Okinawa on the destroyer Escort USS Barber and over 3 months they picked up survivors of 3 destroyers whose group they were attached were lost to kamikazes, he never talked about it much saying that they were not heroic but doing their job, he was haunted by the face of a sailor that went under while my Dad was trying to get him out of the water, he said we had locked eyes and I can see him as clearly today as I did in May 1945. They also picked up all 11 crew from a B29 later and went into Nagasaki for shore leave in Sept 45.

[@stephenwilson7641]

My Dad was also an Okinawa battle survivor, USS Crescent City, EM3. He never talked about it until after I joined the Navy and made ET(R)3 in 1971. He told me the ship was 'grazed' by a kamikaze. At that time, the Navy used dedicated "damage control men" who were the only crew that received special training in firefighting and damage control. Nevertheless, the entire crew turned to in order to get the fires put out. After that, they also spent weeks recovering survivors. It wasn't until after the fire on the USS Forrestal (1967) that the Navy started sending everyone to fire fighting schools and conducting 'all-hands' fire drills at sea. Thanks for this great episode of History!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@stephenwilson7641 my cousin spent the whole day fighting that one from one of the supporting destroyers...the USS Robison.....

[@patrickpoeschl2966]

Thank you for telling this story. My Grandfather was there. He was on the USS Kline, a high-speed transport ship, that survived the battle.

[@redchic]

Good episode. My grandmother's best friend and her husband often babysat me when I was a toddler. They were both in the Navy stationed in Okinawa during the time. While they were both proud of their service, they didn't talk about Okinawa other than to say they were there. Now it makes more sense why.

[@loganpe427]

This is one of your stories that really grabs my heart! The tale of Farther O'Callahan made me cry out loud! All the men I remember and pray for! You knocked it out of the park with this one HG, thank you so much! Facts I've never heard or seen elsewhere!

[@dougdegraff5892]

My Grandfather was a medic and fought in the battle of Okinawa. I later was stationed at Kadena AFB on Okinawa. 1977 to 80. There was still evidence from the war and they were still finding live ordinance in the jungles.

[@BradiKal61]

I was a 5th grader in '71 and my pilot dad was stationed on Kadena. There were at that time places onthe island so boobytrapped that the ordinance disposal teams had given up trying to clear them out due to casualties.

[@svosprey]

@@BradiKal61 you lived there when I was there. We arrived in 1970 and left in 1973 for the Phillipines. We saw plenty of ammo and other destroyed equipment in the jungle. Bones too.

[@franknicholson6108]

I have learned much more from you then in all of my years in school. You're never too old to learn. Thanks history Guy. (english included)

[@markmagnano8590]

My uncle George Morse was on the Twiggs on that June16. For the first 4 decades of my life, he would not talk about it. He is in his 90’s today. God Bless the Greatest Generation.

[@waterprosld55]

Thank you so much for this. I've watched 100's of hours of WW2 documentaries, yet was unaware of the naval losses during this battle. Very well done, and very moving.

[@philgiglio7922]

Marines like to say " we hit the beach and the Navy stays offshore" Meaning we sleep in the mud and eat cold rations, while the Navy sleeps in dry racks eating hot chow 3 times a day and with hot coffee whenever they want. But there are two occasions when the Navy files paid a higher price than those ashore. The first invasion and the last Okinawa.

[@danielstorms6881]

I had an uncle that was stationed at Okinawa waiting to be ready to invade Japan in WW2. The bomb was dropped and he was part of occupation force on the island. Missing the mainland invasion made it possible for his wife, my mom's sister, and two boys to be one of my best uncles to be in our lives. Keep me interested in the History programs your teams are doing a great job!

[@Paladin1873]

"They will live a long time, these men of the South Pacific. They had an American quality. They, like their victories, will be remembered as long as our generation lives. After that, like the men of the Confederacy, they will become strangers. Longer and longer shadows will obscure them, until their Guadalcanal sounds distant on the ear, like Shiloh and Valley Forge." James Michener, Tales of the South Pacific

[@ronfullerton3162]

I don't believe those old WW2 vets ever became strangers and such. They were so friendly and easy to converse with. Definitely great men who were great friends and associates when I was young.

[@ryandavis7593]

Being the grandson of a third Army tanker I herd the first hand story. I was also given a stern command. Never let it happen again. True Justice is not e respecter of persons. I miss him desperately.

[@Paladin1873]

@@ryandavis7593 If you don't want it to happen again, you'd better take a stand against what is taking place before our very eyes as many of our indoctrinated youth are hellbent to erase the very history we are talking about. We don't need another remake of the new Soviet Man, the Red Guard, the Master Race, or any other totalitarian ideal.

[@mikecurtin9831]

@@Paladin1873 Fortunately for us, the current would-be dictator lacks both the balls and the brains to pull it off, but you're right that he has the mentality. What makes it really scary is how many people are willing and anxious to help him. I'm hoping for a major readjustment in November.

[@whiterabbit-wo7hw]

McAuther said in his last speach at the Naval academy: " Old soldiers never die. They just fade away." How sad that your statement may prove true.

[@JackOstinato]

Wonderful presentation. My father served in the Navy at Okinawa and my uncle was on the picket line there. The conversations we had did help to convey the magnitude of what happened there. Largest air-sea battle in the history of the world. Guns firing, ships exploding, kamikazes swarming from horizon to horizon.

[@Ken-iy9mb]

Thanks for remembering my Uncle's sacrifice in the battle for Okinawa. He was MIA March 1945 in the Kerama Retto area flying (VC-9) off the USS Natoma Bay. My uncle was the AOM1 on the plane.