OKINAWA
USS YUMA ATF-94
MARCH 19, 1945
OKINAWA
USS YUMA ATF-94
MARCH 19, 1945
Convoy left Ulithi Atoll anchorage in a convoy of some two dozen ships headed for some area off the coast of Okinawa called Karama Retto. A small archipelego of islands which makes a great anchorage for ships.
Marines hit Ie Shima, a small island occupied by the Japanese. Took about two battalions to take the island. Got is secured the first day.
Ernie Pyle, famous and much loved war correspondent was killed this morning by a Japanese sniper. We are all in mourning. He was very much loved by us all because he depicted the real fighting man in his news stories. He was well known for taking chances and putting himself in danger.
The battleships are bombarding the west side of Okinawa. This is a large island occupied by many thousands of Japanese. (This, no doubt will be the jumping off place for the invasion of Japan.) Probably will be the deciding battle. It is not going to be an easy time for us. They are fighting for their lives and it will be street-by-street, house-by-house. This is one time I am grateful to be in the navy. The Army and Marines will take the brunt of the battle in the offing.
March 24, 1945
We can see Okinawa from here. The major ships are bombarding the shore. Lots of our planes in the air. Our carriers are off the coast. Lots of landing craft, large number of men preparing to go ashore with the army and marines. Everyone at GQ (general quarters).
There is one of the high-speed destroyers, which was just missed by a Kamikaze (suicide plane). They were lucky. Boy do they put up the ack ack. That baby is well gunned and radar, automatically controlled guns. They get better all the time. Those guys are good.
I have not seen my Brother-in-Law, Tony Love’s ship yet, the USS Lindsay. They are beautiful ships, the latest in high speed destroyers with lots of firepower.
Japanese dropped a lot of flares last night. All the ships were nested close together in Amaretto Atoll and we put up a great umbrella barrage. Can’t tell if their planes were shot down or not. Small islands and low mountains surround us. Good for protection but limits the field for the guns. However we cannot see too far. Just as well. Warned to look out for suicide boats and divers underneath the ships. We have posted lots of lookouts looking for boats and divers bubbles.
March 25
The Army and Marines are going ashore. Man, what a sight! Beautifully executed maneuvers, like a well-oiled machine. Wish I had a movie camera to record this sight. Very impressive.
Three of the islands are occupied now. They want this anchorage well secured and protected. I can see where we can supply ships, shift cargo and repair ships that are hit or damaged. Can bring them into the anchorage, drop the off, go after another ship until we can get around to taking care of them.
There are two fleet tugs here, at least, we will be keeping the beach clear, fighting fires, salvage and rescue and towing wherever needed. One of us will be on the outside picket lines getting to the ships hit by the Kamikaze rapidly.
Three of the islands are already occupied in this group.
Had a close call last night by one of our own destroyers. We were cruising around, waiting for an emergency call from any ship hit. A destroyer challenged us; I was looking the other way. The Officer of the Deck saw the challenge but did not know which challenge he sent. (He did not read Morse code). Fortunately they did not open up on us and blow us out of the water. That really scared me. If they had opened, thinking we were an enemy ship, it would have been my fault. Somebody is looking out for us. When the ship got a visual on us, they were able to recognize that we were a friendly. Wish we had an IFF identification that is sent out continuously like the planes have. Not there yet I guess.
March 27, 1945
We hit Ie Shima this morning, two miles off the coast of Okinawa and city of Naha.
We were anchored off Ie Shima last night and a Jap plane circled us, close to the water. The ready guns opened up on him very near the water line. We were not at General Quarters and only the gun crews were on their guns. The #4 gun fired three shots before they got a jam. Later a report in on the TBS that one of our LSMs got hit in bridge with heavy ack ack. We knew this was probably our 40 MM gun. Three men were killed. All of us are heavy hearted. It seems a damn shame to kill our own men when we are all fighting so desperately for our lives. “Friendly fire” is not all that friendly. Terrible feeling when you think you are at fault. The fact that we were shooting at an enemy plane some how does not make a difference.
April 1, 1945
“D” Day on Okinawa. The army and marines hit the west beach this morning about 9:20 AM. Boy, what a sight. The Executive Officer said he understood there were about 1400 ships involved in this invasion. Seems like a well-oiled beehive, ships everywhere emptying out their men and material, all seemed destined for the beachhead.
From the reports we are getting they are doing all right so far. The Japs are in retreat but that does not mean too much at this time. They have too much at stake. If the weather holds we can get a lot of material and ammunition to the troops. It is pouring ashore like a well-oiled machine. Very little to do today for the fleet tugs. Hope this lasts but probably too good to be true.
The advance planning on an invasion is uncanny. Every unit, every ship, every crate and gun seems to have advance orders and each their own plan, all spelled out for them what they are to do. What a job they have done!
April 2, 1945
Pulled an LST today into Kama Retto that had been hit by a Kamikaze plane. Six men killed, ship gutted by fire. We will leave it here until we can get to it later.
April 3,1945
Another big suicide raid today. No idea how many Kamikaze planes were thrown at the fleet, but lots of them. Some ships damaged, none sunk apparently. The Presidents son is a skipper of a ship, which we saw today. Plenty busy all over the place.
April 5,1945
Another big suicide raid today. They got an ammo ship in West Anchorage.
We went out to fight the fire but recalled, too hot to handle. (The crew
abandoned ship immediately when it was hit. They never try to fight their
ships fires. Can’t blame them too much.
On the way over we saw an LST loaded with high-test gas and ammo
burning from stem to stern. Another tug fighting the fire but clearly unable
to get it under control.
‘
We got a call to go out to fight a fire three miles south of Karama
Retto, ammo ship. Ship was burning in #3 hold and probably boiler room.
Had been hit by a Kamikaze plane, crew had abandoned ship. Does not look
good. We boarded her and got fire hoses over the side, 4 2-1/2 inch hoses,
500 pounds of pressure. We were pouring water into #3 hatch. They had a
1-½ inch hose on us to keep us cool. Decks were red hot; pyrotechnics
were flying out of the hold continually.
I was on a hose taking Greenly’s place with Stone. The hose nozzle blew out of Stone’s hands and I was laying across it partly knowing that if I let go, it would sweep around the deck in a circle and knock the crew of all four hoses off their feet. I was hanging on as best I could. The recoil picked me up off the deck and slammed me down against the side hatch and deck. Stone got another grip on the hose and we got it back into position. When we were steady again, I wad nearly exhausted. I had not had a breath of fresh air seems in about an hour. I was getting weak. I laid my head over on the hose. Why, I’ll never know, but it saved my life. A flaming pyrotechnic shell passed just where I had had my head a moment before and sparks flew in my face. Fortunately my head and face was very wet so I did not get burned.
The shells exploding below us was hitting the deck under us, but fortunately not coming through. Still small stuff. I began to think at any minute one of them would come through the deck. Seems we were too busy to notice.
The fire fighting officer came back to check on our crew. He told me to follow my hose back and have it cut off then go back aboard the ship rest and see the doc. He took my place at the hose while I followed it back to the merkle valve. I noticed he was so hoarse he could hardly talk because of breathing the nitrous smoke.
I followed the hose back to the deck and secured it and went to get a cup of coffee and rest. I noticed my arm was sticking to my clothes. I went to the sick bay to have the doc take a look at it. When I took off my heavy clothes, I had some nice 2nd degree burns on my right arm and shoulder. Doc applied some of his grease and goo. I was pretty weak.
They brought Greenly aboard with about 10” gash on the inside calf of his leg from shrapnel. He was pretty bad off. Doc told the skipper he needed a surgeon fast.
The fire Lieutenant came aboard and told the skipper it was time to shove off as the larger ammo was now exploding and the ship could blow at any time.
Greenly was almost hysterical. He thought his sexual organs were blown off and he did not want to live if that were so. Doc kept reassuring him he was wrong but he kept raving that it certainly felt like it. Fortunately he was wrong, but he was badly wounded.
Skipper sounded the whistle, all hoses were shut off and the men came back aboard and we shoved off. Twenty-eight minutes later she disappeared off of radar. Due to the visibility we could not see what happened to her but we felt that it had blown.
The next day an air search held no trace of the ship. They could have found her easily if she were still afloat.
April 5-6, 1945.
No air raids today. Nobody can understand it. A few recon planes came over. Maybe the nips have something up their sleeves. Maybe, a change in tactics, who knows. We must be ready for anything, no matter what. We were not called out at all. Glad to get the rest.
April 7, 1945
Saw a suicide plane dive on a Destroyer Escort today, missed her about 10 feet. Couple of Aerial dog fights. Those carrier boys are really on the ball.
April 8, 1945
Bad weather today. Not much excitement. Something in the air??
April 9,1945
Japanese suicide task force headed this way. All ships getting up steam for a real scrap and the non-fighting ships make a run for it until they can get things under control if the task force gets through. All the Battle Wagons head toward the task force going out to screen for the rest of the fleet. This is where Task-Force 58 should really shine. They have all the big fast carriers and fighting ships.
(On our Sentimental Journey cruise last month Professor Giles,
the war historian, told us that the task force had only enough fuel for
a one way trip. It was a suicide trip to try and blast our people off Okinawa.
They would almost do anything in the name of their Glorious Emperor. Probably
all of their men perished.)
April 10, 1945.
We heard the carrier guys really kicked hell out of that task force. Good weather today. No further air raids or Kamikaze. Later found out that they had sunk the Battleship that was with the task force. I don’t know what else.
April 11, 1945.
Bad weather today. Mt. McKinnely, our Command Ship warned us to be on the alert for a massive air attack. They probably intercepted something over the Jap radios. Flash blues all day but no suicide planes, just recon. They warned us to make sure all guns and all hands alerted for big air raid, which may come tonight. Suicide planes usually come in during the daytime. They have no night radar as far as we know. Their equipment has changed only slightly since the war started. No new planes, no new ships, not much change in tactics. Army must be running the whole show. No wonder we are winning in every category.
Have seen Tony’s ship and able to send him a private message. We had a nice visit. He introduced me to several of his friends. He is stationed in forward damage control at battle stations. The USS Lindsay is a beautiful ship, one of our fastest and most heavily armed.
April 13,1945
Sky is full of Kamikaze, all over the place. Lindsay just took a hit in starboard quarter. Few minutes later another plane dove on them, we were all shooting at it. Hit the Lindsay just forward of the bridge and exploded, right on top of Tony’s damage control station. If he was not aft fighting the other fire, he is certain to have bought the farm.
The Lindsay was zigzagging at top speed when the second plane hit and blew off the bough. It submarined and went almost straight down. The skipper threw the ship in reverse and it came back up like a cork. That was quick thinking. His action probably saved a lot of lives.
I found out later Tony was killed. He will be reported, “Missing in Action”.
A few minutes later a Kamikaze dove on us. We were firing with everything we had. I was stationed on #4-40 MM gun. I was first loader. I was pumping shell magazines into the gun and watching the tracer bullets going directly into the cowling of the plane but it just would not explode.
Everything seemed to be in slow motion. It seemed like it was going to hit us right in our gun tub. It seemed I was dreaming about my whole life, all in flow motion. I remember Mom, Dad, brothers and sister, going to school, boy scouts, hunting and fishing and I don’t remember what else. Funny what happens when you think you are going to die. I just knew, very clearly that this was the end.
Somebody was looking out for us. At the last second, the plane turned and missed us less than three feet. I find it difficult to believe to this day. (Fifty-five years later as I am writing this). I became very religious that day. I will be forever grateful that I am here to tell about it.
Lyle Peterson told me later that our skipper, Lt. Hayes had the ship at flank speed and zig zaging and hit hard right rudder, which brought the aft fantail just far enough to the left for the ship to miss us. Those three feet was the margin between living and dying. I will be forever grateful for his genuine prowess.
We helped put the fire out on Tony’s ship, the USS Lindsay. The explosion knocked out the engine room. The main magazine had blown up apparently, blowing the ship apart.
We took the Lindsay in tow and towed her back to Kama Retto to await disposition.
While tied up alongside her, I had a chance to visit with a lot of Tony’s friends. We were not sure how many men were lost. I do not independently remember. I think about a third of the crew, which would have been around a third of the crew.
We were later ordered to tow her back to Guam. Boy, were we glad to receive those orders.
The night Tony was killed; I sat down and wrote the entire story in a letter to Mildred, my sister. It was fresh in my mind at that time.
I took the letter to the Executive Officer and asked him permission to send the letter by the next mail to my sister, hopping that she would receive my letter before, or about the same time that she would receive the telegram from the War Department. He discussed it with the Captain, Lt. Hayes. They both put their censor’s stamp on it (to show that they both had cleared it) and gave it back to me to mail.
There was a regulation then in effect that we could not write about anything that happened for at least 30 days after the event. Obviously this was for security purposes. (Same about keeping a diary - but somehow I must of forgotten this rule.) Millie told me that she got my letter the day before the telegram came that he was missing in action. He would be listed as missing for one year after which they would officially recognize him as dead. (My own eyes told me otherwise. I conveyed this to Millie as gently as I could.)
In looking through all of effects recently after her death, I found a lot of her old letters, but this letter was nowhere to be found. I would like to have gotten it, as it would help me a great deal in remembering these major events in my and my sister’s life.
We towed the Lindsay back to Guam. The Lindsay was later towed back to the states by another Fleet Tug and rebuilt. I am not sure what happened to her thereafter. I suppose she was sold for scrap like most of the other ships that were casualties.
We were sent to Eniwetok Atoll to prepare for the invasion of Japan.
President Roosevelt died on April 12 also. This was a momentous event in the life of our nation as well as my own life. Seem to remember as if it were yesterday.
We were in Eniwetok when we heard about the Atomic Bomb being dropped on Hiroshima. Soon thereafter the Japanese surrendered and it was signed on the Battleship Missouri, President Truman’s home state.
(I do not remember what we did between the time the bomb was dropped and we arrived in Tokyo harbor to help there. I have nothing in my diary nor can I remember.)
We were then sent to Tokyo to help clear the bay of mines and other duties.
About November, a large number of our crew left the ship, headed for the states. All of us had points to get out but the new skipper ordered all heads of department (I was leading Quartermaster) to train the new crew. I even tried to bribe other first class and chief quartermasters to come aboard and take my place but they would not. I was offering $500.00 but I got no takers.
We had a new skipper. It was his first command and he was not familiar with Fleet tug work. He leaned on me a great deal for miscellaneous advice but he would not turn me loose much to my chagrin. He offered me Chief QM if I would ship over and stay in. I wanted none of it. I wanted to get back home and go to school. As I had merely enrolled in High School, I knew I was never going anywhere without an education.
I did not leave the ship until late January 1946 headed for home and discharge from the Navy.
Leon Emerson - 6/6/02
