June 7 1945

(from The Okinawa Campaign section of Recollections in the Natoma Bay LOGBOOK originally compiled by John J. Sassano and edited by Bob Wall)

“On 7 June we are to experience one of our most unforgettable days – here then is that day as recorded in the history of the USS NATOMA BAY:

At 0635, 7 June, after having maneuvered through typhoon weather, NATOMA BAY was closed by a Zeke, broad on the port quarter and low on the water. Changing course, it came in over the stern, fired incendiary ammunition at the bridge, and on reaching the island structure, nosed over and crashed into the flight deck. The engine, propeller and bomb tore a hole in the flight deck, 12 by 20 feet, while the explosion of the bomb damaged the deck of the foc’sle and the anchor windlass beyond repair and ignited a nearby fighter. Three of the CVE’s crew and one officer of VC 9 were wounded. One ship’s officer was killed. A second Zeke was splashed by the ship’s port batteries. The damage control party immediately extinguished the blaze and set about emergency repairs. The next strike was canceled, but the following one against Miayako Shima, took place as scheduled at 1030.

Some statistics uncovered while researching the battle for Okinawa will point out why this was the greatest air-sea battle in history. Suicide attacks occurred as follows: the largest was on 6-7 April, 355 kamikazes of which 230 were Jap navy planes and 125 were army; on 15-16 April there were 165 attacks; on 27-28 April 150; on 12-11 May 140; 23-24 May, 165; 27-29 May, 110; 7 June, 50 (when we were hit). The total number of suiciders was 1900 planes – 1050 navy and 850 army. The sources were mainly from Kyushu with some from Formosa.

The kamikaze that hit the Big NB probably came from Formosa or an underground hangar on Myaka Jima. At the time we were hit, we were relieving a British unit that had gone out of the area to refuel. We had been assured that the area was quiet and we should expect no trouble. How unprophetic!

After our escapade at Sakishima (Myaka Jima) Natoma Bay returned to her duties of supporting the troops ashore at Okinawa and flying our CAP and ASW patrols. On 24 June we were to leave the area and steam for Guam for repairs. No mention was made of retirement from the forward area and a return to the States. We were all pretty sure that with a new flight deck and a new camouflage paint job that our next destination had to be Japan itself.”