16 April 1945: The USS Laffey (DD-724) survived six kamikaze hits while serving on picket duty off Okinawa.

The Japanese launched 50 kamikaze aircraft to attack the U.S. fleet that had been supporting operations on the island since the initial landings on 1 April--the largest amphibious operation of the entire Pacific War.

The attacks on the Laffey began at 0830 hours when a D3A Val dive bomber on reconnaissance flew over. When gunners fired at it, it dropped its bomb and flew away. A few minutes later, four Vals broke off from the approaching formation and dove toward the destroyer. Gunners managed to shoot down two attacking from the front with starboard 40mm and 20mm guns. The other two, attacking from astern, began taking hits. The first one shed pieces as cannon fire shredded it, then one of its fixed landing gear struck the water and sent it cartwheeling into the ocean. The other Val managed to get closer before being shot down. A few seconds later, one of Laffey's gunners destroyed a D4Y Judy dive bomber attacking the port side. Within seconds, the forward main battery hit a Judy attacking from starboard. It crashed into the ocean after releasing its bomb, which exploded when it hit the water near Laffey's starboard side, wounding several crewmen with shrapnel.

The Laffey's fortunes began to change at 0842. For details, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Laffey_(DD-724)

ILLUSTRATIONS: (1) A Val dive bomber aims at the USS Laffey's stern shortly before hitting the already burning aft 5-inch gun turret. (2) A Judy dive bomber is about to crash into the Laffey's starboard side.