National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Okinawa Campaign: Operation Ten-Go:  Kamikaze Attacks:  April 6-7, 1945

The first Japanese Kamikaze attack of Operation Ten-Go, April 6-7, 1945, resulted in numerous damaged U.S. Navy warships, troopships, and landing vessels.  As with the subsequent attacks, Navy destroyers took much of the beating.   The suicide planes sank:  USS Bush (DD-529) and USS LST 347.  USS Emmons (DMS-22) and USS Colhoun (DD-801) are so damaged they are later scuttled.   Amongst the confusion, numerous ships were damaged by collision and friendly fire.   Notable ships damaged: USS Hancock (CV-19), USS Leutze (DD-481), USS LST-447, USS Maryland (BB-46), USS Morris (DD-417), USS Newcomb (DD-586), and USS San Jacinto (CVL-30). 

Image:  80-G-331605:  Operation Ten-Go, USS San Jacinto (CVL-30), April 6-7, 1945.   Shown:  Japanese suicide plane splashing after being hit by anti-aircraft fire.  Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.