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Bates

Ship Designation: 
APD-47
Date Lost: 
Friday, May 25, 1945
Air Attack near Ie Shima, Okinawa
While patrolling 2 miles south of Ie Shima, Okinawa, Bates engaged three attacking Japanese planes with gunfire. ... The first plane dropped a bomb, scoring a near miss which ruptured the starboard hull of the ship, and then crashed into the starboard side of the fantail. The second plane, almost simultaneously, made a suicide hit on the pilothouse. Shortly thereafter the third plane made a bombing run scoring a near miss amidships, portside, rupturing the hull. ... At 1145, Bates was ordered abandoned. ... Twenty-one of her crew were either dead or missing from the attacks. ... During the afternoon Cree (ATF-84) was able to get a line aboard and towed Bates to Ie Shima anchorage. At 1923, May 25 1945 the still burning Bates capsized and sank in 20 fathoms of water.

Lost At Sea Log

Number of sailors in this log: 22

Namesort descending Service Branch
F 1c Harry Towsley USN
StM 1c Hugh Windham USN

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Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships