Battery Fire near Naha Airfield
Following a grueling 4 day period of fire support off Okinawa, and while en route to her patrol area, Longshaw ran aground on a coral reef south of Naha airfield. ... While attempts were made to free her from the reef, Japanese shore batteries opened up on Longshaw. The stranded destroyer attempted to fight back as best she could; but, as she opened fire, her bow was completely blown off by a hit which struck the forward magazine. When efforts to save her appeared hopeless, the order was given to abandon ship. ... Eighty-six of her crew died with the ship. ... Later in the afternoon, Longshaw, battered beyond salvaging, was destroyed by gunfire and torpedoes from U.S. ships.
