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The United States Navy Memorial

Navy Memorial Honoring the Men & Women of the Sea Services

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Longshaw

Ship Designation: 
DD-559
Date Lost: 
Friday, May 18, 1945
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.

Lost At Sea Log

Number of sailors in this log: 85

Name Service Branchsort ascending
CBM Wilson Bowen USN
Lt(jg) Willard Walker USN
Sea 1c Chester Ray USN
Cox J. Loftin USN
F 1c Madison Delaney USN
WT 3c Johnny Bowman USN
Cox James Pope USN
CQM Henry Reedy USN
RDM 3c Junior Hinton USN
Sea 1c Eugene Derossett USN
SC 2c William Boyanton USN
TM 2c Herbert Murdaugh USN
RDM 3c Kenneth Roof USN
Lt(jg) William Holch USN
FC 3c Henry Deane USN
MOMM 3c Joseph Brabant USN
Lt(jg) Robert Mulvana USN
Sea 1c Harold Isenhart USN
CFC Carl Hofmann USN
Sea 1c Herman Debus USN

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Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.)