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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

Namesort ascending Service Branch
Sea 2c Walter Behnkendorf USN
LCdr Clarence Becker USN
SOM 3c Edward Barron USN
WT 1c Noble Anderson USN
Sea 1c Charles Alsup USN

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