Kamikaze Attacks near Okinawa
Morrison was assigned the most critical radar picket station commencing April 30, 1945. ... For the first three days of the assignment bad weather precluded air activity, however on May 4 an enemy force of 25 planes were detected approaching the area. Combat Air Patrol was able to splash several of the attackers but some got through. ... The first attack on Morrison was a near miss bomb attack off the starboard beam, which was closely followed by two more kamikaze’s making unsuccessful attacks on the ship. The fourth attack through intense AA fire succeeded in crashing into the stack and bridge, inflicting heavy casualties and knocking out most electrical equipment. Three more kamikazes then crashed into the ship. ... With damage of this magnitude, Morrison took on a prolonged list to starboard. Two explosions followed almost simultaneously and minutes later Morrison sank. ... A total of 152 men were lost
