Air Raid at Nakagusuku Wan
On May 27, Sandoval arrived in Nakagusuku Wan while an enemy air attack was in progress. After the raid, she commenced offloading and continued the work throughout the day despite interruptions by later raids. ... At daybreak on the 28th, she resumed offloading. Soon after 0730, however, the operation was interrupted by another Japanese air raid. The APA's guns opened fire on a Tony coming in low, about 50 feet, range 2,000 yards. The kamikaze crashed into the portside of the wheelhouse. ... Five, including the executive officer, were killed, 29 including the commanding officer, were wounded. Three of the latter died later. ... The navigator, Lt. K. V Kerth, USNR, assumed command. ... Flames lit the bridge. Central fire control was lost. Radar and interior communications were knocked out. At 0755, a second enemy plane came in firing, crossed the bow at 500 feet and crashed 2,000 yards away. By 0800, the bridge fire was under control. Fifteen minutes later, a third kamikaze came in, missed Sandoval and crashed the foredeck of SS Joseph Snelling, 600 yards off the APA's starboard quarter. ... At 0830, the fire on the bridge was extinguished. After 0900, central fire control was regained, and repair parties began clearing the wreckage. ... Two days later, cargo operations were completed and the remaining Seabee personnel were disembarked.
