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Sandoval

Ship Designation: 
APA-194
Date Lost: 
Monday, May 28, 1945
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.

Lost At Sea Log

Number of sailors in this log: 7

Namesort ascending Service Branch
AeroM 3c Harold Shuman USN
RDM 3c Morton Richards USN
RM 2c Jimmie Porcelli USN
Sea 1c Bernard Naworski USN
QM 3c Libero Debonis USN
Sea 1c James Chancellor USN
RDM 3c Evert Caywood USN
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships