"One of these picket
ships underwent an amazing ordeal in the waters off Okinawa on April 16,
1945. The destroyer Laffey, under the command of Commander (later Rear
Admiral) F. Julian Becton, was assigned to radar picket station No. 1 that
day. In a period of 80 minutes, Laffey underwent 22 separate attacks by 32
planes. She was struck by six of them, suffered four bomb hits and was
continuously strafed. Her gunners destroyed at least eight of the attackers.
At the conclusion of the attack, only four of Laffey's 20mm mounts were
still firing. Her main batteries were destroyed, her stern was almost awash,
her rudder was jammed, and she was barely able to make steam." More-->
Also see Laffey.org
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