The Twilight Warriors Part 24

The rationale for seizing Okinawa-that the island would be a springboard for the Allied invasion of j.a.pan-had been obviated by the surrender in August. The objective of Admiral Ugaki's ma.s.sed tokko tokko attacks and General Us.h.i.+jima's defense of the island was to prove that the j.a.panese would fight to the death not just for an outpost such as Okinawa but for their homeland. Faced with such resistance, the j.a.panese believed, American commanders would decide attacks and General Us.h.i.+jima's defense of the island was to prove that the j.a.panese would fight to the death not just for an outpost such as Okinawa but for their homeland. Faced with such resistance, the j.a.panese believed, American commanders would decide not not to invade j.a.pan's home islands. to invade j.a.pan's home islands.

And so they did-but not for the reason the j.a.panese expected. Appalled at the casualties suffered at Okinawa, the new president, Harry Truman, concluded that invading j.a.pan would be "an Okinawa from one end of j.a.pan to the other."

To Truman and his commanders, the lesson of Okinawa was that the use of any any weapon, even one as horrendous as the atomic bomb, was preferable to an invasion. weapon, even one as horrendous as the atomic bomb, was preferable to an invasion.

Eric Erickson would finish art school and become a successful artist and interior designer in California. Wes Hays would return to Novice, Texas, and start a thriving hardware business. Grim Reapers top ace Phil Kirkwood would leave the Navy to become a dentist, and so would his Tail End Charlie, Ray James. Ziggy South would go back to Kansas to become a chiropractor.

Not all the Tail End Charlies would leave the Navy. Some, such as d.i.c.k Quiel and Windy Hill and Bill Ecker, had found their calling. They would stay in uniform, fight another war in Korea, and eventually rise to senior rank.

Another was Country Landreth, who had languished in a j.a.panese prison since his first mission over j.a.pan in March. On September 2, 1945, the newly repatriated Landreth had a splendid view from his hospital s.h.i.+p of the great gray battles.h.i.+p Missouri Missouri, anch.o.r.ed in Tokyo Bay, while j.a.panese emissaries formally surrendered to the United States. The next time Landreth came to j.a.pan, it would be as skipper of his own carrier-based squadron.

Air Group 10 commander John Hyland would also stay in the Navy. During the years of the Cold War, Hyland would rise steadily in rank, eventually wearing four stars and commanding all U.S. naval forces in the Pacific.

Few of the j.a.panese combatants at Okinawa would return to their homeland. The architects of the tokko tokko attacks, Admiral Ohnis.h.i.+ and Admiral Ugaki, as well as the two senior army officers on Okinawa, General Us.h.i.+jima and General Cho, chose a samurai's death. An exception was Col. Hiromichi Yahara, chief strategist of the battle of attrition on Okinawa, who ended the war as a prisoner. In the postwar years Yahara's bitterness at what he considered the inept.i.tude of j.a.pan's wartime leaders.h.i.+p would spill out in his 1972 book, attacks, Admiral Ohnis.h.i.+ and Admiral Ugaki, as well as the two senior army officers on Okinawa, General Us.h.i.+jima and General Cho, chose a samurai's death. An exception was Col. Hiromichi Yahara, chief strategist of the battle of attrition on Okinawa, who ended the war as a prisoner. In the postwar years Yahara's bitterness at what he considered the inept.i.tude of j.a.pan's wartime leaders.h.i.+p would spill out in his 1972 book, The Battle for Okinawa The Battle for Okinawa.

Another survivor was Ens. Mitsuru Yos.h.i.+da, the young radar officer on the battles.h.i.+p Yamato Yamato. In later life Yos.h.i.+da would become a successful banker in j.a.pan, retiring in 1979. Like many of his countrymen, he would never stop questioning his actions in the last battle of the war. In the closing pages of his book Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, he would ask: Yamato, he would ask: Did I really do my part? Did I look death in the face in the line of duty?No.Didn't I submit to death quite willingly? Didn't I cloak myself in the proud name of special attack and find rapture in the hollow of death's hand?Yes.

For the rest of his life Erickson would be able to close his eyes and summon with perfect clarity the events of that first day. It was March 18, 1945, and his Corsair had been poised on Intrepid Intrepid's No. 1 catapult. He was peering out into the blackness of the predawn Pacific, hearing only the deep-throated rumble of his Pratt & Whitney radial engine.

Seconds later Erickson had been hurled into the night sky. For the next hour he and his squadronmates flew northwestward toward j.a.pan. Their target-the naval base at Saeki-finally appeared through the morning mist on the coast of Kyushu. At the first angry black puffs of antiaircraft fire, Erickson had felt a jolt of adrenaline coursing through him.

One after another they had dived on the row of enemy airplanes parked on the airfield below. Through his gun sight Erickson had seen the distinctive red meatb.a.l.l.s on their wings. He had squeezed the trigger, feeling the hard rattle of the six .50-caliber machine guns. He saw one of the enemy airplanes explode. Then another.

And that's when it happened. In the s.p.a.ce of a few seconds-two bursts of machine gun fire-Erickson understood that his life-and the lives of his fellow Tail End Charlies-had changed forever. Nearly two years of waiting and training and worrying that the war would end before they got there were behind them. The moment would remain fixed in their memories for the next half century.

It had been the first day of the ninety-five-day-long air, sea, and land battle for Okinawa. For the Tail End Charlies, it was the day they became warriors.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

At the heart of this story are the real-life heroes of Carrier Air Group 10. Their generosity in sharing with me their recollections, mementoes, letters, and photographs helped bridge the sixty-five-year chasm between the events at Okinawa and today. Special thanks are owed to pilots Wesley Hays, William "Country" Landreth, Charles Schlag, Ray James, James South, Les Gray, d.i.c.k Quiel, Maurie Dubinsky, Jack Anderson, Orlo Wilmeth, Ed Deutschman, Jim Hollister, Don Oglevee, Frank Stolfa, Jim Clifford, and Dave Anderson, who gave me their perspective of the air and sea battle for Okinawa and whose friends.h.i.+p I will always cherish. Hanging in a place of honor on my office wall is the plaque they presented making me an honorary member of their ill.u.s.trious air group.

My thanks again go to sailors Felix Novelli, Ray Stone, and Ed Coyne for sharing their wartime experiences aboard USS Intrepid Intrepid.

For his help with research and in finessing the finer points of military nomenclature, I am indebted to submarine officer, historian, and stickler for accuracy Julian K. "Joe" Morrison III. His brother, Capt. Vance Morrison, USN (ret.), receives big thanks for threading the labyrinths of Was.h.i.+ngton's archives to retrieve many of the photographs. Cdr. Robert "Boom" Powell, USN (ret), offered valuable comments on the early drafts. Researcher John Bowen helped track down some of the more elusive photographs needed for the book.

Another round of thanks to my editor at Broadway Books, Charlie Conrad, for his belief in this project and for his expert guidance with the structure and tone of this story. Thanks to Jenna Ciongoli of Broadway Books for her cheerful and efficient help with a.s.sembling the parts of the book.

As he did for Intrepid Intrepid, Robert A. Terry created the splendidly detailed maps. Dr. Harry Ohanian, master modeler, shared with me his incredibly real vision of the mighty Yamato Yamato. Artist Robert Bailey gave permission to use his dramatic painting, Imperial Sacrifice Imperial Sacrifice. Jason McDonald, of MFA Productions LLC, donated transcripts from www.dayofthekamikaze.com. Turner Publis.h.i.+ng Company kindly gave permission to quote from Roy D. Erickson's memoir, Tail End Charlies Tail End Charlies.

For their generous support for this book, I thank my friend and co-author of Intrepid Intrepid, Bill White, president of the Intrepid Intrepid Sea, Air & s.p.a.ce Museum, and executive vice president Dave Winters. Sea, Air & s.p.a.ce Museum, and executive vice president Dave Winters.

My grat.i.tude again goes to my agent Alice Martell, of the Martell Agency, for her cheerleading and wise counsel, and to her efficient a.s.sistant, Stephanie Finman. As always, my ultimate thanks and a full measure of love to Anne Busse-Gandt, my wife and staunchest supporter.

THE HONORED DEAD OF CARRIER AIR GROUP 10 Ens. Bailey Badgley Ens. Ernest M. Bailey Jr.

Lt. Alvin DeMaine Blackman Ens. William Pearson Brede Jr.

Ens. Donald H. Croy ARM3c Thomas S. Dally ARM3c Charles E. Ford Ens. Arthur Fulton Ens. Robinson W. Harris Ens. Elmer H. Ha.s.se Ens. Horace W. Heath ARM3c Cecil B. Hollinhead Lt. Oliver W. Hubbard ARM1c Lee B. Hurst Ens. Loren F. Isley Ens. Charles W. Jensen AOM2c Bernard A. Konitzer AOM3c Charles M. Lowell Jr.

Lt. (jg) Richard W. Mason Lt. (jg) Lawrence B. Mead 2nd Lt. Carl R. Miller, USMC Lt. (jg) Willard J. Miller Lt. (jg) Spence P. Mitch.e.l.l Ens. Willard E. Norgren Lt. Mark L. Orr Lt. (jg) Stanley Powell Ens. Arthur H. Rogers ARM1c Theodore Schevon ARM3c Harry D. Weiner Ens. William L. York

NOTES

Prologue

1 The predeployment party at Alameda is drawn from Roy D. Erickson's memoir The predeployment party at Alameda is drawn from Roy D. Erickson's memoir Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 6971, and from interviews of VBF-10 and VF-10 pilots. 6971, and from interviews of VBF-10 and VF-10 pilots.2 Descriptions of Rawie and Hyland are based on official biographies in the CAG-10 1945 cruise book, Descriptions of Rawie and Hyland are based on official biographies in the CAG-10 1945 cruise book, The History of Bomber Fighting Squadron Ten The History of Bomber Fighting Squadron Ten, and from multiple VBF-10/VF-10 interviews October 31, 2008.

1 The Next Island The Next Island1 Spruance, Nimitz, King aboard Spruance, Nimitz, King aboard Indianapolis: Indianapolis: Thomas B. Buell, Thomas B. Buell, The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance The Quiet Warrior: A Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, 321.2 "You did a d.a.m.n good job": Buell, "You did a d.a.m.n good job": Buell, Master of Sea Power: A Biography of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King Master of Sea Power: A Biography of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, 466.3 The j.a.panese would fight back with every weapon: ibid., 441. The j.a.panese would fight back with every weapon: ibid., 441.4 Vice Adm. Ohnis.h.i.+ and the Vice Adm. Ohnis.h.i.+ and the tokko tokko warriors at Mabalacat drawn from Rikihei Inoguchi and Tadas.h.i.+ Nakajima, warriors at Mabalacat drawn from Rikihei Inoguchi and Tadas.h.i.+ Nakajima, The Divine Wind: j.a.pan's Kamikaze Force in World War II The Divine Wind: j.a.pan's Kamikaze Force in World War II, 311.

2 Tail End Charlies Tail End Charlies1 Erickson profile and the descriptions of flight training at Pasco, Was.h.i.+ngton, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, are from Erickson's Erickson profile and the descriptions of flight training at Pasco, Was.h.i.+ngton, Corpus Christi, Texas, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, are from Erickson's Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 1940 and 4963. 1940 and 4963.2 Details of carrier qualification aboard USS Details of carrier qualification aboard USS Core Core are from interviews with James South, Charles Schlag, and Wesley Hays, and Erickson recollections in are from interviews with James South, Charles Schlag, and Wesley Hays, and Erickson recollections in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 5461. 5461.3 Partying was as much a part of squadron life as flying: interviews with VBF-10/VF-10 pilots, and Erickson's Partying was as much a part of squadron life as flying: interviews with VBF-10/VF-10 pilots, and Erickson's Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 51. 51.

3 You Are Already G.o.ds You Are Already G.o.ds1 "You are already G.o.ds without earthly desires": Inoguchi and Nakajima, "You are already G.o.ds without earthly desires": Inoguchi and Nakajima, The Divine Wind The Divine Wind, 19.2 Lieutenant Seki's unconventional weapons: ibid., 5760. Lieutenant Seki's unconventional weapons: ibid., 5760.3 The kamikaze attacks of November 25, 1944, are drawn in part from the excellent online study at The kamikaze attacks of November 25, 1944, are drawn in part from the excellent online study at www.dayofthekamikaze.com.4 Intrepid Intrepid's hangar deck is a scene of horror: Ray Stone, My s.h.i.+p! My s.h.i.+p! 16779; White and Gandt, 16779; White and Gandt, Intrepid Intrepid, 11320.5 Intrepid Intrepid is headed back to San Francisco: is headed back to San Francisco: USS USS Intrepid Intrepid War Diary War Diary, NovemberDecember, 1944.

4 Tiny Tim Tiny Tim1 Holy s.h.i.+t: Holy s.h.i.+t: Interviews with VBF-10 pilots. Interviews with VBF-10 pilots.2 The war news [for j.a.pan] is all bad: Vice Adm. Matome Ugaki, The war news [for j.a.pan] is all bad: Vice Adm. Matome Ugaki, Fading Victory: The Diary of Admiral Matome Ugaki 19411945 Fading Victory: The Diary of Admiral Matome Ugaki 19411945, 536.3 the "Golden Mask," label for Ugaki, from Evan Thomas, the "Golden Mask," label for Ugaki, from Evan Thomas, Sea of Thunder Sea of Thunder, 9.4 "My thoughts ran wild seeking ways to save the empire": Ugaki, "My thoughts ran wild seeking ways to save the empire": Ugaki, Fading Victory Fading Victory, 531.

5 Your Favorite Enemy Your Favorite Enemy1 From the lavatories come a steady litany of gagging and retching: Erickson, From the lavatories come a steady litany of gagging and retching: Erickson, Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 7172. 7172.2 Description of kamikaze attack on USS Description of kamikaze attack on USS Randolph: Randolph: interview with Radioman 2/c V. J. Verdolini, interview with Radioman 2/c V. J. Verdolini, Randolph Randolph crewman. crewman.3 The Frances bomber plunges straight into the uninhabited islet: David Sears, The Frances bomber plunges straight into the uninhabited islet: David Sears, At War with the Wind At War with the Wind, 284.4 Halsey: "It was hard on the horses, but it was effective": E. B. Potter, Halsey: "It was hard on the horses, but it was effective": E. B. Potter, Nimitz Nimitz, 294.5 "We welcome "We welcome Intrepid Intrepid to the Okinawa area": Erickson, to the Okinawa area": Erickson, Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 76. 76.6 "he [R. K. Turner] is known as a 'mean son of a b.i.t.c.h'": "he [R. K. Turner] is known as a 'mean son of a b.i.t.c.h'": Time Time, February 7, 1944.7 "whose head could conceive more new ideas...than any flag officer in the Navy": Samuel Eliot Morison describing Turner in "whose head could conceive more new ideas...than any flag officer in the Navy": Samuel Eliot Morison describing Turner in Victory in the Pacific: 1945 Victory in the Pacific: 1945, 89.

6 First Blooding First Blooding1 Scenes of first strike, March 18, 1945, based on interviews with William Landreth, Felix Novelli, and Wesley Hays, and recollections of Roy Erickson in Scenes of first strike, March 18, 1945, based on interviews with William Landreth, Felix Novelli, and Wesley Hays, and recollections of Roy Erickson in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies!2 "Erickson, turn off those G.o.dd.a.m.n lights": Erickson, "Erickson, turn off those G.o.dd.a.m.n lights": Erickson, Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 8081. 8081.3 "From horizon to horizon the ocean was covered with the might of the United States Navy": interview with Landreth. "From horizon to horizon the ocean was covered with the might of the United States Navy": interview with Landreth.4 Within seconds the Corsair vanishes, and so does Rob Harris: Within seconds the Corsair vanishes, and so does Rob Harris: Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, March 18, 1945.

7 The Mood in Boys' Town The Mood in Boys' Town1 Frances bomber hits the water 50 feet from Frances bomber hits the water 50 feet from Intrepid Intrepid's starboard bow: USS USS Intrepid Intrepid War Diary War Diary, March 18, 1945.2 A few minutes past 1300, it is A few minutes past 1300, it is Yorktown Yorktown's turn: Morison, Victory in the Pacific: 1945 Victory in the Pacific: 1945, 94.3 Incident of s.h.i.+ps' gunners firing on j.a.panese airmen in parachutes recalled by Lt. (jg) Fred Meyer in Erickson's Incident of s.h.i.+ps' gunners firing on j.a.panese airmen in parachutes recalled by Lt. (jg) Fred Meyer in Erickson's Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 8384. 8384.4 "we were no longer virgins": ibid., 85. "we were no longer virgins": ibid., 85.

8 Shoot the Son of a b.i.t.c.h Shoot the Son of a b.i.t.c.h1 Landreth still adrift in his raft: interview with William Landreth. Landreth still adrift in his raft: interview with William Landreth.2 Encounter with the elite IJN 343rd Kokutai described in Henry Sakaida and Koji Takaki, Encounter with the elite IJN 343rd Kokutai described in Henry Sakaida and Koji Takaki, Genda's Blade Genda's Blade, 4245.3 "I heard it might not be a good thing to do, as it didn't help the treatment given to our POWs below": Erickson, "I heard it might not be a good thing to do, as it didn't help the treatment given to our POWs below": Erickson, Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 88. 88.4 "Shoot the son of a b.i.t.c.h, Eric!": Erickson's "Shoot the son of a b.i.t.c.h, Eric!": Erickson's Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 87. 87.5 The thirty-four-year-old Hyland gets his first air-to-air kill: The thirty-four-year-old Hyland gets his first air-to-air kill: Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, March 19, 1945.

9 We Will Save the s.h.i.+p1 "If you save us from the j.a.panese, we will save the s.h.i.+p": David H. Lippman, article in "If you save us from the j.a.panese, we will save the s.h.i.+p": David H. Lippman, article in World War II World War II magazine, March 1995. magazine, March 1995.2 Franklin Franklin suffers the greatest damage inflicted on any aircraft carrier without being sunk: Morison, suffers the greatest damage inflicted on any aircraft carrier without being sunk: Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 9598.3 j.a.panese high command detached from reality: ibid., 100. j.a.panese high command detached from reality: ibid., 100.

10 Thunder G.o.ds Thunder G.o.ds1 The The Ohka Ohka carries enough explosive power to devastate virtually any wars.h.i.+p: Bernard Millot, carries enough explosive power to devastate virtually any wars.h.i.+p: Bernard Millot, Divine Thunder Divine Thunder, 140.2 "Bees die after they have stung": Albert Axell and Hideaki Kase, "Bees die after they have stung": Albert Axell and Hideaki Kase, Kamikaze: j.a.pan's Suicide G.o.ds Kamikaze: j.a.pan's Suicide G.o.ds, 35.3 "We are ready to launch the attack, sir": Millot, "We are ready to launch the attack, sir": Millot, Divine Thunder Divine Thunder, 14243.4 "All right, you little G.o.ds, you've had the b.a.l.l.s to come this far": Hatsuho Naito, "All right, you little G.o.ds, you've had the b.a.l.l.s to come this far": Hatsuho Naito, Thunder G.o.ds: The Kamikaze Pilots Tell Their Story Thunder G.o.ds: The Kamikaze Pilots Tell Their Story, 44.5 "Is it, sir, that you lack confidence in me?": Inoguchi and Nakajima, "Is it, sir, that you lack confidence in me?": Inoguchi and Nakajima, The Divine Wind The Divine Wind, 144.6 d.i.c.k Mason disappears after air-to-air action: d.i.c.k Mason disappears after air-to-air action: Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, March 21, 1945.7 "I am going to ram a carrier": Ugaki, "I am going to ram a carrier": Ugaki, Fading Victory Fading Victory, 55960.

11 Three Seconds to Die Three Seconds to Die1 Loss of Al Ha.s.se recalled by Erickson in Loss of Al Ha.s.se recalled by Erickson in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 101. 101.2 Ziggy South ditches after midair collision: interview with James "Ziggy" South. Ziggy South ditches after midair collision: interview with James "Ziggy" South.3 Silently they toss Al Ha.s.se's love letters into the Pacific: recalled by Lt. (jg) Fred Meyer in Erickson's Silently they toss Al Ha.s.se's love letters into the Pacific: recalled by Lt. (jg) Fred Meyer in Erickson's Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 101. 101.4 Windy Hill goes down off Kyushu: ibid., 106. Windy Hill goes down off Kyushu: ibid., 106.

12 And Where Is the Navy? And Where Is the Navy?1 Hirohito description, his reign called "Showa": Max Hastings, Hirohito description, his reign called "Showa": Max Hastings, Retribution Retribution, 39.2 Adm. Oikawa and his staff have only a few days to decide: Russell Spurr, Adm. Oikawa and his staff have only a few days to decide: Russell Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 8687.3 Adm. Toyoda signs off on his last operational order of the war: ibid., 97. Adm. Toyoda signs off on his last operational order of the war: ibid., 97.4 "Preparations for getting under way completed": Mitsuru Yos.h.i.+da, "Preparations for getting under way completed": Mitsuru Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 5. Yamato, 5.5 "Kamikaze "Kamikaze Yamato Yamato, be truly a divine wind!" ibid., 8.

13 Gimlet Eyes and the Alligator Gimlet Eyes and the Alligator1 "His fame may not have gone to his head": Spruance's nuanced observation of Halsey, quoted in William Tuohy's "His fame may not have gone to his head": Spruance's nuanced observation of Halsey, quoted in William Tuohy's America's Fighting Admirals America's Fighting Admirals, 345.2 "I wish that Spruance had been with Mitscher at Leyte Gulf": Adm. William Halsey, in Theodore Taylor's "I wish that Spruance had been with Mitscher at Leyte Gulf": Adm. William Halsey, in Theodore Taylor's The Magnificent Mitscher The Magnificent Mitscher, 165.3 "I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me": attributed to Spruance, Buell, "I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me": attributed to Spruance, Buell, The Quiet Warrior The Quiet Warrior, x.x.xi.4 Loss of USS Loss of USS Indianapolis Indianapolis as described in as described in Dictionary of American Fighting s.h.i.+ps Dictionary of American Fighting s.h.i.+ps.5 Windy Hill rescued by USS Windy Hill rescued by USS Sea Dog: Sea Dog: Erickson, Erickson, Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 106. 106.

14 Love Day Love Day1 "I felt miserable, and an awful weight was on my heart": Ernie Pyle, "I felt miserable, and an awful weight was on my heart": Ernie Pyle, Last Chapter Last Chapter, 99.2 "And yet we couldn't see a bit of firing ahead. We hoped it was true": ibid., 102. "And yet we couldn't see a bit of firing ahead. We hoped it was true": ibid., 102.3 "'This is the finest Easter present we could have received'": "'This is the finest Easter present we could have received'": Time Time, April 9, 1945.4 Zeke fighter pilot lands at Yontan, jumps from the c.o.c.kpit with his gun drawn: Morison, Zeke fighter pilot lands at Yontan, jumps from the c.o.c.kpit with his gun drawn: Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 171.5 "Please send us a dead j.a.p. A lot of my men have never seen one": "Buck's Battle," "Please send us a dead j.a.p. A lot of my men have never seen one": "Buck's Battle," Time Time, April 16, 1945.6 Nimitz vetoes choice of Lt. Gen. Holland Smith and picks Buckner to command at Okinawa: Hastings, Nimitz vetoes choice of Lt. Gen. Holland Smith and picks Buckner to command at Okinawa: Hastings, Retribution Retribution, 376.

15 Bourbon and Puddle Water Bourbon and Puddle Water1 "May you walk in the ashes of Tokyo": Buckner quote in "May you walk in the ashes of Tokyo": Buckner quote in Time Time, April 16, 1945.2 Col. Yahara clashes with Lt. Gen. Cho. Keith Wheeler, Col. Yahara clashes with Lt. Gen. Cho. Keith Wheeler, The Road to Tokyo The Road to Tokyo.3 "They were obviously scared to death...": Ernie Pyle describing Okinawa natives in "They were obviously scared to death...": Ernie Pyle describing Okinawa natives in Last Chapter Last Chapter, 1089.4 Windy Hill learns that he will be aboard Windy Hill learns that he will be aboard Sea Dog Sea Dog another five weeks. Hill recollection in another five weeks. Hill recollection in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 1078. 1078.

16 Ten-Go Ten-Go1 "Yamato "Yamato and the Second Destroyer Squadron will sally forth": and the Second Destroyer Squadron will sally forth": Yamato Yamato's orders and the preparations for her last sortie are drawn from Yos.h.i.+da's Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 317, and Spurr's Yamato, 317, and Spurr's A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die.2 Impressions of Impressions of Yamato Yamato crewmen are drawn, in part, from the crewmen are drawn, in part, from the Nova Nova PBS series "Sinking the Supers.h.i.+p." PBS series "Sinking the Supers.h.i.+p."3 "We are fine. Please do put your best effort into your duties": Kunai Nakatami, quoted in Yos.h.i.+da's "We are fine. Please do put your best effort into your duties": Kunai Nakatami, quoted in Yos.h.i.+da's Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato. Yamato.4 "It is a great opportunity as well as a great honor to be skipper of a s.h.i.+p in this sortie to Okinawa": Capt. Tameichi Hara, "It is a great opportunity as well as a great honor to be skipper of a s.h.i.+p in this sortie to Okinawa": Capt. Tameichi Hara, j.a.panese Destroyer Captain j.a.panese Destroyer Captain, 268.

17 Divine Wind Divine Wind1 Ugaki is opposed to the Ugaki is opposed to the Yamato Yamato mission: Ugaki, mission: Ugaki, Fading Victory Fading Victory, 575.2 Bush Bush and and Colhoun Colhoun under kamikaze attack: Morison, under kamikaze attack: Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 187.3 Ordeal of survivors from Ordeal of survivors from Bush: Bush: Spurr, Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 146.4 Leutze Leutze and and Newcomb Newcomb heavily damaged but still afloat: Morison, heavily damaged but still afloat: Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 185, and article by John B. Penfold, Our Navy Our Navy magazine, January 1, 1946. magazine, January 1, 1946.5 Emmons Emmons ordered sunk by friendly gunfire: Morison, ordered sunk by friendly gunfire: Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 195.6 U.S. losses in U.S. losses in kikusui kikusui No. 1 and ordeal of survivors: Sears, No. 1 and ordeal of survivors: Sears, At War with the Wind At War with the Wind, 326.7 Kikusui Kikusui No. 1 regarded as a resounding success: Ugaki, No. 1 regarded as a resounding success: Ugaki, Fading Victory Fading Victory, 57374.

18 Breakout Breakout1 Scenes of Scenes of Yamato Yamato under way: under way: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/novasupers.h.i.+p.2 Yamato Yamato's pa.s.sage through the Bungo Strait: Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 4547. Yamato, 4547.3 Threadfin Threadfin and and Hackleback Hackleback tracking tracking Yamato Yamato task force: Spurr, task force: Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 185.4 "I do believe we learn about our position faster from their side than from ours": "I do believe we learn about our position faster from their side than from ours": Yamato Yamato's navigation officer, quoted in Yos.h.i.+da's Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 43. Yamato, 43.5 Floatplanes catapult from Floatplanes catapult from Yamato: Yamato: Spurr, Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 203.

19 Race for Glory Race for Glory1 Mitscher profile: Taylor, Mitscher profile: Taylor, The Magnificent Mitscher The Magnificent Mitscher, 189; Tuohy, America's Fighting Admirals America's Fighting Admirals.2 Asas.h.i.+mo Asas.h.i.+mo falls behind task force: Yos.h.i.+da, falls behind task force: Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 54. Yamato, 54.3 "He looked like h.e.l.l": Burke's appraisal of Mitscher's condition drawn from Potter, "He looked like h.e.l.l": Burke's appraisal of Mitscher's condition drawn from Potter, Admiral Arleigh Burke Admiral Arleigh Burke, 250.4 "You take them": ibid., 250. "You take them": ibid., 250.

20 First Wave First Wave1 Scenes of preparation for Scenes of preparation for Yamato Yamato strike based on interviews with Felix Novelli and Wesley Hays, and recollections of Roy Erickson in strike based on interviews with Felix Novelli and Wesley Hays, and recollections of Roy Erickson in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies!2 More than 250 American warplanes spotted heading north: Yos.h.i.+da, More than 250 American warplanes spotted heading north: Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 61. Yamato, 61.3 "We hope you will bring back a nice fish for breakfast": Turner to Deyo, as quoted by Morison in "We hope you will bring back a nice fish for breakfast": Turner to Deyo, as quoted by Morison in Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 204.4 "Commence firing!" Yos.h.i.+da, "Commence firing!" Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 64. Yamato, 64.5 Downing of Bill Delaney from Downing of Bill Delaney from http://www.ussbelleauwood.com/air_group_30.htm, and Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 24951.

21 Ducks in a Gallery Ducks in a Gallery1 "Corsairs, you're close. Stand by for my mark": Description of VBF-10 attacks on "Corsairs, you're close. Stand by for my mark": Description of VBF-10 attacks on Yahagi Yahagi from interview with Wesley Hays and Erickson recollections in from interview with Wesley Hays and Erickson recollections in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 11012. 11012.2 Rawie impressions from his own account in Rawie impressions from his own account in Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 7, 1945.3 Herbert Houck's role in the Herbert Houck's role in the Yamato Yamato operation drawn from his postwar recollection in operation drawn from his postwar recollection in http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/battles.h.i.+p.htm.4 American warplanes strafe American warplanes strafe Yamato Yamato task force survivors: Spurr, task force survivors: Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 285.

22 There She Blows There She Blows1 Flooding Flooding Yamato Yamato's engineering rooms: Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 82. Yamato, 82.2 Seiichi Ito, "Stop the operation": ibid., 108. Seiichi Ito, "Stop the operation": ibid., 108.3 Resetting torpedo running depth: Resetting torpedo running depth: http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/fries.htm.4 Yamato Yamato fighting back at torpedo planes: fighting back at torpedo planes: http://www.yorktownsailor.com/yorktown/battles.h.i.+p.htm.5 Yos.h.i.+da marvels that not a single American pilot had crashed into an enemy s.h.i.+p: Yos.h.i.+da, Yos.h.i.+da marvels that not a single American pilot had crashed into an enemy s.h.i.+p: Yos.h.i.+da, Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Requiem for Battles.h.i.+p Yamato, 83. Yamato, 83.6 Experiences of escaping Experiences of escaping Yamato Yamato crewmen were vividly described in the crewmen were vividly described in the Nova Nova series "Sinking the Supers.h.i.+p." series "Sinking the Supers.h.i.+p."

23 Dumbo and Mighty Mouse Dumbo and Mighty Mouse1 Rescue of Bill Delaney: Morison, Rescue of Bill Delaney: Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 208.2 Return of Return of Intrepid Intrepid strike group: Jim Clifford correspondence, interview with VBF-10 pilot Wesley Hays, and strike group: Jim Clifford correspondence, interview with VBF-10 pilot Wesley Hays, and Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 7, 1945.3 Kamikaze strikes Kamikaze strikes Hanc.o.c.k: Hanc.o.c.k: http://www.usshanc.o.c.kcv19.com/gallery.htm.4 Loss of Don Croy and recovery of Clarke: Loss of Don Croy and recovery of Clarke: Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945 Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945, and Robin Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps, 124.5 Mitscher not his old self: Taylor, Mitscher not his old self: Taylor, The Magnificent Mitscher The Magnificent Mitscher, 285, and Spurr, A Glorious Way to Die A Glorious Way to Die, 312.6 Nimitz to Turner, "Delete all after 'crazy'": Morison, Nimitz to Turner, "Delete all after 'crazy'": Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 215.

24 A Ridge Called Kakazu A Ridge Called Kakazu1 Buckner and commanders are surprised by j.a.panese artillery: Hastings, Buckner and commanders are surprised by j.a.panese artillery: Hastings, Retribution Retribution, 377.2 "I was back again at the kind of life I had known so long": Pyle, "I was back again at the kind of life I had known so long": Pyle, Last Chapter Last Chapter, 112.3 "One man for ten of the enemy or one tank": James H. Hallas, "One man for ten of the enemy or one tank": James H. Hallas, Killing Ground on Okinawa: The Battle for Sugar Loaf Hill Killing Ground on Okinawa: The Battle for Sugar Loaf Hill, 6.4 Sata Omaichi captured and interrogated: Rielly, Sata Omaichi captured and interrogated: Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps, 129.5 "A dead j.a.p is no longer an enemy": "A dead j.a.p is no longer an enemy": http://www.ussmissouri.com/sea-stories-kamikaze.

25 Ohka Ohka1 Ugaki misled by Ugaki misled by kikusui kikusui No. 1 reports: Rielly, No. 1 reports: Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps, 128.2 Attack on Attack on Ca.s.sin Young: Ca.s.sin Young: Sears, Sears, At War with the Wind At War with the Wind, 340.3 Saburo Dohi profile, flies a Thunder G.o.d mission: Inoguchi and Nakajima, Saburo Dohi profile, flies a Thunder G.o.d mission: Inoguchi and Nakajima, The Divine Wind The Divine Wind.4 Ohka Ohka attacks described in Rielly's attacks described in Rielly's Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps, 142, 145.5 "No further questions were asked": recollection by Nakajima in "No further questions were asked": recollection by Nakajima in The Divine Wind The Divine Wind, 158.

26 Gunslingers Gunslingers1 Mark Orr profile and night mission tactics based on Mark Orr profile and night mission tactics based on Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945 Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945 and and Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 11, 1945, and correspondence with VF-10 night fighter pilot Frank Stolfa.2 Schub and Nickerson actions taken from Schub and Nickerson actions taken from Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 12, 1945.3 Frank Jackson collision with FM-2 Wildcat: Rielly, Frank Jackson collision with FM-2 Wildcat: Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps, 132.4 Gray, Halbe, and Sweeny actions in Gray, Halbe, and Sweeny actions in Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 12, 1945, and Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945 Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945.

27 Black Friday Black Friday1 Beauford Anderson earns Medal of Honor during j.a.panese counterattack: Roy E. Appleman et al., Beauford Anderson earns Medal of Honor during j.a.panese counterattack: Roy E. Appleman et al., Okinawa: The Last Battle Okinawa: The Last Battle, 13435.2 "Attention all hands! President Roosevelt is dead": Morison, "Attention all hands! President Roosevelt is dead": Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 231.3 "The dreadful loss...will make you orphans on this island": Appleman, "The dreadful loss...will make you orphans on this island": Appleman, Okinawa: The Last Battle Okinawa: The Last Battle, 125.4 Loss of Mark Orr in night action: Loss of Mark Orr in night action: Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945 Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945.5 Feuding between Army and Marine Corps over Howlin' Mad Smith: Keith Wheeler, Feuding between Army and Marine Corps over Howlin' Mad Smith: Keith Wheeler, The Road to Tokyo The Road to Tokyo, 109.6 Worst loss of U.S. armored vehicles in the campaign: Appleman, Worst loss of U.S. armored vehicles in the campaign: Appleman, Okinawa: The Last Battle Okinawa: The Last Battle, 2034.7 Buckner realizes a.s.sault has failed, "Progress not quite satisfactory": Simon B. Buckner and Joseph Stilwell, Buckner realizes a.s.sault has failed, "Progress not quite satisfactory": Simon B. Buckner and Joseph Stilwell, Seven Stars: The Okinawa Battle Diaries of Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. and Joseph Stilwell Seven Stars: The Okinawa Battle Diaries of Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. and Joseph Stilwell, 42.8 Ugaki believes air attacks on Kyushu come from Okinawa: Ugaki, Ugaki believes air attacks on Kyushu come from Okinawa: Ugaki, Fading Victory Fading Victory, 58687.

28 Keep Moving and Keep Shooting Keep Moving and Keep Shooting1 Lerch, Kirkwood, and Quiel actions described in Norwald Quiel letter to author and in Lerch, Kirkwood, and Quiel actions described in Norwald Quiel letter to author and in Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 16, 1945.2 "Keep moving and keep shooting": "Keep moving and keep shooting": Purdy Purdy skipper to skipper to Laffey Laffey captain Becton, quoted by Dale Harper in captain Becton, quoted by Dale Harper in World War II World War II, March 1998.

29 As Long as a Gun Will Fire As Long as a Gun Will Fire1 Ordeal of Ordeal of Laffey Laffey described by her skipper, Julian Becton, in his described by her skipper, Julian Becton, in his The s.h.i.+p That Would Not Die The s.h.i.+p That Would Not Die.2 "I couldn't even hold a pencil": interview with "I couldn't even hold a pencil": interview with Laffey Laffey quartermaster Ari Phoutrides. quartermaster Ari Phoutrides.3 "I'll never abandon s.h.i.+p as long as a gun will fire": "I'll never abandon s.h.i.+p as long as a gun will fire": Laffey Laffey skipper Becton quoted in skipper Becton quoted in Time Time, June 4, 1945, and from Phoutrides interview.4 Clarke, James, Farmer, Ehrhard actions from Ray James interview and from Clarke, James, Farmer, Ehrhard actions from Ray James interview and from Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 16, 1945.5 Laffey Laffey endures more kamikaze attacks than any other and stays afloat: Harper, endures more kamikaze attacks than any other and stays afloat: Harper, World War II World War II, March 1998.

30 Glory Day Glory Day1 Weems and Schlag actions from Charles Schlag interview and Weems and Schlag actions from Charles Schlag interview and Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 16, 1945.2 Pringle Pringle and and Bryant Bryant under kamikaze attack described in Morison, under kamikaze attack described in Morison, Victory in the Pacific Victory in the Pacific, 23738, and Rielly, Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket s.h.i.+ps, 17476.3 Loss of Red Bailey at Kokubu, and actions of Hyland, Cordray, and flight drawn from Loss of Red Bailey at Kokubu, and actions of Hyland, Cordray, and flight drawn from Air Group Ten Action Report Air Group Ten Action Report, April 16, 1945, and interviews of VBF-10 pilots.

31 Target Target Intrepid Intrepid1 "One day...one of these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds is going to hit the bull's eye": Radarman Ray Stone in his memoir, "One day...one of these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds is going to hit the bull's eye": Radarman Ray Stone in his memoir, My s.h.i.+p! My s.h.i.+p!2 Fred Meyer watches the Zeke aiming at Fred Meyer watches the Zeke aiming at Intrepid Intrepid's stern: Erickson, Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 121. 121.3 "There was Old Glory, stiff as a board": interview with plane captain Felix Novelli. "There was Old Glory, stiff as a board": interview with plane captain Felix Novelli.4 Intrepid Intrepid repaired, lands her aircraft aboard: repaired, lands her aircraft aboard: USS USS Intrepid Intrepid War Diary War Diary, April 16, 1945.5 "It was just like they never existed": Erickson laments his lost squadronmates in "It was just like they never existed": Erickson laments his lost squadronmates in Tail End Charlies! Tail End Charlies! 124. 124.6 Hays and wingmen, unable to return to Hays and wingmen, unable to return to Intrepid Intrepid, make odyssey around Pacific: interview with Wesley Hays.7 Bitzegaio wounded in seat of pants related in Ed Deutschman correspondence and Bitzegaio wounded in seat of pants related in Ed Deutschman correspondence and Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945 Air Group Ten Cruise Book 1945.