| USS LONGSHAW (May 18, 1945)
After a four day period of supplying fire-support to the invasion of forces attacking the island of Okinawa, the Longshaw ran aground on a coral reef off the island's south coast. The US tug, 'Jrikara' arrived to attempt to take the destroyer in tow but just then the Japanese gun-batteries on shore opened up and poured a stream of shells into the stricken ship. One shell hit the Longshaw's forward magazine completely blowing off the ships bow. The Langshaw, battered beyond recognition, had to be sunk by gunfire and torpedoes from US ships. The attack on the destroyer took the lives of 78 officers and crewmen. Rescue vessels picked up 11 officers and 225 ratings, seven of whom were to die later from their wounds.
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On weald of Kent I watched once more
Again I heard that grumbling roar
Of fighter planes; yet none were near
And all around the sky was clear
Borne on the wind a whisper came
'Though men grow old, they stay the same'
And then I knew, unseen to eye
The ageless Few were sweeping by
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