War Diaries and Action Reports
War Diaries
USS Laffey (DD-724) War Diary, February 1944–December 1945
USS Arkansas (BB-33) War Diary, June 1944
USS Aucilla (AO-56) War Diary, May 1944
USS Barton (DD-722) War Diary, May 1944–February 1945
USS Davis (DD-395) War Diary, May–June 1944
USS Hobson (DD-464) War Diary, June 1944
USS Jouett (DD-396) War Diary, May–June 1944
USS Kimberly (DD-521) War Diary, January 1945
USS Meredith (DD-726) War Diary, May 1944
USS Monssen (DD-798) War Diary, March 1944
USS Nelson (DD-623) War Diary, June 1944
USS O’Brien (DD-725) War Diary, May 1944–April 1945
USS Osprey (AM-56) War Diary, June 1944
USS Plunkett (DD-431) War Diary, June 1944
USS Somers (DD-381) War Diary, May–June 1944
USS Walke (DD-723) War Diary, March 1944–January 1945
Combatdiv 5 War Diary, June 1944
Comcrudiv 7 War Diary, June 1944
Comdesron 60 War Diary, June, October–December 1944
Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty War Diary, May 1944
Action Reports: USS Laffey (DD-724)
Normandy and Cherbourg
Commanding Officer to Commander Task Force One Two Nine (F. J. Becton to Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo). “Report of Bombardment of Cherbourg Defenses on June 25, 1944,” 26 June 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander Task Force One Two Two (F. J. Becton to Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk). “Bombardment of Cherbourg Defenses, Report of,” 27 June 1944.
Commanding Officer to Naval Commander Western Task Force (F. J. Becton to Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk). “Chronological Narrative Report of Operations, June 3–June 17, 1944,” 27 June 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet (F. J. Becton to Adm. Ernest J. King). “Bombardment of Cherbourg Defenses on June 25, 1944—Report of,” 30 June 1944.
Executive Officer to Commanding Officer (C. Holovak to F. J. Becton). “Report of Action During the Night of 11–12 June between Enemy E or W Boats and the Day Shore Bombardment of the Cherbourg Defenses on the 7–8 June 1944,” 30 June 1944.
Executive Officer to Commanding Officer (C. Holovak to F. J. Becton). “Report of Action During the Bombardment of the Cherbourg Defenses on June 25, 1944,” 30 June 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet (F. J. Becton to Adm. Ernest J. King). “Operations in Assault Area ‘Utah’ Beach, off Coast of France, Baie de la Seine Area between June 6, 1944 and June 21, 1944—Report of,” 30 June 1944.
Commanding Officer to Secretary of the Navy. “Ship’s History, 8 February 1944 to 20 October 1945,” 20 October 1945.
The Philippines
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for Operations November 10–20, 1944, Inclusive, with Task Force 38,” 25 November 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Anti-Aircraft Action, Report on,” 30 November 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report in Connection with Landing of 77th Division, United States Army in Ormoc Bay Area, Leyte Island, Philippine Islands, on December 7, 1944,” 11 December 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, “Anti-Aircraft Action, Report on,” 18 December 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for Period December 12 to 17, 1944, Inclusive, Involving Occupation of Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands,” 19 December 1944.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for Period January 2 to January 17, 1945, Inclusive, Incident to Invasion of Luzon, Philippine Islands,” 27 January 1945.
Air Strikes on Japan and Action off Iwo Jima
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Operations with Fifth Fleet Between February 10 and March 2, 1945—Involving Strikes on Tokyo and Support of Landing on Iwo Jima,” 3 March 1945.
Okinawa
F. J. Becton, “Amplifying Report,” 19 April 1945.
Commanding Officer to Chief of the Bureau of Ships. “Report of Damage by Bombs and Suicide Planes during Air Action on April 16, 1945,” 27 April 1945.
Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Operations in Support of Landings By U.S. Troops in Kerama Retto-Okinawa Area March 25 to April 22, 1945, Including Action Against Enemy Aircraft on April 16, 1945,” 29 April 1945.
Action Reports: Other Ships
Off Normandy
USS Arkansas (BB-33) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report—Operations June 25, 1944,” 11 July 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Bombardment of Cherbourg, France, 25 June, 1944, report of,” 30 June 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Chief of the Bureau of Ships. “War Damage to USS Barton (DD-722),” 26 June 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Bombardment of Cherbourg, France, 25 June, 1944, report of,” 28 June 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Bombardment of Enemy Positions, Baie De La Seine, June 6–10, 1944—report of,” 28 June 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander Task Force One Twenty-Seven. “Narrative of the USS Barton (DD-722) for the period 3–17 June 1944 for the invasion of France,” 28 June 1944.
USS Davis (DD-395) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action of the USS Davis—Report of,” 29 June 1944.
USS Hobson (DD-464) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Action Against Shore Batteries in Cherbourg Area, 25 June, 1944,” 26 June, 1944.
USS Jouett (DD-396) Commanding Officer to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Report of Operations, June 5–17, 1944,” 27 June 1944.
USS Nelson (DD-623) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Enemy Surface Action, report of,” 23 June 1944.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report, USS O’Brien (DD-725), Bombardment of Cherbourg, France, June 25, 1944,” 29 June 1944.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “War Damage to the USS O’Brien (DD-725) during the Bombardment of Cherbourg, June 25, 1944, report of,” 28 June 1944.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Chronological Narrative, June 5–17 (inclusive), Operations USS O’Brien,” 21 June 1944.
USS Osprey (AM-56) Commanding Officer, USS Osprey (AM-56) to Secretary of the Navy. “USS Osprey (AM-56)—Report of Loss of,” 17 June 1944.
USS Plunkett (DD-431) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Action Between Ships and Shore Batteries near Cherbourg 25 June, 1944,” June 26, 1944.
USS Somers (DD-381) Commanding Officer to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Operations from time of departure for Assault Area to and including 17 June 1944, report of,” 27 June 1944.
USS Texas (BB-35) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Action, USS Texas, 25 June 1944 off Cherbourg, France,” 12 July 1944.
USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) Commanding Officer, USS Osprey (AM-56) to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Action Report from 3 June 1944 through 17 June 1944,” 27 June 1944.
USS Walke (DD-723) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for Period 22, 23, and 24 June 1944,” 29 June 1944.
USS Walke (DD-723) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for Period 3–21 June 1944,” 2 July 1944.
USS Walke (DD-723) Commanding Officer to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Report of Operations—3–17 June 1944,” 26 June 1944.
Combatdiv 5 Commander Battleship Division Five to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for Operation Period 3–17 June 1944,” 10 July 1944.
Combatdiv 5 Commander Battleship Division Five to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Action off Cherbourg, France, 25 June 1944,” 15 July 1944.
Comcrudiv 7 Commander Cruiser Division Seven to Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. “Bombardment of Cherbourg, 25 June 1944, Action Report on,” 6 July 1944.
Comdesron 60 Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet (Capt. W. L. Freseman to Adm. Ernest J. King). “Bombardment of Cherbourg Defenses on June 25, 1944—Report of,” 1 July 1944.
Comdesron 60 Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Action off Cherbourg, France, on 25 June 1944,” 17 July 1944.
Comdesron 60 Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Narrative and Report of Operations by Comdesron Sixty in Operation (3 June 1944 to 17 June 1944),” 24 June 1944.
Comdesron 60 Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Naval Commander Western Task Force. “Report of Action off Cherbourg, France, on 25 June 1944,” 27 June 1944.
Naval Commander Western Task Force to All Hands. “Coming Events,” 27 May 1944.
The Philippines
USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) for Luzon Attack Force Operation, 2–13 January 1945,” 16 January 1945. Found at http://www.dd-692.com/action1.htm. Accessed December 5, 2013.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty. “Mindoro Landing 12–17 December 1944,” 18 December 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty. “Ormoc Bay Action Report 6–8 December 1944,” 10 December 1944.
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action East of Philippine Islands, 10–20 November 1944—report of,” 24 November 1944.
USS Enterprise (CV-6) Commanding Officer USS Enterprise (CV-6) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report—Fleet Action and Operations Against the Philippine Islands Area, from 22 to 31 October 1944,” 3 November 1944.
USS Moale (DD-693) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “USS Moale (DD-693), Action Report 2–44, Night of 2–3 Dec. 44,” 5 December 1944.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report USS O’Brien (DD-725), 10–20 November 1944 (inclusive) Air Strikes against Philippine Islands by Task Groups 38.2, 38.3, 38.4, and 38.1,” 25 November 1944.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report USS O’Brien (DD-725), 6–7 December 1944, Landing and Supporting 77th Division, U.S. Army, in Ormoc Bay Area, Leyte Island, P.I.,” 12 December 1944.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report USS O’Brien (DD-725), 2–14 January 1945, Landing and Support of Assault Troops, U.S. Army, in Lingayen Gulf area, Luzon, P.I.,” 25 January 1945.
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report, USS O’Brien (DD-725), 10 February 1945 to 1 March 1945, inclusive; Air Strikes against Tokyo, Japan and the Bonin Islands in Support of the Occupation of Iwo Jima by Task Force 58,” 1 March 1945.
USS Walke (DD-723) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report,” 21 November 1944.
USS Walke (DD-723) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for 6–8 December 1944,” 9 December 1944.
USS Walke (DD-723) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report for 12–18 December 1944,” 18 December 1944.
Comdesron 60 Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report—Support of the Mindoro Landing Operation, 12–18 December 1944,” 31 December 1944.
Comdesron 60 Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report—Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Landing Operation, 2–18 January 1945,” 2 February 1945. Found at http://www.dd-692.com/comdesron_60_action_report.htm. Accessed December 5, 2013.
Comdesron 120 Commander Destroyer Division One-Twenty to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Comdesdiv 120 Action Report—Support of the Luzon landing operation, 2–13 January 1945,” 15 January 1945. Found at http://www.dd-692.com/comdesdiv_120_action_report.htm. Accessed December 5, 2013.
Air Strikes on Japan and Action off Iwo Jima
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer to Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixty. “Fast Carrier Operations 10–19 February 1945,” 1 March 1945.
Okinawa
USS Barton (DD-722) Commanding Officer, (USS Barton (DD-722) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Report of Capture of Okinawa Gunto 21 March to 17 May 1945,” 12 April 1945.
USS Clamp (ARS-33) Commanding Officer, USS Clamp (ARS-33) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “War Diary of for the month of April 1945.”
USS Macomb (DMS-23) Commanding Officer, USS Macomb (DMS-23) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “War Diary for the Month of April 1945.”
USS O’Brien (DD-725) Commanding Officer to The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report, USS O’Brien (DD-725), 21 March–4 April 1945, Operating in Task Group 51.1 During Landing and Support of U.S. Army and Marine Corps Troops on the Island of Kerama Retto in the Nansei Shoto Group of the Ryukyu Islands,” 12 April 1945.
USS Pakana (ATF-108) Commanding Officer, USS Pakana (ATF-108) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Reports, of the USS Pakana, covering period 20 March to 8 June 1945.”
USS Pakana (ATF-108) Commanding Officer, USS Pakana (ATF-108) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “War Diary of USS Pakana (ATF-108) for month of April 1945.”
USS PCE(R)-851 Commanding Officer, USS PCE(R)-851 to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report—Okinawa Operation.”
USS PCE(R)-851 Commanding Officer, USS PCE(R)-851 to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “War Diary Submission of,” 20 May 1945.
USS Tawakoni (ATF-114) Commanding Officer, USS Tawakoni (ATF-114) to Commander in Chief, United States Fleet. “Action Report, USS Tawakoni (ATF-114), Okinawa Operation—forwarding of,” 6 August 1945.
Squadron Ninety-Four Commanding Officer to Chief of Naval Operations. “History of Composite Squadron Ninety-Four, 29 February 1944 to 14 June 1945,” 18 June 1945.
Miscellaneous
USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) Commanding Officer to Commander South Pacific Force. “Report of Action, Night of November 12–13, 1942,” 20 November 1942.
USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) Commanding Officer to Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. “Report of Enemy Action Resulting in Loss of Aaron Ward,” 16 April 1943.
Desron 2 Commander Destroyer Squadron Two to Commander Task Group 51.15. “Defense Against Suicide Plane Attacks,” 10 May 1945.
COLLECTIONS
Thomas B. and Marguerite Fern Collection
Wilbert Gauding Collection
Robert Johnson Collection
Ari Phoutrides Collection
INTERVIEWS
USS Laffey Crew
Bahme, J., Lieutenant
Telephone interviews, June 10, 2013; July 16, 2013; August 21, 2013.
Becton, F. Julian, Commander
“Oral History: Battle for Okinawa, 24 March–30 June 1945,” Operational Archives Branch, Naval Historical Center.
Dixon, Joseph E., Seaman 1/c
Telephone interviews, June 12, 2013; July 16, 2013; October 29, 2013; January 21, 2014; January 23, 2014.
Dockery, Robert W., Seaman 1/c
Telephone interviews, October 31, 2013; November 5, 2013; November 12, 2013; February 5, 2014; February 12, 2014; February 19, 2014; March 5, 2014.
Gemmell, Fred M., Torpedoman’s Mate 2/c
Telephone interviews, January 20, 2014; January 23, 2014; February 5, 2014; February 14, 2014; February 28, 2014.
Hull, Lloyd N., Lieutenant (jg)
Telephone interviews, June 10, 2014; June 17, 2014.
Hunt, Lee C., Seaman 1/c
Telephone interview, July 17, 2013.
Johnson, Robert C., Seaman 2/c
Telephone interviews, August 19, 2013; August 20, 2013; August 27, 2013; August 28, 2013; October 29, 2013; February 4, 2014; February 5, 2014; February 7, 2014; February 20, 2014; February 25, 2014.
Personal interview, April 22, 2014.
Martinis, Dr. Andrew J., Seaman 1/c
Telephone interviews, January 9, 2014; January 16, 2014; January 23, 2014; February 6, 2014; February 20, 2014; February 27, 2014.
Phoutrides, Aristides S., Quartermaster 2/c
Telephone interviews, November 4, 2013; November 20, 2013; December 5, 2013; December 12, 2013; January 22, 2014; January 27, 2014; February 3, 2014; February 24, 2014; March 3, 2014.
Personal interview, April 17, 2014.
Youngquist, Joel C., Lieutenant (jg)
Telephone interviews, August 21, 2013; August 22, 2013; January 24, 2014; January 29, 2014; February 5, 2014; February 12, 2014; February 19, 2014; February 26, 2014.
Zack, Daniel, Sonarman 3/c
Telephone interviews, February 8, 2014; February 15, 2014; February 22, 2014; March 1, 2014; March 8, 2014; March 15, 2014; March 22, 2014; March 29, 2014.
Others
Becton, Julie (daughter)
Telephone interview, July 26, 2013.
Fern, Marguerite (wife)
Telephone interview, June 7, 2013.
Personal interview, June 25, 2013.
Gebhardt, Jack, Sonarman 1st Class (USS Pringle [DD-477])
“Oral History, 1943–1945,” Operational Archives Branch, Naval Historical Center.
Healy, John and Renee (daughter of Lieutenant J. V. Porlier)
Telephone interview, October 30, 2013.
Ondracek, Ray (brother)
Telephone interviews, November 13, 2013; November 19, 2013.
Rowe, William, Seaman 2/c (USS Bunker Hill [CV-17])
Personal interview, June 12, 1988.
Oral Histories from Ship’s Website
http://www.laffey.org/Oral%20Histories/ohindex.htm
Brown, Seaman 1/c Donald E.
Csiszar, Chief Electrician’s Mate Albert
Delewski, Gunner’s Mate 2/c Lawrence H.
Eastham, Seaman 1/c Lonnie H.
Gauding, Fireman 1/c Wilbert C.
Gebhart, Gunner’s Mate 3/c Francis M.
Henke, Lieutenant E. A.
Johnson, Seaman 2/c Merle R.
Karr, Gunner’s Mate 3/c Robert I.
Langevin, Fireman 1/c Reginald
Manson, Lieutenant Frank A.
Phoutrides, Quartermaster 2/c Aristides
Radder, Gunner’s Mate 3/c Owen G.
Rieman, Lieutenant (jg) Carl J. (USS Shamrock Bay [CVE-84])
Remsen, Seaman 1/c Herbert B.
Simonis, Sonarman 1/c Cyril C.
Spriggs, Fireman 1/c Oliver J.
Stuer, Fireman 1/c Joseph J.
Thompson, Carpenter’s Mate 2/c Henry
Waite, Machinist’s Mate 1/c Stephen J.
Weygandt, Seaman 1/c Charles A.
Books
Andrews, Lewis M., Jr. Tempest, Fire & Foe. North Charleston, SC: Narwhal Press, 1999.
Axell, Albert and Hideaki Kase. Kamikaze: Japan’s Suicide Gods. London: Longman, 2002.
Barbey, Vice Admiral Daniel E. MacArthur’s Amphibious Navy. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1969.
Becton, Rear Admiral F. Julian, USN, Ret. with Joseph Morschauser III. The Ship That Would Not Die. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1980.
Bostick, Douglas W. The USS Laffey (DD-724). Charleston, SC: Charleston Postcard Company, 2010.
Brines, Russell. Until They Eat Stones. New York: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1944.
Cannon, M. Hamlin. United States Army in World War II: The War in the Pacific. Leyte: The Return to the Philippines. Washington, DC: Center of Military History, 1987.
Costello, John. The Pacific War, 1941–1945. New York: Quill Books, 1982.
Dorr. Robert F. Marine Air: The History of the Flying Leathernecks in Words and Photos. New York: Berkley Caliber Books, 2005.
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Crusade in Europe. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1950.
Feifer, George. Tennozan. New York: Ticknor & Fields, 1992.
Friedman, Norman. U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1982.
Gandt, Robert. The Twilight Warriors. New York: Broadway Books, 2010.
Gauding, Wilbert C. My Navy Career. Unpublished diary kept during the war.
Goldstein, Donald M., and Katherine V. Dillon. Fading Victory: The Diary of Admiral Matome Ugaki 1941–1945. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991.
Gow, Ian. Okinawa, 1945: Gateway to Japan. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1985.
Griggs, William L. Preludes to Victory: The Battle of Ormoc Bay in World War II. Hillsborough, NJ: Atlantic Press, 1997.
Halsey, Fleet Admiral William F., and Lieutenant Commander J. Bryan III. Admiral Halsey’s Story. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1947.
Hata, Ikuhiko, Yasuho Izawa, and Christopher Shores. Japanese Army Fighter Aces, 1931–1945. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2002.
Inoguchi, Captain Rikihei, Commander Tadashi Nakajima, with Roger Pineau. The Divine Wind. New York: Bantam Books, 1958.
James, D. Clayton. The Years of MacArthur, Volume II, 1941–1945. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1975.
Karig, Commander Walter, USNR, with Lieutenant Earl Burton, USNR, and Lieutenant Stephen L. Freeland, USNR. Battle Report: The Atlantic War. New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., 1946.
Karig, Commander Walter, USNR, with Lieutenant Commander Russell L. Harris, USNR, and Lieutenant Commander Frank A. Manson, USN. Battle Report: Victory in the Pacific. New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., 1949.
Krueger, General Walter. From Down Under to Nippon. Washington, DC: Combat Forces Press, 1953.
Laffey News. Autumn 1993.
———. Spring 1996.
———. Becton Memorial Issue, Winter 1996.
Leary, William M., editor. We Shall Return!: MacArthur’s Commanders and the Defeat of Japan, 1942–1945. Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1988.
MacArthur, Douglas. Reminiscences. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1964.
Manchester, William. American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880–1964. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1978.
Miller, Nathan. War at Sea: A Naval History of World War II. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Millot, Bernard. Divine Thunder: The Life and Death of the Kamikazes. New York: The McCall Publishing Company, 1970.
Morison, Samuel Eliot. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume XI, The Invasion of France and Germany 1944–1945. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1957.
———. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume XII, Leyte June 1944–January 1945. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1958.
———. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume XIII, The Liberation of the Philippines 1944–1945. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1959.
———. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume XIV, Victory in the Pacific 1945. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1960.
———. The Two-Ocean War. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1963.
Nagatsuka, Ryuji. I Was A Kamikaze. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, Inc., 1972.
Ohnuki-Tierney, Emiko. Kamikaze, Cheery Blossoms, and Nationalisms. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2002.
Okumiya, Masatake, Jiro Horikoshi, and Martin Caidin. Zero. New York: Simon B. Schuster, Inc., 2002.
Reilly, Robin L. Kamikazes, Corsairs, and Picket Ships. Philadelphia: Casemate Books, 2008.
Sakai, Saburo, with Martin Caidin and Fred Saito. Samurai! New York: Simon B. Schuster, Inc., 2001.
Sears, David. At War with the Wind. New York: Citadel Press, 2008.
Sheftall, M. G. Blossoms in the Wind: Human Legacies of the Kamikaze. New York: NAL Caliber, 2005.
Snow, Ralph Linwood. Bath Iron Works: The First Hundred Years. Bath, ME: Maine Maritime Museum, 1987.
Solberg, Carl. Decision and Dissent: With Halsey at Leyte Gulf. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1995.
Spector, Ronald H. Eagle Against the Sun. New York: The Free Press, 1985.
Ugaki, Admiral Matome. Fading Victory: The Diary of Admiral Matome Ugaki, 1941–1945. Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh Press, 1991.
Vodehnal, Slavomir J. The Indestructible USS Laffey. No date. Privately published collection of newspaper articles and photographs.
Warner, Denis, and Peggy Warner. The Sacred Warriors. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1982.
Wheeler, Gerald E. Kinkaid of the Seventh Fleet. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1996.
Wheeler, Keith. The Road to Tokyo. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1979.
Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr., editor. The USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) in World War II: Documents and Photographs. Needham, MA: Privately published by the editor, 2001.
Articles
“Airfield on Mindoro,” The New York Times, December 23, 1944.
“Air: First and Foremost,” Time, January 1, 1945. Found at http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,791844,00.html. Accessed November 16, 2013.
Alexander, Colonel Joseph H. “Hellish Prelude at Okinawa,” Naval History Magazine. Found at http://www.usni.org/print/3035. Accessed January 28, 2014.
Baldwin, Hanson W. “Allies Take War to Foes,” The New York Times, February 16, 1945.
———. “Blow at Luzon Indicated,” The New York Times, December 16, 1944.
———. “Cherbourg Only Beginning of French Campaign,” The New York Times, July 2, 1944.
———. “Invasion’s Start Good,” The New York Times, January 11, 1945.
———. “Luzon a Major Military Venture,” The New York Times, January 8, 1945.
———. “Luzon Campaign Opens with Odds in Our Favor,” The New York Times, January 14, 1945.
———. “MacArthur’s Next Step,” The New York Times, January 1, 1945.
———. “Where Is German Navy?” The New York Times, July 7, 1944.
———. “Navy Still Stings Hitler,” The New York Times, July 4, 1944.
———. “Our Stepping-Stones to Japan,” The New York Times, December 28, 1944.
———. “Sights Raised for Luzon,” The New York Times, December 22, 1944.
———. “Two War Surprises,” The New York Times, December 20, 1944.
———. “U.S. Outlook In War,” The New York Times, December 8, 1944.
———. “Mines Still A Problem,” The New York Times, July 6, 1944.
“Battle of the Pacific: Bold Stroke,” Time, December 25, 1944. Found at http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,791722,00.html. Accessed November 16, 2013.
“Battle of the Pacific: End Run, Touchdown,” Time, December 18, 1944. Found at http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,778257,00.html. Accessed November 16, 2013.
“Becton’s Word,” Time, June 4, 1945. Found at http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,775738,00.html. Accessed March 1, 2014.
“Conquest of Leyte,” The New York Times, December 27, 1944.
“Crowds Visit Heroic Laffey,” Seattle Times, May 27, 1945.
Davis, Spencer. “Japanese Stunned by Ormoc Landing,” The New York Times, December 9, 1944.
“Destroyer Bombed, Crew Stuffed Up Holes in Futile Effort to Save It,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 25, 1943. Found in E. Andrew Wilde, Jr., editor, The USS Aaron Ward (DD-483) in World War II: Documents and Photographs. Needham, MA: Privately published by the editor, 2001.
“Drift-Out in the Shipyards,” Time, June 4, 1945. Found at http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,775720,00.html. Accessed March 1, 2014.
Ewing, Dr. Steve. “USS Laffey and a Place Called Okinawa,” Sea History, Spring 1995, pp. 14–16. Found at http://www.laffey.org/ewing1.htm. Accessed June 13, 2013.
Fish, Larry. “Inquirer Recalls Becton’s Life, Career,” Philadelphia Inquirer, no date. Found in Laffey News, Becton Memorial Issue, Winter 1996.
“Going Home,” Time, May 21, 1945. Found at http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,852265,00.html. Accessed March 1, 2014.
“Hard-Hitting Bath Destroyer Knocking Down Jap Plane,” The Bulletin, Bath Iron Works, February 9, 1945, p. 1, in the Robert Johnson Collection.
Hewlett, Frank. “Troops Land Fast on Mindoro Beach,” The New York Times, December 16, 1944, pp. 1, 3.
Hicks, Brian. “The Love That Would Not Die,” The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC), September 26, 2012. Found at http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20120926/PC16/120929483/world-war-ii-widow-visits-laffey-where-her-husband-died. Accessed February 6, 2014.
Horne, George. “373 Planes, 17 Ships Smashed at Luzon,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944.
Illian, Jack. “On Heroic Laffey, Lt. McCune Rode Out 22 Suicide Attacks,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, May 1945. Found at http://www.laffey.org/Laura%20McKagan/cedar_rapid_gazette.htm. Accessed February 3, 2014.
“Invasion of Luzon Near, Says Enemy,” The New York Times, January 1, 1945.
“Invasion Pictured,” The New York Times, January 9, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
“Invasion Prelude,” The New York Times, January 7, 1945.
“Japanese Swimmers Try To ‘Torpedo’ Transports,” The New York Times, January 12, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
“Japanese Communique,” The New York Times, December 11, 1944.
“Japanese Report on Mindoro,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944.
“Japanese ‘Suicide’ Air War Fails in Mission, Says Admiral Nimitz,” The New York Times, April 14, 1945.
Jones, George E. “Absence of Enemy Is Luzon Mystery,” The New York Times, January 17, 1945.
———. “Yanks Land From 800 Ships; MacArthur Ashore With Men,” The New York Times, January 10, 1945, pp. 1, 4.
Johnson, Hal. “Even A Church Was Fair Game, Grove City Man Recalls.” Sharon (PA) Herald, undated article. Found at http://www.laffey.org/donaldbrownnews.htm. Accessed September 9, 2013.
“Ketron Cheated Death by Days When Laffey Was Hit,” Kingsport Times News, June 19, 1945. Found at http://www.laffey.org/kingsporttimesnewslaffey.htm. Accessed February 2, 2014.
Kitchen, Rueben P. “The Destroyer That Refused to Die,” Sea Classics, May 1983, pp. 45–48. Found at http://www.laffey.org/Articles/seaclassics1.htm. Accessed April 12, 2013.
Kluckhohn, Frank L. “Convoy Is Blasted,” The New York Times, November 30, 1944, pp. 1, 12.
———. “Foe in Leyte Trap,” The New York Times, December 20, 1944, pp. 1, 13.
———. “Foe Is Surprised,” The New York Times, December 16, 1944, pp. 1, 2.
———. “Foe’s Line Is Cut in Drive at Ormoc,” The New York Times, December 7, 1944, pp. 1, 17.
———. “4 Ormoc-Bound Ships Sunk; 2 Damaged by Our Planes,” The New York Times, December 3, 1944, pp. 1, 3.
———. “‘Greatest Japanese Defeat’ Ends Campaign on Leyte,” The New York Times, December 26, 1944, pp. 1, 12.
———. “Japanese Tricked by MacArthur Coup,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944.
———. “Lead Ship’s Voyage to Luzon A Grim Saga Written in Fire,” The New York Times, January 13, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
———. “MacArthur’s Daring Move Adds A Valuable Base,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944.
———. “Master of Amphibious Warfare,” The New York Times, December 31, 1944, pp. 11, 32.
———. “77th Infantry Hits,” The New York Times, December 8, 1944, pp. 1, 4.
———. “28 Ships Also Sunk,” The New York Times, December 19, 1944, pp. 1, 11.
———. “2 MacArthur Gains,” The New York Times, December 18, 1944, pp. 1, 10.
———. “U.S. Fliers Using Mindoro Airfield,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944, pp. 1, 9.
———. “Whole War Can Be Shortened,” The New York Times, January 10, 1945, p. 3.
“Laffey Men Didn’t Quit, Can’t Understand Shipyard Quitters,” Seattle Times, May 25, 1945, p. 10.
“Landing on Mindoro,” The New York Times, December 21, 1944.
“Landing Predicted,” The New York Times, January 8, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
Leslie, Belinda. “U.S.S. Laffey: The Ship That Took A Licking and A Looking,” University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, Wisconsin, November 1988. Found at http://www.laffey.org/Belinda%20Leslie%20Report/college_essay_by_belinda_leslie.htm. Accessed February 19, 2014.
Logan, Clint. “The Ship That Refused to Die,” Sea Combat, April 1979. Found at http://www.laffey.org/seacombat. Accessed April 12, 2013.
“Luzon Thrust Seen,” The New York Times, January 7, 1945, pp. 1, 19.
Mahaffay, Robert. “Be It Ever So Humble, Etc., Joe,” Seattle Times, June 3, 1945.
———. “Destroyer, Hit by 8 Jap Planes, Limps Back Here,” Seattle Times, May 25, 1945, pp. 1, 10.
Manson, Lieutenant Commander Frank A. “Seventy-Nine Minutes on the Picket Line,” U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, September 1949, pp. 997–1003.
“Marine Pilots Find Mindoro Foe Easy,” The New York Times, December 19, 1944.
Moore, Mechlin. “Navy Officer Relives Battle for Son, 8,” Washington Post, April 14, 1958, p. A8.
Moscow, Warren. “First Great Blow,” The New York Times, February 16, 1945, pp. 1, 4.
“Name to Remember,” True Comics, Winter Issue, No. 46, p. 5, in the Robert Johnson Collection.
“Nimitz Eyes Bases Closer to Japan,” The New York Times, December 31, 1944.
“Opposition Slight,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944, pp. 1, 13.
Parrott, Lindesay. “Units Drive Inland,” The New York Times, January 10, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
“Port Important for Future,” The New York Times, December 11, 1944.
“‘Priorities of 1943’ Will Open Tonight,” The New York Times, September 15, 1942.
“Roosevelt Son Fights at Luzon,” The New York Times, January 13, 1945.
Saxon, Wolfgang. “F. Julian Becton, 87, Admiral Whose Ship Repelled Kamikazes.” The New York Times, December 30, 1995.
Shalett, Sidney. “Japan’s Inner Citadel Brought Under Attack,” The New York Times, February 18, 1945.
Sheets, Lieutenant Jerome Butler. “Our Lady.” 1945. Found at http://www.laffey.org/jerome_butler_sheets_his_pa.htm. Accessed August 8, 2013.
“6 Suicide Planes and 2 Bombs Hit Destroyer Laffey, She Gets Home.” The New York Times, May 26, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
Smith, Bruce. “Bath Iron Workers-Built ‘Ship That Would Not Die’ Returns to S.C. Berth,” Portland Press Herald, January 25, 2012. Found at http://www.laffey.org/portland_press_herald_courtesy_o.htm. Accessed February 19, 2014.
“So Far, So Good—On Mindoro,” The New York Times, December 19, 1944.
Spohn, Sharon. “Keeping the Story Alive,” The Mercury, September 20, 2007. Found at http://www.laffey.org/Sept%202007/ww_ii_veteran_keeps_the_story_al.htm. Accessed February 19, 2014.
“Stalin Hails Cherbourg,” The New York Times, July 1, 1944.
“Suicide Pilots Green, Say U.S.S. Laffey Men,” Los Angeles Times, June 10, 1945, p. 6.
“The Target Is Tokyo,” The New York Times, February 17, 1945.
Tilove, Jonathan. “Role Relived on Ship That Would Not Died,” The Morning Union (Springfield, MA), November 10, 1982.
“Tokyo Papers See Perils on Mindoro,” The New York Times, December 18, 1944.
“Tokyo Tells of ‘Suicide Plane,’” The New York Times, November 3, 1944.
“Toward Manila,” The New York Times, December 17, 1944.
Tracy, Hazel Millikin. “Sailor Risks His Life to Restore Flag,” Seattle Times, May 25, 1945, p. 10.
Trumbull, Robert. “Navy Holds Key to Luzon Victory; Must Bar Reinforcements to Foe,” The New York Times, January 10, 1945, pp. 1, 3.
“U.S. Warship Survives Six Jap ‘Death Blows,’” Los Angeles Times, May 26, 1945, p. 1.
“War Bond Show Set for Stadium Tuesday,” The New York Times, July 1, 1944.
“War Worker Exodus Hits Ship in Oregon,” The New York Times, May 6, 1945.
“Wounded General Leads on Mindoro,” The New York Times, December 18, 1944.
Wukovits, John F. “Life on a Bull’s-Eye,” Military History, December 1988, pp. 27–32.
Chicago Tribune
Los Angeles Times
New York Times
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
DVDs
“Dogfights—Kamikaze.” The History Channel, 2007.
“Hero Ships—USS Laffey.” The History Channel, 2008.
“Laffey Men.” Written and Directed by Jessica Cribbs. Media City Productions, 2008.
“Pacific: The Lost Evidence: Okinawa.” The History Channel, 2005.
Websites
Kamikaze Images website, http://www.kamikazeimages.net/index.htm
Laffey website, http://www.laffey.org
Patriots Point website, http://www.patriotspoint.org/explore_museum/uss_laffey/