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TWO LOCAL MEN ONDESTROYER SUNK BYJAPS OFF OKINAWAMenfroUnifred Sfrafres:* I*Two local men were among sev-jieral hundred more surv ivors of U. i S. warships sunk oy enemy aerialaction off Okinawa who logged in at Treasure Island. San Francisco, with graphic eye-witness accounts 11 of how their ships fell prey to the last ditch aerial campaign the Japshave launched in a futile attempt to hold the strategic island. jThe local men are Henry J.j j i Kihnv, S 1/c. of 10345 State, and [ Roy W. Fletcher, 12133 Yale, a j machinist's mate, third class.» Served on New DestroyerThey were in the crew of the, Manner! L. Abele. one of the na-i tion's newest destroyers of thei 2.250-ton class. The Abele. survivors said, went down in a few minutes after receiving two hits , | from enemy planes while on patrol about 75 miles off the northern i coast of Okinawa. The attacking planes were from a squadron of about 20 which were operating in the area. IBlIfS The attack took place on an April afternoon, the men reported. The weather was good and visibility excellent. Most of the survivors floated around in the water for several hours before being picked up by nearby gunboats and a mine sweeper operating in the vicinity.Strafe Men in WaterJap planes flew low to strafe men in the water and one bomb was dropped, resulting in several casualties among the helpless bluejackets struggling to save their livesThe Mannert L. Abele was commissioned in July. 1944, and served with distinction in the I wo Jima operation. It was at Iwo, her men said, that the ship went in so close to cover the advance of ground troops thrt they told the captain “to put wheels on her and we'll take her right up on thebeach.”lt;
Newspaper Details
Chicago South End Reporter
Chicago, Illinois, US
Wed, Jun 27, 1945
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Arlington H.
IL, USA 17 Apr 2021
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