The next big operation was to be the taking of Okinawa. We studied the operation plan carefully knowing we were in air range of the Japanese islands. We loaded ammunition and topped off with fuel. Our group left Leyte headed for Okinawa. We joined up with a larger group in late March and on 1 April participated in the landing operation. We were first assigned to radar picket duty north of the landing area. Not too much happened to us that first day. We were then ordered south to cover some arriving transports and then were sent to Radar Picket Station #1 some 60 miles north of Point Zampa Misaki. On the way we saw several mines floating and took them under fire to explode them. One of our destroyers had been sunk by a mine the day before. We arrived on station on the fourth and remained at either General Quarters or a modified version thereof continuously.
... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, 1989

On April 6 we were the only other ship on RP1. Initially LCS 62 was with us when we reported to the BUSH early on April 2. Between 1am and 4am on the morning of April 3, while the USS PRICHETT (DD561) was acting in the BUSH's stead, there were desultory skirmishes between numerous snoopers and the three ships, which were widely separated and hardly in support of each other. The PRICHETT must have picked off 3 or 4 snoopers with its 5 inch guns but one got in close and damaged her stern with a bomb. We got one which seemed almost to stumble close aboard our bow about 3:30. The 62 also got one we learned later. Around noon on the 3rd the BUSH was back and the PRICHETT went off to Kerama Retto for repairs. The next day LCS 62 took aboard some Jap wreckage (termed "intelligence material") and left RP1 under orders to deliver it to CTF 51 in the Hagushi anchorage. She had not returned when the BUSH was attacked on April 6.
... John Littleton, Ensign, Executive Officer and Navigator, LCS(L)64, August 19, 2005

The Sinking, April 6, 1945:

Frank Dinda and I had been gambling. We had money on board. Had a crap game the night before we were hit. I won $250.00. Had it in my shirt pocket, huddled near the gun mount.... Later that night, I and Frank were at the rail, April 5th. Frank was looking at the stars. Suddenly he said, kinda low, "We're getting hit tomorrow. The ship will go down."
... Art Woolfolk, TM3c, January 8, 1999

A guy named Collinson was transferred and they needed a new Gun Captain on #1-5. I bunked right below it and Red Lawrence took #3 and I took #1. We were told the night before to get as much rest as possible because the next day promised much action.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 3, 1999

When we were at general quarters, Ray Moses was usually in the Coding Room, which was right next to the Radio Room. Lt. West was on the Bridge with the Captain. My battle station was adjacent to the Coding Room in case I was needed. My battle station assignment was to maintain discipline on the two bofors (the two forward twin 40MM's) and to see that there was someone in attendance at the Coding Room at all times.
... Dan Tontz, Lt.(jg), Assistant Communications Officer, April 20, 1999

My GQ station was in CIC, I worked very closely with Stanley. When we would pick up a plane (or planes) on the search radar, I would guide to AA gun director radar to fall on the target. I would be talking to Stanley up in the director.
.... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, July 22, 1999

I was never aboard the BUSH, but was serving on the LCS(L) 64, a small gunboat which was on radar picket duty with the BUSH. Two of our LCS's and one destroyer made up a picket station.
... J. C. Mc Lendon, FC2c on the LCS(L) 64, May 26, 1999

As I remember it, our noon meal on 4/6/45 was the first warm meal we had in several days. When we were in condition 1E, our usual meal was a sandwich consisting of two slices of bread with one slice of American cheese-no butter, no mustard, nothing.
... Paul Pedersen, QM2c, February 20, 1999

While the BUSH was on Radar Picket Station No. 1..... on April 6, 1945, waves of enemy planes filled the sky. They were buzzing around and over the BUSH like a flock of blackbirds.
... Earl Sechrist, Lt.(jg), October 1, 1991

I was on watch in the CIC room with Alvin Livers. He was operating the Surface SG2 radar, and I on the SC-2 Air Search. When I picked up an echo "blip" about 90 miles N.W. from our ship, I mean it was a very large "BLIP". Once in awhile we pick up storm clouds, but this was so different, I couldn't believe it at first. Lt. West was over the watch, so I called him over to look at the scope. He looked at the blip and he too was puzzled. And he said let's track it on the air plotting table. Either McGrath or Swindell was plotting the "blip". Every one or two minutes we would record the course and speed. My gosh, it had a speed about 145 knots. Lt. West informed the Bridge, and .... we went to General Quarters at once. I was relieved from the radar for a more experienced operator. I think it was Swindell. My G.Q. station was Gun #44, the port 40MM. I'll never forget the face on Lt. West when he saw the radar image. He said, "There must be hundreds." Running back to my station, Mario Petroni (a Gunner's Mate and Gun Captain) says, "What's up?" It seemed like everytime I came from the CIC room, I usually knew what was coming down. I told them about the big raid coming, so we were ready in a few minutes.
... Ed Cregut, S1c (& Radar Striker!), January 12, 1999

Some time after midday a large target showed up on the SC-2 Air Search Radar nearly 90 miles NW of us. Soon we could see several other large target groups coming south towards us. Jim Starr (Senior Fighter Director) asked me to take over control of the CAP to intercept the first target group. The CAP that was maintaining station near us was only a flight of four fighters at the that time. The enemy planes were about 50 miles north of us when I successfully vectored the CAP to intercept them. I can still hear the welcome "Tallyho" radio call from the flight leader, meaning he had them in sight and was attacking. Shortly thereafter he called in to report that all had been shot down -- can't remember the count and types of planes but I think it was five or six. Our jubilation was short-lived for right after that the 5 in., the 40 and 20 mm's all started firing at once. When the 40's and 20's started firing we knew we were in trouble.
... Coit Butler, Ensign, Fighter Direction Intercept Officer, September 15, 2000

On 6 April in the early afternoon, the big raid started..... I reported the first group to the Fleet command ship at the landing area. Soon another group and another and another came in radar view and I designated the last as Raid 4. Most of them continued on their way to the landing area but a group peeled off and started to attack us.
.... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, 1989

I remember that many Bogeys were reported about 12 or 1 o'clock. The first appeared about 2 o'clock and we commenced firing off the starboard bow and I think we brought down a couple right off. Suddenly control shouted train out to starboard and commence firing. I think the opening range was less than 3000 yards. Of course we didn't stop the twin-engine Betty - nothing but a direct hit could have - she struck in the forward engine room and we lost all power.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 19, 1987

Our gun captain McCall had his head sticking out the hatch at the top of the #5 gun mount. When he suddenly ducked back back in and shut the hatch, I knew we were in trouble.
... Ralph Carver, S1c, August 16, 2001

I was a loader on the #5 5-inch gun. I think I put the first shell in that the gun ever fired, and I know I put the last one in on April 6, 1945. Round #16 was loaded during the final firing series when the first plane struck us.
... John Northcutt, S1c, April 8, 1999

The first plane hit us at the starboard water line between the stacks. When it was about 500 yards away the torpedo and depth charge men were told to take cover from strafing. I was at tube #1 and normally we would get under the tube. Scott and Tillman did that, and I jumped to the main deck on the port side. When the plane hit, the tube and deck between the stacks were gone. Both Scott and Tillman were missing.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

The first was carrying a torpedo and was coming in low off the water. The Captain called down on the sound-powered phone to ask if it were enemy or not and I shouted back,"YES!" Soon the five-inch guns opened fire, then the 40MM's, and then the 20MM's - all to no avail. We had a shout from the bridge he was going to hit. I bent my knees and waited and suddenly WHAM; he hit us amidships in the engineering spaces .... The emergency diesel generator kicked in automatically and I radioed the Command ship that we had been hit.
.... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, 1989

We caught the first one between the stacks, right at the waterline, which flooded the three forward engineering spaces and left us like a sitting duck with no power, lights, etc. We didn't see him till he was about 8,000 yards away as we'd just finished shooting to port and knocking down two...This one came in low and fast and how he ever got thru all the stuff we threw at him I'll never know, but he did.
... Harry Stanley, Lieutenant & Gunnery Officer, July 15, 1945

I was gun 43 captain, on the starboard amidships 40MM. As the first plane to hit us came in, we had shot off most of the wings and it looked more like a torpedo when it struck than a plane.
... Al Blakely, SoM2c, April 7, 2000

If there had been a dot painted dead center along the starboard side of the ship that plane would have hit it dead on. Afterwards, our gun was useless and I spent time helping to lighten the ship by tossing food, supplies, and equipment over the side.
... Al Blakely, SoM2c, June 28, 1999

Sometime before our ship was sunk I had been made a Torpedoman 3rd class on the forward torpedo mount. A few days before we were first hit by a kamikaze, I was transferred as a loader on a 20MM gun on the side where we were first hit. If I hadn't been transferred I would have been on the torpedo mount which was knocked over the side by that first suicide plane.
... Russell Youngren, TM3c, May 1991

For G.Q., I was assigned to the plot room to read the range of the enemy target to the gunnery officer. On April 6, 1945 I read the range down to zero and heard a tremendous explosion. There was only one bulkhead left between me and the engine room. That saved my life.
... Robert "Melvin" Cowherd, S1c, May 21, 1999

I was in the after Fireroom when .... word came in that a single plane was coming in, just above the water. I had just turned to tell our crew about the plane when it hit us at the water line between the forward fireroom and the forward engine room. It exploded and knocked out the fireroom and engine room. Our #3 boiler let go with 600 pounds of pressure and about 1200 degrees of temperature.
... Frank Grigsby, WT3c, March 15, 1999

I was in the after fire room when the first Jap suicide plane hit us .... The front of the boiler had blown off and we were being flooded out. I climbed out of the aft fireroom in nothing flat to escape live steam pouring out.
…John Peterson, B2c, from newspaper clipping May 1945

My general quarters station was on the phones, wearing the big helmet, near the torpedo shack. The first plane to strike BUSH hit just forward of my position, knocking me down. I lost the phones but luckily didn't have a scratch on me.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

Tommy Soo Hoo and I were stationed in the blast shield of the after torpedo tubes on GQ. When were were hit I opened the hatch and shoved him out first and then I followed.
... Dan (Andy) Anderson, S1c, January 26, 2000

We were extremely busy in #5 handling room feeding 5 inch rounds to Northcutt and the #5 gun. When the first plane hit, it sounded and felt like the BUSH had run into a stone wall. All forward motion stopped, dead. All lights went out and we had to feel our way through the rear compartments and up the ladder to the fantail. There was a sizable gathering on the fantail, some badly injured.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

We in the CIC felt and heard the explosion as the first Kamikaze hit .... I don't recall the explosion being very loud nor even jarring us very much but I could tell we were dead in the water. Shortly thereafter our equipment went dead and we had no lights. We all headed for the main deck to see what our situation was .... I clearly remember looking over the side to look at the damage and seeing the forward engine room under water.
... Coit Butler, Ensign, Fighter Direction Intercept Officer, September 15, 2000

Just before the first hit, I'd been asked to run to my locker and get a carton of Lucky Strike cigarettes, and to "hurry!". On my way back were hit for the first time. I don't know what happened to the cigarettes, but I didn't have them anymore. I got back to the radar room and it was dark with no power. I told them, "Boys, grab your lifejackets. We've been hit and hit hard."
... Myarl Rose, RdM3c, August 16, 2001

Sometime prior, I had installed an ultra violet light just above the yardarm. The light was only visible through a special lens. This allowed ships to signal each other at night without detection. On April 6, 1945, an officer ordered me to take down the violet light after the first plane hit to ensure the Japs wouldn't discover it.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 7, 2000

I had just put on my helmet and lifejacket after the first hit when Tom Owen came up from CIC. The Captain told him to go below and check the damage.
The XO said, "I wonder where my helmet is?"
I said, "You can take mine, and I'll find yours."
So he ended up wearing a helmet with "POP" painted on it, and I had one that read "EXEC".
... Paul O. Pedersen ("POP"), QM2c, October 26, 2009

Everyone started for the open hatch on the starboard side, up 3 floors with water already coming in through the hole. I was one of the first to get up the ladder to the second level when I ran into the steam. I couldn't see or breathe so I stopped and waited for the water level to catch up with me before going on up. Most of the men didn't make it because of the steam. Once on topside we found out what kind of shape we were in. No power of any kind. We were burning below decks and dead in the water. Some of the guns were still trying to fire at planes by hand power.
... Frank Grigsby, WT3c, March 15, 1999

There was a French-Canadian guy that worked below deck, in the forward engine or boiler room. He was a good looking fellow. He looked a lot like the movie star Errol Flynn, with a real thin mustache to match. I used to kid him about that mustache, asking "What will you ever do without that mustache?" After the first hit on the ship, he swam out the hole in the ship. After he was back aboard ship, I saw him coming and he was really badly burned. He laid down, looked up at me, and said with a little smile, "I suppose my mustache is frazzled, too?" Then he died.
... John Northcutt, S1c, August 16, 2001

After we received the first hit from suicide planes we lost all power and three guns, #2, #3 and #4, were jammed in train and it was decided that #1 and #5 would cause more damage than good if they were fired. So gun crews went to secondary stations.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 3, 1999

Though we'd lost power, we continued to fire the 42 gun in manual.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 7, 2000

After the ship was dead in the water we started to lighten ship. The five torpedos in tube two were fired, and we started to work on the depth charges. To ensure that they did not explode we removed the devices that measured water pressure and set off the TNT. To assist with this I recruited two young men, whose assigned guns were no longer able to fire. They were Ralph Carver and Robert Thompson.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

After the initial hit, I helped the Chief Torpedoman's Mate, Ray Mayhugh, remove detonators from the depth charges, then roll the depth charges over the side.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

My general quarters station was hot shellman on the #4 5-inch gun .... When the first plane hit, we formed work parties to lighten the ship. They asked for people with 40MM experience to man the forward 40MM's. I went forward to act as pointer on gun #41. When I noticed the ¾ inch steel plating sticking through the motor whaleboat I'd worked so hard to refurbish, I cussed that Jap up one side and down the other.
... Ed Bennett, Cox, April 6, 2000

We first heard from the BUSH that it was in trouble about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the 6th. At that time the Bush was out of sight to our northeast, but soon, as we proceeded in that direction, the sight of circling planes and the sounds of gunfire guided us to her. As we neared, we also saw the COLHOUN somewhat to the south of the BUSH coming up from the east.
... John Littleton, Ensign, Executive Officer and Navigator, LCS(L)64, August 12, 2005

When the first Kamikaze plane slammed into the side of the Bush, I was in 5-inch gun #2 .... She started to sink and life rafts were released, many jumped into the sea only to swim back when the ship settled and stopped sinking. The life rafts were not secured and many drifted away from the ship.
... Bob Wise, S1c, April 30, 2001

On April 6, the rafts were dropped into the water early on. No one tied them together. Several were lost, just floated away.
... Art Woolfolk, TM3c, October 13, 1988

Richard McFarland was on the fantail and he and I went forward to try to save supply and disbursing records. It was standard procedure to place vouchers, pay records and other important documents in empty mail bags before we went into battle conditions. Empty five inch powder cans were tied to the bags to keep them afloat, if need be .... Bundles of currency floated in that water but, contrary to some speculation, inaccessible because of the surrounding conditions .... The mail bags were intact and reachable. McFarland and I put them in the gig and we returned to the fantail. I never saw McFarland nor the gig after that.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

Atteberry and I made sure the maps and charts were secured, and would go down with the ship. Didn't know all the information that was on them, but didn't want them to fall into the hands of the Japs.
... Paul Pedersen, QM2c, April 7, 2000

On April 6 I was on the port side 40MM gun. The first strike blew me to the deck below with a broken pelvis. I thought my back was broken. I remember a large black man, one of the stewards, Jackson, I think, placing me in a raft. Someone had put me in metal basket thing. George Johnson, the Doctor, had authorized Ralph Carver to administer a capsule of morphine to me while I was in the basket. I didn't know until the list was read at the first Reunion (in 1987) that Jackson didn't make it.
... Bob Carney, Ensign, Supply & Disbursing Officer, October 9, 1988

When the first plane hit us I was burned and out. Bob Thompson got me into the wardroom after he hit me with a couple of morphine. When I came to in the wardroom, someone hit me a couple of more ... I remember trying to get the generator to run. No luck, it kept shorting out. Never did run.
... Jack Day, CM2c, May 2, 2006

After the first attack he manned a gun, then dived over to pull in a man who was about to drown. He manned the gun again and was hit twice in the chest by strafers. He dived overboard to rescue another man and died in the rescue, still refusing medical aid until the others were cared for.
... Joe Enloe, MM1c, May 15, 1945 (from a newspaper article about an unnamed BUSH hero)

I've mentioned Steward's Mate Miles S. Burke .... (a huge guy) .... a member of one of the gun crews (in the #5 handling room). I do remember .... his actions going down into the afire engine spaces at least 3 or 4 times to bring up one burned snipe each time. I can still see his bloody feet, but then shoeless. Being as big as he was, and deck hatches down to engine spaces as small as they were, how he got through I find hard to imagine now.
... Hilliard Lubin, Lt.(jg), Assistant Gunnery Officer, September 25, 2000

I hooked up with my good pals Bud Serviolo and Tony Wysocki. We decided to man one of the port amidship's 20MM. Wysocki had been shot in the left shoulder, and it didn't look too bad. A man who'd been blinded was in the water and Wysocki dove in and got him. Afterwards, Serviolo and I helped change Wysocki out of his wet clothes and into some dry ones. That's when we realized how bad he was hurt. The shot had hit Tony in his left shoulder and exited underneath his right armpit.
... John Northcutt, S1c, August 16, 2001

About 4:30 we went alongside the Bush's port quarter to take off wounded and otherwise assist. She was lying on a westerly heading, listing to port and down by the stern .... We were headed in the same direction as the BUSH. Our bow probably was about level with the BUSH's after stack .... We had just got a line over when we were ordered off as a new wave of planes was coming in .... I saw through our radio room port (the radio room also served as our chart and radar room) what looked like a CPO ... on deck, where our line was about to be secured, vigorously waving us off with a sweeping motion of both arms. I did not see the BUSH's bridge but believe the man I saw was merely reinforcing an order from on high motivated by a desire to gain the BUSH a clear field of fire and to free the 64 to defend itself .... During the brief time we were alongside we managed to get a bearing (using our PPI radar scope) on the eastern end of the largest island of the Iheya Retto which lay to the south. This proved invaluable later when we sought to find survivors. Clearing the BUSH, we fired upon 2 or 3 planes passing over her. One of these did a wing over and came straight down at us .... He crashed close aboard, showering our after 40mm area with parts and gasoline. There was no explosion or fire.
... John Littleton, Ensign, Executive Officer and Navigator, LCS(L)64, August 12, 2005

As a Fire Controlman my duty station was in a Director Tub just forward of the Conning Tower. We watched in horror as the BUSH was hit by several planes. The USS COLHOUN another destroyer came to our rescue and was almost immediately hit also. Since the BUSH was dead in the water, we pulled alongside her port side and put over our mooring lines. Before we could take a single survivor aboard we were attacked by two more kamikazes. Our lines had to be cut so that we had a chance at evasive action. By the Grace of God neither of these suicide planes hit us but simply crashed into the sea near us. Since the attack continued until dark we were unable to look for BUSH survivors.
... J. C. Mc Lendon, FC2c on the LCS(L) 64, May 26, 1999

I was in the gig with Captain Westholm. We were surveying damage and assisting men in the water. Just before the 2nd plane hit, the captain ordered, "Take me back to the ship and continue to pick up survivors." I put Westholm off on the fantail and continued to pick up men; deliver them to rafts; and then return to look for more men. A few severely injured men stayed in the gig during this time. I did not see the captain again until rescued.
... John Spears, BM2c, April 7, 2000

When we were told to be prepared to leave the ship if another plane started a crash dive, I tried to inflate my life belt but the air promptly escaped because the belt was full of holes. I had a kapok life jacket at my bunk and went after it in the rear crew compartment. Fortunately, I had practiced a lot to be able to find my way in the dark. I returned to the fantail to find everyone throwing everything over the side that would reduce weight.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

When the second plane came from out of the sun and hit us again, the officers, including the Commodore and Captain came down to the foc'sle. I had on the phones and had communication with the fantail. I was told to pass the word back there to abandon ship if we were hit again, as only the 40 milimeters and the 20's were operating.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 19, 1987

I ended up on the fantail where I helped a corpsman tend the wounded. I did recruit some crew members who had experience with 20MM's to man the two aft mounts. When the second Kamikaze attacked he strafed us before he struck us at about the waterline between the stacks on the port side. I remember giving one crewman morphine who had been shot through the leg.
... Coit Butler, Ensign, Fighter Direction Intercept Officer, September 15, 2000

I was sent to the stern when Carney got blown off from above. I had a back pack with medicines and gauze and stuff - headed for the fantail, found a large wire basket, stretcher type, with a guy, an officer (Carney), in it.....I gave him a shot of morphine. I handed two surrets to Carver who was there when the second plane came in strafing. We shoved Carney under the gun mount.
... Bob Thompson, SC3c, June 1993

An hour or so passed when the second Kamikaze dove out of the sky and as he approached, he saw he was going to miss and he pulled out of the dive and went back up for another try. This time he didn't miss and hit approximately where the first one did.
Bob Wise, S1c, April 30, 2001

One of the Japanese planes flew across the fantail close enough that we could see the pilot. He waived, gained altitude, started his dive and crashed into the same place targeted by the first plane, evidently hoping to cut the BUSH in half.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

We were damn near helpless with the 5-inch useless and the 40's in manual, but we kept shooting when the second one came in ... and dove into the port side amidships. The first one hit the starboard side and now we couldn't get fore and aft.
... Harry Stanley, Lieutenant & Gunnery Officer, July 15, 1945

My regular gun crew was not around, and a gunner's mate from the #1 or #2 5-inch gun got on my 40MM gun, along with a couple of other guys. I was showing them how to operate the gun when Lt. Stanley yelled up from the main deck, "Shirey, you're a little late in doing gun drills!" .
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

Later on, I was helping on a 40MM gun up forward .... I think the others with me included Serviolo, Sobczynski, Short, and others I can't recall. The major reason we decided to operate the 40MM were our wounded shipmates on the fantail. We thought if we could keep the enemy off us until dark, we would be able to get the wounded transferred to another ship.
... John Northcutt, S1c, April 8, 1999

During the action between the three hits we took we were subject to some strafing. When these attacks took place the men who did not have guns to use dove into the water and swam away from the ship to minimize the chance of being hit by the strafing. After the strafing stopped we would climb back aboard and continued with our efforts to save the ship.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993

We had planes coming in to see what was left and were strafing the decks. Even with burned face, hands and ankles, it was into the saltwater every time a plane came in (probably 5 or 6 times).
... Frank Grigsby, WT3c, March 15, 1999

At some point the word was passed to us that Commander Westholm urged us to jump off and clear the ship to protect ourselves when under suicide and strafing attacks. I don't remember the sequence of events but we put all the wounded on or around two float nets tied off the stern. I also remember going into the water, swimming away from the ship and trying to stay under water as long as I could when we were strafed.
... Coit Butler, Ensign, Fighter Direction Intercept Officer, September 15, 2000

After the second plane hit, I removed a plaque from the bridge using a knife I had. It was a small wooden plaque with a St. Christopher's medal in the center. There were no officers on the bridge at that time, and I also got a can of V-8 juice and a couple of the Captain's cigars. I returned to my gun, having a big old time drinking V-8 juice, smokin' a cigar, and shootin' at Japs.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

The damage control parties were doing what they could to stem the flooding and to keep us afloat. The Captain ordered those not involved in damage control to get topside in undamaged areas. I was on the forecastle. We saw another Japanese plane coming in out of the sun and he started a run at us again coming in low. We were ordered to jump into the water. As he came in he was firing his machine guns. I jumped in and squeezed the carbon dioxide release on my life belt as I hit the water. I seemed to keep going down rather than surfacing. I realized I was wearing my .45 cal. pistol and quickly shed it. Coming to the surface, I could see the plane coming in with guns firing .... I was weaving my head back and forth hoping to dodge the gunfire. The plane passed right over the forecastle, did a wing-over and crashed us right at one of the forward 5-inch mounts. That blew out a good section of the forward part of the ship.
... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, 1989

The third and final suicide attack was unforgettable -- at the very last moment the pilot pulled up in wingover out of his dive towards the midship area, clearing the stacks by maybe 10 feet, swung around in a tight turn to crash into the bridge area. From where I was on the fantail I couldn't see where he hit but I did actually see his face clearly as he was pulling out of his dive and off to the side. He seemed to be looking right at us standing on the fantail, turning his head to watch us as he pulled away.
... Coit Butler, Ensign, Fighter Direction Intercept Officer, September 15, 2000

The second one started a bad fire but we were just getting that one under control when the third one came in and hit #42, starting a hell of a fire in the wardroom, #2 handling room, and a bunch of loose gear on the forecastle. We tried to put it out but the ammo started going up and we had to abandon up forward.
... Harry Stanley, Lieutenant & Gunnery Officer, July 15, 1945

Before the 3rd plane struck, the plane went out and looped back right at us. As he came in, I was thinking "If you can come in here and hit me, I can stand here and shoot at you." .... He crashed just below my gun. He really set a lot of the forward part of the ship on fire. I was knocked out and burnt a little, but didn't turn it in .... there was no need of it. There were other guys who were really badly burnt.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

The third plane came in from starboard and at first missed us. He deliberately rolled over and went out to port came back and hit in the #2 handling room .... Before the hit, the Commodore said to pass the word to abandon ship. Most of us then jumped as it looked like a sure hit. The Commodore and I started back aboard climbing a line from the forecastle - the plane came back and hit #2 handling room and the burning gasoline spread over the deck and all over the Commodore who was above me on the line. He received terrible burns to his head, arms and hands. We were both blown back into the water and later we got him onto a floating net.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 14, 1987

The 3rd plane crashed just below gun #42, and into the wardroom. It sprayed flaming gasoline across to our station on the 41 gun as well. Northey had badly fractured his leg as he ran for cover from the 42 gun. Lt. (jg) Hubbard and I grabbed Northey. We got some damage control materials to help keep Northey afloat, and Hubbard gave Northey his lifejacket. We lowered him into the water. .
... Ed Bennett, Cox, April 6, 2000

When the last plane struck the BUSH on April 6, 1945, I was on the port twin 40MM and we were firing right into the cockpit of the plane. I could see that the pilot was dead, as he was slumped over, but still the plane was able to strike the ship. I immediately got to the Coding Room and prepared for the destruction of the coding equipment. We had to separate the axles from the rest of the coding wheels with wire cutters. We then placed the wheels, or parts thereof, in a weighted canvas bag and Lt. West and I proceeded to throw the bag over the side of the ship.
... Dan Tontz, Lt.(jg), Assistant Communications Officer, April 20, 1999

We threw some ammo out of the #2 handling room, but decided we'd get out of there as the whole ship seemed afire. We tied some timbers to some sailors. I saw a Fire Controlman named Cross give his life jacket to a sailor that couldn't swim. The sailor was older (30 or so), married and I think with a kid or two. Cross didn't survive. No finer thing could one man do for another.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

My first shellman was Boson 1st class named Northey. We both were writing letters home when the final attacks happened. He told me he was going to put BM1/c on his wife's envelope to see if she would notice his promotion. Needless to say the letter was never sent. When our gun could not be used, Northey went up to one of the forward 40MM guns and took over as Pointer or Trainer .... I never saw him again. I understand the third plane broke both his legs when it struck the ship. He was placed on a floating net and survived for a few hours .... There were a lot of heroes aboard the BUSH that day. We had a great crew.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 3, 1999

The ship was buckling up and down, up and down. Carver was under the #5 gun, it was Carver's gun. We were strafed again. The wardroom was hit. I went over the fantail. Gerriets went over starboard, he was a ball of fire. That's when he died.
... Bob Thompson, SC3c, June 1993

Albert Brody, PhM3c was badly burned and we were trying to apply ointment on his back, but the flesh would come off on our hands. He said: "Thanks for trying to help me, fellows." and jumped into the ocean to drown.
... Robert Aguilar, SKD2c, Summer 1999

I was forward on the foc'sle with Dick Day .... The 3rd Plane was loaded with gas, and it must have been an inch thick on the deck. I turned around and spotted Mr. Willis completely covered in flames .... Soon afterwards, I looked at Dick Day and said "this looks like the time" and we abandoned ship. About 200 yards out, I looked back as the ship folded and sank. The sizzling sound as the flames were extinguished by the sea were spectacular and loud, something I won't forget.
... Al Blakely, SoM2c, June 28, 1999

A number of the ship's personnel performed a variety of meritorious actions. Bob Shirey, a loader on the forward port 40MM gun commented as the third plane was about to strike near his position, "If that Son of a Bitch has the guts to dive in here, I've got the guts to shoot back". Mr. Shirey remained at his station and was immediately knocked unconscious upon impact. Another example included Ed Bennett who was busy helping injured crewmen into the water after tying scraps of lumber to them to increase their chances of survival.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, April 8, 1998

The crew of the forward 40MM mount performed in an outstanding manner after we had lost power. They manned that mount in "manual" and took the planes that were trying to hit us under fire regardless of the danger to themselves.
... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, July 22, 1999

We found ourselves to the east of the BUSH, constantly pressed further eastward by successive clusters of planes. There was also a constantly hovering Betty which seemed to be observing and marshalling his forces, probably for further attacks on the COLHOUN. All CAP had long vanished from the scene and cries to DELEGATE were in vain.
... John Littleton, Ensign, Executive Officer and Navigator, LCS(L)64, August 12, 2005

I went over the side by gun #2 when this last plane crossed from starboard to port. When it did a wing over and came back, I went under a Balsam wood raft. It crashed almost above me. When I ran out of air and came back up, the raft was still on fire, but the gas fire on the water had gone out. I swam around the bow and another sailor brought the raft around later. This is where I hung until rescued.
... Narvis Robinson, S1c, April 15, 1991

Before abandoning ship in the late afternoon, I decided to give myself some added buoyancy by constructing a pair of "water wings". I took two 5-inch gun powder cans and tied them together with about two feet of rope. The powder cans were water tight. Then I'd place my arms over the rope with the powder cans bobbing up just behind me. It was my plan to be found floating, though I didn't know if I would be dead or alive. I asked another torpedoman named Blair if he wanted to build a pair of "water wings" as I had done. He declined as he was an excellent swimmer. I also advised Blair against joining those on floater nets, as the nets would likely get tangled up with too many men trying to get on top. I left the ship by the fantail and saw no others beyond Blair and myself at the time we left. That was the last I saw of Blair.
... Telio Borroz, TM1c, May 31, 1999

At the last, I was shoring the bulkhead between the after fireroom and aft engine room.
... Jack Day, CM2c, May 2, 2006

At the order to abandon ship, people began to jump over the side and gather in groups on life rings and debris. The sea by this time was becoming quite rough and the groups would appear and disappear on large swells. Bob Thompson and I were still on the fantail with the Chief Torpedoman. We helped him disarm the depth charges by removing the primer and tossing them over the sides. This was done to keep them from exploding when the ship went down, thus saving many lives from the concussion of the explosion..... We joined a group of about 15 men on a life ring. Shortly after joining up with the group, we looked back and watched the BUSH. The bow had risen out of the water and joined the fantail almost at the same time. She slipped below the waves. She was a great ship, led by a great skipper, with competent officers. It was a sad time for all of us and some men openly wept.
... Ralph Carver, Bkr3c, October 13, 1986

Finally it was abandon ship with nothing to hold on to. Most everything was gone. I had 2 five inch powder cans tied together at the base for my long afternoon and night.
... Frank Grigsby, WT3c, March 15, 1999

Another ship had come to assist us. They were planning to come back and help us when the planes cleared. I can recall seeing a plane crash right into that ship.
... Ben Libassi, S1c, June 2, 2001

The ship had begun to settle in the water and shortly thereafter the order was given to abandon ship. I recall seeing the COLHOUN DD801 on the horizon firing because she was under attack. We watched as enemy planes hit her with a great deal of fire. I remember feeling the pain at seeing her hit. I knew how they felt because we had just been through the same thing.
... Ralph Carver, Bkr3c, October 13, 1986

Gradually, with its back broken, BUSH folded in two and sank. By this time it was late in the day. I joined a group of about 40 officers and men hanging on to an overturned two-man punt that we used for painting along the waterline.
... Tom Owen, Lt. Commander, Executive Officer & Navigator, 1989

I can't hardly talk about the feeling I had when we had to abandon ship and looked back and saw the ship fold in half and sink.
... John Northcutt, S1c, April 8, 1999

When I left the ship, there was no use yelling. No one could hear me, and I'd just get a mouthful of seawater. I had a life belt that inflated with CO2 bottles. One side of the belt had a hole in it and one didn't. I the put the plaque from the bridge and a lucky silver dollar into the life belt .... I swam for a life raft, which was farther away than I thought .... Some of the 5-inch guns had pictures painted on the outside of the mounts. Looking back, I saw the paint of those pictures on fire.
... Bob Shirey, EM3c, April 17, 2000

In the late afternoon we were told to abandon ship and as I was swimming toward one of the floater nets I saw Ed Bennett swimming toward the same net so we joined forces, and stayed together until after we were picked up by the tug PAKANA around midnight. It seems as though there were things to do all the time. Both Ed and I were wearing life belts which had small canisters which inflated the belts the first time. During the night we took turns blowing each other's belts up. I remember thinking if anything happened to Ed, Grandma would give me hell.
... Ray Mayhugh, CTM, September 26, 1993 (and cousin of Ed Bennett, Cox)

Lt. Sechrist ordered Hubbard and I to abandon ship, and we left the forward section, which was on fire. It was still light, 1715 hours or so. I spotted a net and headed toward it. I also saw a swimmer who turned out to be my cousin, Ray Mayhugh. He called, "Is that you, Ed?"
"Yep", I replied.
"Boy, am I glad to see you," said Ray.
... Ed Bennett, Cox, April 6, 2000

After going into the water I blew up my life belt, the CO tubes didn't work, maybe because I was using it as a pillow for a couple of years .... I was only in the water a short time when I was picked up by the Captains gig .... At this time the ship was burning and ammunition exploding. It looked as if it was not long before she was going to sink. The Executive Officer was in the water and gave the order that anyone in the gig not badly wounded to go back into the ocean so that more wounded could be accommodated .... little knowing it was going to be for 10 or 12 long-long hours .... It was raining steadily, getting dark and the swells were 6 to 12 feet high.
... Joe McManus, GM2c, February 19, 1987 and August 2, 1989

I jumped off the starboard bow and swam to a group of people I saw floating a few hundred yards away. I had on an inflatable life belt .... By the time I reached the group they had grown from a few to more than thirty. They were hanging on a punt or small boat which was capsized as it couldn't begin to support all those people if it were upright. There wasn't near enough room for all to cling directly to the boat, I found the end of a long line (no one called them ropes in the Navy) and hung on to it as did many others .... At first, I wound the line around my wrist. The water was cold and I can remember hugging my neighbor to keep warm.
... Bob Wise, S1c, April 30, 2001

I did not know how to swim. I had put on a life belt and a life jacket before stepping into the water. Once in the water, another man didn't have anything so I gave him my life belt.
... Ben Libassi, S1c, June 2, 2001

We swam out to a life raft because we were told to get away from the ship so we wouldn't get sucked down with it. There were about 33 of us on the 3 life rafts we had tied together, but during the 8 1/2 hours we were in the water, we lost about 3 men who just couldn't hack it. They just floated away.
... Russell Youngren, TM3c, May 1991

I stepped into the water just as she broke in two. I was the carpenter and had been all over the ship trying to get weight off her and trying to keep her afloat.
... Jack Day, CM2c, May 29, 1987.

Captain Westholm was the last man to leave the ship. He was on the fantail as the BUSH was about to sink. I heard Dr. Johnson, who was already off the ship, shouting at Captain Westholm, "If you don't get off, I'll shoot you off!"
... Ed Cregut, S1c, April 7, 2000

It was late afternoon when we on the fantail got the word to abandon ship .... The crew in the gig then helped us to tow the two float nets with the wounded clear of the ship .... It seems to me that I was only about 150 yards abeam when I looked back to see the Bush buckle amidships, the bow and the stern rise out of the water at a 90 degree angle to each other, and then rather quickly disappear beneath the waves. That is a moment no one who has witnessed the sight while adrift in open water can ever forget. I know I experienced an overwhelming sense of loss and sadness, and intense feelings of loneliness rather than fear or panic.
... Coit Butler, Ensign, Fighter Direction Intercept Officer, September 23, 2000

We were about three or four hundred yards from the ship when the stern section went under water, the forward was still afloat..... you could see the water creeping up her deck. Then all hell broke loose, the ammunition storage below started exploding, and the shells were flying in all directions, and in the meantime my group were being strafed by the enemy. We were watching the bridge and the bow burn when she finally slipped into the water, the flag that flew so proudly on the bow was the last thing I saw go under. I cried.
... James "Okie" Reeder, RdM3c, January 29, 1989

A short while later she buckled and went down. That is a hell of a sight ... to watch your ship go ... they were out to get us that day and the ship was fought well and as long as possible ... and when she went it was like a fighting ship is meant to go, and I make no apologies or excuses to anyone.
... Harry Stanley, Lieutenant & Gunnery Officer, July 15, 1945