USS Laffey (DD-724)

• Namesake: USS Laffey (DD-724) was named after Seaman Bartlett Laffey, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Civil War. • Class: She was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, commissioned on February 8, 1944. • "The Ship That Would Not Die": USS Laffey earned this nickname after surviving an intense kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945. • Okinawa Attack: On April 16, 1945, Laffey was attacked by 22 Japanese aircraft and struck by four bombs and five kamikaze hits, yet remained afloat. • Crew Heroism: Despite the devastating attacks, the crew managed to shoot down at least nine enemy planes and keep the ship operational. • Damage: The kamikaze attacks killed 32 crew members and wounded 71, but the destroyer’s crew saved the ship from sinking. • Presidential Unit Citation: USS Laffey was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her extraordinary performance and bravery during the Okinawa attacks. • Korean War Service: Laffey also served during the Korean War, providing naval gunfire support and screening carriers. • Cold War Operations: The ship participated in multiple NATO operations and served as an anti-submarine warfare platform during the Cold War. • Museum Ship: Today, USS Laffey is preserved as a museum ship at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, where visitors can explore her storied history.