Mr.Bill Bondanza Sonarman 2/c DE 440

During the invasion of Okinawa the 440 was with  Adm. Halsey's 3rd fleet. Casualty reports poured into the ship from D day , April 1st. on.Our ships were taking a beating from the Jap suiciders . On 12 May we were given the job of escorting the battle-scared BUNKER HILL CV-17 back to Ulithi. She had been hit the day before by two Jap kamikazes, had lost several hundred men , and was now limping to Ulithi for repairs. She was listing severely to port as we made 21 knots. I remember watching burial at sea services  from the deck of the 440 expecting another Kamikake attack at any time. Many of her damaged planes were jettisoned and reports were no time must be lost as many of her below deck compartments were flooded.

DE-440

I will be writing and sharing pictures about the USS McCoy Reynolds and her crew's experiences during WWII