KERAMA RETTO AND KEISE-SHIMA: SPEEDBOATS AND LONG TOMS
The crew aboard the U.S.S. PCS 1379
This is an account of Edward O’Donnell’s experiences as Commanding Officer of a secret U.S. Navy radio control vessel participating in the invasion of Okinawa during World War II.
Edward’s narrative focuses on the first seven days of the four months his ship was on duty at Okinawa, i.e., the period from March 26–April 1, 1945, and covers the invasion of the Kerama Retto on March 26; the seizure of Keise-Shima on March 31: and the beginning, on D-Day, April 1, of the main invasion of Okinawa.