Annoyed at thread drift

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May 18, 1945

...Destroyer Longshaw on this date spent the night firing star shells in support of troops on shore. Dispatched on a day support mission and since her officers and crew were in a state of exhaustion, around 1000 the ship hung up on a reef a few miles south of Yolo. Here she proved to be fair game for a Japanese shore battery. Longshaw's losses were heavy with 85 killed and 97 wounded.

USS Longshaw DD-559

USS Longshaw (DD-559) on February 6, 1944 in Puget Sound. Longshaw had been commissioned on December 4, 1943. Note the extra light gray panel on the stern and the unusual painting of the hull number. Photo source: NARA BS 65177.

559A.jpg


18 May 1945

"On the morning of 18 May 1945, following a grueling four-day period of fire support, Longshaw, en route to her patrol area, ran aground on a coral reef just south of Naha airfield, at 0719. Other attempts to free her failing, tug Arikara (ATF-98) arrived at 0945. At 1000, tug's skipper, Lieutenant John Aikin, and Radioman First Class James J Zikus, boarded to arrange recovery and communications. Towing commenced at 1100. At 1101, Japanese shore batteries opened up, hitting the water between Arikari and Longshaw. The stranded destroyer attempted to fight back as best she could; but, as she opened fire, her bow was completely blown off by a hit in the forward magazine. When efforts to save her appeared hopeless, the order "Abandon Ship" was relayed by word of mouth from the bridge. At 1105, all hands on the bridge were killed, injured, or stunned; the Longshaw's skipper, Lieutenant Commander Clarence William Becker, was reportedly there, mortally wounded, along with Radioman Zikus of the Ariaka. At 1115, the abandon ship order reached the aft fire room and engine room.

About 1200, LCI(L)-356 came alongside to remove all wounded. The ship was burning, shells were exploding in their magazines, and the decks were hot enough to cause burns; many in the rescue party were awarded medals.

The casualties included 86 dead or missing, including the skipper. (The missing were later declared dead) In addition to the dead and missing, 95 crew members were wounded, and 113 crew members survived the sinking.

Later in the afternoon, Longshaw, battered beyond salvaging, was destroyed by gunfire and torpedoes from U.S. ships."


USS_Longshaw_%28DD-559%29_burning_18_May_1945.jpg
 
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Is anybody besides me repelled by "Man Versus Food" and Adam Richman?

I don't understand that celebration of gluttony. Doesn't amuse me any more that the Nathan's hot dog eating contest does. Richman strikes me as at least a little creepy.

Doubtless this is a defect of character. Possibly un-American, and certainly a threat to my man card.

Sorry, it's been a long day. :o

Here endeth the rant.

Dude,,,,


Does anything scream ----------Merica'
more than a guy shoving 60 hotdogs down
his throat in 15 minutes ??

I mean, come on !!:D:D:D:D:D


Chuck
 
Good evening all,,,,Hope everyone had a great day, busy day and the campsite didn't get stoned yet ! :rolleyes: Hopefully I will catch the stone truck tomorrow! ;)
! :mad:


Always preferred a good tire iron myself but since those really aren't available anymore I carry an an aluminum baseball bat in the trunk and one in the Motorhome!, you never know when you might want to play some ball! ;)
:

Lok,
Whatever works best !! ;);)
I got a chuckle out of this, just seen this for the first time
last week but can't remember where.....

Do your Lawyer a favor and carry a baseball glove in your
vehicle as well !!!

You never know ??

Chuck
 
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I really really really really needed to laugh today.
And youze folks delivered.
In spades!

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

Night-night!

It's always our pleasure to entertain and delight
milady.:p:p:p
Please deposit one dollar in the box and the curtain
will enclose our glass case.
Come again soon !!!:D:D


Chuck
 
so sultry. She's locked in the 40's / 50's music her album comes out in September I'm on it. I was the last son of four brothers I grew up listening to the 50's music. The hour glass has turned for the last time, I've gone full circle now. Time to party.


[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yuufA7SdWAg[/ame]
 
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9 times, Frank Pastore beat the Big Texan challenge. His slowest time was 19 minutes. His fastest, 9 1/2 minutes.

The meal consists of a shrimp cocktail, dinner salad, roll and butter, baked potato and The Steak. Yes, it is 72 ounces—that's four and-a-half pounds—about the size of a large phone book.

I'd need a rib spreader.

 
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