USS Staunch (AM-307) - Invasion of Okinawa

Invasion of Okinawa

Duty in the antisubmarine screen occupied her time on the day before the invasion. On 1 April, the assault troops stormed the Hagushi beaches on Okinawa, and Staunch settled into the routine of patrols and ASW screening. until 31 May, she came under frequent air attacks, though most were directed at the larger ships, particularly the radar pickets. During the night of 16 and 17 May, she picked up a small surface contact on her radar screen and found a large boat pulling a raft. Staunch opened fire on the strange enemy craft, and all but one of the Japanese took to the water. The remaining Japanese soldier blew himself up with a hand grenade.

On 31 May, Staunch joined in a practice sweep in preparation for the occupation of Iheya Shima. At 0000 on the following day, she approached the objective, but the operation was called off, and she retired rapidly. On 2 June, she and her sister minesweepers swept the waters around the island, and the U.S. Marines stormed ashore. Then, after watching a Japanese "Val" splash, the minesweeper cleared the area for Okinawa. From then until 8 July, she concentrated on an offensive sweep off Sakishima Gunto, known as Operation Zebra, putting into Kerama Retto periodically for fuel, provisions, and availability. On two occasions while at the anchorage, she joined the other ships in fighting off an enemy aircraft or two. On the morning of 8 July, she put to sea and shaped a course to the Philippines and entered San Pedro Bay, Leyte four days later. Staunch was overhauled while her crew enjoyed liberty.