USS Columbia (CL-56)
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In January, 1945, during invasion
operations in Lingayen Gulf, Columbia was crashed twice by Japanese
suicide aircraft. On January 6 a kamikaze aircraft crashed Columbia's
port quarter. The plane's exploding bomb killed 13 and wounded 44 crewmen.
Columbia's after gun turrets were disabled, but the cruiser was able to
complete her bombardment assignments with remaining gun turrets.
On January 9, the morning of the landings, as Columbia lay close
inshore and unable to maneuver, the ship was again crashed by a kamikaze,
knocking out six gun directors and gun mounts, and killing 24 men and
wounding 97. Columbia's damage control personnel again put out fires
and repaired damage so that Columbia could continue fire support.
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USS Columbia (CL-56) |
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Official U.S. Navy photo. |
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Columbia attacked by a kamikaze off Lingayen Gulf on January 6, 1945 |
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Official U.S. Navy photo. |
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