The USS Emmons has laid silently on the ocean’s bottom for 55 years. In Sept 2000, Japanese Coast Guard divers rediscovered her after a report of a persistent oil slick from a fisherman. This is her story! Since this date divers have been lucky enough to view this once majestic ship deep on the ocean floor between the main island of Okinawa and Kouri Island in the Ryukyu Island chain which belongs to Japan.

In April of 1945, the war in the Pacific was in its final stages and on April 6, 1945, The USS Emmons provided protection for Bomb Sweep Unit 11 then engaged in clearance sweeps between Ie Shima and the northwest tip of Okinawa. This date was when Japan, in desperation, opened the most massive suicide attacks of the entire war on ships off Okinawa. Altogether on this day some 355 suicide missions were launched against the fleet, five of which crashed The USS Emmons one hitting the fantail. In rapid succession four others, in a well coordinated attack, hit the nerve centers of the ship. The second of the five hit the pilot house to starboard; the third the port side of CIC; the fourth the starboard side of Number 3 gun; the fifth crashed the hull near the waterline at frame 30, to starboard. The casualties were heavy and among eighteen officers, seven were killed or missing in action, six were wounded. Of the 254 members of the crew, fifty were killed or missing in action and sixty-five were wounded. The burning ship drifted all night toward Ie Shima still held by the Japanese. Early on Saturday, April 7, 1945, it was ordered that she be sunk. This was done by 5" gunfire from Ellyson. A sad ending for a noble ship and crew members, 5th December 1941 - 7th April 1945. The USS EMMONS received 5 battle stars and the Naval Unit Commendation.