Kamikazed!

A few years ago our High Priest's quorum had an activity where the World War II veterans told war stories. It was a fascinating evening listening to these old, ordinary, everyday men tell their tales of war, espionage and heroism.  I am glad they did it when they did because many of these vets have since passed away. Dad Lingard's experience during World War II  is just as amazing and I want our children and grandchildren to have access to his story and pictures before it is forgotten.

David is on the right.

David Dunford Lingard was a radio man in the navy and ironically was  seasick the entire time he was at sea. He was was stationed aboard the destroyer minelayer, USS Lindsey.The end of March 1945 they provided gunfire in support of the Iwo Jima invasion and then went to join the Okinawa campaign. 

"On April 12, 1945, while operating off Okinawa in position  USS Lindsey was struck by two Japanese Kamikaze aircraft, hitting 30 seconds of each other. The second one struck the portside bow, near the number 1 5" turret. The resulting explosion of her powder magazine blew off 60 foot of her bow. The attacks killed 57 and wounded another 57 of her officers and crew. USS Lindsey was towed to Kerama Retto for temporary repairs. The  Lindsey remained in the lagoon for 2 weeks repairing battle damage. On 28 April she departed under tow for Guam, where, after arrival 6 May, she received a temporary bow. She sailed under her own power 8 July for the east coast via Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal, arriving Norfolk, Virginia 19 August 1945."

The part of the ship where dad's quarters were was demolished during the attack, luckily he was either on duty or rushing to "battle stations" when the kamikaze planes hit the ship.The only thing I ever heard him say about that time was that pulling the body parts of his fellow shipmates out of the ocean was more than any 19 year should have to do.

It was while he was in Norfolk, Virginia for repairs that he met Martha Mary Luton, his future bride, but that is a story for another time.