Hell from the Heavens: The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II's Greatest Kamikaze Attack

by John Wukovits

Looking toward the heavens, the destroyer crew saw what seemed to be the entire Japanese Air Force assembled directly above. Hell was about to be unleashed on them in the largest single-ship kamikaze attack of World War II.

On April 16, 1945, the crewmen of the USS Laffey were battle hardened and prepared. They had engaged in combat off the Normandy coast in June 1944. They had been involved in three prior assaults of enemy positions in the Pacific-at Leyte and Lingayen in the Philippines and at Iwo Jima. They had seen kamikazes purposely crash into other destroyers and cruisers in their unit and had seen firsthand the bloody results of those crazed tactics. But nothing could have prepared the crew for this moment-an eighty-minute ordeal in which the single small ship was targeted by no fewer than twenty-two Japanese suicide aircraft.

By the time the unprecedented attack on the Laffey was finished, thirty-two sailors lay dead, more than seventy were wounded, and the ship was grievously damaged. Although she lay shrouded in smoke and fire for hours, the Laffey somehow survived, and the gutted American warship limped from Okinawa's shore for home, where the ship and crew would be feted as heroes.

Using scores of personal interviews with survivors, the memoirs of crew members, and the sailors' wartime correspondence, historian and author John Wukovits breathes life into the story of this nearly forgotten historic event. The US Navy described the kamikaze attack on the Laffey "as one of the great sea epics of the war." In Hell from the Heavens , the author makes the ordeal of the Laffey and her crew a story for the ages.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History, World War II, War, Military Fiction, Aviation

336 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago, I read "The Ship That Would Not Die." Written by the USS Laffey's commanding officer, Julian Becton, it told the story of the Laffey's 80-minute ordeal off the coast of Japan during the invasion of Okinawa as seen by Becton. Now, many years later, along comes John Wukovits to tell the story again, this time from the perspective of several of the crew who served about this heroic ship.

The Laffey participated in the D-Day landings at Normandy, providing support for U.S. troops on Utah Beach. It then went to the Pacific and participated in the landings at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines and Iwo Jima before becoming part of the naval forces supporting the invasion of Okinawa. Part of the forces arrayed against the U.S. Navy at Okinawa was a vast armada of kamikaze aircraft. These planes and their pilots had one singular goal: to crash their plane into an American ship and inflict as much death and destruction as possible at the cost of their own life. Originally introduced during the fighting in the Philippines, the kamikazes were a difficult and terrifying menace which chilled the blood of many American sailors. To help fight this menace, advance warning was needed of their arrival and thus ships were assigned to picket duty far out at sea in order to give notice of incoming kamikaze attacks. The USS Laffey ended up at Picket Station No. 1, and on April 16, 1945, the Japanese unleashed a massive wave of kamikazes which targeted her. For eighty minutes, she withstood attacks from 22 separate aircraft in an incredible display of seamanship, heroism, courage, fortitude and a little bit of luck.

Drawing upon interviews, personal memoirs and letters, and reports written after the action, Wukovits has woven a fantastic tale of the gallant ship's fight against tremendous odds. It's a story which lets you get to know many of the sailors aboard the ship, both the survivors and those who paid the ultimate price. It's also a story of a ship of brothers who would do anything to help their fellow sailors, from manning a gun when a gunner went down, to fighting fires, participating in damage control or helping wounded comrades in their time of need. In the long and storied annals of the U.S. Navy, the stand of the USS Laffey will long remain one of its finest hours.

I've said in the past that another book by John Wukovits, "One Square Mile of Hell," is one of the very best books I've ever read on the U.S. Marines in World War II. Well, I can now say "Hell From the Heavens" is one of the very best books I've ever read on the U.S. Navy in World War II. Simply excellent.

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story about a brave little fighting ship and all the men who served on her. The book though, is not the greatest read as it is overly detailed and the story of the USS Laffey gets lost in all the detail at times.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a ship with quite a history. It's first action was D-Day, then it was transferred to the Pacific. It was used to support landings in the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa just as the kamikazes were starting to be used. Then on April 16, 1945 it was attacked by 22 kamikazes while on picket duty NW of Okinawa. What follows is an amazing tale of skill, bravery and perseverance as the crew try to fight off the attackers.

The story is interesting, exciting and well written.

[Julian Douglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some military histories are well researched and written. Others are well written but lack in the research. This one was pretty much researched to where I think Mr. Wukovits knows the story of the Laffey like the back of his hand, but the writing was not that good. I feel that there was too much nonsense details in the chapters and it never really flowed. The story is good but I feel it got too bogged down in details that took away from the awesome story.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the USS Laffey, and the 80 harrowing minutes of almost continuous attack by kamikazes, which left a third of her crew dead or wounded. Interviews with many of the officers and crew are woven into the historical narrative, recounting the posting of the ship to the most dangerous position in the picket line, between the Japanese airfields and the battlefield of Okinawa.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

January 3, 2017

A Review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book “Hell from the Heavens” (The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II’s Greatest Kamikaze Attack) written by John Wukovitz)

I purchased this book from a local bookstore based on a short squib describing the book. I wanted something simple and easy to read in-between other more detailed the and referenced book and because the small summary described invasions of some of the Islands of Philippines, where my father served as coxswain of troop landing boats. I thought it would be interesting to compare some of the stories my father relayed to me with factual details. I was not disappointed.

This book was a great reading experience to learn about the biography of a USS Destroyer (DD-724) the USS Laffey. The Skipper was a veteran of action in Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and witnessed the destruction of the original Laffey as he served as executive officer of the USS Aaron Ward (DD-438). After severe damage to his ship and the loss of several of his shipmates he was ordered to Boston to oversee the construction of a new destroyer and the selection of a new crew. The new destroyer was christened the USS Laffey in honor of its original named ship sunk off Guadalcanal.

After the completion of the “new” USS Laffey he was ordered to assist in the D Day invasion of France. There his new crew were baptized into combat albeit a mere experience it was to have back in the Pacific. The Ship was ordered back to the Philippines to assist the Mac Arthur’s invasions. It was here that the ship was baptized by fire and experience the horrors of the new Japanese weapon, namely the Kamikaze. The ship experienced casualties but was spared any direct hits by this terrible weapon.

Shortly after the Laffrey’s experience in the Philippines, the ship was ordered to the Island of Okinawa and experienced additional combat experiences. Then she was ordered to be the forward guard against Kamikaze, Picket Station No.1, where she earned the distinction of the ship that would not die. There she encountered the attack by 22 separate Kamikaze air attacks over a three-hour period and valiantly held them off with minimum US air support. She was now baptized with blood and near destruction of the ship.

The ship is now a museum in Charleston South Carolina. And has been visited by thousands of Americans where they read the valiant statistics of this heroic ship.

Weaved into this outline the author John Wukovitz, laid out a very human story of both the Captain, Commander F. Julian Becton, and key men and officers and survivors and casualties. Their stories put great dimensions into this valuable and historical experience. The destruction of a great deal of this ships superstructure and living quarters will leave the reader gasping as the assault of Kamikaze’s takes place on April 16, 1945 off Okinawa. The men of the crew were heroes and suffered great wounds in saving the ship. They were a tribute to Captain Becton’s leadership and his insistence on rigorous training.

I highly recommend this book to lovers of history and especially military history of World War II.

I unhesitatingly gave this work FIVE Stars on both Amazon and Goodreads.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book about a little know WWII story.

The Captain of this ship did an amazing job preparing his men for this very moment and they rose to the occasion.

The details and the maps of the Kamikaze attacks the Laffey survived are amazing and its an adrenaline joy ride.

I highly recommend this book.

[Edmond Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for any war buff or even those slightly interested in World War II and naval actions. Very few novels can evoke emotion from me as this book did, while the author describes the triumphs and horrors of war from the perspective of soldiers on the front lines.
Hell from the Heavens gives us a look at the every day life of sailors aboard the USS Laffey, a ship that saw action in all the major amphibious landings in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Not exactly knowing the difference between a destroyer, cruiser or battleship, I learned how powerful yet vulnerable ships like the Laffey were.
I learned just how destructive the Japanese Kamikaze pilots were on the navy and particularly to the Laffey when they were attacked by 22 of them in 80 minutes. Often wondering where I'd rather be in the military, whether in the air, sea, or on land, this story has me reconsidering my choices.
I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a local book show and he told me the book rights have been purchased and a movie is in the works with Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg. I can't wait to see this story on the big screen.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right up there with "Tin Can Titans: The Heroic Men and Ships of World War II's Most Decorated Navy Destroyer Squadron" by the same author, and "The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors" by James D Hornfischer.

[Sarah Bodaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started out a little slow with all the details and stats of the Laffey, and I started to get a wee bit bored.
However. Wow. I wish I had written this two weeks ago when I had just finished, and the story was still fresh in my mind, leaving me amazed at the survival and fortitude of the men on the Laffey. Near the end of the war, Japan was getting desperate and figured they’d just kill their guys off in suicide missions since they weren’t winning any other way. The kamikaze pilots’ sole mission was to crash into America’s ships, and hopefully sink those ships in that effort. Sometimes the kamikazes won, and sometimes their effort was an utter failure on their end, and a win for America. The USS Laffey was in the dangerous territory where the Japanese were striking out, and they had just entered position as lead ship - the most dangerous position for any of the ships in their combat group, when one morning, shortly after breakfast, they began to be attacked. In less than an hour and a half, over twenty kamikazes tried to sink the Laffey, and all failed. The bulk of the book covers these eighty minutes, and none of it is dull or boring. It tells of the hopes and tragedies and triumphs of every minute as the men on board fought for their lives in the middle of the ocean.
It was a great book that stirs up the American in you, and made me nostalgic for my life growing up on my dad’s ships. Highly recommend it, and you’ll have to read it for yourselves to catch everything I couldn’t cover.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

A combination of luck and skill followed the crew of the WWII destroyer USS Laffey. It began when they first cut their combat teeth off the shores of Normandy in 1944 and were subsequently enjoying success in the Pacific at Leyte Gulf, Lingayen in the Philippines and Iwo Jima. All of this would be preparation for their longest day on April 16th, 1945, off the coast of Okinawa when they faced no less than 22 kamikaze attacks over an 80 minute battle. Ultimately, these attacks on their small ship would take 32 sailors’ lives and injure another 70. Hit so much by the Japanese attacks, at one point during the battle it looked as if the Laffey would succumb to its wounds and meet a watery grave, yet Marine fighters and other nearby ships would come to its defense and triage the ship to Guam. The horrific battle is played out in dramatic prose, and by that point in the story readers have become very familiar with the backstory and lives of its sailors. The US Navy termed this battle one of the greatest sea epics of WWII, and famed WWII historian Wukovits brings it to life through the interviews and time he spent with Laffey veterans.

[Paul J. Petersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about the USS Laffey

We are in Charleston often and we have gone past the USS Yorktown and USS Laffey at Patriots Point several times. I wanted to know more about the Laffey and found this book to satisfy my curiosity. This book certainly satisfied my curiosity; it answers all of my questions about the ship, it's history and crew. Indeed a remarkable story and I am grateful to the crew and others who served aboard her but also those who worked to save her. I now look forward to going aboard for a tour.
The book is extremely well researched and overly detailed.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd USS Laffey (DD-724) had a remarkable combat record up through Okinawa - service at D-Day, in the Philippines, and with Halsey's fleet as it launched attacks on mainland Japan - but its greatest claim to fame was during the Okinawa campaign. While on radar picket duty, it suffered more than 20 (mainly) kamikaze and bombing attacks in an 80+ minute time frame.
Wukovits does a nice job relaying the action and telling the story of many of the individual crew members who fought to ultimately save their ship despite being hit by multiple bombs and kamikazes.

[Lee Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently written first person non fiction narrative from records and interviews. The amazing story of USS Laffey (DD-724) from her launching and shakedown through her horrific experience with the most intense Kamikaze attack on record to one ship, and her survival through that gauntlet. Great read, as real a real story as you can find.

Quick note: There were two USS Laffey's in WWII, both with significant records. DD-724 is the Allen N. Sumner Class 'Revenge' upon the Benson class DD-459, who also distinguished herself against overwhelming odds.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The events of the Kamikaze attack on the USS Laffey are amazing. They were attacked by 22 Japanese planes and survived. My problem with the book is that the title is misleading. I listened to the book. In the 9 hours the titular attack documentation was about 1 hour long. There needed to be more about the attack and less general WWII history and the USS Laffey background. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book belongs on the "readable and accessible history" shelf. The emphasis is on a readable narrative. It fulfills this objective quite well.

The only thing I would have liked to see is better illustrations. I was confused with the gun positions, and the time & space details of which kamikaze attached, when and from what direction.

A great read.

[Hud (Bob) Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a great insight into the skills, fortitude, and bravery of the officers and crew of the Laffey. From the east coast, to D-Day, to picket duty in the Pacific off Okinawa, what a journey.

[Don Dietrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for those interested in military history.

Good read for those interested in military history. Some of the descriptions of action seemed a little repetitive. Looking forward to the movie.

[James Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's truly phenomenal what mankind is capable of when put to the test. The book starts slowly until the crew reaches the Pacific and then the story starts to envelope you. You can almost feel the tension and emotions of the day. If you like military history it's a must read.

[Kenneth Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly engaging. Vivid account of acts of heroism and sacrifice in the face of impossibility.

[Martha Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I enjoyed this book very much. Continuous action, like a movie, but about real men and events. I will read again.

[Eric Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS.

[Arthur Rohloff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting story, well told. Brings to life both the daily routine aboard a navy destroyer, as well as the exceptional heroism shown during the kamikaze attacks.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing true story of a peril faced by the USS Laffey during WW2.

[Samantha Sipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became interested in the story of the U.S.S. Laffey after visiting Patriot's Point in Charleston, South Carolina. As I stood on the ship's bridge, I tried to imagine its past. Finding myself inadequate to the task, I set about finding out the real story of the U.S.S. Laffey. Fortunately, I was able to do this thanks to John F. Wukovits, who has given us a solid history of this wonderful piece of American history. After reading this book, I understand why the author told the story of the Laffey's courageous crew and their fortuitous ship. First of all, it isn't easy to recreate battles with words, and in fact, the part of the book that details the attack on Laffey by the twenty-two Japanese kamikazes is difficult to follow. To his credit, the author breaks the attack up into sections in the book, which is very helpful. For me, the more interesting part of the Laffey story included the history of the destroyer's first assignment as part of the D-Day Invasion and the last chapters of the book which are an epilogue on the crew of the ship. Reading how their wartime experiences affected the men on this ship brought tears to my eyes. Suffering is a common theme in everyday life, and it is exceptionally so during war. The book also provokes deeper reflection on the question of why some refuse to back down, even in the face of incredible odds. To triumph against the onslaught of twenty-two kamikazes takes a determination and courage that is difficult to imagine. Many of the crew paid the ultimate price--numerous men were burned to death following the crash of these enemy planes into the aft section of the ship. Some of those who survived suffered from their wounds for the rest of their lives. Equally as touching was the heartfelt love that each man had for their skipper, each other, and for the ship itself. Books such as these should be read in high school history classrooms across our nation, so that no one forgets the sacrifices that those before us have made.

[Hank Quense · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell from the Heavens is the history of the Laffey, a WWII destroyer which had an incredible battle during the invasion of Okinawa in the spring of 1945. Okinawa was an island close enough to the Japanese homeland to allow Japanese planes to attack the U.S. Navy fleet supporting the invasion.

To give advance warnings about kamikaze squadrons approaching from Japan, the Navy stationed destroyers between Okinawa and Japan. The job of these destroyers was to spot the Japanese planes on radar and give the Okinawa fleet advance warning. Called pickets, these destroyers were given special treatment by the Japanese who knew what the destroyers were doing.

The Laffey was sent out as a replacement and in one incredible morning, the Laffey was attacked by twenty-two kamikazes in less than two hours. The ship shoot down fourteen planes and was hit by eight, mostly in the stern.

Despite getting hit by all those planes, the Laffey survived and was towed back to Okinawa by fleet tugs. More a third of the crew was killed or wounded that morning.

The book recounts one of the most astounding battles in U.S. Navy's history

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t recommend this book enough. I read somewhere they are making a movie about this ship. I think this will translate into a good movie, but I know it won’t be as good as this book.

It’s hard to imagine that almost all the men fighting in the war were barely 18 and some even younger. That’s is astounding to me. Anyway, I love stories like this one about the heroism of navy ships and the men fighting to defend her. Beautifully written and it was almost as if you are right there in the fight.

I am always sickened by the tactics of the Japanese. The kamikaze is so yellow it makes me sick. Talk about not fighting fair, it was so disgusting. Terrible considering they started the whole damn thing to begin with. What a lot of nonsense they pulled at almost every part of this war.

But the fighting spirit of our guys in this ship are truly inspiring. Side note, the men of this ship banned together to preserve her and she is docked in South Carolina. I have a list of ships I need to visit and this is tops on that list!!!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time: 8:27 a.m. to 9:47 a.m. Date: April 16, 1945. Place: Sea off Okinawa. Event: World War II's "greatest kamikaze attack." A total of 22 suicidal planes coming from all directions barreled through antiaircraft fire to charge the USS Laffey, a destroyer. Six planes smashed into the ship, another grazed it, and still another five dropped bombs or sprayed shrapnel across the decks. The other 10 attackers? Mostly shot down by Laffey gunners. Yes, the ship almost sank. Thirty-two sailors died and another 72 wounded. Except for the attack description this book's language is mostly flat and prosaic. The Laffey is now a National Historic Landmark preserved as a museum in Charleston, S.C., harbor, obviously still afloat.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent account of the WWII service of the second destroyer to bear the name Laffey, particularly her valiant battle against 24 Japanese kamikazes off the northern coast of Okinawa. Despite suffering several hits, her crew kept the ship afloat. Most naval histories focus on the glamour vessels---carriers, battleships, and submarines--- but the tin can navy served with distinction and suffered greatly. I unfortunately was not overly impressed with the writing, though the research was fine; way too repetitive and padded.

[raeburn Munson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hell of a ship.

My interest in the Laffey started when I was very young. My father was placed on her when she was in Seattle under going repair from the battle. He was an Ensign and he was in the CIC. He was quite proud of being associated with such a famous ship. The book gives a good accounting of the confusion of the attack. Unless you where in the Navy you could not understand how violent that day was.




"My interest in the Laffey