79 Years after Japanese attack, Fallen seamen honored on-board USS Laffey

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCIV) — On April 16, 1945, the U.S.S. Laffey was under attack from the Japanese near the Pacific Island of Okinawa. That battle, in the final year of World War II, resulted in the deaths of 32 crewmen onboard the Summer-class destroyer.

Although they've passed over the years, surviving shipmates began the tradition of honoring those lost lives with a special ceremony each year onboard the Laffey at Patriot's Point.

Mike Honsinger is the president of the Laffey Association and led the ceremony on the 79th anniversary of the attack.

"My dad was on this ship from 1956 to 1959," said Honsinger. "The ceremony began with the shipmates of the men who died that day. But as they've passed on, the flag has been picked up and carried by other former crewmembers."

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Honsinger read the names of each of those 32 brave men who died. And with each, a bell was tolled in their honor.

Kenneth McCullough served on the Laffey from 1968-69, and he had the privilege of sounding the bell.

"I found out about its history, probably my second year aboard," McCullough said. "The ship took quite a beating, but she kept steaming, and she kept shooting."

McCullough also serves as a volunteer with the Laffey Work Party Crew. About 400 strong, they serve on the ship three to four times a year with maintenance duties like painting, repairs and anything needed to keep the ship looking good for public tours.

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For Honsinger - when he's leading the crews through the upkeep work - he said he gets more out of the time than just keeping up the ship's aesthetics: "It's inspiring to listen to these guys talk. Think about the laughter and the camaraderie that those young men must have shared on this ship when they were at sea for three, four or 5 months at a time."

If interested in learning more about the Laffey or possibly serving with the crew, information can be found on their website laffey.org.