April 6, 1945: Lt(jg) Willis Hardy of VF-17, from the USS Hornet,
was among the numerous Hellcats launched to counter Kikusui,
the first of the massive kamikaze raids sent to destroy the Task
Force off Okinawa. While flying RAPCAP over the Radar Picket
ships north of Okinawa, Hardy and his wingman shot down 2 escort
and 4 Kamikaze aircraft. At about sunset they were vectored to
intercept a pair of suicide aircraft (Yokusuka D4Y4-Judy) that
were stalking a burning picket. This realistic depiction shows
the destruction of the first Judy after Hardy flamed it, just
before it crashed into the sea with a violent explosion. With
one operable gun
left, Bill dispatched Judy #2 after dark, thus earning him the
prestigious Navy Cross medal for this his 5th and final victory
of the day, followed by his very first night carrier landing. |