Smoke and flames rise from an American ship anchored off Okinawa, Japan, June 1945
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Photograph. Smoke and flames rise from an American ship anchored off Okinawa after kamikaze attack. Official Caption: "Rome, 6/20/45--Suicide Pilot Scores--Smoke and flame burst from an American ship anchored off Okinawa as a Japanese Kamikaze plane, manned by a suicide pilot, crashes into it at dusk. Enemy suicide pilots have been active at Okinawa, only 375 miles (600 KM) from Japan but they have paid a terrific price in men and planes, and they failed to prevent the capture of the island by U.S. forces for use as a base for new and greater air attacks on the enemy homeland.--Coast Guard photo through OWI--Approved by appropriate military authority--Serviced by Rome OWI (A list out) 6809."Okinawa, Japan. 20 June 1945