The Battle of Okinawa, code named Operation Iceberg, started April 1, 1945--75 years ago today. It was the largest amphibious assault in World War II’s Pacific Theater with more than 200,000 U.S. service members. More than 12,000 Americans died during the battle. | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

USS New Orleans catches massive fire near American base in Japan’s Okinawa; 2 sailors injured A fire broke out aboard the USS New Orleans, a U.S. Navy warship anchored off Okinawa, and burned for over 12 hours, injuring two sailors. The amphibious transport dock ship was conducting operations near White Beach Naval Facility when the blaze erupted. Firefighting teams from nearby ships, the Japan Coast Guard, and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force assisted in extinguishing the flames. The cause o

The USS California was repaired and returned to service in January 1944, after being heavily damaged and sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After being refloated and undergoing extensive rebuilding and modernization at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, it re-entered the war, playing a key role in several major Pacific engagements, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Damage and initial recovery The battleship was hit by two bombs and two torpedoes, and a fire disabled its electrical system, causing