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[Music](04:59)Shining. And you look around here fifty five years ago you think of Hundreds and hundreds of ships. Hundreds and hundreds of aircraft. Two nations engaged in an incredible battle, um, with people dying. Uh, just by the minute here, um, probably arguably the most important battle in World War two. Uh, fought right here, playing out right here. We are here today to.(05:27)In the memory of one small one, one part of that battle. Um, and I think it's appropriate, uh, especially from being in the Navy. Um, well, the Self-Defense forces in the United States Navy understand this. (05:41)There aren't a lot of memories or memorials for, uh, for ships sunk for sailors. Lost a sea, during the battle of Okinawa, over 4000 sailors were killed. Um, most of those, a lot of those were missing. A lot of ships were sunk. (05:57)And this is just one one ship that we found that was lost for 55 years. It's been found and it's been designated a national grave. It is a site that 60 people were killed, 77 were wounded. (06:15)Japanese uh, pilots were killed during this engagement. And so we found that we're going to take some time today to focus on that. So as we go through today, I don't think any of us has ever, ever seen, uh, the type of action that was going on here 55 years ago. And I don't I hope we never see it again. All right. (06:37)The men, both American and Japanese, whose remains rests in about a resting hall. Born in a time of tense peace. Born with the hope there might not again be such a war that the world had known only 20 years previous. (06:53)USS EMMONS found her final Anchorage in the midst of the greatest, most costly battle of the Pacific War with honor. The men who walked her decks, maintained her turbans, who charted her course, served their country with honor and courage. They died. Most. Heavenly father, we seek your holy presence to sanctify this moment. (07:15)We seek your strength to bring healing to wounded memories. We seek your grace to wipe away brokenness and mend people into relationships with one another. Eternal father, bless this memorial ceremony. Bless the memories of those who served on USS EMMONS, those who died on her, those who lost loved ones on the day this fine ship surrendered herself to the sea. (07:41)The keel of USS EMMONS, D.D. 457 was laid on November 14th, 1940. She was commissioned on December 5th, 1941. She was the last naval fighting ship to be commissioned before the United States entered World War Two. She was reclassified as a destroyer minesweeper 22 on November 15th, 1944. During her life, the EMMONS performed all the duties demanded of destroyers, anti-submarine patrol, convoy escort, plane guard, picket duty, mail boat, liberty, and ferry boat gunfire support. (08:12)In January 1942, the Ammon's started a diplomatic and training shakedown cruise, which included visits to Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The cruise came shortly after the Conference of American States, which meant to determine a common plan to deal with the axis powers. The conference failed to achieve union to achieve unanimity, with some countries solidly behind the United States and others doubtful that the United States could successfully defend the West. (08:39)The EMMONS deployment to South America displayed U.S. capabilities, which eventually led to an agreement between South American countries. Between 1943 and April 1944, the EMMONS guarded aircraft carriers during their operations in New England. On April 20th, she sailed to the Azores and Algeria, arriving May 1st for anti-submarine patrols. (09:01)On May 17th, 1944, she teamed with British aircraft to sink a German submarine. The next day, the EMMONS sailed to England for the final preparations of the June 6th invasion of France. Prior to D-Day, the EMMONS provided gunfire support for Minesweeper Flotilla 31, clearing the sea lanes off Omaha Beach for the Operation Overlord, the invasion of Europe. During D-Day, she provided naval gunfire support for assault troops off Omaha Beach on December 22nd, (09:29)1944, after conversion to a high speed minesweeper, the Emmon sailed to the Pacific to clear Okinawa waters to allow assault ships to close the beaches for landings on April 1st. During the invasion, (09:41)she provided screening and naval gunfire support for the smaller minesweepers and perform picket duty for the main invasion force. On 6th April, during the first of many massive kamikaze attacks, the EMMONSwas targeted as she sailed with USS RODMAN. As the EMMONS circled to RODMAN to provide anti-aircraft cover, kamikaze planes overwhelmed both ships. (10:02)Five planes simultaneously struck the Emmon One, hit her fan tail the second hit her port side near the number three gun. A third hit her waterline aft, the rest hit starboard of the pilothouse. Crippled in a blaze with ammunition exploding, USS Emmon's found damage control, a desperate losing struggle. 60 sailors died during the battle and 77 were wounded. (10:24)The rest abandoned ship. The next day, the hull was sunk to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. A Navy Unit Commendation and five battle stars were awarded to the ship as the Navy's way of recognizing the bravery and devotion and duty of the entire crew, it was impossible to recognize each individual, so their group performance has been highlighted. (10:44)A few sailors were cited for and eventually received personal recognition. Altogether, 13 officers and crewmen were cited for outstanding performance of battle of duty in the battle against the enemy on 6th April 1945. (10:58)Among them were one Navy Cross, four Silver Stars, and eight Bronze Stars. (12:03)Now, as This ship which lies beneath us was first dedicated to you upon her christening. We now dedicate her resting place to the Lord in battle. Battles fought and battles won. Today the fullness of her course has finally been run to ship sailors to pilots. We pray in the tradition of the church. (12:28)Rest eternal. Grant them, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon. We commend those who rest here to the Lord, asking of the Lord will receive them into his peace. When we do so. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (13:30)Thank everyone for taking the time today. Uh, the EMMONS Survivors Association has, uh, asked that, uh, Mr. Rich, Ruth and I, uh, extend to you their sincere appreciation for remembering everyone who in conflict gave their lives for their countries. And, uh, the EMMONS Survivors Association is, uh, appreciative of everyone that's here and the respect that you show. (13:57)Uh, so those that came before us and that we enjoy the way we live today. Uh. Yeah, the rest of you know. [Music] (17:12)It's not just shallow rocks. It's a living structure of made of corals. [Music](24:19)[End Of Recording]