“For outstanding heroism in action as a Support Destroyer on Radar Picket Station Number One during an attack by enemy Japanese aerial forces, fifty miles northwest of the Okinawa Transport Area, April 12, 1945. Fighting valiantly against a group of more than thirty hostile aircraft attacking her from all directions, the U.S.S. PURDY sent up relentless barrages of antiaircraft fire during a violent air-sea battle which lasted for one and one-half hours. Repeatedly finding her targets, she downed five enemy planes, assisted in destroying at least two others and, when our fighter direction ship was hit and disabled, assumed emergency control of the combat air patrol. Continuing the engagement until all attacking planes except one had been destroyed or routed, she was crashed with devastating effect by the last remaining Kamikaze. Crippled but undaunted, she fought desperately to control her own damage and, by the prompt an courageous action of all hands, succeeded in returning to port under her own power. Her brilliant performance in this engagement reflects credit upon the PURDY, her gallant officers and men and the United States Naval Service.”
Source: NARA Modern Military Records (NECTM). Textual Archives Services Division.
