www.history.navy.mil
George Foster Emmons, born 23 August 1811 in Clarendon, Vt., began his distinguished career as a midshipman I April 1828. As a lieutenant in Peacock he participated in the Wilkes Exploring Expedition of 1838-42, which discovered the Antarctic Continent, and throughout the south seas.
Emmons put into Boston 9 November 1944 for conversion to a high-speed minesweeper, and after Atlantic training and exercises in the Hawaiian Islands, entered Ulithi to stage for the invasion of Okinawa. Her squadron put to sea 19 March 1945 for the dangerous, vital task of clearing Okinawa's waters to let assault ships close the beaches for the landings of 1 April. She then took up picket duty, and on 6 April, during one of the first of the massive kamikazee attacks, was a target as she sailed with Rodman (DMS-21). One of the first planes to attack struck Rodman, and as Emmons circled the stricken ship to provide antiaircraft cover, both DMS's were overwhelmed by suicide-bent Japanese planes. Many were splashed, but Emmons was struck by five, almost simultaneously. One hit her fantail, the rest to starboard of her pilot house, of No. 3 gun mount, on her waterline, aft, and the port side of her combat information center. Crippled and ablaze, with ammunition exploding wholesale, Emmons found damage control a desperate, losing struggle. That day her gallant crew, who had already won the Navy Unit Commendation for Okinawa, lost 60 dead, 77 wounded. The rest had to abandon ship. Next day, the 7th, the hulk was sunk to prevent its falling into enemy hands.
In addition to her Navy Unit Commendation, Emmons received four battle stars for World War II service.
Billy Boyle April 6, 1945, the destroyer/minesweeper USS Emmons is lost near Okinawa with 60 killed. it was hit by 5 kamikaze planes with 77 more wounded. it never went down but was sunk by friendly fire the next day after everyone was evacuated. It also screened Omaha beach on D-DAY
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