Two USS LSM(R)-196 crew members loading rockets at Aka Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 31 March 1945.
Landing Ship Medium (Rockets) provide near shore ground support fire prior to the invasion of the beaches of Okinawa during March through May 1945.



To Okinawa beaches

USS LSM-322 in the far background, off the Okinawa Beachhead, 1 April 1945. A Coast Guard manned LST in the foreground launches a LVT-4 amphibious tractor, as other LVT-4s churn by. They are taking their positions in the initial assault waves to take soldiers of the US Tenth Army ashore.  

Invasion of Okinawa

The three man crew of a TBF Avenger torpedo bomber scrambles to get out so they can be rescued.