April 6 marked the 75th anniversary of the Japanese kamikaze attack on the USS Emmons that resulted in her sinking the following day. Once again, on April 4, Kurt REESE, Chuck DeCESARI and others honored the sixty shipmates who made the ultimate sacrifice that day with their annual memorial dive at the Emmons' final resting place.

Held annually on or about the date of the attack, this year’s preparation included replacing the original memorial plaque with an exact replica. The original was mounted on the ship’s hull in 2003 honoring the lost shipmates. It will be restored and given its own safe place of honor on display at the USS Emmons Training Center at Camp Shields, Okinawa. The replacement was placed on the ship to continue honoring the lost shipmates while providing all those who dive on the Emmons perspective as to the sacrifices made.

Visit our Memorial Dive page for photos and videos.