Lot 339A: Kamikazes; Battle of Okinawa Painting, SC 3/c Joseph H Staigar, USN, LCS(L)-61

Kamikazes; Battle of Okinawa Painting, SC 3/c Joseph H Staigar, USN, LCS(L)-61
24" x 14 1/2"
An evocative eyewitness painted depiction of the events of April 2/3, 1945 in the battle of Okinawa.
According to Staigar’s oral history account from February 23, 2013, “…We arrived at Okinawa as the battle was just starting. One of first battle episodes of the war I experienced was seeing two suicide planes that came in low (about 10 feet above the ocean) straight at the two destroyers we were escorted with. Both planes were painted white with red trim and their engines were bright yellow. The destroyers opened with their guns, setting both planes on fire but they continued on; hitting their targets. I later learned that although much damage was done to both ships, fortunately, no one was badly injured on either ship. The 61 had its first encounter of the war ; a strange and gruesome aspect that was far beyond any of our expectations, and an indication of what was to come.

…I was a cook and 2nd loader on the aft 40mm gun mount. I also was the one who served Admiral “Bull” Halsey his cup of “Joe”. I was, from the start to the finish, a proud crew member of the LCS(L)-61.” (Ww2pacific dot com)

Price Realized: $250

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