Name/Title
Set of USS Laffey Damage Photographs, Tacoma, WashingtonDescription
Set of twenty-two photographs of the USS Laffey (DD-724) showing the damage received off Okinawa while on display in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington as part of the Shipyard Worker Retention effort.Context
Both a plank owner and serving on board the USS Laffey (DD-724) throughout the war, Machinist’s Mate 2/c, Wilbert C. Gauding was aboard the destroyer at D-Day and the Battle of Okinawa.
Of the deadly attack off Okinawa, Gauding described listening for the guns. “The five-inch guns would start to fire, then the 40 mm, and last, the 20mm. I knew the suicide planes were about to hit!” That day, the Laffey became the most bombed ship to survive World War II without sinking. Gauding survived the deadly attack and became a life-long supporter of the USS Laffey and Patriots Point.Collection
Wilbert Gauding CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2022.0009Source or Donor
Cheryl Gauding CettomaiAcquisition Method
GiftUpdate Date
September 11, 2024
