USS Laffey, Naval museum ship in Mount Pleasant, United States
The USS Laffey is a World War II destroyer that measures 377 feet (115 meters) from bow to stern and is maintained by the Patriot's Point Naval Museum in South Carolina. The 5-inch guns in triple turrets along with numerous anti-aircraft weapons reflect the original armament that was deployed during invasions and battles in the Pacific and Atlantic.
The destroyer was launched in 1944 and first participated in the Normandy invasion during the landing at Utah Beach. Months later near Okinawa, the vessel endured an intense kamikaze attack involving five aircraft and three bombs that hit their target.
The vessel carries the nickname 'The Ship That Would Not Die' because of its ability to survive heavy attacks, a name still recognized by Navy veterans today. Visitors can walk through the tight crew quarters and the battle station where decisions were made under fire.
Visitors can explore different parts of the ship independently, with some sections like the engine rooms accessible through metal stairways. The ship is located in a harbor area with other historic vessels, where operating hours can vary, so check ahead before visiting.
Visitors can see the actual orange-painted room where twenty personnel became trapped on a single day, yet the vessel did not sink. The battery station displays open scarred decking and steel walls from a replacement yard at Okinawa.
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