The Ship that Survived a 450-Knot Human Missile The sky erupted in a hail of tracer fire as USS Shea's guns roared to life. It was May 4, 1945, and the destroyer minelayer was fighting for survival off the coast of Okinawa. Just moments ago, a lone bomber had appeared on the horizon, breaking through the morning haze. Now, it plummeted from the sky in a trail of smoke and flame, victim to Shea's lethal accuracy. But there was no time for relief. Suddenly, a lookout's voice cut through the din, edged with alarm. This was no ordinary threat. A Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka, a piloted missile born of Japan's desperation, was streaking towards them from the starboard beam. The Ohka closed the distance at over 450 knots, its pale gray form barely visible against the morning sky. Its 2,600-pound warhead promised utter devastation. The human-guided bomb, designed for a one-way mission, was moments away from impact. Its 16-foot wingspan belied its lethal purpose. Shea's crew of 336, veterans of countless Pacific battles, had mere seconds to react. Their 376-foot vessel, despite its impressive array of weaponry, suddenly felt terrifyingly vulnerable. The four 5-inch guns and numerous anti-aircraft mounts stood ready. The next moments would put USS Shea's hard-earned nickname "Shootin' Shea" to the ultimate test… https://youtu.be/HE2muLyFwhg?si=qsLTuLmdijy0mwQn