Hell from the Heavens Audiobook By John Wukovits cover art

Hell from the Heavens

The Epic Story of the USS Laffey and World War II's Greatest Kamikaze Attack

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Hell from the Heavens

By: John Wukovits
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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On the morning of April 16, 1945, the crewmen of the USS Laffey saw what seemed to be the entire Japanese air force assembled directly above. They were about to become the targets of the largest single-ship kamikaze attack of World War II.

By the time the unprecedented assault was finished, 32 sailors were dead and more than 70 wounded. Although she lay shrouded in smoke and fire for hours, the Laffey somehow survived. The gutted American warship limped from Okinawa's shore for home, where the ship and crew would be celebrated as heroes.

Using personal interviews with survivors, the memoirs of crew members, and their wartime correspondence, John Wukovits breathes life into the story of this forgotten historic event.

©2015 John Wukovits (P)2015 Tantor Armed Forces Asia Japan Military Naval Forces Wars & Conflicts World War II War Pacific War

Critic reviews

"For WWII buffs, surely, but also for general readers looking to understand the damage inflicted and the terror inspired by the Japanese suicide squadrons." ( Kirkus)

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Narration: excellent if one can overlook slightly raspy smoker’s throat, which is appropriate when describing historic naval battles.

Story: remarkable story of crew defending themselves against Japanese suicide attacks.

Excellent ww2 navy v Japanese battle

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Recommend reading the book or even better listening to it on Audible. Thanks again Audible!

Great listeingl

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I felt by the end of this amazing recounting of this ship and brave men, I found a newfound appreciation and respect for our veterans. More people should read this book.

Inspirational and Engaging

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This is a very interesting an informative book. It is well written and well read and is definitely worth a listen for anyone interested in World War II or naval history.

Great Book

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Everyone needs to hear this story of heroism under fire...this is why we honor our beautiful flag!

Awesome book!

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Love the story and history. Not a huge fan of the narrator. Overall would recommend

Good read

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Great story telling through the eyes of those who were there. The event told by the crew through their letters and memoirs.

The Ship That Would Not Die

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I had never heard of the USS Laffey until I read this book. I began listening to it before visiting the ship at patriots point museum in South Carolina, and was glad that I did. It made the ship much more of a museum and memorial to those who served aboard her. This was a very compelling story, and one I'll be sure to tell others about.

Compelling story worth the effort

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We are losing the stories of the greatest generation of Americans to revisionist historians. Books like this of great Americans and their selfless actions are important for future generations. I recommend this book as a reminder of people who did what was needed when it was needed without regret or second thought. Thank-you to all that serve. May your story be preserved like the crew of the Laffy.

A story of Americans that loved America

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Becton and his crew of the USS Laffey demonstrated incredible courage in both Europe and the Pacific in WWII. Most incredibly was there heroism portrayed during the battle for Okinawa while on Pickett duty offshore from Okinawa. This book details both missions in Europe during the bombardment of Utah Beach and then the bombardment of Cherbourg. Then the story goes to Leyte Gulf where she provided fire support for invading troops and then she provides fire support for marines on Iwo Jima in February of 1945. from there she refit and heads to Okinawa where she is put on radar Pickett duty and guards the carrier task force from kamikaze attackers. Her story on this duty is worth the price of listening! You'll never read a more in depth story of immaculate heroism and selflessness as you will with this book! Please do yourself a favor and listen to this book for it is the story of human and American character to the fullest!!

Incredibly courageous account of heroism!

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