Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner was Commander of Amphibious Forces Pacific and was to be in charge of operations until the beachhead was established.

The northern half of the six-mile-wide invasion beach was assigned to Task Force 53, under the command of Rear Admiral Lawrence F. Reifsnider.

Shortly before dusk, the destroyer USS Aaron Ward (DM-34) was hit by a series of six kamikazes, suffering 45 killed or missing and 49 wounded.

LSM(R)-195 was also on Picket Station 10 and while rushing to the aid of Aaron Ward and Little was likewise crashed by a kamikaze.

The crash started her rockets exploding and knocked out the fire main and auxiliary pumps.

Not long after sunrise the anticipated kamikazes arrived and were met by American combat air patrol.

Woodson CO LSM(R)-195 survived the sinking and reported on 5 May 1945: Two planes were observed approaching, the closest identified as NICK.