This book,6 x 9, 448 pages, b/w photos throughout, and maps, chronicles an aspect of the action at Okinawa not previously covered in much depth. The book is based on primary sources, including ship and aircraft action reports, ship logs, and personal interviews. It details the actions of the US ships and aircraft detail to stand off the Japanese Air Armada sent to prevent the securing of Okinawa by the Allied forces.

The Book particularly details the action in regards to the Radar Picket Ships and their supporting Air Units. Detailed accounts of the Action, between April 1st, 1945 to August 15th, 1945, are primarily from the US standpoint, but do include details the Japanese planning and units involved as well.

Chapters in the Book include:

The Nature of Radar Picket Duty
Tin Cans and Gunboats
The Aerial Combatants
“They came in droves …”
“The dead were the luckiest of us all …”
“For conspicuous gallantry …”
The Final View “The losses seem quite reasonable …”

The Chapter titles give you some idea of the intensity of the material covered.