Days of Steel Rain

September 4, 2021 8:55am

One of the most terrifying aspects of being on a Navy ship in the Pacific during World War II were the Japanese kamikaze attacks. And those were in addition to the typhoons!

I recently read Brent E. Jones' book "Days of Steel Rain: The Epic Story of a WWII Vengeance Ship in the Year of the Kamikaze." It was a very well-written book that told the valiant tale of the USS Astoria (CL-90) and her brave crew as they helped defeat the Japanese in the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa in addition to supporting attacks on the Japanese Home Islands.

While the history of the Astoria is interesting enough itself, Jones brought the story alive with accounts of what individual crew members did while serving aboard the light cruiser. And because he read their diaries and interviewed them, he also included their most personal thoughts about their service; the highs and lows of their triumphs and fears.

I interviewed Brent E. Jones about his book on today's radio program. That episode is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/210904