June 19, 1939 the Japanese destroyer Isokaze was launched at Sasebo Naval Yard. During her career the
Isokaze was involved in the sinking of the USS Argonaut SS-166 on Jan. 10, 1943 and the USS Johnston
DD-557 on Oct. 25, 1944. She herself would join them on the bottom of the sea with the majority of Japanese
destroyers used in World War 2. On Apr. 7, 1945 while escorting the battleship Yamato on her last mission,
the Isokaze was bombed and sunk, along with the Yamato, by aircraft from TF-58. Twenty of her crew were
killed.

© 2007 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com