Photograph. U.S. Navy LSM(R)s 196, 190, and 199 fire salvos of rockets in support of U.S. landings on Okinawa. Official Caption: "Rome. 6/2/45--U.S. Navy softens up Okinawa--Flame-tipped rockets etch black lines of smoke against the sky as they streak toward Japanese installations on Okinawa. Fired from U.S. Navy LSM (R)s (Landing Ship Medium, Rockets) the missiles contributed a large share to the consolidation of U.S. beachheads in the opening phases of the amphibious assaults. As the invasion proceeded, the Navy supported U.S. Army assaults with heavy fire from large fleet units offshore and attacks by carrier-based planes. U.S. Fleet Air Wing One bombed and strafed on other islands of the Ryukyu chain north of Okinawa and swept over waters near Japan to attack enemy shipping. Okinawa, with its strategic sea and air bases, is 375 miles (600 km.) south of Japanese home islands. It is one of the Ryukyu (Loochoo) chain, stepping stones to the enemy homeland.--FN Photo--Serviced by Rome OWI (A list out). Approved by appropriate U.S. authority. 6508."”Okinawa, Japan. 2 June 1945