On 11 April 1945, a low-flying kamikaze, although fired on, crashed on Missouri’s starboard side, just below her main deck level. The starboard wing of the plane was thrown far forward, starting a gasoline fire at 5 in (127 mm) Gun Mount No. 3. The battleship suffered only superficial damage, and the fire was brought quickly under control.
Parts of the plane were stuck on the ship itself, like the MG being impaled into one of the guns.
The remains of the pilot were recovered on board the ship just aft of one of the 40 mm gun tubs. Captain Callaghan decided that the young Japanese pilot had done his job to the best of his ability, and with honor, so he should be given a military funeral. He explained to his crew that after death, he was no longer the enemy. The crew hand stitched a Japanese flag and the following day, he was buried at sea with military honors.
The dent in the side of the ship remains to this day. #stayzero #zerofoxtrot #ww2