The invasion of Tinian was in the northern part of the Island. A fake invasion force was sent to the south. The ships were the Colorado BB, the Cleveland CL, the Norman Scott DD, the Remey DD, the Wadleigh DD, and the Monssen DD. The were there to draw fire, they did. Three six inch Japanese shore batteries were waiting. The Colorado was first to receive the first salvos. The Norman Scott went to the Colorado's aid as the Colorado moved out of range. The Norman Scott moved closer to knock out the shore batteries. The Norman Scott was 25 seconds from getting the solution for her fire director to fire back. Before she could return fire the Norman Scott was hit. The captian Seymour Owens was killed along with 22 of his ship mates, 57 were wounded. The Norman Scott laid dead in the water. Her two forward 5 inch guns were the ownly guns returning fire, they were set on manaul. The Norman Scott laid dead in the water and drifting towards the shore. The Cleveland CL 55 got between the Norman Scott and the shore batteries with her 12- 5 inch and 12-6 inch guns ablazing. The Cleveland knocked out the shore batteries and saved the Norman Scott from beign sunk or destroyed. The navy made a film called This is America - Navy Yard. I was about the repair of the Norman Scott. The Norman Scott was part of the famous squadron of Desron 54. Desron 54 opened the battle at Surigao Srait. The Norman Scott was just leaving Mare Island after her repair to join her squadron. The Melvin sank the battle ship Fuso at that battle and the McGowan sank two Japanese destroyers and crippled a third. On July 15, 1945 Desron 54 was the first surface ships to bomb the Japanese homeland. Desron 54 went in with the battle ships Wisconsin, the Missouri and the Iowa. Halsey was on the Missouri. Everyone thought they were going to be clobbered. The Japanese never fire a shoot. Desron 54 was a squadron of 7 Fletcher class destroyers.