Damage control
was performing close support operations off Okinawa on 27 April 1945 when the ship was attacked by a Japanese suicide boat. The fast, nimble little boat managed to sneak into the formation and detonated a charge alongside the hull of the "Hutchins". A violent explosion rocked the ship, causing severe structural damage, but fortunately there were no casualties. Damage control was able to check flooding and the "Hutchins" retired to make repairs at Kerama Retto and eventually the States.