Luftnahunterstützung
"Sperry" turned south with her force for strikes against Okinawa. The destroyer joined in a bombardment of the Japanese airstrip on tiny but critically located Minami Daito Shima 27 March. Close air support was provided by TF 38 as the invasion began on 1 April 1945, and "Sperry" served as plane guard and radar picket for her force. On 7 April, planes from the carriers she screened joined in sending , her accompanying cruiser, and four of eight guardian destroyers to the bottom. "Sperry" herself fired often, aiding in splashing planes of the "kamikaze" strikes hurled at her force on 11, 14, 16, and 29 April, and 11 May. When and fell victim to "kamikazes", "Sperry" stood by them, aiding in damage control, and rescuing men from the water.