Pearl Harbor Photos--Edward Dutch Gaulrapp, Pearl Harbor survivor, shares memories of attack

Commander Navy Region Hawaii and National Archives ^ | December 7 | Blair Martin, Contributing Writer

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Edward Dutch Gaulrapp, Pearl Harbor survivor, shares memories of attack

Blair Martin, Contributing Writer

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Michael A. Lantron - Pearl Harbor survivor Chief Cook Edward Gaulrapp (Navy Ret.), views the USS Arizona Memorial during a visit to historic Ford Island. Assigned to the Pearl Harbor-based, Perch-class submarine USS Pompano (SS 181), Gaulrapp was in his barracks when the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor began.

It has taken former Navy Chief Petty Officer Edward "Dutch" Gaulrapp more than 60 years to come back to Pearl Harbor to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack and according to him, it took quite a bit of coaxing.

"I never wanted to come back," he said. But with some prodding from his family, the 85-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor reluctantly made the trip.

"My kids kept saying 'Dad, you have to come back because you ain't gonna live forever,'" he explained, tucking in the pockets on his naval uniform. "They kept telling me, 'You can't just sit on your memories. You have to go back to where they came from and bring them out again.' That is why I am here, for my family.'"

Gaulrapp said that he has mixed feelings about stepping back onto the base for the first time in over six decades. "There are a lot of old memories - some good, but some really lousy ones, too," he explained. When the first of the Japanese planes hit early the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a then-18-year-old Gaulrapp was in the middle of a card game at the submarine barracks.

"We heard a loud explosion and looked at each other like 'what the hell is that' so we all went outside," he said. "At first we thought the Navy was practicing, but when we saw the Arizona go up in flames and they started sinking the ships beside her, we knew we were under attack."

The young seaman, who served as a baker for the USS Pompano (SS-181), a submarine that was away for repair in the states, was then issued a .30 rifle and ordered to shoot for "anything he could hit." "It all just scared the hell out of us," he recalled.

After the attack, Gaulrapp said he and others were sent out to view the wreckage at Battleship Row and look for survivors.



"We got in the patrol boats to pick up the bodies and it was awful looking down in that oily water," he remembered. "There were times when I would reach out for [what I thought was] an arm, and only half of one would come out of the water. I never could wear my whites again after that day. They were too dirty." Luckily, Gaulrapp said that when he returned to baking duty after a couple of days, his chief allowed him to work in his dungaree jeans until he was issued a fresh, new uniform.

Looking for Bud

For all of the memories he has of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath, Gaulrapp said only one to date stirs him up the most - looking for his best friend, Bud, after the attack. His friend, Alvin "Bud" Loring, a machinist's mate fireman, was aboard the USS Nevada during the attack. As children, Loring and Gaulrapp had grown up in St. Vincent's Catholic orphanage in Freeport, Ill. and became the best of friends. Eventually, with the permission of one of the priests, they joined the Navy together at the age of 17. Despite being assigned to different units, the friends, only a year into their budding naval service careers, had remained a close and all but inseparable pair until that fateful Sunday morning.

"I thought I had lost him," he said remembering his friend. Gaulrapp spent days personally looking for Loring and was relieved to find him at the hospital a few days later. Loring, however, had suffered severe burns and nerve damage from the attack on over two-thirds of his body. "He was burned like hell, but I was glad he was alive," said Gaulrapp.

Although Gaulrapp was lucky to not sustain any injuries from the attack, his friend's scars left a lasting impression on him. It made the young seaman more eager for the USS Pompano, his submarine, to return to Pearl Harbor so that he and his fleet "could get back to work and take care of things."

A fast learner in the kitchen, Gaulrapp said he was relieved to get back to his old duty as a baker for the Pompano. "The men sure took a liking to my baking," he chuckled. "I think their favorites were my homemade doughnuts, apple pie and cherry cobbler."

In enemy waters

Although the crew consisted of only 100 men, living quarters were tight, forcing Gaulrapp to bunk above a few torpedoes occasionally. Early in the war, he recalled a close call with the enemy.

While patrolling for Japanese vessels at Tokyo Harbor, the Pompano was briefly spotted entering enemy territory. In an attempt to dodge enemy fire, the Pompano quickly ducked but plunged too far, accidentally wedging herself in the bottom of Tokyo Harbor.

"We got stuck in the mud and were down there for 78 hours. We were low on gas and all of us nearly ran out of air," Gaulrapp described. Right when the skipper was about to "throw us to the dogs," he said, an engineering officer persuaded him otherwise. "He said, 'I know a way you can come out of this smelling like roses.' And we did!"

With her battery nearly exhausted, the Pompano, through a series of maneuvers, was able to free herself and finally surface. When she did, she spotted several Japanese sampans and freighters and eventually brought them down with gunfire.

"I still remember Tokyo Rose saying, 'We'll get you yet,'" Gaulrapp said, recalling his heroic tour with the Pompano. "But they didn't because I am still here today," he added with a laugh.

A full and successful naval career

During World War II, Gaulrapp made eight war patrols on several U.S. Navy vessels such as the USS Pompano, USS Haddock and the USS Runner. Throughout his 20-year naval career, he garnered more than 10 medals, including the Asian Pacific Medal (bronze star), National Defense Service medal (double bronze star) and the World War II Victory Medal, and earned a spot on the World War II Monument in Washington, D.C.

When Gaulrapp eventually retired, he continued his involvement with naval reunions and activities, as well as enjoyed an occasional visit from a former shipmate.

His daughter Lois Deininger, who was born on a naval base in Connecticut, said that the bedrock of their family has always been centered on her father's naval service. She noted that although her father never had any parents, he always had the Navy. "A lot of people ask him what it was like to be an orphan," she said. "And he would always say, 'How can you be an orphan on a ship with 100 men?' He may not have had a mom and dad, but he had 100 brothers."

Deininger, her family and close family friends, accompanied Gaulrapp on his trip to Pearl Harbor so that he can pay his respects before he dies. Although the trip is emotional, she regards it as a "blessing."

"As a daughter, the thing I appreciate most about my father is although he had a hard life, he never had a bad thing to say about it, not one bad thing about the orphanage or about the service," she said. "My father is proud of having been part of the military. The Navy has been his soul mate throughout his life."

As Deininger stood with her father at Ford Island, near the Arizona Memorial, she gently held his hand and together they quietly observed the splendid landmark glowing in the distance touched by the vibrant Hawaiian sun. After a long pause, his eyes welled up and he turned back to his family and friends waiting near the car. His words were few, but they were clear: "I think I am glad we made the trip."

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7 June 1941 Pearl Harbor Hawaii







Pearl Harbor







Pearl Harbor USS Virginia






USS Shaw

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President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Day of Infamy
8 December 1941

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Images reported to have been taken by the Japanese



Opening seconds of the attack, Torpedo exploding against Oklahoma. The Japanese plane that launched the torpedo can be seen peeling off after making its run.

Another can be seen just left of the hammer head crane about to start its attack run.



Opening seconds of the attack, Torpedos exploding into Oklahoma and West Virginia, Note the height of the water spray from the force of the explosions.



Opening seconds of the attack, "Battleship Row" Note after effects of torpedo hits on Oklahoma and West Virginia, Oil can be seen already gushing from the ships. Also Note California (Far Right) has already taken a torpedo hit. On the 1010 dock smoke can be seen coming from the torpedoed Helena, with Oglala alongside.



One of the most interesting photos I have ever seen, The top photo taken by a Japanese aircraft during the attack. This Photo was taken between 0755 and 0805, When the Arizona exploded. Note oil gushing from Oklahoma and West Virginia from previous torpedo hits and bomb exploding on Arizona's stern. The bottom half of the photo shows Battleship Row three days later taken from a US aircraft, Maryland moored beside the capsized Oklahoma. West Virginia is on the bottom pinning Tennessee to quay and Arizona is totaly destroyed, note oil seeping from Arizona's Hulk, Arizona still bleeds oil to this day.

More photos can be seen at Navsource.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Great photos! Thanks

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1296654/posts

Don Stroud was my favorite Brother in law.
He was on the USS NEWORLEANS during pearl harbor,
December 7, 1941 and stay on this great ship until
it’s bow was blown off.
He then was transfered to the USS LAWS.

PEAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION.

The above was said by the Chaplain of the USS New Orleans
during the Pearl Harbor Attack!

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You're welcome! It's been very enjoyable looking for and then posting these photos.

God Bless your brother-in-law for serving our country. Thanks for sharing his story!

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Japan Surrenders



Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, reading his speech to open the surrender ceremonies, on board USS Missouri (BB-63).

The representatives of the Allied Powers are behind him, including (from left to right): Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, RN, United Kingdom; Lieutenant General Kuzma Derevyanko, Soviet Union; General Sir Thomas Blamey, Australia; Colonel Lawrence Moore Cosgrave, Canada; General Jacques LeClerc, France; Admiral Conrad E.L. Helfrich, The Netherlands and Air Vice Marshall Leonard M. Isitt, New Zealand. Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland, U.S. Army, is just to the right of Air Vice Marshall Isitt. Off camera, to left, are the representative of China, General Hsu Yung-chang, and the U.S. representative, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN. Framed flag in upper left is that flown by Commodore Matthew C. Perry's flagship when she entered Tokyo Bay in 1853. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

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Surrender of Japan



Photo #: USA C-2719 (Color)
Surrender of Japan, Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945

Japanese representatives on board USS Missouri (BB-63) during the surrender ceremonies, 2 September 1945.

Standing in front are:

Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu (wearing top hat) and General Yoshijiro Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff.

Behind them are three representatives each of the Foreign Ministry, the Army and the Navy. They include, in middle row, left to right:

Major General Yatsuji Nagai, Army; Katsuo Okazaki, Foreign Ministry; Rear Admiral Tadatoshi Tomioka, Navy; Toshikazu Kase, Foreign Ministry, and Lieutenant General Suichi Miyakazi, Army. In the the back row, left to right (not all are visible): Rear Admiral Ichiro Yokoyama, Navy; Saburo Ota, Foreign Ministry; Captain Katsuo Shiba, Navy, and Colonel Kaziyi Sugita, Army. (Identities those in second and third rows are from an annotated photograph in Naval Historical Center files.)

Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives

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The following are the beginning of the logged minutes describing the events which transpired on 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor. I have posted only the beginning minutes from 0618 to 0815 on 7 Dec 1941.

The entire document of logged minutes covers hours 0618 through 2110, which made it too large to post. If you're interested in reading the entire document, you will find the rest of the logged minutes at the linked site below.

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NavSource Naval History

Chronology Of The Attack From The Deck Logs Of The Vessels Moored At Pearl Harbor December 7 1941

Last Revised 10/2003 Compiled For The Pearl Harbor, Court Of Inquiry Hearings

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0618 On the morning 7 Dec. Task Force 8 (ENTERPRISE, NORTHAMPTON, 
     SALT LAKE CITY, CHESTER, (Crudiv 5), DUNLAP, ELIOT, FAN-
     NING, BENHAM, GRIDLEY, MAURY, BALCH, (Desron 6) were re-
     turning to Pearl Harbor after completing mission vicinity Wake Island.
     From position approximately 215 miles West of Pearl routing scouting
     flight launched. Flight had orders to search ahead sector through 045-
     135  for distance 150 miles. Thence planes to proceed to Pearl. Three 
     planes also launched to establish inner air patrol. 
0630 ANTARES Arrived off Pearl Harbor, from Canton and Palmyra with 500 
     tons steel barge in tow. Sighted suspicious object 1500 yds. on stbd. 
     quarter. Appeared to be small submarine but could not positively 
     identify it. Accordingly notified inshore patrol ship, WARD to investi-
     gate it. 
0633 ANTARES Observed Navy Patrol plane circle and drop 2 smoke pots 
     near object. 
0645 ANTARES Observed WARD commence firing for 2 minutes. Patrol plane
     appeared to drop bombs or depth charged object which disappeared.
0700 VP Squadron 24 Had four of the six PBY5 planes depart Pearl Harbor for
     scheduled training exercise in operating area C-5. One of the remain-
     ing two planes was out of commission for structural changes; the other
     in standby status for ready duty.
0700 Plane 14P-1 sank enemy sub. 1 mile off P. H. Entrance. FORCES
     UNDER COMMAND OF PATWING TWO (COMTASKFOR 9) disposed
     as follows:
     Patron 21 Midway: Patron 11, 12, 14, Kaneohoe; Patron 21, 22, 23, 24
     Pearl Harbor. WRIGHT enroute from P. H. For Midway. Condition of
     readiness B-5. (50% aircraft on 4 hours notice). Specific duty assign-
     ments required 6 planes from Patron 14, 24, and 12 to be ready for flight
     on 30 minutes notice. Total number of planes ready for flight or in the
     air in 4 hours or less: 72. At time first bomb dropped 14 patrol aircraft
     were in the air (7 on search from Midway), 58 ready for flight in 4 hours
     or less. Nine undergoing repairs.
0735 PATRON 21 Patwing 2 staff duty officer received and decoded
     message 14P-1 sank enemy submarine one mile off Pearl Harbor.
0740 PATRON 21 Staff duty officer C-C informed by CPW2 of patrol plane
     sinking report. Patwing 2 proceeded to draft a search plan.
0715 KEOSANQUA Began to receive tow from ANTARES.
0726 HELM Underway from berth X-7 for deperming buoys at West Loch. 
     All hands at special sea detail stations. Both boats manned and in the 
     water with instructions to follow the ship to West Loch. All magnetic 
     compasses and chronometers had been left in the BLUE preparatory to 
     deperming. 
0743 Local hostilities commenced with air raid on Pearl. Received message 
     from plane #7 of VP14 to CTF 3 that plane had sunk one enemy subma-
     rine one mile off Pearl Harbor entrance.
0745 AVOCET Moored at Berth F-1A, NAS Dock, Pearl Harbor. Bomb explo-
     sion and planes heard and sighted attacking Ford Island hangars.
     TUCKER. Nested alongside WHITNEY. 5" gun #3 could not be fired
     All other guns and .50 cal. machine guns fired at attacking planes during
    all attacks. No loss of personnel or material. It is believed this vessel
    shot down three or four enemy planes.
    PATRON 11 Two planes in hangar 4 planes at south end of hangar
    6 planes on ramp. As soon as raid started three rifles were manned
    immediately. Two machine guns manned in a plane being removed from
    the hangar. Machine gun position in plane abandoned and guns moved
    to a safer position. Set up 2 machine gun nests near south end of
    hangar. Damage received: 7 planes burned; one wrecked; and four
    damaged but can be repaired. All hangar, office equipment, and stores
    destroyed.
0745 PATRON 12 TWO planes moored in Kaneohe Bay, two in hangar
     and 8 on parking apron. Upon being attacked manned machine guns
     in planes, mounted machine guns in pits and used rifles. Observed sec-
     ond wave of horizontal bombers did not release bombs. Own losses 
     8 PBY-5's planes completely destroyed, two severely damaged, two
     moderately damaged, all hangar, office equipment and stores destroyed
0750 TRACY Moored port side to Berth 16, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, under-
     going overhaul. PREBLE and CUMMINGS moored to starboard in that
     order. Ship totally disabled with main auxiliary machinery boilers
     and gun batteries dismantled.
0750 TAUTOG Observed enemy three plane formation of dive bombers over 
     Aiea fleet landing on southwest course. Enemy character not discovered 
     until bombs were dropped. 
0750 CALIFORNIA Sounded general quarters and set condition Zed. Lieuten-
     ant Commander M. N. Little, First Lieutenant was S. O. P. on board and
     made preparations for getting underway.
0750 CASSIN'S Commanding Officer observed about 100 feet away from star-
     board side of dry dock #1 at altitude of 100 feet and airplane with
     large red disks on bottom of wings. Sounded general quarters and made
     attempts to locate ammunition: part of 5" guns under overhaul. .50
     calibre machine guns were unlimbered.
0750 PATRON 2l Drafting of CPW2 search plan completed.
0750 OKLAHOMA (0750 or 0753) struck by 3 torpedoes on port side frames
     25, 35-40 and 1l5. Ship heeled to port 45  meanwhile A. A. Batteries
     manned and G. Q. executed. Rapid heeling of ship and oil and water
     on decks rendered service to guns ineffective.
0750 CURTIS Moored in berth X-22, condition X-RAY. Number 3 boiler
     steaming. Ship at G. Q. Ship strafed by fighter planes. Observed
     bomb hit on VP hangar at NAS. UTAH, RALEIGH and RICHMOND
     attacked by torpedoes.
0750 PYRO Secured along West Loch dock, stbd. side to. Heard noise
     of low-flying aircraft and explosion in Navy Yard area. Observed two
     low wing monoplanes about 100 feet above water head for PYRO's port
     beam. Planes zoomed clear of ship and was observed to be Japanese.
     Sounded General Quarters and prepared to get underway.
0752 AVOCET Sounded General Quarters and opened fire with 3" A. A. Bat-
     tery. Hit Japanese plane which had just turned away after torpedoing
     CALIFORNIA. Plane burst into flames and crashed near Naval Hospital.
     Fired 144 rounds 3"/50 cal. And 1750 rounds .30 cal.
0753 PRUITT Reports 10 planes flying low, 200 feet, bombed Ford Island and
     blew up hangar.
0753 TERN Notified of attack and made preparation for getting underway. 
0753 TRACY Observed BBs attacked from astern by about 10 dive bombers. 
     Torpedo planes at about 100 feet approached from Easterly direction 
     attacking BBs. O. O. D. saw dive bombers attack BBs (10 planes and 
     Ford Is. from North). Attack followed by horizontal and dive bombers 
     on same objective plus ships in dry dock. 1 dive bomber passed close 
     enough to observe that it was a single engine by-plane probably type 94. 
0754 GAMBLE Heard explosions on Ford Island.
0755 BAGLEY Moored Navy Yard Pearl Harbor, berth B-22, repairs to
     starboard bilge keel. Sighted dive bombers in action over Hickam Field.
     They were believed at that time to be Army bombers. Shortly after this
     time enemy plane approached from the direction of Merry Point at about
     30-40 feet altitude and dropped torpedo on OKLAHOMA and retired.
     Opened up with forward machine guns on attacking plane. Machine
     gun fire bagged 5th plane, it swerved and torpedo dropped and exploded
     in bank 30 feet ahead of BAGLEY. Plane finally downed in channel.
     Concluded machine gunning enemy planes. 3 planes believed to have
     been shot down by BAGLEY.
     BOBOLINK Observed about 12 dive bombers centering their attack south
     hangars of Ford Island.
     BREESE Moored in berth D-3. Middle Loch, in nest with division order
     of ships from starboard U. S. S. RAMSAY, BREESE, MONTGOMERY,
     and GAMBLE.
     Observed bombing of old hangar on Ford Island. Sounded General
     Quarters. Set Condition "A", and made preparations for getting under-
     way. Sent boats to landing to pick up men.
     CACHALOT Moored at Berth # 1, Navy Yard, Pearl HARBOR undergoing 
     scheduled overhaul.
     CASTOR Sounded general quarters. Ship berthed at Merry Point.
     CONYNGHAM Heading north moored starboard side to WHITNEY at 
     berth X-8. REID, TUCKER,. CASE, and SELFRIDGE outboard. Ship 
     undergoing routine tender overhaul, receiving power from tender. Noted 
     large fire on Ford Island and observed horizontal and dive bombing planes 
     attacking. Sounded General Quarters. 
     DEWEY Observed UTAH to be torpedoed and to list rapidly. DEWEY at 
     nest, DesDiv ONE, with PHELPS alongside port side DOBBIN at X-2 
     under overhaul.
0755 DOLPHIN Moored portside to Pier 4, Submarine Base, Pearl
     Harbor. Japanese aircraft delivered dive bomb and torpedo attack on
     Pearl Harbor. Sounded General Quarters.
     HELM Turned into West Loch channel and headed up toward deperming
     buoys.
     HENLEY Through error in gangway watch in calling crew to quarters
     for muster at 0755, General Alarm was sounded instead of gas alarm as
     customary. Observed first torpedo plane attack on UTAH. Crew pro-
     ceeded to Battle Stations while General Alarm sounded the second time.
     Set material condition AFFIRM. Made preparations for getting under-
     way. Opened file on light bomber. Altitude about 17,000 feet apparently
     steady on Northerly course; approaching from seaward and passing over
     Ford Island.
     HONOLULU Moored port side to berth B21 Navy Yard Pearl with U.S.S.
     ST. LOUIS alongside stbd. side. Planes were seen diving on HICKAM
     FIELD. At the same time a wave of torpedo planes were seen approach-
     ing over fleet landing. Sounded general quarters and passed word
     "Enemy Air Raid". Ship prepared to get underway. A.A. batteries
     came into action gun by gun as they were manned. 50 caliber and 30
     caliber M.G.'s fired on enemy torpedo planes attacking the BB's. From
     this time until raid ended 30 caliber, 50 caliber and 5"/25 A.A. guns
     fired at every available target. Service ammunition expended 2,800
     rounds of 30 caliber, 4,500 of 50 caliber, 250 rounds of 5"/25 caliber.
     12 two-seat low wing monoplanes flying low from Southeast dropped
     one torpedo at each battleship. Saw two planes destroyed.
     18 low wing dive bombers from Southeast. All bombed Hickam Field.
     MinDiv ONE Undergoing scheduled overhaul, moored in repair base.
     Guns and ammunition removed. Crews, except the watch on board,
     living in Navy Yard receiving barracks.
0755 MinDiv ONE Japanese planes were seen to attack the BB's.
     Men were sent to adjacent ships, NEW ORLEANS, SAN FRANCISCO,
     and CUMMINGS, to assist in manning A.A. guns and handle ammuni-
     tion. Meanwhile receiving barracks sent men (our) to other ships to
     assist in fighting fires or handling ammunition. These men reported
     to PENNSYLVANIA, CALIFORNIA, and WHITNEY. Also in the
     Yard. Miner's Mates were sent to West Loch. 50 and 30 caliber MG's
     were reassembled and remounted and ammunition was obtained from
     NEW ORLEANS, SAN FRANCISCO and Marine Barracks. These
     guns were used against the enemy making the later attacks. No ship
     of division suffered damage. 
     PATTERSON Moored at berth X-11, battle stations manned. Opened fire
     with main and 50 caliber batteries. The PATTERSON considered that
     at least one enemy plane was shot down. The plane claimed by PAT-
     TERSON was one observed diving on CURTISS approaching from ahead
     at about 400 ft. Altitude. Plane was seen to fall apart at same time
     shot was fired by #2 gun. 
     PHOENIX First attacking plane sighted from Signal Bridge attacking
     from north of Ford Island. Plane had all guns firing. Passed over
     stern of RALEIGH and proceeded toward Ford Island Control Tower and 
     dropped bomb. 
     PREBLE On 7 December was undergoing Navy Yard overhaul at berth
     Z-15 with no ammunition on board and the engineering plant dismantled.
     First attack on battleships began with about 20 torpedo planes. Planes 
     were in low horizontal flight when observed and attacked from eastward. 
     Enemy planes approached battleships to close range before releasing 
     torpedoes. 
     RALEIGH Commanding Officer felt dull explosion and looking out air-
     port observed water boiling amidships. Received report that Japanese
     were attacking fleet. Sounded general quarters.
     Both planes were successfully hoisted out by hand power. Doctor
     was directed to report to SOLACE. [11] Damage repair party 
     was sent to capsized UTAH to cut men out of hull. Sent Signal to
     send pontoon and a lighter alongside from BALTIMORE to RALEIGH.
     These were delivered and secured to port quarter and acted as an out-
     rigger. Torpedoes, minus war heads were pushed overboard and beached
     at Ford Island. All stanchions, boat skids and life rafts and booms
     were jettisoned. Both anchors let go.
     RAMAPO O. O. D. Observed Japanese dive bomber come in close and
     drop couple of bombs. Sounded General Quarters and opened fire with
     A.A. Guns (3"/). Motor Torpedo Boats on board also opened fire with
     machine guns. Order of attack observed to be dive bombers strafing,
     torpedo planes, dive bombers bombing, horizontal planes bombing.
     Our personnel reported 3" shell hit plane. No losses in personnel and
     no material damage.
     RAMSAY Moored at berth D-3 observed bomb land on western end of
     Ford Island.
     REID Observed unidentified plane attacking Ford Island.
     SOLACE Received report of air raid, closed all watertight doors and
     ports, called away rescue parties; prepared hospital facilities and sent
     2 motor launches with rescue parties to ARIZONA.
     SUMNER Was moored to the new dock at the southern end of the Sub-
     marine Base, port side to, bow to eastward. Armament is four 3"
     23 caliber A.A. guns, four 50 caliber machine guns, and one 5" 51 caliber
     broadside.
     SWAN Sounded General Quarters. In Marine Railway, boiler upkeep.
     Observed bomb dropped on South ramp of Fleet Air Base.
     TAUTOG Observed about 20 planes approaching on line of OAHU rail-
     road tracks, and over Merry's point. Torpedoes were dropped from
     about 50 feet after submarine base pier was passed. Fourth plane in
     line and plane near end of line were shot down by this ship and HUL-
     BERT before torpedoes were dropped.
0755 A Japanese plane flew from North to South over a fish pond
     adjacent to water front resident of Lt. R. B. Black, U. S. N. R. on
     the East shore of Pearl City Peninsula. A long burst of machine gun
     fire was directed at the breakwater enclosing the fish pond, and a single
     fisherman wearing a white shirt was seen to run rapidly along the
     breakwater. This material is forwarded to indicate that enemy pilots
     were directing fire at individuals (civilians) at a considerable distance
     from any military objectives.
0756 VESTAL Sounded General Quarters. Manned A. A. Battery, 3" A. A.
     and .5" broadside and .30 cal. M. G. 
     VIREO Moored inboard at Coal Dock (seaward end) with TURKEY,
     BOBOLINK, and RAIL, outboard..
     WIDGEON No remarks except machine gun and rifle fire used against
     enemy. No losses or damage.
     WEST VIRGINIA Passed word "Away fire and rescue party" followed
     by General Quarters. Two heavy shocks felt on hull of W. VA. Ap-
     parently forward and on port side. Ship began to list rapidly to port.
     Another third heavy shock felt to port. Plane on top of turret 4 caught
     on fire. A heavy explosion occurred with about 20  list on ship to
     port. Central station directed to counterflood. The following last ex-
     plosion flashed a flame about 15 feet high occurred forward on ARI-
     ZONA. A second flash occurred on the ARIZONA higher than the fore-
     top. Burning debris rained on Quarter Deck of W. VA. After the 2
     ARIZONA explosions the W. VA. began to right itself when a large
     fire broke out amidships. Word received from central station to aban-
     don ship. A wall of flame advancing toward the W. VA. and TEN-
     NESSEE from the ARIZONA. W. VA. Personnel began to abandon ship
     as fire had grown out of control. Meanwhile magazines of W. VA. had
     been flooded. W. VA. personnel report to TENNESSEE. Remaining
     survivors ashore and elsewhere sent back to W. VA. to fight fire. Fire
     on W. VA. extinguished Monday afternoon.
0756 BOBOLINK Ready duty status, moored at next end, of coal
     docks with VIREO and TURKEY inboard, RAIL outboard. Informed
     by gangway watch that Japanese Planes were bombing us. Sounded
     General Quarters.
     GAMBLE Wave of about 50 Japanese planes attacked Battleships and
     Naval Air Station, Ford Island, planes flying at low altitudes about
     500 feet over Battleships from direction of Diamond Head, about 700
     feet over Ford Island. Five successive waves of the attack of about 10
     planes each.
     MinDiv TWO Went to General Quarters and set Condition "A".
     THORNTON Reports attack by Japanese Aircraft commenced; General
     Alarm was sounded and all hands went to Air Defense Stations.
     THORNTON moored port side to dock at Berth S-1, Submarine Base
     Pearl Harbor. Stations manned were as follows: Control, Machine
     Gun Battery Control, Repair, and 4 .50 cal. Machine Guns, 3 .30 Cal.
     Lewis Machine Guns, 3 .30 Browning automatic rifles, and 12 .30 cal.
     Springfield rifles.
0757 Ensign Chiles of JARVIS called Lieut. Ford and said "Someone is bomb-
     ing us".
     BREESE Opened fire with .50 cal. Machine guns.
     CONYNGHAM Observed Torpedo planes attacking RALEIGH, UTAH
     and DETROIT from the West.
     DEWEY Sounded General Quarters.
     HELENA Moored at 1010 Dock, Berth 2, portside to Dock. OGLALA
     alongside starboard side. Reported observed planes over Ford Island,
     14,000 ft. altitude. Signalman on bridge with previous duty on Asiatic
     Station identified planes immediately. General Alarm sounded and
     service ammunition broke out.
     HULL GENERAL QUARTERS. Prepared to get underway.
     0757 NEW ORLEANS Moored at Berth 16, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor
     undergoing Engine Repairs, receiving power and light from Dock.
     Sighted Enemy planes dive bombing Ford Island; sounded General
     Quarters.
0757 PENNSYLVANIA In Dry Dock #1. 3 Propeller Shafts removed. De-
     stroyers CASSIN and DOWNES in Dock ahead of PENNSYLVANIA.
     Floating Dock West of new dry dock adjoining PENNSYLVANIA occu-
     pied by SHAW. Cruiser HELENA and OGLALA at Berth B-2 (PENN-
     SYLVANIA normal berth). CALIFORNIA in F-3. MARYLAND in F-4
     inboard. OKLAHOMA outboard: Berth F-6, TENNESSEE inboard WEST
     VIRGINIA outboard, F7 ARIZONA, F8 NEVADA. Machine Guns in
     foremast manned and condition watch of A. A. personnel available.
     Ship receiving steam, water and power from yard. Heard explosions
     on end of Ford Island and realized an Air Raid in progress after 2nd
     explosion. Air defense sounded, followed by General Quarters. Set 
     Condition YOKE. 
0757 SUMNER Signal watch and Quartermaster on Bridge sighted ten dive 
     bombers attacking Navy Yard. Observed two explosions in Navy Yard. 
     Sounded Alarm. 
0757 TREVER Mine Division FOUR moored at Buoys D-7 bows toward Pearl City, in 
     order from North: TREVER, WASMUTH, ZANE, and PERRY. 
     Sounded General Quarters at time when first bomb was dropped by Japan-
     nese on North side of Ford Island.
0757 WASMUTH WASMUTH reports first Japanese planes attacked. Went to
     General Quarters at once with all guns in action within 3 minutes. How-
     ever, as ship was inside nest of four, only two after guns could bear.
     Made all preparations for getting underway.
O757 PATRON 21 First Bomb dropped near VP-22 Hangar. Message
     order broadcast to all ships present "AIR RAID P. H. X THIS IS NOT
     DRILL" (a similar message was sent by CinCPac).
0757 ZANE ZANE moored bow and stern to nest with Mine Division
     FOUR at buoys D-7; order from port to starboard: TREVER, WAS-
     MUTH, ZANE and PERRY. First call to standby colors sounded,
     Signalmen on watch observed single Japanese plane drop bomb from
     about 10000 feet on southern end Ford Island after approach from
     Northward. Sounded General Quarters; manned A. A. battery. Com-
     menced firing with A. A. battery at all planes passing within reasonable
     distances. Made all preparations to get underway.
0758 ANTARES ANTARES heard explosion in Pearl Harbor and observed
     Japanese planes delivering attack.
0758 BAGLEY BAGLEY observed Torpedo Plane come in from direction of
     Merry Point between Navy Yard and Kuahua Island, 30 or 40 feet alti-
     tude, headed for OKLAHOMA. About 2 or 3 hundred yards from
     OKLAHOMA, plane dropped its torpedo and hit OKLAHOMA amidships,
     sounded General Quarters and commenced firing. Hit fourth plane
     coming in which was seen to crash in channel off Officers' Club landing.
     Machine gun fire on 8th plane made it swerve to left causing torpedo to
     drop and explode in bank about 30 feet ahead of BAGLEY. Number one
     machine gun downed plane in Navy Yard channel. Third torpedo plane
     hit by BAGLEY was observed headed for light cruisers HONOLULU
     and ST. LOUIS astern of BAGLEY. Plane went out of control, dropped
     its torpedo and seemed to hit L-head Crane in Navy Yard. This was
     about the eleventh plane to come in. Next plane hit by BAGLEY came
     over dock but was downed with a short burst. Torpedo dropped in
     lumber pile and plane believed to have crashed on dock. Fifth plane
     brought down by BAGLEY came clown on starboard side, nose directly
     up into air and spun into crash loosing its torpedo. Sixth plane brought
     down by BAGLEY was a dive bomber during second phase of attack and
     after torpedo attack. This plane was shot down by 5" gun and those
     from other ships.
0758 CUMMINGS CUMMINGS observed enemy planes making tor-
     pedo attack on Battleships moored to East side of Ford Island. Sounded
     General Quarters.
0758 GAMBLE Went to General Quarters, opened fire with .50 cal. machine
     guns on planes passing over nest at about 800 feet altitude. Set Material
     Condition Affirm except for certain protected Ammunition Passages.
0758 JARVIS General Quarters sounded on JARVIS. 
0758 HULBERT HULBERT sounded General Quarters. Torpedo plane 
     sighted heading West over East Lock preparing to launch torpedo against
     Battleship off Ford Island. HULBERT reports bringing down 1 Jap-
     anese Torpedo Plane by .50 cal. A. A. fire from Berth S-3, Submarine 
     Base. 
0758 HULL Gangway watch opened fire with .45 caliber pistol on two (2)
     planes crossing bow within 50 yards. 
0758 MUGFORD Moored Port side to the U. S. S. SACRAMENTO, Berth No. 6,
     Navy Yard. U. S. S. JARVIS moored Port side to MUGFORD. Attack
     started. Japanese planes dive on Ford Island. Several large bombs
     struck the sea plane landing ramp followed by explosions near hangars.
     Several Japanese planes came in low from Southwest and released tor-
     pedoes which struck OKLAHOMA and WEST VIRGINIA. Enemy tor-
     pedo planes came in continuously from same direction and fired torpedoes
     at the Battleships.
0759 REID REID went to General Quarters.
0758 RIGEL Ford Island attack by 10 dive bombers from North at 10,000 feet.
0758 TENNESSEE TENNESSEE attacked by enemy planes (Japa-
     nese). Oily water around stern burning. Canvas awning on stern on
     fire, Turret III. Smoke pouring into Repair I. Smoke so thick, cannot
     see. Repair I have men standby magazine flood, Turret III. All boats
     on fire. Fire in Maintop, secondary aft. Fire in maintop seems to be
     out. WEST VIRGINIA's quarterdeck and planes on fire. Fire on Tur-
     ret III. Could not get morphine out of doctor's room because it was
     unsafe, men report that room was too hot to go in and cut safe open,
     D-310 excessively hot investigate. Squadron of planes diving on Navy
     Yard. Repair I, unit 3, abandoned station too hot. Fire on topside
     seems to be under control. D-310 A is all right. Set Condition ZED
     in lower handling room of Turret III. OKLAHOMA seems to be cap-
     sizing. CALIFORNIA down by the stern. WEST VIRGINIA has
     pretty bad fire below Signal Bridge. TENNESSEE was hit twice, soon
     after attack began: one hit (bomb) on face of Turret II, and bomb hit
     on top of Turret III, penetrating.
0758 THORNTON THORNTON commenced firing with .50 cal. machine gun
     battery followed immediately by .30 cal. machine guns and .30 cal. 
     rifles.
0759 GAMBLE GAMBLE opened fire with 3"/23 cal. AA guns, firing as planes
     came within range, fuses set 3 to 8 secs. 
0759 HELM First enemy plane sighted in shallow dive over Ford Island,
     headed Northwest. Observed first bomb hit on hangar at southwest end
     of Ford Island. Called crew to General Quarters. Opened magazines
     and got ammunition to guns.
0759 JARVIS Lieut. Ford and Lieut. Johnson of JARVIS reach bridge. Jap
     torpedo planes coming in at 30 to 60 second intervals, approaching from
      Merry Point direction and attacking BBs. 
O759 SUMNER Observed torpedo planes approach over S. E. Loch 
     attacking BBs, circling Ford Island and flying off to south west. 
0759 WHITNEY Observed air raid attack by Japanese air force and explosions
     on Ford Island, WHITNEY moored bow and stern to buoys X-8 and 
     X-8x, 6 fathoms of water, supplying steam, electricity, fresh and flush-
     water to CONNYNGHAM, REID, TUCKER, CASE, and SELFRIDGE,
     moored alongside to port. 
0759 PELIAS PELIAS reports 9 dive bombers attacked out of direction of sun
     the Battleships. One broke off and dive bombed PENNSYLVANIA.
0800 Two officers from ship hiking in back of Aiea witnessed attack.
     They stated later that 3 separate flights of planes appeared at 3 levels;
     low, medium and high from the north. 
0800 VIREO C. O. VIREO heard an explosion. Immediately Japanese planes
     were seen, and General Quarters sounded. 
0800 ANTARES ANTARES under machine gun fire. Topside hit by machine
     gun bullets, bomb and shell fragments. Being unarmed no offensive tac-
     tics were possible. In order to avoid placing ship and personnel in
     jeopardy, authority was requested to enter Honolulu Harbor. 
0800 COMINBATFOR Comincraft in OGLALA observed enemy bomb fall sea-
     ward and Ford Island; no damage. The next bomb caused fires near
     waters. Flames flared up from structures south end of island. Next
     bomb fell alongside or on board 7 battleships moored at F-1 east side
     of Ford Island. Jap planes flew between fifty and l00 feet of water,
     dropping 3 torpedoes or mines in channel on line between OGLALA and
     seaward end of Ford Island. [20] Torpedo hit OGLALA and 
     HELENA simultaneously. These ships were moored abreast of B-2 of
     ten ten dock OGLALA outboard. Both ships opened fire with A. A.
     battery. OGLALA signaled C-C possibility that mines had been
     dropped. Two contract tugs were hailed to haul OGLALA aft of
     HELENA. Submersible pumps for OGLALA were obtained from
     HELENA, but could not be used as no power was available. Observed
     one Jap plane shot down. Planes were strafing as well as bombing. 
     Observed 4 battleships hit with bombs, fires broke out, and one battle-
     ship turned over. Enemy planes appeared to fly in groups of 6 to l0. 
     NEVADA underway to clear channel, but apparently was struck by 
     torpedo or mine. A minute later 2 bombs fell only one hit in the 
     NEVADA. On 2nd attack observed bomb dropped on fwd part of 
     PENNSYLVANIA in dry-dock. Flames appeared from two destroyers
     in the same dock. Observed another Jap plane fall in water. Observed
     bomb fall close to destroyers in floating dry-dock. Destroyer later
     caught on fire.
0800 VP-21 CPW2 search plan transmitted by radio and telephone. Experi-
     enced difficulty in communicating with Kanehoe.
0800 CASSIN CASSIN saw another plane come down to about 75 feet
     on parallel course drydock #1. Plane dropped torpedo aimed at CALI-
     FORNIA at range 200 yards.
0800 CASTOR CASTOR 3" A. A. and 30 cal. machine guns commenced firing
     against enemy torpedo planes, low and close aboard, and against dive
     bombers. Observed one enemy torpedo plane at about 500 to 700 yards
     range and 500 ft. altitude due aft of ship and heading across to Ford
     Island with parts of fuselage shot away. Plane grounded either on
     Ford Island or beyond. Removed covered lighter alongside with 450
     serial depth charges.
0800 DOLPHIN Machine guns and rifles manned and fired at enemy aircraft
     which were flying very low. Ready identification could be made by the
     large red balls on each wing. Report received plane had been shot down
     and dove into channel off pier 5. 
O800 BLUE UTAH torpedoed. General alarm was sounded, and word passed 
     throughout the ship to man battle stations and prepare to get underway 
     immediately. 
0800 RIGEL RIGEL vicinity #1 dry dock and ten ten dock strafed and bombed
     by 13 dive bombers from South. Altitude 600 to 100 feet. 
0800 WHITNEY WHITNEY sounded general quarters. First plane passed over 
     ship low altitude, strafing with machine guns. 
0800 HELM Torpedo planes sighted approaching from direction of Barber's
     Point. They passed over West Loch channel and dropped torpedoes
     either in North Channel or across the Island. Targets for these planes
     appeared to he ships in berths F-9 to F-13. The planes came in low
     and several strafed the ship. All bullets missed the ship by a few feet.
     No fire was opened, since the forward machine guns, which could bear
     were covered with preservative grease and had to be cleaned before they
     could fire.
0800 HELM Backed engines and commenced maneuvering ship out of
     West Loch channel to head for entrance.
0800 JARVIS Ensign Greene OOD of JARVIS reported on bridge. Prior to 
     this he had been directing activities around the quarterdeck. He was 
     told to go to the after firing battery. Ensign Chiles was actively
     organizing the forward battery without orders. Ensign Fleece already 
     on the director. Orders given to open fire 
0800 MUGFORD Commenced assembly of engineering plant which had been 
     placed out of commission for yard overhaul. Connected fuel oil hose 
     to yard line. 8,000 gallons total on board. 
0800 PHOENIX Bombing attack on BBs. Plane markings, varied U. S.
     Swastikas, and rising sun painted on fuselage.
0800 RALEIGH Opened fire with AA battery of 3"/50 cal. 1.1" and .50 cal.
     guns. Ship started to heel to port and received report that torpedo had
     struck #2 fireroom. #1 and 2 firerooms and forward engine-room com-
     pletely flooded. Fire in #3 went out. Directed counter-flooding. As
     it appeared that ship would capsize, orders were given to jettison top-
     side.
0800 RALEIGH Both planes successfully hoisted out by hand. Doctor was 
     directed to report to SOLACE. Damage repair party was sent to capsized
     UTAH to cut men out of hull. Sent signal to send pontoons and lighter
     from alongside BALTIMORE to RALEIGH. These were delivered and 
     secured to port quarter and acted as outrigger. Torpedoes minus war-
     heads were beached at Ford Island. All stanchions, boat skids, and life
     rafts and booms were jettisoned. Anchors were let go.
0801 UTAH Attacked by torpedo plane and bombing plane. Sounded
     General Quarters. Received severe underwater hit frame 84, portside.
     followed by another hit which caused ship to list 15 . Passed word 
     "all hands on deck". Not possible to repel attack as all ammunition
     was in magazines and secured. 5" and l.1 guns covered with steel
     housing; .50 and .30 caliber machine guns dismounted and stowed below 
     decks. Ship covered with two layers 6 by 12 timbers. Above condi-
     tions necessitated by UTAH being used by ships as bombing target dur-
     ing current operations. Received bomb explosion in port aircastle.
0801 PRUITT Reported OKLAHOMA and ARIZONA attacked from
     southerly direction. Number of torpedo planes attacked from southeast. 
0801 NEVADA Observed enemy air attack. Sounded general quarters. Two
     machine guns forward and two aft had been already on continuous watch 
     under the alert program. 
0801 MUGFORD Sounded General Quarters. 
0801 SUMNER Saw dense smoke rising behind Kuahuai Peninsula believed 
     from ARIZONA, blazing oil floating down from line of BBs. Opened 
     fire #3 gun manned and commenced firing four minutes after the attack 
     on Navy Yard was observed, and before any other gun in the vicinity had 
     commenced firing. Made direct hit on and destroyed torpedo plane 
     making approach on BBs. 
0S01 HELENA Opened fire. Hit by torpedo, range 500 yds., starboard side, 
     approximately frame 75, 18 feet below water line. Four near misses 
     from bombs received and one strafing attack with little damage. Issued 
     gas masks and protective clothing. Once gun opposition was in full 
     swing, Japanese plans were noted to turn away from gunfire or keep at 
     respectable altitude. 
0802 DEWEY Four .50 caliber machine guns fired at planes attacking battle
     ships and Ford Island.
0802 TREVER Opened fire with .50 caliber machine guns. 
0802 NEVADA Opened fire with machine guns on enemy planes ap-
     proaching on port beam. One plane brought down 100 yards off NE-
     VADA's port quarter; one plane dropped torpedo which struck the
     NEVADA on port bow.
0802 PENNA. Attack by Torpedo planes from west and south, about 12 or 15.
     PENNA. Reported as first ship opening fire on plane. After release of
     torpedoes three planes came in low from port beam strafing PENNA.,
     though not affected. Bearing of torpedo attack and one enemy plane
     observed to burst into flame 2000 yds on stbd. bow. Dive bombing attacks
     and torpedo attacks on Pearl Harbor, and dive bombing attacks on Hickam
     Field.
0803 CUMMINGS After Machine guns opened fire on Japanese Torpedo planes. 
0803 CALIFORNIA Opened fire with machine guns and ready guns, on torpedo 
     planes. 
0803 SWAN Opened fire with 3" A. A. guns. All sea valves and hatches closed 
     and commenced placing boilers in commission. Observed one direct hit 
     with 3" gun plane crashed beyond drydock area. No material damage 
     suffered. 
0803 CACHALOT Enemy planes passed within range and arc of guns. Opened 
     up with .30 and .50 caliber machine guns. 
0803 NEVADA NEVADA opened fire with 5" A. A. Members of crew claim 
     both broadside scored direct hit on torpedo plane which disintegrated 
     in midair. 
0804 JARVIS Machine guns opened fire. 
0804 WHITNEY Commenced firing with .50 cal. AA guns. Received signal to 
     get underway. 
0805 MUGFORD Opened fire with 50 caliber MGs. Shot down Japanese plane, 
     altitude 800 feet on the stbd. quarter, passing aft on stbd. hand. This 
     plane had fired a torpedo at the U.S.S. OGLALA. 
0806 TRACY Observed torpedo planes coming in from easterly direction and 
     launching torpedoes at BBs at Ford Is. At first attack ship closed up 
     as much as possible and broke out fighting equipment. 
0805 NEW ORLEANS Sighted enemy torpedo planes on port quarter, flying 
     low across stern. Rifle fire and pistol fire opened from fantail as first 
     planes flew by to launch torpedoes at battleships. Manned 1.1 battery 
     and machine guns aft in time to fire at three or four enemy planes. 
0806 VESTAL Struck by two bombs. VESTAL moored to port side of ARI-
     ZONA B-F7. One bomb struck stbd side fr. 44. Penetrated 3 decks, 
     exploding in GSK stores, cutting fire main and electric cables in crew 
     space. Hold set on fire and wrecked. Another bomb struck at fr. 110 
     on port side, passed through the ships and fuel oil tank. Bomb explosion 
     forward damaged practically all stores. Heat of explosion necessitated 
     flooding fwd magazines. Material damaged consisted of 3 life rafts, 6
     mooring lines, one gangway, port lenses and windows broken. 
0805 VESTAL Opened fire, and shortly after A. A. breach jammed blast from
     ARIZONA cleared gun station, killing one man. Fired with machine
     guns on enemy planes until they were withdrawn.
      Fired at torpedo plane which was seen to burst into flame and
     disappear over Ford Island. Following personnel damage was done:
     9 dead, 7 missing, 19 in hospital.
0805 RIGEL BBs attacked from altitude 125 feet from southeast by 12 torpedo
     planes, 300 to 500 yard range.
0805 HELM Opened fire with after machine guns at planes over main channel, 
     followed shortly by forward machine guns firing at passing torpedo 
     planes. 
0805 HULL #4 machine gun opened fire. 
0805 CURTISS Firing with 5" local control and .50 caliber machine guns. 
     Lighted off boilers 1, 2 and 4. 
0805 UTAH Listed about 40' to port. Attacking planes straffed crew as ship
     was abandoned.
0805 SUMNER Torpedo plane passed close aboard within 100 yards of
     SUMNER, stern on West course. Altitude 75'. Leveled off for launching
     torpedo at BB. Struck by direct hit from SUMNER's #3 A. A. gun, range
     300 yards. Plane disintegrated in smoke and sank in fragments. Tor-
     pedo believed sunk without exploding.
0805 JARVIS 5" opened fire. #3 gun believed to be the first 5" gun in harbor 
     to open fire.
0805 BREESE Opened fire with 3" A. A. Guns.
0805 RAMSAY Sounded general quarters and opened fire with .50 cal. and
     3" guns. RAMSAY liberty party returning in MONTGOMERY boat was 
     straffed by torpedo planes which were observed to fire 3 torpedoes into 
     UTAH and RALEIGH. 
0805 GAMBLE Mounted and commenced firing with .30 cal. machine guns on 
     galley deck house. 
0805 BLUE Opened fire with .50 caliber machine guns on Japanese planes 
     diving on ships in harbor. 
0805 CASSIN Observed HELENA open fire followed by PENNSYLVANIA.
0805 CALIFORNIA Reported two torpedoes struck port side, frame 100, mak-
     ing 40 ft. long hole extending from first seam below armor belt to bilge
     keel.
0806 PHOENIX Made radio signal to ships of sector four "prepare to get
     underway".
0806 PRUITT Observed Jap bomber shot down. ARIZONA listed sharply, 
     smoke and flames.
0806 BOBOLINK and TURKEY commenced firing. Directed other boats in
     nest to tie up to destroyer buoys adjacent to battle rafts in order to
     disperse.
0807 BLUE Opened fire with 5"/38 caliber guns on Japanese planes. The
     engine room was ordered immediately to light off No. 2 boiler (#1
     already steaming) and made all preparations for getting underway.
     Repair party cleared the ship for action, and made all preparations for
     slipping quickly from the mooring.
0807 HELM Opened fire with 5" battery. Not hits observed.
0807 HULL #l 5"/38 cal. opened fire.
0808 CURTISS Sent Engine Room emergency underway signal.
0807 PHOENIX One plane burning in water at end of pipe-line astern
     of berth F-8.
0808 CUMMINGS Opened fire on horizontal bombers approaching over Navy
     Yard from southerly direction.
0808 CONYNGHAM Opened fire with 5" gun and machine guns on attacking planes. 
0808 MUGFORD U. S. S. OKLAHOMA had capsized. W. VA. listed heavily to
     port, ARIZONA blew up.
0809 WHITNEY Making preparations for getting underway. Supplies issued
     to destroyers alongside.
0809 HULL #5 gun, 5"/38 cal. Opened fire, followed by guns #2, #3, and #4.
0810 THORNTON First dive bombing attack ended.
0810 CUMMINGS Commenced preparation for getting underway in accordance 
     general signal. Opened fire main battery on dive bombers over BBs. 
0810 Enemy aircraft bomb struck hangar and aircraft parking space adjacent to 
     VP-24 parking area. Ready plane suffered a severed wing spar. Plane 
     was then machine gunned and caught fire. Fire was extinguished and 
     plane has been repaired and is in service. Plane undergoing structural 
     changes not damaged and is now operating. Personnel present mounted 
     machine guns in available planes and opened fire on attacking planes. 
     One low-winged biplane flying from across hangar 54 on course about 250 
     lost both wings. 
0810 NEW ORLEANS All batteries NEW ORLEANS except 8" battery in
     action. Area around berths 14-19 incl. subjected to dive bombing attack
     by approximately ten enemy planes. Attack turned away by combined
     fire of HONOLULU and NEW ORLEANS. Observed three bombs drop:
     one falling ahead of and another falling astern of the RIGEL. These
     failed to explode. Third bomb landed midway between RIGEL and NEW
     ORLEANS exploding and causing damage from flying fragments. During
     raid yard power failed or was cut off leaving vessel in darkness without
     power except auxiliary battery power. Heavy drain of machinery raising
     steam for getting underway exhausted auxiliary batteries so much that
     lighting was very dim and of practically no use. All work in engineering
     spaces, magazines and ammunition passageways conducted by flashlight.
     Hoists and guns worked by hand with consequent reduction of volume of
     fire. AA directors were off ship.
0810 UTAH Listed 80  to port mooring lines parting and two minutes
     later ship capsized. Ship abandoned.
0810 UTAH Capsized. Salvage operations undertaken immediately in order
     to rescue entrapped personnel. 32 men thus rescued. Estimated num-
     ber of torpedoes to hit ship about 5; no bombs were observed to have
     hit.
0810 PHOENIX mg battery opened fire on attacking planes.
0810 DEWEY Guns 1-2-3 and 5 5", no power on ship.
0810 HELM Fire from port machine gun hit plane approaching from South. 
     Plane observed to veer sharply, catch on fire and crash behind trees near 
     Hickam Field. Damage to enemy: 1 plane shot down by machine gun fire. 
0810 CASSIN Observed Japanese plane crash over tree near hospital. Five 
     high altitude, 12,000 ft. bombers passed overhead from forward aft and 
     dropped large bombs. 
0810 PRUITT Observed OKLAHOMA roll over. 
0810 GAMBLE Commenced making preparations to get underway. Lighted 
     off four boilers. 
0810 CALIFORNIA Opened fire with 5" guns on dive bombers. 
0810 W. VIRGINIA Commanding Officer, Captain M. S. Bennion mortally wounded. 
0810 WHITNEY Set condition affirm. Commenced firing with 3" A. A. guns. 
0810 JARVIS Counted 6 or 7 torpedoes in OKLAHOMA, NEVADA, WEST 
     VIRGINIA, and ARIZONA also torpedoed. Apparently ARIZONA for-
     warded magazine exploded. Noted OGLALA torpedoed alongside HEL-
     ENA at 10-10 dock. 
0810 REID Opened fire with after machine guns. 
08l0 WHITNEY No material or personnel damage. 
0810 PELIAS Reports formation of high altitude planes came in from S. W. 
     attacking battleships and Ford Island followed by another wave from 
     the same direction. Torpedo planes were small and carried only one 
     bomb. Dive bombers also small and carried but one bomb. 
0810 RAIL At coal docks nested with 4 minesweeps. Opened fire with 3" A. A. 
     15 minutes after first bomb dropped on Pearl. Opened fire with .30 
     machine guns, rifles and pistols 20 minutes after first attack. A string 
     of 20 bombs fell in channel astern. Shrapnel fell throughout ship. No 
     material or personnel damage. 
0812 MUGFORD OGLALA listing to port. Attack started again. Heavy A. A. fire. 
0812 OUTGOING Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl. 
0812 COMSECTOR FOUR: Sector 4 Prepare to get underway. 
0812 HULL All machine guns plus two automatic rifles on the bridge and one 
     on after deck, firing. 
0812 RIGEL Torpedo planes attacked from S. E. at 500 feet and
     attacked BBs from altitude 125 feet, range 300 to 500 yards.
0812 Task Force 8 received message from CinC Air Raid on Pearl Harbor. This 
     is no drill. This time about coincided with expected arrival ENTER-
     PRISE planes at Pearl. Task Force Comdr. first concerned that planes 
     were assumed to be unfriendly by harbor defenses. It was not until 
     subsequent dispatches were received that it was realized hostilities with 
     Japan had begun. TF-8 operated in area South Kaula Rock for air  
     attack should enemy be located North or South of Oahu. No authentic 
     information available regarding location. Maintained combat and inner 
     air patrols.
0812 SICARD Undergoing overhaul in Navy Yard stbd side to PRUITT Berth 
     18. Shp totally disabled as to main and auxiliary machinery and gun 
     battery. Observed Squadron of Japanese planes coming in from South-
     west, diving from 5,000 feet on Ford Island. 
0813 CONYNGHAM Observed attacking plane shot down by fire from nest. 
     Plane crashed near CURTISS. 
O813 HELM Passed gate vessel. 
0815 Aircraft in flight informed hostilities with Japan commenced with air 
     raid on Pearl. VP-21 directed to search sector 240-280 for carriers. Ten 
     miles south of Barbers Point plane 24VP-4 sighted unidentified sub-
     marine near force consisting of INDIANAPOLIS and 4 destroyers. 
     Submarine made crash dive and spot marked by float lights. Completed 
     search through 200 miles and returned to Pearl.
0815 PENNA Reports NEVADA underway and about on PENNA stbd qtr.
     Distance about 600 yards when dive bombing attack observed approach-
     ing PENNA on port bow. 10 or 15 planes coming in succession just
     before reaching PENNA 2/3 planes appeared to swerve to left. Number
     of them dropping bombs at the NEV. 1 dive bomber dropped bomb on
     SHAW in floating dry dock and set it on fire. NEV observed to slowly
     swing around head to port broadside to channel, on fire forward.
0815 VIREO Observed 2nd Group of enemy planes fly toward Hickam Field. 
     VIREO opened fire expending 22 rounds 3" A. A. ammunition. 
0815 RIGEL Undergoing major repairs and conversion at Navy Yard. No 
     motive power available. All power etc. from yard. Air attack began.
     As this vessel had no armament no offensive action could be taken. 
     Accordingly rescue work was commenced on WEST VIRGINIA 
     personnel. About 100 men (in track of burning oil) had been blown 
     into the water. These were rescued first. The torpedo bombing and 
     machine gun. [34] assaults on the WEST VIRGINIA continued 
     while the rescue operations progressed. One rescue boat was struck by 
     bomb and sunk. Crew thrown into water. 
     Moored B-13 Navy Yard undergoing major repairs. Services from Navy Yard. 
0815 SICARD Set condition of readiness "AFFIRM". 2 fire parties were 
     formed fore and aft. 
0815 MUGFORD Shot down one enemy plane bearing astern making approach 
     on battleship at altitude 20 feet off water. Plane crashed on Ford 
     Island aflame, torpedo not launched. 
0815 PHOENIX A. A. Battery opened fire. 
0815 CASSIN Observed another group of 6 high altitude bombers passed over-
     head and let loose bombs. 
0815 PRUITT Observed 12 bombing planes in close "V" formation bombed 
     (horizontal attack) from 10,000 feet from Southwest. 
0815 JARVIS All guns and machine guns of JARVIS in action.
     MUGFORD noted to be delivering high volume of fire. 
0815 SUMNER Checked fire...


Continued at NavSource.org

[massgopguy]

PINKHAM, Albert Wesley, SC2 USN USS Arizona KIA Dec 7, 1941

[bd476]

From the article: "...For all of the memories he has of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath, Gaulrapp said only one to date stirs him up the most - looking for his best friend, Bud, after the attack. His friend, Alvin "Bud" Loring, a machinist's mate fireman, was aboard the USS Nevada during the attack. As children, Loring and Gaulrapp had grown up in St. Vincent's Catholic orphanage in Freeport, Ill. and became the best of friends..."

Coincidentally, Chief Boatswain Edwin Joseph Hill, of the USS Nevada was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Pearl Harbor attack.

---

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Chief Boatswain Edwin J. Hill, USN, (1894-1941)

Edwin Joseph Hill was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 4 October 1894. He enlisted in the Navy in 1912 and later became a warrant officer, rising to the rank of Chief Boatswain. During the 7 December 1941 Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, he was serving on board USS Nevada (BB-36). In the midst of the attack, he led the ship's line handling detail in casting off from the quays alongside Ford Island so that Nevada could get underway. He was killed by enemy bombs while attempting to drop anchor at the end of the battleship's brief sortie. For his heroism during the Pearl Harbor action, Chief Boatswain Hill was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The escort ship USS Hill (DE-141), 1943-1974, was named in honor of Chief Boatswain Hill.

This page features our only view of Chief Boatswain Edwin Joseph Hill, USN.

Photo #: NH 49196 Chief Boatswain Edwin Joseph Hill, USN Who was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for heroism while serving on board USS Nevada (BB-36) during the 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor. Halftone reproduction, copied a publication. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 115KB; 480 x 765 pixels

Medal of Honor citation of Chief Boatswain Edwin Joseph Hill (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 206):

"For distinguished conduct in the line of his profession, extraordinary courage, and disregard of his own safety during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese Forces on 7 December 1941. During the height of the strafing and bombing, Chief Boatswain Hill led his men of the line-handling details of the U.S.S. Nevada to the quays, cast off the lines and swam back to his ship. Later, while on the forecastle attempting to let go the anchors, he was blown overboard and killed by the explosion of several bombs."

[bd476]

PINKHAM, Albert Wesley, SC2 USN USS Arizona KIA Dec 7, 1941

Lifting up a prayer of gratitude in memory of Albert Wesley, SC2 USN of the USS Arizona for his courageous and selfless service to our country.

May God Bless and Keep Albert Wesley in His Eternal Love and Care.

[bd476]

HuntsvilleTxVeteran wrote: "Don Stroud was my favorite Brother in law. He was on the USS NEWORLEANS during Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 and stayed on this great ship until its bow was blown off. He then was transfered to the USS LAWS. PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION."

Today I'm lifting up a prayer in memory of your dear brother-in-law Don Stroud for his courageous and selfless service to our country during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 and afterwards through to his retirement from the military.

May God Bless Him and Keep him in His Eternal Love and Care.

HuntsvilleTxVeteran wrote: "Don Stroud was my favorite Brother in law. He was on the USS NEWORLEANS during Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 and stayed on this great ship until its bow was blown off. He then was transfered to the USS LAWS. PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION."

Today I'm lifting up a prayer in memory of your dear brother-in-law Don Stroud for his courageous and selfless service to our country during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941 and afterwards through to his retirement from the military.

May God Bless Him and Keep him in His Eternal Love and Care.

[TRY ONE]

Unfortunately, no one listened to the Hawaii weather man early on Dec. 7, 1941: “Gentlemen, there’s a little Nip in the air..”

[bd476]

Here's an interesting story of a Pearl Harbor survivor who after a long career, he retired from the US Navy and finally made his very first return visit to Pearl Harbor since that terrible day 7 December 1941.

I have also included many photos from the US Navy archives, NARA, also some photos which were taken by the Japanese during the attack and the logs which reflected the first minutes of the attack.

[DCBryan1]

Bookmarked! THanks!

We will never forget!

[AmericanInTokyo]

They sure foolishly picked a fight with the wrong guy, and got their’s in return, didn’t they?

PH Day remembered here, too.

[massgopguy]

He was only 18, but as Peter Bailey told George, they were born older back then.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Playing cards at 8 in the morning on a Sunday is good for your health!
Salute! and thank you, Dutch!

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I suspect our next Asian attacker will be the Chinese.

[businessprofessor]

Their foolishness was not being bold enough. We were woefully unprepared for war in December 1941. The Japs could have easily captured Hawaii and Midway in December 1941. If they had captured Hawaii and Midway in 1941, we would have faced an even more difficult fight. We were caught with our pants down. The Japs were foolish to think that they could convince us to give up the fight by wounding us at Pearl.