My father was a Marine stationed at Mare Island on Dec. 7, 1941. He and a friend had gone to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree in a vehicle that did not have a radio. My father’s parents lived in Sacramento so maybe the tree was for them. At some point on the return trip, maybe at his parents’ house, he learned about the attack and that they had to get back to Mare Island immediately.
I think my Dad learned of it at Church or shortly after. He was 17 and had to have permission to join, which my Grandparents gladly signed for. But they were just Country folk, and that is what they all did.
I think my Dad learned of it at Church or shortly after. He was 17 and had to have permission to join, which my Grandparents gladly signed for. But they were just Country folk, and that is what they all did. He actually became a SeaBee because they were giving cash bonuses to join.