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USS Arizona Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 12/7/91 [OA 8331] [3]
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USS Arizona Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 12/7/91 [OA 8331] [3]
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USS Arizona Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 12/7/91 [OA 8331] [3]
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1
2
25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR-
AN ATTACK THAT
REMADE THE WORLD
H-Bomb opened new, dangerou
Nobody foresaw it at the time, but-
Instead, that role was shunned by Americans who rushed
to disarm, pull back and trust to luck in a changed world.
The bombs that hit Pearl Harbor unleashed
Great hopes were held that a United Nations, created by
forces that produced a quarter century of the
the victors in war, would guide the world in an era of
uninterrupted peace.
vastest changes the world has known.
Today, two wars later, America again is the world's No. 1
Since That morning, man has tamed atoms,
superpower, but with challengers.
moved into space, surged ahead in unprecedent-
Hydrogen bombs have taken over from atomic bombs as
the weapons of the future. Missiles replace bombers as top-
ed prosperity in many parts of the world.
ranked weapon carriers. What was an American monopoly
Empires have vanished, maps changed, centers
in weapons of mass destruction is gone-replaced by a com-
of power shifted. And a whole new set of prob-
petitive race for proliferation of those weapons among na-
tions big and not so big.
lems has replaced problems of the past.
That's only one of the vast array of changes.
The Japan that started it all for S.-the archfoe 25
years ago, destroyed by U.S. at the war's end-today is a
U.S. friend and a thriving industrial power.
The China that U.S. fought a war to save from conquest
by Japan now is this nation's most implacable foe. China
It was just 25 years ago, on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941,
today is sponsoring in Vietnam a war that the U.S. is en-
that the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
gaged in as a counter to the Chinese.
That attack by air from the sea destroyed a major part of
China had been taken over by the Communists in 1949.
the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It catapulted the U.S. into a war,
By the early 1950s, the U.S., in the name of the United
with reverberations that remade the world.
Nations, was fighting an indecisive war in Korea against Com-
Forces set in motion by Pearl Harbor-dramatic as they
munist armies of China.
have been in the quarter century since-are expected to
Russia had been saved from defeat at the hands of Ger-
bring changes almost equally dramatic in the quarter cen-
many as a result of U.S. entry into World War II in Europe
tury that lies ahead.
after Pearl Harbor. American armies in the West and Amer-
The airplanes whose bombs and torpedoes made a sham-
ican supplies to Russia had tilted the balance.
bles of U.S. naval forces in Hawaii acted to release Ameri-
Yet Russia today stands as America's principal challenger
ca's full power for war.
and its potential enemy.
At the end, maps had been changed, empires shattered,
Changes roll on. Years since Pearl Harbor have brought
vast new forces for change loosed in all the world.
equally dramatic changes in other parts of the world-
Then-an unchallenged U.S. When war ended in 1945,
changes that continue to tumble over one another in a proc-
America stood as the world's unchallenged power. World
ess that shows no sign of ending.
rule, at that time, was there for the taking if the U.S. had
Nations of Western Europe that before Pearl Harbor had
been in a mood to take it, as the one nation possessing
been the power center of the world are in eclipse today,
atomic weapons, the one real victor in war.
only 25 years later.
40
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Dec. 12, 1966
Vorld population hit "explosion" stage
Man moved from earth into far space
Rising industry spread wealth, worrie
Great Britain, not so long ago the world's No. 1 power,
sia is forced to look to defenses along a 4,500-mile borde
now is a small island off the coast of Europe. Its once world-
shared with its recent ally.
wide empire is gone, its industry challenged, its financial
Communism, in this phase of the post-Pearl Harbor perio
power broken. West Germany, enemy of the U.S. and Brit-
at least, appears to have reached its peak of power in Octc
ain and France in two world wars, is potentially the strong-
ber, 1962, when Russia placed in Cuba nuclear missile
est power in West Europe 21 years after the second war's
aimed at principal cities in the United States.
end. Germany today is an ally of U.S.
Challenged by the U.S., which started to mobilize it
France, however, a traditional ally-saved by U.S. troops
own forces, the Russians then withdrew their missiles.
in two wars and re-established with U.S. financial and tech-
Communism as an economic system, after 50 years o
nical aid-has turned unfriendly.
trial, is turning out to be no match for modern capitalism
The forces that Pearl Harbor let loose stripped all the
Most Communist nations today are striving to find way
major colonial powers of their colonies. The British lost
to incorporate the profit incentives and some of the mechan
India; the French, Indo-China; the Dutch, Indonesia. And
ics of the marketplace into the Communist system. Whethe
the U.S. today is engaged in a new war to try to save part
that can be worked out successfully remains for the futur
of what once was French Indo-China from a Communist
to determine.
take-over.
Scientific spawn of war. Experience of the last 2
Africa, a continent of colonies at the close of World War
years reveals that it was not alone in the field of politics an
II, now is a continent of 39 independent nations.
power that Pearl Harbor and its aftermath generated grea
Today only Russia might be described as an imperialist
forces that remade the world.
and colonial power, using its armies to maintain a hold on
In America, war released a scientific and technologica
Poland, Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and
revolution of immense significance-the full results of whicl
East Germany. The Russians have gobbled up, too, the
apparently are only beginning to be sensed.
once-independent nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
War brought nuclear weapons-and now the knowledg
And so it goes in a world of rapid change-change that
gained from that experience is being turned to providing
Pearl Harbor set in motion.
nuclear power at a cost and on a scale that will challeng
The career of Communism. In the quarter of a century
and expand existing sources of power-coal, gas and oil.
since Pearl Harbor, Communism has proliferated into what,
Tremendous developments appear to lie ahead in thi
by the mid-1950s, had appeared to be a vast and expanding
field.
monolithic empire of 1 billion people-apparently mobiliz-
Computer development, primitive at the time of Pear
ing to challenge America.
Harbor, is creating something of a revolution all its own and
Today, a few years later, that Communist empire is torn
opening the way to uses only beginning to be tapped
by dissension and rivalry. Yugoslavia was first to pull away.
Space exploration has opened avenues to intensive devel
Now the nations being held captive in East Europe are
opment of rockets, to miniaturization in many fields, to de
maneuvering to regain some independence.
velopment of new metals and to expanding new horizons 0
Red China, with its more than 700 million people, has
scientific thought.
broken with Russia in a violent argument over ideology and
Space satellites and radar and television promise t
over methods of expanding Communist control in the world.
change the whole world of communications.
Now China has atomic-tipped missiles of its own and Rus-
(continued on next page)
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Dec. 12, 1966
41
[continued from preceding page)
PEOPLE
Jet-power planes of wartime opened the way for a revolu-
son in transportation. Travelers today span the nation in
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, 1941.
less than live hours. Next comes the supersonic plane and na-
non-crossing in less than two hours. The Atlantic then will
U.S. population grew by 63 m
Item almost like a pond.
Planners in Industry now must tax their imagination to
lion, to 198 million.
Igure out ways to apply the new concepts of science and
schnology. Road to presperity. It was after Pearl Harbor, too, that
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
the "new economics" was born. Government set out to pro-
vide against depressions and to assure "full employment" as
Even larger population growth,
I national goal.
74 million, to a total of 272 m
Advances in technology brought mechanization to farms
lion, is almost certain.
of the South and a huge migration of Southern Negroes
from rural areas to the cities-mostly to the cities of the
North.
With this migration came the Negro revolution that has
stirred the civil-rights movement.
The tallux of Negroes to cities of the North, in turn, sped
B Right of whites to the suburbs-particularly white families
with children.
The postwar period, at the same time, touched off a boom
BUSINESS ACTIVITY
in population.
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL NARBOR, 1941
This population explosion, in turn, added immensely to
demands on the part of growing families for all the good
National output of all goods a
things of life-financed often by new forms of credit gen-
services more than doubled,
erated by the "new economics."
Out of it all has come an almost unbroken period of pros-
around $750 billion a year.
perity extending back over 25 years. The periods of exces-
sive boom and of resulting adjustment have been short and
mild, leading to the idea that major depressions now may
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
be a thing of the past.
It wasn't that way in the 25 years before Pearl Harbor
U.S. will become the world's fi
-years that go back to 1916, shortly before U.S. had en-
trillion-dollar economy, with out|
tered World War I.
The first World War saw Germany defeated in Novem-
of about 2 trillion a year by
ber, 1917, after U.S. had poured large armies into West
1990s.
Europe.
Out of that war came the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.
Britain and France emerged as victors in the Western
world, with the help of the American armies.
There followed an inflationary boom after the war's end.
Next came a sharp but short depression in 1921, then seven
MILITARY POWER
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, 1941
years of prosperity-and then the great depression starting
in 1929.
Atomic bombs made U.S. the n
That depression had not fully been overcome by the time
itary master of the world-u
war in Europe broke out once more in September, 1939.
Despite the "New Deal" in the U.S., there had been 10
1949, when Soviets got the bon
years of large-scale unemployment and little technological
Korean War brought a resurger
advance.
of conventional U.S. forces, Vi
Population growth in the U.S. slowed almost to a halt. It
nam another upsurge.
turned to decline in some nations of Europe.
Depression's aftermath. Out of depression came Adolf
Hitler in a defeated and impoverished Germany. In the
U.S., the theories of John Maynard Keynes, British econo-
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
mist who outlined a major role for Government in tempering
business cycles, began to gain wide acceptance.
A growing arms race is likely,
The aftermath of World War I, with its unsettled scores,
weapons technology expands, I
and its resulting great depression, went far to build up the
China "goes nuclear." U.S.
pressures that produced World War II.
the lead, and resources to keep
And now what are the 25 years that lie ahead likely to
bring for the U.S. and the world?
It seems agreed: not World War III, unless some mad-
man should be ready to release the destructive force of mod-
(continued on page 44)
42
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Dec. 12, 1966
CARS
CITIES
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, 1941-
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, 1941-66
Americans living in urban area
Cars on the road increased by 50
increased by 60 million, to 14
million, to 79 million.
million.
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
150 million cars are predicted by
City areas will have 217 milli
1991. There'll be millions more
inhabitants-73 million more tha
trucks, too.
now-and many may be living
new "satellite cities."
LEISURE
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, 1941-66
TRAVEL
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL MARBOR, 1941
Average workweek - 55 hours in
Era of mass air travel began. Je
1916, 25 years before Pearl Harbor
- was down to about 41 hours by
in recent years, brought new spe
1941. Workweek has stayed at
and frequency of flights on I
tional and international routes.
about 41 hours, but paid holidays
and vacations have increased.
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
Supersonic jets will make long
A marked decline in the average
journeys brief ones. Supertra
workweek, to about 35 hours, is
may make a comeback in la
forecast. Elite groups may work
travel.
30-hour, 4-day weeks.
COMMUNICATIONS
SPACE
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL MARBOR, 1941
IN 25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR, 1941-66
Television arrived and moved into
Pioneer space ventures were
nearly every U.S. home.
complished, groundwork laid
exploring and working in spa
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
IN NEXT 25 YEARS, 1966-91
International TV will grow. At
A U.S. landing on the moon
home, TV may be linked to tele-
mid-1968 is a possibility. Af
phones, used in many ways in in-
that: journeys to Mars and Ven
dustry, education, medicine.
Copyright © 1966, U.S. News & World Report, Inc.
43
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, Dec. 12, 1966
25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR-
U.S. and abroad is for continued-even accelerated-chang
on a vast scale.
[continued from page 421
An explosion in science and technology seems sure to ope
the way to new products, to new methods of productic
em weapons that readily could end civilization as it now is
and communications and transportation only beginning to 1
known. War no longer can offer any profit to major nations
visualized.
If it is nuclear war.
Population growth and the urge of people to flock in
War new unthinkable? This observation is from a pulse-
cities will force the rebuilding of urban centers in order 1
taker in Europe:
provide transportation and housing and schooling and recr
"In this crowded tip of a continent, nuclear weapons ac-
ational facilities for the city hordes.
tually have given people a greater sense of security about
Control of pollution of the air and of the nation's stream
chances of war. Possibility of the use of nuclear weapons is
will become imperative.
felt to make war unthinkable in this part of the world.
Where "billions of dollars" took over from "millions"
"European leaders now think that Russia's Stalin never
measuring the size of Government projects, of corporate el
would actually have risked war with the U.S. even at the
terprises, even of personal fortunes, "trillions" will start tal
height of the cold-war crisis. They are even more confident
ing over from "billions."
that present leaders in the Kremlin will avoid war."
The future for Negroes. The Negro revolution in th
Yet the 25 years ahead seem almost sure to bring a pro-
U.S. seems sure to change direction in the years ahead. En
liferation of nuclear weapons in the hands of a growing
phasis will shift from trying to integrate or amalgamate th
number of nations. The club now includes Communist China
races, and turn toward more stress on education of a ne
and France as well as the U.S., Russia and Great Britain.
generation of Negroes to take its place in an urban sociel
China in the years ahead will emerge as a major power.
and in modern industry.
An uncontrolled population explosion in China, India and
The millions of Negroes who were country people an
much of the underdeveloped world will pose the great prob-
who lacked modern skills will give way to a new generatic
lem of the future and the principal threat to peace.
fitted into a changing society.
Pressures will grow to reunify a Germany now divided.
It is here that business and industry will find a whole ne
There will be a continuing tendency of the nations of East
force of workers.
Europe to loosen ties with the Soviet empire and to gain
In terms of Government, the complexity and the size
real independence.
a fast-growing country will be expected to result in a fu
Outside the field of world affairs, the outlook as charted
ther decline in the role of Congress and a further rise
by Government planners and by planners of industry in the
(continued on next news page)
AFTER PEARL HARBOR:
TURMOIL, AND A N
Pearl Harbor touched off a quarter century of
turmoil that has rewritten the map of the world.
For example, between 1941 and 1966-
# EUROPE, Seviet Russia during and after World War
Malaysia, Ceylon, Burma, India, Pakistan emerged as
shoved its borders hundreds of miles westward to
independent nations. And Japan, like West Germany,
taken in parts of 8 other countries. Germany's Nazi
has made a remarkable recovery with U.S. aid.
empire was smashed, Germany itself divided into two
parts. Britain, France and the Dutch lost their overseas
empires, chwindled to merely European powers. Italy
IN AFRICA, there were 4 independent countries in 1941.
lest territory to both Yugoslavia and Greece. Poland
Now there are 39-many of them weak, on the verge
and most Balkan nations became Soviet satellites. In
of civil war. A continent of colonies has become a
recent years, West Germany, with U.S. aid, has be-
continent of chaos.
come the strongest nation in Western Europe.
IN LATIN AMERICA, a number of former British, French
IN ASIA, the Japanese empire was wiped out, most of
and Dutch colonies have become independent or won
its Pacific Islands put under the United Nations and
local autonomy. Many other governments have
run by the U.S. Communists took over China, includ-
changed, the majority by peaceful means. Cuba is the
ing Manchuria. Korea was re-established, then kept
big exception. There, Communists grabbed power and
split in two by the Communists. French Indo-China
now try----so far unsuccessfully-to export revolution.
became Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam and South
Red coups or terrorism have been checked, at the cost
Vietnam. Formosa become a flourishing Island under
of bloodshed, in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela,
Nationalist Chinese rule. The Philippines, Indonesia,
other places.
25 YEARS AFTER PEARL HARBOR-
On the minus side there is spiritual impoverishment,
growing restlessness and rootlessness of modern life, wide-
[continued from page 44]
spread discontent, neurotic ailments and a wave of crime
and juvenile delinquency.
the power of the Executive. The National Government, most
People are found to be wealthier and wiser in many ways
probably, will crowd further into the role once reserved to
-but not happier.
the individual States.
The observation also is made that progress of the postwar
World on a "runaway train"? Viewing the change
period rests on foundations laid by an older generation that
since World War II and the changes that seem sure to lie
lived through World War I, through the great depression
ahead, a leading Swiss banker-Julius Baer-observed in a
and the difficult period of the 1930s when people were ac-
recent bank bulletin:
customed to work hard and make personal sacrifices.
"We are all passengers in a runaway train with neither
"Where is the elite?" A new generation has grown up
conductor nor engineer. All we know is that our speed is
since under easier-and perhaps less challenging-conditions.
steadily increasing.
Those who will take over leading positions in business, in
"The tension between the technical apparatus of our ex-
finance and political administration during the next 25 years
istence and the unsolved social, human and spiritual prob-
will have known only good times with plenty of job oppor-
lems, between our mastery of nature and our inadequate
tunities and steadily climbing personal incomes.
solutions of other questions-this tension is growing at a
Warns a leading Swiss industrialist, Walter Boveri: "After
frightening rate.
20 years of uninterrupted expansion, more people than ever
"We have set loose a vast dynamism. How are we to
are convinced that progress has been a result of their per-
bring it under control again?"
sonal talent.
Swiss observers, who tend to sit on the sidelines and ob-
"What 4,000 years of history did not achieve, they be-
serve the world, come to the following conclusion: The moral
lieve they accomplished in almost no time.
and cultural evolution of mankind has not kept up with
"Yet seldom has a generation been so inadequately pre-
economic progress-despite improved educational facilities.
pared for the future as ours. Except in technology, this gen-
On the plus side, as these Swiss see it, material welfare
eration is stuck in conventional thinking.
in the developed part of the world has improved beyond
"Where is the elite that starts building the spiritual founda-
expectations.
tion of coming decades?"
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT PEARL HARBOR
The Japanese attack on Pearl Har-
uments, oral interviews and the pro-
tive capacity of the U. S.-would seri-
bor has been described as "the worst
ceedings of the Japanese war-crime
ously consider going to war. against
military disaster in American history."
trials.
America.
U.S. forces in Hawaii suffered 3,640
This mass of material was analyzed
"The most important single thing
casualties, with loss or severe damage
in a book called "Pearl Harbor: Warn-
to note about our Government in the
to 188 aircraft, 8 battleships, 3 cruisers
ing and Decision," published in 1962
last weeks before Pearl Harbor is the
and 4 other vessels.
by the Stanford University Press. The
enormous absorption of almost every-
The Navy alone lost more than
author, Roberta Wohlstetter, some-
one in the Atlantic and European bat-
2,000 killed-three times as many bat-
times serves as a Government consult-
tle areas.
tle deaths as were suffered by the
ant on national-security affairs. Her re-
"President Franklin D. Roosevelt
naval service in all of the first World
port was described by historian Sam-
was so deeply interested in the Euro-
War and the Spanish-American War
uel Eliot Morison as "the best book by
pean situation that he left Far Eastern
combined.
far on the question of why we were
matters almost entirely to Secretary of
What really happened at Pearl Har-
surprised at Pearl Harbor."
State Cordell Hull."
bor? Why was the Roosevelt Adminis-
Warning unheeded. The theme of
U.S. military planners correctly
tration taken by surprise-in view of
her book is that there was a general
anticipated a Japanese invasion of
Japan's Axis alliance with Germany
failure of intelligence and communi-
Southeast Asia. They compiled an ac-
and Italy, and Tokyo's oft-proclaimed
cations experts throughout the U.S.
curate list of prime targets-British
ambition to set up a "Greater East
Government to evaluate correctly a
Malaya, Thailand, the Netherlands
Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" under Japa-
mass of warning signals pointing to
East Indies-adding Guam and the
nese domination?
war in the Pacific.
Philippines as possible targets. Army
Millions of words. At least eight
U.S. diplomatic and military plan-
and Navy intelligence fixed D Day as
inquiries were conducted during or
ners failed to grasp the strategic situa-
the week-end of November 30; when
shortly after World War II. They cul-
tion, as it appeared to the Japanese,
that failed to materialize, the week-
minated in a joint congressional inves-
or to reckon with the reckless gambles
end of December 7.
tigation, which in 1946 published 39
the Japanese were willing to under-
Consideration was given to the
volumes of evidence totaling 10 mil-
take in the name of "national honor."
possibility that the Japanese might try
lion words.
The author makes these points:
to knock out the Panama Canal, or
Additional material has become
There was a general attitude in
sabotage U.S. aircraft plants on the
available since then, in the form of
the U.S. Government discrediting the
West Coast. No one, however, serious-
memoirs by American and Japanese
idea that Japan-a second-rate power
ly entertained the idea of a seaborne,
officials, declassified Government doc-
with only 10 per cent of the produc-
aerial attack on Pearl Harbor. The
U.S. News & World Report
PEARL HARBOR AND "THE BOMB"
At Hiroshima, on Aug. 6, 1945, an atomic weapon
was used for the first time in history. In an instant,
the heart of a city was destroyed.
Pearl Harbor set in motion the train of events that
produced "the bomb."
War ended quickly after this blast, and a second
blast that destroyed much of Nagasaki. Yet, world
opinion turned sharply against the U.S. for unleash-
ing its secret weapon of mass destruction.
Americans, however, remembered Pearl Harbor
and Japan's sneak attack that took a toll of 3,640
American dead, missing and wounded. President
Truman, confronted with a decision to use or not to
use "the bomb," had been advised that not to use
it would mean the necessity of invading Japan at an
estimated cost of 100,000 American lives, or more.
It could be that, in the end, fewer lives-both
Japanese and American-were lost to the atomic
bomb than would have been lost in an invasion of
Japan, accompanied by massed air attacks.
Hiroshima: A-bomb changed course of war, and of the world
risks and technical difficulties were
general war plan, to prevent the Amer-
was equated in terms of "national hu-
considered too great.
ican Fleet from striking back at Japa-
miliation." The war in Europe was sup-
What President Roosevelt regard-
nese convoys to Southeast Asia.
posed to keep the U.S. fully occupied.
ed as a "deterrent" to war-concen-
It was a daring plan, involving some
The opening date of the war was set
trating the U.S. Fleet in a forward
60 ships, which would have to start out
for December 8, Tokyo time-Decem-
base at Pearl Harbor-the Japanese
a month before the attack, with the
ber 7 in Hawaii. Orders for the general
viewed as a "threat," which had to be
necessity of refueling en route under
offensive were issued by November 20.
eliminated before they could carry out
adverse weather conditions, and the
The Pearl Harbor task force sailed from
the rest of their plans for the conquest
possibility-always-of being discov-
the Kurile Islands November 25, across
of all Asia.
ered. Surprise was essential to success.
the fog-shrouded North Pacific. Radio
The involved story of Pearl Harbor,
The plan was tested in tactical war
communication between the ships was
from the American viewpoint, has
games, September 2-13. The conclu-
forbidden.
been retold many times. But what of
sion was reached that "two thirds of
The Japanese were prepared to can-
the Japanese? From interrogation of
the American capital ships" would be
cel their attack on 24-hour notice. An
Japanese officials, postwar memoirs
sunk at Pearl Harbor, while Japanese
alert in Hawaii might have caused the
and such official records as were not
losses probably would be two or three
Japanese task force to turn back. Or if
destroyed, it is now possible to put to-
aircraft carriers.
the U.S. Fleet had been dispersed on
gether the following account of the
Great risk accepted. The Japanese
the West Coast, the plan would never
Japanese psychology and war plans:
were willing to commit all six of their
have been undertaken.
Since 1909, the Japanese Navy had
heavy carriers to this single operation,
But the Pearl Harbor attack went off
been preparing for eventual conflict
and risk losing half of them, as a price
as it was planned, with considerably
with the American Fleet in the Pacific.
for knocking out the U.S. Fleet in one
more success than the Japanese had con-
In 1941, with the European powers
initial blow.
templated.
already involved in World War II, an
Curiously, the Japanese noted that
Could it happen again? Mrs.
Imperial Conference decided on a plan
the American war potential was "seven
Wohlstetter poses this question in her
of conquest of all Asia, extending to
or eight times larger than Japan's."
book:
India, Australia, and the Philippines-
There was no means, it was unani-
"Would a thermonuclear attack by a
even if it meant war with the U.S.
mously agreed by the Japanese war
totalitarian power be harder or easler
A knockout blow. Adm. Isoroku
planners, of directly vanquishing the
to conceal than the Japanese aggression
Yamamoto, later killed in the war, con-
U.S. in case of war against her.
at Pearl Harbor?"
ceived the idea of knocking out the
But this was brushed aside. With
The author concludes: "There is no
U.S. Fleet in a single blow at Pearl
accurate data forecasting their own ul-
cause for complacency.
The bal-
Harbor. He agreed on the decision to
timate defeat, the Japanese never
ance of advantage seems clearly to
go to war, on condition that the Pearl
paused to consider what they would
have shifted since Pearl Harbor in
Harbor attack be incorporated in the
do. after initial successes. To stop then
favor of a surprise attacker."
rejoind
CALif.
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 2, 1991
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 1991
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
At 7:55 a.m. on December 7, 1941, air and naval
forces of Imperial Japan launched a surprise attack against
United States military installations at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
More than 2,400 Americans were dead or missing after the attack,
including 68 civilians. Another 1,178 people lay wounded.
Two U.S. battleships were destroyed; another six were severely
damaged. On the same day, attacks against U.S. installations
in Guam, the Philippines, and elsewhere in the Pacific left a
similar trail of death and destruction. Less than 24 hours
later, after an impassioned address by President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, the Congress declared that a state of war existed
between the United States and the Empire of Japan. Thus,
America became engaged in World War II, a conflict that would
change the course of history, ending forever America's isolation
from world events.
Across the United States, people rallied to the cry of
"Remember Pearl Harbor!" While millions of brave and selfless
Americans took up arms in the struggle for freedom, countless
others labored and sacrificed on the home front. On our
Nation's farms and in its factories, millions of workers
rushed to increase production. In homes, schools, and churches,
citizens of every age and every walk of life prayed for victory
while making every contribution they could to the war effort.
Yet this tremendous display of patriotism and resolve was more
than a response to the outrage of Pearl Harbor. As President
Roosevelt said:
When we resort to force, as we now must,
we are determined that this force shall be
directed toward ultimate good, as well as
against immediate evil We are now
in the midst of a war, not for conquest, not
for vengeance, but for a world in which this
Nation, and all that this Nation represents,
will be safe for our children.
Six years after World War II began, and four years
after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States and its
Allies secured the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and
Imperial Japan. By the end of the war, there had been more than
1,000,000 American casualties. Some 400,000 Americans had died
so that others might live in freedom. Our Nation will always be
grateful for their courage and sacrifices.
more
(OVER)
2
When we remember those who served our country during
World War II, we also recall President Truman's observation
that the Allied victory was "a victory of more than arms alone."
Indeed, while our farms, factories, mines, and shipyards
produced tons of raw materials and finished goods that were
essential to the war effort, as President Truman said, "back
of it all were the will and spirit and determination of a free
people -- who know what freedom is and who know that it is worth
whatever price they had to pay to preserve it.
On this occasion, we reaffirm the solemn commitment that
President Truman made when he declared, "We shall not forget
Pearl Harbor." During the past five decades, that commitment
has gone hand in hand with the unending task that President
Roosevelt had earlier described as winning the peace. America's
determination to remember the lessons of World War II and our
continuing vigilance and resolve in the defense of freedom have
helped to bring about the triumph of democratic ideals around
the globe. Today Japan stands second to none as our ally and
friend.
As we mark the 50th anniversary of the attack on Pearl
Harbor, let us remember in prayer all those who died on that
day and throughout World War II. Let us also honor all those
World War II veterans who are still living, especially the
infirm and the hospitalized. Finally, let us give thanks for
the great blessings of freedom our World War II veterans helped
to secure.
The Congress, by Public Law 102-68, has designated
December 7, 1991, as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 1991,
as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I call upon all
Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-ninth
day of
November, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-one, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and sixteenth.
GEORGE BUSH
# # #
11-06-91 04:15 PM
P08
MYTHS AND ODDITIES
ABOUT THE DECEMBER 7, 1941 ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Frequently asked questions and unusual facts about the events of
December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona, and events of that day in
history:
1. How many of the USS Arizona's crew survived the attack?
Fact: Some 334 of the ship's crew of 1,511 survived, including
perhaps as many as 60 who were on shore duty or on leave at the
time. Total losses among the Arizona crew were 177.
2. How many of the crew are considered still entombed aboard the
sunken vessel? Fact: Representatives of the USS Arizona Reunion
Association say that 945 of their shipmates remain with the ship.
That figure is computed on the basis of the number of victims
whose bodies were recovered following the attack, including those
that never were identified.
3. Why were the remains of some Arizona crewmen never recovered
from the ship? Fact: Frantic efforts to rescue the wounded and
injured marked the hours and days immediately following the
attack. The bodies of many victims were indeed recovered. It
was virtually impossible to recover others, however, because of
the condition of the ruined ship. In time, it was accepted that
no more fitting resting place could be found for the crewmen who
died, and thus was born the concept of the USS Arizona Memorial.
4. Who were the youngest and oldest members of the USS Arizona's
crew? Fact: It's not certain who those individuals were. There
were several senior crew members who had served aboard the ship
for from 12 to 15 years each. One sailor, Harlan C. (Carl)
Christiansen of Columbus, Kansas, believed himself to have been
both the youngest man aboard and the very last fellow to join the
crew. Christiansen, an apprentice seaman, had gone aboard the
Arizona only 10 days before the attack. He had his 18th birthday
on September 14, 1941. His brother, Edward, 20, a baker aboard
the Arizona, died in the attack.
5. It's been said that the USS Arizona was sunk in part by a
bomb that went down its smokestack. True? Fact: Reports to
that effect have been discredited. In fact, an armor piercing
bomb from a Japanese horizontal bomber struck directly on or
beside the No. 2 (forward) gun turret and exploded below decks in
the ship's powder magazine. A witness likened the resulting
explosion to an earthquake.
6. The skipper of the Arizona: What happened to him? Fact:
Captain Franklin Van Valkenburg and the commander of the First
Battleship Division, Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, both were
killed in the attack and went down with the ship. Both were last
known to have been at their stations on the bridge of the
P09
11-06-91 04:15 PM
izona. Their bodies were never recovered.
What happened to the USS Arizona following the attack? Fact:
The 7. Arizona and the battleship Utah, on the opposite (west) side
of Ford Island, were the only ships not re-floated after the
attack. Neither was a hazard to shipping lanes, and so were left
where they lay. Both were, and are, officially listed as sunk by
enemy action.
8. Are burial services still allowed aboard the Arizona? Fact:
True. The National Park Service, with the concurrence of the U.
S. Navy, extends to surviving crew members the prerogative of
having their cremated remains placed aboard the sunken
battleship. Five such placements have been made as of 1990.
9. How many brothers and father-and-son combinations were aboard
the USS Arizona? Fact: There were as many as 34 sets of
brothers, including three sets of three brothers. Among the
latter, in each case, two brothers perished and one survived. In
the case of nine sets of brothers, one died and one survived.
Forty-five of the then 48 states were represented among the
Arizona's victims.
10. There were reports that Japanese sympathizers on the island
of Oahu cut giant arrows in sugar cane fields on Oahu, directing
Japanese attackers to Pearl Harbor. Fact: Untrue. As author
Gordon W. Prange wrote in his book "At Dawn We Slept, "Missing
Pearl Harbor from the air
would be like overlooking a bass
drum in a telephone booth.
11. What happened to the midget submarines that the Japanese
used in the attack? Did they inflict any damage on U. S. ships?
Fact: Five mini-subs were launched by larger (I-class) Japanese
submarines prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Each carried a
crew of two, and was armed with two torpedoes. None succeeded in
inflicting any damage whatever. One mini-sub is known to have
penetrated Pearl Harbor. She was rammed and sunk by the U. S.
destroyer Monaghan off Ford Island. Another was sunk by the
destroyer Ward off the entrance to Pearl Harbor. A third
grounded on Oahu's windward coast; it was recovered and for some
years has been on exhibition at Key West, Florida. A fourth was
recovered from just inside the Pearl Harbor entrance; it was
returned to Japan for display at that country's Naval Academy at
Etajima. The fifth has never been located, but it was believed
sunk somewhere off the entrance to Pearl Harbor.
12. What became of the crew members of those mini-subs? Fact:
Only one was known to have survived, Ensign Kazuo Sakamaki, whose
sub grounded off Kaneohe, on the eastern coast of Oahu, far
removed from Pearl Harbor. He swam ashore and collapsed there,
to be taken prisoner by Sgt. David Akui -- an American soldier of
Japanese ancestry. Sakamaki's fellow crew member, Kiyoshi
Inagaki, never was found; he is believed to have drowned.
11-06-91 04:15 PM
P10
what happened to the above-water portions of the USS Arizona
bllowing the attack? Fact: When it was determined that the
battleship could not be successfully re-floated, salvage workers
removed many of the battleship's weapons and much of her
ammunition. Six of her 14-inch guns were removed and offered to
the Army. Eventually, the wrecked superstructure of the fallen
giant was removed.
14. There were stories about some sailors who survived for a
time in one of the sunken ships. What happened? Fact: The West
Virginia was indeed sunk at its mooring along Battleship Row, its
lower decks flooded. In the salvage operation, the bodies of
three sailors were discovered in one compartment that somehow
remained free of water. Markings on the bulkhead indicated that
the trio had survived until at least December 23, living on tins
of food and water, before their air supply was exhausted.
15. How many ships were lost or damaged beyond recovery during
the attack? Fact: of about 100 warships in Pearl Harbor on
December 7, 1941, 19 were heavily damaged or sunk. All but three
were repaired and returned to action later in World War II.
Those that did not were the Arizona, the Utah and the Oklahoma.
16. What happened later in the war to the 30 ships in the
Japanese attack force? Fact: With one exception, all were sunk
during Pacific engagements. These included all six aircraft
carriers that launched planes used in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
17. Who commanded the Japanese attack force of aircraft, and
what became of him? Fact: Mitsuo Fuchida led the fleet of
Japanese planes and went on to survive the war. Immediately
following Japan's surrender, however, he joined the ministry and
became a lay minister in Japan.
18. What is the unusual story associated with the American
cruiser Phoenix that was in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?
Fact: Years after World War II, the Phoenix was sold to the
Argentine navy and was reconfigured and renamed the General
Belgrano. It was sunk by the British during the Falkland Islands
fighting in 1982.
19. How many servicemen won the Congressional Medal of Honor,
the nation's highest military honor, for exceptional acts of
heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor? Fact: Fifteen U. S.
Navy men and one U. S. Marine were awarded Congressional Medals
of Honor, 11 of them posthumously. of those honored, only two
survived as of 1991: Capt. Donald K. Ross of Port Orchard,
Washington, and Lt. John William Finn of Pine Valley, California.
20. Didn't our government know that we were about to be
attacked? Fact: The U. S. had indeed broken the Japanese
diplomatic code, and U. S. leaders suspected that the Japanese
were preparing to attack British, Dutch, and possibly U. S.
possessions in the Far East. But there is no evidence to suggest
11-06-91 04:15 PM
P11
at the attack on Pearl Harbor itself was expected.
21. In what depth of water did the Arizona sink? Fact: The
battleship rests in about 40 feet of water and about 20 feet of
mud.
22. Is the Arizona still officially a part of the U. S. fleet?
Fact: No. She was not decommissioned -- sunken ships cannot be
decommissioned. Her name was removed from the Navy's register of
warships on December 1, 1942.
23. When and how did the custom of flying our nation's flag over
the Arizona originate? Fact: On March 7, 1950, the commander of
the U. S. Pacific Fleet ordered the flag flown over the sunken
battleship as an act of remembrance. Today and every day since
then, a color guard faithfully raises and lowers the national
ensign as on any commissioned ship of the fleet.
24. Were any Navy chaplains killed in the attack? Fact: Two
Navy chaplains died -- the first of their calling to perish
during World War II. One was Captain Thomas L. Kirkpatrick,
Presbyterian chaplain aboard the Arizona. The other was Lt. (jg)
Aloysius H. Schmitt, Catholic chaplain on the USS Oklahoma.
25. Other than for the USS Arizona, what ship suffered the
greatest single loss among its crew? Fact: The USS Oklahoma
lost 448 men when it was struck by torpedoes and bombs and
capsized within 10 minutes. The Oklahoma carried a crew of about
1,300.
26. What happened to the Oklahoma immediately after the attack?
Fact: Throughout Monday and Tuesday, December 8 and 9, rescuers
cut through the steel hull of the capsized battleship and
retrieved 32 crew members from the compartments where they were
trapped. These men and some 700 others who survived were
eventually reassigned to other ships in the Atlantic and Pacific
fleets.
27. And still later, what became of the Oklahoma? Fact:
Because the ship was blocking part of the Pearl Harbor channel,
she was raised as part of an effort that began in 1943. It was
apparent, however, that she could not profitably be salvaged, and
so the vessel was stripped and sold for about $46,000. She was
under tow to San Francisco on
when she suddenly
developed a list and sank, unwilling, some said, to suffer the
indignity of going to the scrap heap.
28. What did entertainer Elvis Presley have to do with the USS
Arizona Memorial? Fact: Presley performed before about 6,000
persons in a benefit appearance that raised a total of $48,000 to
help construct the Memorial. The performance took place on
at Bloch Arena in Honolulu.
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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20350-1000
SEAL
TELEFAX TRANSMISSION COVER SHEET
TO: WHITE HOUSE SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS
CODE:
NAME: BOB SIMON
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
TELEFAX NUMBER:
FROM: SECNAV
CODE: WHLO
NAME: LT BILL WARNOCK
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (703)695-0154/2258 - AUTOVON: 225-0154/2258
TELEFAX NUMBER: (703)695-0699 - AUTOVON: 225-0699
ADDRESS: Office of the Secretary of the Navy
White House Liaison Office
Pentagon Room: 5E725
Washington, D.C. 20350-1000
DATE AND TIME SENT:
NUMBER OF FOLLOWING PAGES: 32
REMARKS:
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PLEASE CALL.
uss NEVADA (BB-36)
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The fifth California (BB-44) was launched 20 No-
put her in Mare Island Navy Yard in reduced commis-
vember 1919 by Mare Island Navy Yard; sponsored by
sion through the summer of 1915. San Diego returned
Mrs. R. T. Zane; and commissioned 10 August 1921,
to duty as flagship through 12 February 1917, when she
Captain H. J. Ziegemeier in command; and reported to
went into reserve status until the opening of World
the Pacific Fleet as flagship.
War I. Placed in full commission 7 April, the cruiser
For 20 years from 1921 until 1941, California served
operated as flagship for Commander, Patrol Force,
first as flagship of the Pacific Fleet, then as flagship of
Pacific Fleet, until 18 July, when she was ordered to the
the Battle Fleet (Battle Force), U.S. Fleet. Her annual
Atlantic Fleet. Reaching Hampton Roads, Va., 4 Au-
activities included joint Army-Navy exercises, tactical
gust, she joined Cruiser Division 2, and later broke the
and organizational development problems, and fleet con-
flag of Commander, Cruiser Force, Atlantic, which she
centrations for various purposes. Intensive training
flew until 19 September.
and superior performance won her the Battle Efficiency
San Diego's essential mission was the escort of con-
Pennant for 1921-22, and the Gunnery "E" for 1925-26.
voys through the first dangerous leg of their passages
In the summer of 1925 California led the Battle Fleet
to Europe. Based on Tompkinsville, N.Y., and Halifax,
and a division of cruisers from the Scouting Fleet on &
N.S., she operated in the weather-torn, submarine-
very successful good-will cruise to Australia and New
infested North Atlantic safely convoying all of her
Zealand. She took part in the Presidential reviews of
charges to the ocean escort. On 19 July 1918, bound
1927, 1930, and 1934. She was modernized in late 1929
from Portsmouth, N.H., to New York, San Diego was
and early 1930 and equipped with an improved anti-
torpedoed by the German submarine U-156 southeast of
aircraft battery.
Fire Island. The cruiser sank in 28 minutes with the
In 1940 California switched her base to Pearl Harbor.
loss of 6 lives, the only major warship lost by the
On 7 December 1941 the was moored at the southern-
United States in World War. I.
most berth of "Battleship Row" and was with other
dreadnoughts of the Battle Force when the Japanese
III
launched their aerial attack. As she was about to
California (No. 249), see Hanoli
undergo a material inspection. watertight integrity was
not at its maximum; consequently the ship suffered
IV
great damage when hit. At 0805 a bomb exploded below
The fourth California (No. 647), motor boat, served
decks, setting off an antiaircraft ammunition magazine
in the Navy during 1917-18.
and killing about 50 men. A second bomb ruptured her
bow plates. Despite valiant efforts to keep her afloat,
V
the inrushing water could not be isolated and California
settled into the mud with only her superstructure re-
(BB-44: dp. 32,300; 1, 624'6"; b. 97'4"; dr. 30'3"; S. 21
maining above the surface. When the action ended, 98
k.; cpl. 1,088; a. 12 14", 14 5", 4 3", 2 21" tt.; cl.
of her crew were lost and 61 wounded.
Tennessee)
On 25 March 1942 California was refloated and dry-
ninntz adimal, kth
USS California (BB-44). FADM Nimitz served in California as Aide and Assistant Chief of Staff to Commander
in Chief, U.S. Fleet
14
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7036950699- preveu III service in the 4th Naval Dis-
92024566218;# 3
departed under her own power, for Puget Sound Navy
trict where she performed patrol duty until December of
Yard where a major reconstruction job was accom-
that year. Caliph was commissioned on 1 April 1918 and
plished, including improved protection, stability, AA
assigned to duty with the District Communication Super-
battery, and fire control system.
intendent at Marcus Hook. She was decommissioned on
California departed Bremerton 81 January 1944 for
2 December 1918 and returned to her owner.
shakedown at San Pedro, and sailed from San Francisco
5 May for the invasion of the Marianas. Off Saipan in
June, she conducted effective shore bombardment and
Calistoga
call Are missions. On 14 June she was hit by a shell
Former name retained.
from an enemy shore battery which killed one man and
wounded nine. Following Saipan, her heavy guns helped
Calistoga (YFB-21), a ferryboat, placed in service 18
blast the way for our assault force in the Guam and
September 1941, served in the 12th Naval District, hous-
Tinian operations (18 July-9 August). On 24 August
ing personnel at the Mare Island Navy Yard, during
she arrived at Espiritu Santo for repairs to her port
World War II.
bow damaged in a collision with Tennessee (BB-43).
On 17 September 1944 California sailed to Manus to
ready for the invasion of the Philippines. From 17
Callaghan
October to 20 November she played a key role in the
Born in San Francisco, Calif, 26 July 1890, Daniel
Leyte operation, including the destruction of the Japa-
nese fleet in the Battle of Surigao Strait (25 October).
Judson Callaghan graduated from the Naval Academy
On 1 January 1945 she departed the Palaus for the
in 1911. His prewar service included command of
Luzon landings. Her powerful batteries were an im-
Truxtun (Destroyer No. 14), staff duty afloat and
ashore, and duty as Naval aide to the President. He
portant factor in the success of these dangerous opera-
commanded San Francisco (CA-38) from May 1941 to
tions driven home into the heart of enemy-held territory
under heavy air attack. On 6 January while providing
May 1942, then served as chief of staff to Commander,
shore bombardment at Lingayen Gulf she was hit by a
South Pacific area and South Pacific Force. Rear Ad-
kamikaze plane; 44 of her crew were killed and 155
miral Callaghan was killed in action in the bitter naval
Battle of Guadalcanal 18 November 1942 while com-
were wounded. Undeterred she made temporary repairs
on the spot and remained carrying out her critical mis-
manding forces that helped turn back a far stronger
sion of shore bombardment until the job was done. She
Japanese fleet. He was posthumously awarded the
departed 28 January for Puget Sound Navy Yard,
Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary hero-
arriving 15 February, for permanent repairs.
ism during the action in which he gave his life.
California returned to action at Okinawa 15 June
(DD-792: dp. 2,050; 1. 376'6"; b. 89'8"; dr. 17'9"; S. 35
1945 and remained in that embattled area until 21 July.
k.; cpl. 820; a. 5 5", 10 21" tt., 6 dep., 2 det.; cl.
Two days later she joined TF 95 to cover the East China
Fletcher)
Sea minesweeping operations. After a short voyage to
San Pedro Bay, P.I., in August, the ship departed
Callaghan (DD-792) was launched 1 August 1943 by
Okinawa 20 September to cover the landing of the 6th
Bethlehem Steel Co., San Pedro, Calif.; sponsored by
Army occupation force at Wakanoura Wan, Honshu.
Mrs. D. J. Callaghan; commissioned 27 November 1943,
She remained supporting the occupation until 15 Oc-
Commander F. J. Johnson in command; and reported to
tober, then sailed via Singapore, Colombo, and Cape-
the Pacific Fleet.
town, to Philadelphia, arriving 7 December. She was
Callaghan sailed from the west coast 5 February 1944
placed in commission in reserve there 7 August 1946:
to plunge into action with fast-striking 5th Fleet in
out of commission in reserve 14 February 1947; and
smashing air raids on the Palaus, Yap, Ulithi, and
sold 10 July 1959.
Woleai from 30 March to 1 April. Based on Manus in
California received seven battle stars for World War
April, Callaghan supported the Hollandia operation
II service.
through important services as picket ship during air
strikes, and screening the valuable tankers.
California State, see Henry County
From June to August 1944 Callaghan provided screen
for escort carriers softening up, and later supporting
the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. At Saipan,
Californian
Callaghan's guns joined in driving off a heavy Japanese
air attack on 17 June, helping splash three enemy
A resident of California.
planes. Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) was struck by a bomb
(AK: t. 5,658; 1. 413'; b. 51'; dr. 26'2"; 8. 10 k.; cpl. 78)
in this attack, and Callaghan shielded the crippled
escort carrier safely back to Eniwetok. Late in August
Californian, a cargo vessel, was launched 12 May
Callaghan began operations as escort for air strikes on
1900, by Union Iron Works. San Francisco, Calif., trans-
the Palaus, Mindanao, Luzon, and the Central Philip-
ferred from the Shipping Board 13 May 1918; and com-
pines in support of the invasion of the Palaus, a step-
missioned the following day, Lieutenant Commander D.
ping stone to the Philippines.
Malman, USNRF, in command.
With the long-awaited return to the Philippines
Californian immediately loaded a cargo of coal, fuel
scheduled for mid-October 1944, Callaghan steamed in
oil, and general supplies for the American troops in
the screen of the carrier force conducting essential
France and sailed on the last day of May 1918 to join a
preliminary neutralization of Japanese airfields in
convoy off New York. On 22 June while proceeding
Formosa and Okinawa. During a heavy enemy air at-
through the dangerous waters of the Bay of Biscay she
tack on 14 October, Callaghan joined in downing several
struck & mine. Although & gallant attempt was made
planes. Sailing on to stand guard off the invasion area
to tow the stricken ship to port, she sank later that day.
on Leyte, Callaghan's force contributed air power in the
Her crew abandoned in good order to be picked up by
decisive Battle for Leyte Gulf, which insured the Allied
Corsair without suffering any casualties.
advance in the Philippines against the desperate Japa-
nese efforts to break up the landings. After pursuing
Callph
Japanese cripples fleeing north, Callaghan returned to
support the Philippine operations, in company with the
Former name retained.
3d Fleet, for air strikes on Luzon. En route, on 8 No-
Caliph (No. 272), a motor boat free leased to the Navy
vember, Reno (CL-96) was torpedoed, and Callaghan
15
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7036950699-
USS Maryland (ACR-8) in Dewey drydock. The dock was built in 1905 and towed to Manila, arriving in July 1906.
Dewey drydock was destroyed during World War II. Photo courtesy of Mr. D. M. McPherson.
News. Va., 7 October 1901 launched 12 September 1903
at Mare Island. She was struck from the Naval Register
sponsored by Miss Jennie Scott Waters; and commis-
18 November 1929 and sold 11 February 1980.
sioned 18 April 1905, Capt. R. R. Ingersoll in command.
In October 1905, following shakedown, Maryland joined
III
the Atlantic Fleet for operations along the east coast and
(BB-46: dp. 32,600 1. 624'; b. 97'6"; dr, 80'6"; 8. 21.17
in the Caribbean, where she took part in the 1906 winter
k.; cpl. 1,080 a. 8 16". 12 5", 4 3", 4 6-pdr., 2 21" tt.;
maneuvers off Cuba, The next summer she conducted a
cl. Colorudo)
training cruise for Massachusetts Naval Militiamen, and
then readied for transfer to the Pacific. Departing New-
Maryland (BB-46) was laid down 24 April 1917 by
port 8 September 1906, she sailed, via San Francisco and
Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.;
Hawaii, for the Astatic station where she remained until
launched 20 March 1920: sponsored by Mrs. E. Brook Lee,
October 1907. She then returned to San Francisco and
wife of the Comptroller of the State of Maryland; and
for the next decade she cruised throughout the Pacific,
commissioned 21 July 1921, Capt. C. F. Preston in
participating in survey missions to Alaska (1912 and
command.
1918) ; carrying Secretary of State Knox to Tokyo for
With a new type seaplane catapult and the first 16-inch
the funeral of Emperor Meiji Tenno (September 1912) ;
guns mounted on a U.S. ship, Maryland was the pride of
steaming off the Central American coast to aid. if neces-
the Navy. Following an east coast shakedown she found
sary, Americans endangered by political turmoil in Mexico
herself in great demand for special occasions. She ap-
and Nicaragua (1918, 1914, and 1916) ; and making numer-
peared at Annapolis for the 1922 Naval Academy gradu-
ous training cruises to Hawaii and the South-Central
ation and at Boston for the anniversary of Bunker Hill
Pacific.
and the Fourth of July. Between 18 August and 25 Sep-
When Congress declared war on Germany, 6 April 1917.
tember she paid her first visit to a foreign port trans-
the armored cruiser, renamed Frederick, 9 November
porting Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes to Rio
1916, was en route from Puget Sound to San Francisco.
de Janeiro for Brazil's Centennial Exposition. The next
Taking on men and supplies at the latter port, she got
year, after fleet exercises off the Panama Canal Zone.
underway for the Atlantic. From May 1917 through
Maryland transited the canal in the latter part of June
January 1918 she patrolled the southeastern Atlentic off
to join the battle fleet stationed on the west coast.
the coast of South America. On 1 February she was
She made a good will voyage to Australia and New
assigned to escort duty in the North Atlantic and until
Zealand in 1925, and transported President-elect Herbert
the signing of the Armistice she convoyed troopships
Hoover on the Pacific leg of his tour of Latin America in
east of the 87th meridian. By 20 November she was
1928. Throughout these years and the 1930's she served
attached to the Cruiser and Destroyer Force and before
as a mainstay of fleet readiness through tireless training
mid-1919 had completed six round trips returning troops
operations. In 1940 Maryland and the other battleships
from France. Detached from that duty, she entered the
of the battle force changed their bases of operations to
Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was briefly placed in
Pearl Harbor. She was present at battleship row along
reduced commission.
Ford Island when Japan struck 7 December 1941.
Frederick crossed the Atlantic again, carrying the U.S.
A gunner's mate striker, writing a letter near his
Olympic Team to Antwerp, Belgium, as she conducted a
machinegun, brought the first of his ship's guns into play,
naval reservist training cruise in July of 1920. At the end
shooting down one of two attacking torpedo planes. In-
of that year abe returned to the Pacific Fleet. Serving as
heard of Oklahoma and thus protected from the initial
flagship of the Train, Pacific Fleet, for the next year. she
torpedo attack, Maryland managed to bring all her anti-
conducted only one lengthy cruise, to South America in
aircraft batteries into action. Despite two bomb hits she
March 1921. Operations off the west coast took up the
continued to fire and, after the attack, sent firefighting
remainder of her active duty career and on 14 February
parties to assist her sister ships. The Japanese announced
1922 she decommissioned and entered the Reserve Fleet
that she had been sunk, but 80 December, battered yet
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Yard.
pedoes from the fleeting PT boats, then more torpedoes
She emerged 26 February 1942 not only repaired but
from the daring destroyers. Next came gunfire from the
modernized and ready for great service. During the impor-
crulsers. Finally, at 0855 the readied guns of the battle-
tant Battle of Midway, the old battleships, not fast enough
ship line opened fire. Thunderous salvos of heavy caliber
to accompany the carriers, operated as a backup force.
fire slowed the enemy force and set the Japanese battle-
Thereafter Maryland engaged in almost constant training
ships on fire. Leaving their doomed battleships behind,
exercises until 1 August, when she returned to Pearl
the decimated enemy ships fled; only a remnant of the
Harbor.
original force escaped subsequent naval air attacks. Simi-
Assigned sentinal duty along the southern supply routes
larly other U.S. forces blunted and repulsed attacks by
to Australia and the Pacific fighting fronts, Maryland and
the center and northern enemy forces during the decisive
Colorado operated out of the Fiji Islands in November and
Battle for Leyte Gulf
advanced to the New Hebrides in February 1943. Her re-
in the aftermath of this important victory, Maryland
turn to Pearl Harbor after 10 months in the heat of the
patrolled the southern approaches to Surigao Strait until
South Pacific brought the installation of additional 40mm.
20 October: after replenishment at Manus, Admiralties,
antiaircraft protection.
ahe resumed patrol duty 16 November. Japanese air attacks
In the vast amphibious campaigns of the Pacific the
continued to pose a definite threat. During a raid on
firepower of Maryland and her sister ships played a key
27 November, guns of TG 77.2 splashed 11 of the attacking
role. Departing the Hawaiian Islands 20 October for the
planes. Shortly after sunset 2 days later, # determined
South Pacific, Maryland became flagship for Rear Adm.
suicide plane dove through the clouds and crashed Mary-
Harry W. Hill's Southern Attack Force in the Gilberts
tund between turreta Nos I and 2. Thirty-one sailors died
Invasion, with Maj. Gen. Julian C. Smith, Commander,
in the explosion and fire that followed; however, the
2d Marine Division, embarked. Early on 20 November her
sturdy battleship continued her patrols until relieved
big guns commenced 5 days of shore bombardment and
2 December. She reached Pearl Harbor 19 December and
call fire assignment in support of one of the most gallant
during the next months workmen repaired and refitted
amphibious assaults in history, at Tarawa, After the
"Fighting Mary,"
island's capture, she remained in the area protecting the
After refresher training, Maryland headed for the west-
transports until she headed back to the United States
ern Pacific 4 March 1945, arriving Ulithi the 16th. There
7 December.
she joined Rear Adm. M. L. Deyo's TF 54 and on 21 March
Maryland steamed from San Pedro 18 January 1944,
departed for the invasion of Okinswa She closed the
rendezvoused with TF 58 at Hawaii, and sailed in time to
coast of Okinawa 25 March and began pounding assigned
be in position off the well-fortified Kwajalein Atoll in the
targets along the southeastern part of the Japanese island
Marahalls on the morning of the 31st. Assigned to reduce
fortress. In addition, she provided fire support during a
pillboxes and blockhouses on Roi Island. the old battleship
diversionary raid on the southeast coast drawing enemy
fired spiendidly all day and again the following morning
defenses from the main amphibious landings on the west-
until the assault waves were within 500 yards of the
ern beaches. On 3 April she received a fire support call
beach. Following the operation she steamed back to Brem-
from Minneapolis (CA-86). The cruiser was unable to
erton, Wash., for new guns and an overhaul.
silence entrenched shore batteries with 8-inch fire and
Two months later Maryland, again readied for battle,
called on "Fighting Mary's" mightly 16-inch guns for aid.
sailed westward 5 May to participate in the biggest cam-
The veteran battleship hurled six salvos which destroyed
paign yet attempted in the Pacific war-Saipan. Vice
the enemy artillery.
Adm. R. K. Turner allotted TF 52 S days to soften up the
Maryland continued fire support duty until 7 April when
island before the assault. Firing commenced 0545 on
she salled with TF 54 to intercept a Japanese surface force
14 June. Silencing two coastal guns, Maryland encountered
to the northward. These ships, including mighty battleship
little opposition as she delivered one devastating barrage
Yamato, came under intense air attacks that same day.
after another. The Japanese attempted to strike back
and planes of the Fast Carrier Task Force sank six of
through the air. On the 18th the ship's guns claimed their
10 ships in the force. At dusk on the 7th Maryland took
first victim but 4 days later a Betty sneaked in fiying low
her third hit from enemy planes in 10 months. A suicide
over the still-contested Saipan hills and found two
plane loaded with a 500-pound bomb crashed the top of
anchored battleships. Crossing the bow of Pennsylvania,
turret No. 8 from starboard. The explosion wiped out the
she dropped a torpedo which opened a gaping hole in
20mm. mounts. causing 58 casualties. As before, however,
Maryland's bow, portside. Casualties were light and in 15
she continued to blast enemy shore positions with devastat-
minutes she was underway for Eniwetok, and shortly
ing 16-inch fire. While guarding the western transport
thereafter to the repair yards at Pearl Harbor.
area 12 April, she splashed two planes during afternoon
With an around-the-clock effort by the shipyard workers.
raids.
on 13 August, 34 days after arrival, the ship again steamed
On 14 April Maryland left the firing line as escort for
forth for the war zone. Rehearsing briefly in the Solomons,
retiring transports. Steaming via the Marianas and Pearl
she joined Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf's Western Fire
Harbor, she reached Puget Sound 7 May and entered the
Support Group (TG 32.5) bound for the Palau Islands.
Navy Yard at Bremerton the next day for extensive over-
Firing first on 12 September to cover minesweeping opera-
haul. Completing repairs in August, she now entered the
tions and underwater demolition teams, she continued
"Magic Carpet" fleet. During the next 4 months she made
the shore bombardment until the landing craft approached
the beaches on the 15th. Four days later organized resist-
five voyages between the west coast and Pearl Harbor, re-
ance collapsed, permitting the fire support ships to retire
turning more than 9,000 combat veterans to the United
to the Admiralty Islands.
States.
Reassigned to the 7th Fleet, Maryland sortied 12 Octo-
Arriving Seattle, Wash., 17 December, she completed
ber to cover the important initial landings in the Philip-
"Magic Carpet" duty. She entered Puget Sound Naval
pines at Leyte. Despite floating mines, the invasion force
Shipyard 15 April 1946 and was placed in commission in
entered Leyte Gulf on the 18th. The bombardment the
reserve on an inactive basis 15 July. She decommissioned
following day and the landings of the 20th went well,
art Bremerton 8 April 1947 and remained there as a unit
but the Japanese decided to contest this success with both
of the Pacific Reserve Fleet. Maryland was sold for scrap-
kamikazes and a three-pronged naval attack.
ping to Learner Co. of Oakland, Calif., 8 July 1959.
Forewarned by submarines and acout planes, the Amer-
On 2 June 1961 the Honorable J. Millard Tawes, Gover-
ican battleship-cruiser force steamed 24 October to the
nor of Maryland, dedicated a lasting monument to the
southern end of Leyte Gulf to protect Surigao Strait. Early
memory of the venerable battleship and her fighting men.
on the 25th the enemy battleships Fuso and Yamishiro led
Built of granite and bronze and incorporating the bell of
the Japanese advance into the Strait. The waiting Amer-
"Fighting Mary," this monument honors & ship and her
258
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USS Maryland (BB-46)-26 April 1944.
men whose service to the Nation reflected the highest tra-
Mary M
ditions of the naval service, This monument to located on
the grounds of the State House, Annapolis, Md.
(SP-3274 t. 26; 1. 64'0"; b. 12'2"; dr. 4'0"; S. 10 mph.)
Maryland received seven battle stare for World War II
service
Mary M (SP-8274), & wooden-hulled motorboat built
at Sharptown, Md., in 1804, was purchased by the Navy
Mary Linda
in 1919 from J. G. White Engineering Co.
Assigned to the 5th Naval District, Mary M served as
(ClBt: t. 116.)
a launch at Indian Head, Md., until sold 1 May 1922.
The canal boat Mary Linda was purchased 16 July
1864 at Philadelphia to be sunk as part of the "stone
Mary Pope
fleet." She was sunk as an obstruction 16 September 1864.
A former name retained.
Mary Louise
(SP-291 t. 18; 1. 52'; b. 8'5"; dr. 2/7"; E. 14.7 Ic. ; cpl. 4;
a. 1 mg.)
A former name retained.
Mary Popo (SP-291), a wooden-hulled motorboat built
(SP-256: 1. 47'10"; b. 9'6''; dr. 4'; S, 8 k.)
in 1915 as Manitee and later renamed Madge by Gass
Engineering & Power Co. and C. L. Seabury, Morris
Mary Louise (SP-356), built by Milton Point Shipyard,
Heights, N.Y., was purchased by the Navy from R. W.
N.Y., was acquired by the Navy on a free-lease basis from
Bingham $ August 1917.
J. S. Williams, Wilmington, N.C., 24 August 1917, and
After serving on section patrol through the remainder
placed in service 27 August 1917 for section patrol in the
of World War I, Mary Pope WES struck from the Navy
6th Naval District. Mary Louiso was returned to her
list 81 March 1919. However, while still In custody of the
owner 80 October 1917.
Navy, she was wrecked 10 September 1919.
259
USS Navada (BB-36) in Guantanamo Bay, 1919. Observation balloon is attached to the battleship.
II
Refloated 12 February 1942, Nevada repaired at Pearl
Harbor and Puget Sound Navy Yard, then sailed for Alaska
(BB-36: dp. 27, 500; 1. 583'; b. 85'3"; dr. 28'6"; B. 20.5 k.;
where she provided fire support for the capture of Attu 11 to
cpl. 864; a. 10 14", 21 5", 4 21" tt.; cl. Nevada)
18 May. In June she sailed for further modernization at
Norfolk Navy Yard, and in April 1944 reached British waters
The second Nevada (BB-36) was laid down 4 November
to prepare for the Normandy Invasion. In action from 6 to
1912 by the Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass.;
17 June, and again 25 June, her mighty guns pounded not
launched 11 July 1914; sponsored by Miss Eleanor Anne
only permanent shore defenses on the Cherbourg Peninsula,
Seibert, niece of Governor Tasker L. Oddie of Nevada and
but ranged as far as 17 miles inland, breaking up German con-
centrations and counterattacks. Shore batteries straddled her
descendant of Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert; and
commissioned 11 March 1916, Capt. William S. Sims in
27 times, but failed to diminish her accurate fire.
command.
Between 15 August and 25 September, Nevada fired in the
Nevada joined the Atlantic Fleet at Newport 26 May 1916
invasion of Southern France, dueling at Toulon with shore
and operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean until
batteries of 18.4-inch guns taken from French battleships
World War I. After training gunners out of Norfolk, she
scuttled early in the war. Her gun barrels were relined at New
sailed 13 August 1918 to serve with the British Grand Fleet,
York, and she sailed for the Pacific, arriving off Iwo Jima 16
arriving Bantry Bay, Ireland 23 August. She made a sweep
February 1945 to give marines invading and fighting ashore
through the North Sea and escorted transport George Washing-
her massive gunfire support through 7 March.
ton, President Woodrow Wilson embarked, during the last
On 24 March, Nevada massed off Okinawa with the might-
day of her passage into Brest, France, before sailing for home
iest naval force ever seen in the Pacific, as pre-invasion bom-
14 December.
bardment began. She pounded Japanese airfields, shore de-
Nevada served in both Atlantic and Pacific Fleets in the
fenses, supply dumps, and troop concentrations through the
period between the wars. In September 1922 she represented
crucial operation, although 11 men were killed and a main
the United States in Rio de Janeiro for the Centennial of
battery turret damaged when she was struck by a suicide
Brazilian Independence. From July to September 1925, she
plane 27 March. Another 2 men were lost to fire from & shore
participated in the U.S. Fleet's goodwill cruise to Australia
battery 5 April. Serving off Okinawa until 30 June, from 10
and New Zealand, which demonstrated to our friends down
July to 7 August she ranged with the 3rd Fleet which not
under, and to the Japanese, our ability to make a self-sup-
only bombed the Japanese home islands, but came within
ported oruise to a distance equal to that to Japan. Modernised
range for Nevada's guns during the closing days of the war.
at Norfolk Naval Shipyard between August 1927 and Janu-
Returning to Pearl Harbor after a brief occupation duty in
ary 1930, Nevada served in the Pacific Fleet for the next
Tokyo Bay, Nevada was surveyed and assigned as & target
decade.
ship for the Bikini atomic experiments. The tough old veteran
On 7 December 1941, Nevada was moored singly off Ford
survived the atom-bomb test of July 1946, returned to
Island, and had 8. freedom of maneuver denied the other 8
Pearl Harbor to decommission 29 August, and was sunk by
battleships present during the attack. As her gunners opened
gunfire and aerial torpedoes off Hawaii 31 July 1948.
fire and her engineers got up steam, she was struck by one
Nevada received 7 battle stars for World War II service.
torpedo and two, possibly three, bombs from the Japanese
attackers, but was able to get underway. While attempting
Neville
to leave harbor she was struck again. Fearing she might sink
in the channel, blocking it, she was beached at Hospital Point.
Wendell Cushing Neville, born at Portsmouth, Va., 12
Gutted forward, she lost 50 killed and 109 wounded.
May 1870, entered the U.S. Naval Academy 12 September
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Placed in reserve at the Portsmouth (N.H.) Navy
ships of the Colorado-class which followed, were identi
Yard on 15 June 1911, she remained on the east coast
fied by two heavy cage masts supporting large fire
for a year. and one-half before departing Philadelphia
control tops. This feature was to distinguish the "Bij
on 12 November 1912 for the Mediterranean. Arriving
Five" from the rest of the battleship force until Work
off Smyrna (now Izmir), Turkey, on 1 December, she
War II. Since Tennessee's 14-inch turret guns could
remained there protecting American citizens and prop-
be elevated to 80 degrees-rather than to the 16 de
erty during the First Balkan War until 3 May 1913
grees of earlier battleships-her heavy guns could
when she headed home. After reaching Hampton Roads
reach out an additional 10,000 yards. Because battle
on the 23d, Tennessee operated on the east coast until
ships were then beginning to carry airplanes to spot
entering the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia
long-range gunfire, Tennessee's ability to shoot "over
on 28 October. On 2 May 1914, she became receiving
the horizon" had a practical value.
ship at the New York Navy Yard.
After fitting out, Tennessee conducted trials in Long
On 6 August, Tennessee sailed from New York for
Island Sound from 15 to 23 October 1920. While Ten-
duty in Europe through the first half of 1915 support-
nessse was at New York, one of her 300-kilowatt ship's-
ing the American Relief Expedition. In August, she
service generators blew up on 30 October, "completely
transported the 1st Regiment, Marine Expeditionary
destroying the turbine end of the machine" and injur-
Force, and the Marine Artillery Battalion to Haiti.
ing two men. Undaunted, the ship's force, navy yard
From 28 January to 24 February 1916, the cruiser
craftsmen, and manufacturers' representatives labored
served as flagship of a cruiser squadron off Port-au-
to eliminate the "teething troubles" in Tennessee's
Prince, Haiti. In March, she embarked a group of
engineering system and enabled the battleship to depart
dignitaries at Hampton Roads for a two-month, round-
New York on 26 February 1921 for standardization
trip cruise to Montevideo, Uruguay.
trials at Guantanamo. She next steamed north for the
On 25 May, Tennessee was renamed Memphis, honor-
Virgina capes and arrived at Hampton Roads on 19
ing a city of Tennessee, so that the name Tennessee
March. Tennessee carried out gunnery calibration firing
could be reassigned to a new warship, Battleship No.
at Dahlgren, Va., and was drydocked at Boston before
48. In July, the ship got underway for Central America,
full-power trials off Rockland, Maine. After touching
arriving at San Domingo on 23 July for peace-keeping
at New York, she steamed south: transited the Panama
patrol off the rebellion-torn Dominican Republic. On
Canal; and, on 17 June, arrived at San Pedro, Calif,,
the afternoon of 29 August, while at anchor in the
her home port for the next 19 years.
harbor of San Domingo, Memphis WRS driven ashore by
Here, she joined the Battleship Force, Pacific Fleet.
an unexpected tidal wave and totally wrecked. The
In 1922, the Pacific Fleet was redesignated the Battle
casualties, including B boatload of Memphis sailors
Fleet (renamed the Battle Force in 1981), United States
returning from shore leave, numbered some 40 men
Fleet. For the next two decades, the battleship divisions
dead or missing and 204 badly injured.
of the Battle Fleet were to include the preponderance
Memphis Was struck from the Navy list on 17 De-
of the Navy's surface warship strength; and Tennessee
cember 1917 and sold to A. H. Radetsky Iron and
was to serve here until World War II.
Metal Co., Denver, Colo., on 17 January 1922 for
Peacetime service with the battleship divisions in-
scrapping.
volved an annual cycle of training, maintenance, and
readiness exercises. Her yearly schedule included
V
competitions in gunnery and engineering performance
(BB-48: dp. 88,190; 1. 624'; b. 97'8½"; dr. 81'; 8. 21
and an annual fleet problem, & large-scale war game in
k.; cpl. 1,401; a. 12 14", 14 5", 4 8" AA, 2 21" tt.;
which most or all of the United States Fleet was or-
cl. Tennessee)
ganized into opposing forces and presented with a
variety of strategic and tactical situations to resolve.
The fifth Tennessee was laid down on 14 May 1917 at
Beginning with Fleet Problem I in 1928 and continuing
the New York Navy Yard; launched on 30 April 1919;
through Fleet Problem XXI in April 1940, Tennessee
sponsored by Miss Helen Lenore Roberts, daughter of
had a prominent share in these battle exercises. Yet
the governor of Tennessee; and commissioned on 3
her individual proficiency was not neglected. During
June 1920, Capt. Richard H. Leigh in command.
the competitive year 1922 and 1923, she made the
Tennessee and her sister ship, California (BB-44),
highest aggregate score in the list of record practices
were the Arst American battleships built to a "post-
fired by her guns of various caliber and won the "E"
Jutland" hull design, As a result of extensive experi-
for excellence in gunnery. In 1923 and 1924, she again
mentation and testing, her underwater hull protection
won the gunnery "E" as well as the prized Battle
was much greater than that of previous battleships;
Efficiency Pennant for the highest combined total score
and both her main and secondary batteries had fire-
in gunnery and engineering competition. During 1925,
control systems. The Tennessee class, and the three
she took part in joint Army-Navy maneuvers to test
USS Tennesses (BB-43) in the 1980s. (NR&L(M) 85219)
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the defenses of Hawaii before visiting Australia and
While her physical hurts were relatively minor,
New Zealand. Subsequent fleet problems and tactical
Tennessee was still seriously threatened by oil fires
exercises took Tennessee from Hawaii to the Caribbean
raging around her stern. When Arizona's magazines
and Atlantic and from Alaskan waters to Panama.
erupted, Tennessee's after decks were showered with
Fleet Problem XXI was conducted in Hawaiian
burning oil and debris which started fires that were
waters during the spring of 1940. At the end of this
encouraged by the heat of the flaming fuel. Numerous
problem, the battleship force did not return to San
blazes had to be fought on the after portion of the
Pedro; but, at President Roosevelt's direction, its base
main deck and in the officers' quarters on the deck
of operations was shifted to Pearl Harbor in the hope
below. Shipboard burning was brought under control
that this move might deter Japanese expansion in the
by 1030, but oil flowing from the tanks of the adjacent
Far East. Following an overhaul at the Puget Sound
ships continued to flame.
Navy Yard after the conclusion of Fleet Problem XXI,
By the evening of 7 December, the worst was over.
Tennessee arrived at her new base on 12 August 1940.
Oil was still blazing around Arizona and West Virginia
Due to the increasing deterioration of the world situa-
and continued to threaten Tennessee for two more days
tion, Fleet Problem XXII-scheduled for the spring of
while she was still imprisoned by the obstacles around
1941-was cancelled; and Tennessee's activities during
her. Although her bridge and foremast had been
these final months of peace were confined to smaller
damaged by bomb splinters, her machinery was in full
scale operations.
commission; and no serious injury had been done to
On the morning of 7 December 1941, Tennessee was
ship or gunnery controls. Ten of her 12 14-inch guns
moored starboard side to a pair of masonry "mooring
and all of her secondary and antiaircraft guns were
quays" on Battleship Row, the name given to a line
intact. By comparison with most of the battleships
of these deep water berths located along the south-
around her, Tennessee was relatively unscathed.
east side of Ford Island. West Virginia (BB-48) was
The first order of business was now to get Tennessee
berthed alongside to port. Just ahead of Tennessee was
out of her berth. Just forward of her, Maryland--simi-
Maryland (BB-46), with Oklahoma (BB-37) outboard.
larly wedged into her berth when Oklahoma rolled
Arizona (BB-39), moored directly astern of Tennessee,
over and sank-was released and moved away on 9
was undergoing & period of upkeep from the repair
December, The forwardmost of Tennessee's two con-
ship Vestal (AR-4), berthed alongside her. The three
crete mooring quays was next demolished-a delicate
"nests" were spaced about 75 feet apart.
task since the ship's hull was resting against it-and
At about 0755, Japanese carrier planes began their
had been cleared away by 16 December. Tennessee
attack. As the first bombs fell on Ford Island, Tennessee
carefully crept ahead, past Oklahoma's sunken hull.
went to general quarters and closed her watertight
and moored at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.
doors. In about five minutes, her antiaircraft guns were
Temporary repairs were quickly made. From Turret
manned and firing. Sortie orders were received, and
III to the stern on both sides of the ship, Tennessee's
the battleship's engineers began to get steam up. How-
hull gave mute evidence of the inferno that she had
ever, this quickly became academic as Oklahoma and
survived. Every piece of hull plating above the water-
West Virginia took crippling torpedo hits. Oklahoma
line was buckled and warped by heat; seams had been
capsized to port and sank, bottom up. West Virginia
opened and rivets loosened. These seams had to be
began to list heavily, but timely counterflooding righted
rewelded and rivets reset, and a considerable amount
her. She, nevertheless, also settled on the bottom but
of recaulking was needed to make hull and weather
did so on an even keel. Tennessee, though her guns
decks watertight. The damaged top of Turret III re-
were firing and her engines operational, could not move.
received a temporary armor patch.
The sinking West Virgina had wedged her against the
On 20 December, Tenessee departed Pearl Harbor
two massive concrete quays to which she was moored,
with Pennsylvania (BB-88) and Maryland-both super-
and worse was soon to come.
ficially damaged in the Japanese attack-and a screen
As the Japanese torpedo bombers launched their
of four destroyers. From the moment the ships put
weapons against Battleship Row, dive bombers were
to sea, nervous lookouts repeatedly sounded submarine
simultaneously coming in from above. Strafing fighters
alarms, making the voyage something more than un-
were attacking the ships' antiaircraft batteries and
eventful, Nearing the west coast, Pennsylvania headed
control positions as high-level horizontal bombers
for Mare Island while Maryland and Tennessee steamed
dropped heavy battleship-caliber projectiles modified
north, arrived at the Puget Sound Navy Yard on 29
to serve as armor-piercing bombs. Several bombs struck
December 1941, and commenced permanent repairs.
Arizona; and, at about 0820, one of them penetrated her
Working around the clock during the first two months
protective deck and exploded in a magazine detonating
of 1942, shipyard craftsmen repaired Tennessee's after
black-powder saluting charges which, in turn, set off
hull plating and replaced electrical wiring ruined by
the surrounding smokeless-powder magazines. A shat-
heat. To allow her antiaircraft guns a freer field of
tering explosion demolished Arizona's foreport, and fuel
fire, her tall cage mainmast was replaced by a tower
oil from her ruptured tanks was ignited and began
similar to that later installed in Colorado (BB-45)
to spread. The torpedo hits on Weat Virginia had also
and Maryland. An air-search radar was installed: fire-
released burning oil, and Tennessee's stern and port
control radara were fitted to Tennessee's main-battery
quarter were soon surrounded by Aames and dense black
and 5-inch antiaircraft gun directors. Her three-inch
smoke. At about 0830, horizontal bombers scored two
and 50-caliber antiaircraft guns were replaced by
hits on Tennessee. One bomb carried away the after
1.1-inch and 20-millimeter automatic shell guns, and
mainyard before passing through the catapult on top
her 5-inch antiaircraft guns were protected by splinter
of Turret III, the elevated after turret, breaking up as
shields, Fourteen-inch Mark-4 turret guns were re-
it partially penetrated the armored turret top. Large
placed by improved Mark-11 models. Other modifica-
fragments of the bomb case did some damage inside the
tions improved the battleship's habitability.
turret and put one of its three 14-inch guns out of
On 25 February 1942, Tennesses departed Puget
operation. Instead of exploding, the bomb filler ignited
Sound with Maryland and Colorado. Upon arriving at
and burned, setting an intense fire which was quickly
San Francisco, she began a period of intensive train-
extinguished.
ing operations with Rear Admiral William S. Pye's
The second bomb struck the barrel of the center gun
Task Force 1, made up of the Pacific Fleet's available
of Turret II, the forward "high" turret, and exploded.
battleships and & scraen of destroyers.
The center gun was knocked out of action, and bomb
However, her role in the war was not to be in the
fragments sprayed Tennessee's forward superstructure.
line of battle for which she had trained for two decades.
Capt. Mervyn S. Bennion, the commanding officer of
Most of the great battles of the conflict were not con-
West Virginia, had stepped out on to the starboard wing
ventional surface-ship actions, but long-range duels
of his ship's bridge only to be mortally wounded by
between fast carrier striking forces, Fleet carriers,
one of these fragments.
with their screening cruisers and destroyers, could
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maintain relatively high force speeds; and a new gen-
gunfire support for troops ashore-then coming to be a
eration of fast battleships-beginning with the North
specialty in its own right-was well suited for this
Carolina (BB-55)-class and continuing into the South
the earlier generation of battleships which were also
Dakota (BB-57)- and Iowa (BB-61)-claases-were
still quite usable for patrol duty in areas where fire-
coming into the fleet and were to prove their worth in
power was more important than speed. The refurbished
action with the fast carrier force. But the older battle-
Tennessee's first tour of duty combined both of these
ships-Tennessee and her kin-simply could not keep
missions.
up with the carriers. Thus, while the air groups dueled
Tennessee departed San Pedro with the cruiser Port-
for the aproaches to Port Moresby and the Japanese
land (CA-83) on 81 May, bound for the North Pacific,
naval offensive reached its zenith in the waters west
and arrived at Adak, Alaska, on 9 June to begin patrol
of Midway, the battleship force found itself steaming
operations with Task Force 16, the North Pacific Force.
restlessly on the sidelines.
During the Midway operation, the Japanese had oc-
On 31 May, Admiral Pye sent two of his battleships
cupied the Aleutian islands of Attu and Kiska. Attu
to search for A Japanese carrier erroneously reported
was recaptured in May 1948; but Kiska was still in
approaching the California coast. Reports of the battle
hostile hands; and Japanese air and naval forces still
of Midway came in, and Pye sortied from San Francisco
operated in the Aleutians area from bases in the
on IS June with the rest of his battleships and destroyers
Kuril Islands. Tennessee plied back and forth through
and the escort carrier Long Island (AVG-1). The
the legendary fogs and foul weather of the Aleutians,
battleship force steamed to an area some 1,200 miles
with her crew heavily bundled in arctic clothing for
west of San Francisco and about the same distance
protection against intense cold and freezing rain as
northeast of Hawaii in the expectation that part of the
her radars probed for some sign of the enemy. There
Japanese fleet might attemnt an "end run" raid on our
was still much to be learned about radar and its pit.
Pacific coast. On 14 June, after it had become clear
falls; on several occasions, convincing images on the
that Admiral Yamamoto's flest-reeling from its loss
radar screens sent patrolling forces to general quarters.
of four carriers 10 days before-had returned to
During one patrol in July, radio messages reported
Japanese waters, Pye ordered his force back to San
a force of nine surface ships 150 miles away, steaming
Francisco.
rapidly to intercept Tennessee and her consorts. Ten-
On 1 August, Tennessee again sailed from San
sion grew as the unknown enemy drew closer, and
Francisco with Task Force 1. After & week of exercises
all hands intently prepared for their first action. The
the battleships joined Hornet (CV-$)-on her way to
radar images were only 45 miles away, and Tennessee's
the South Pacific to support the Guadalcanal operation
crew were at battle stations when the enemy suddenly
-and escorted the carrier as far as Hawaii. Arriving
disappeared. Where the screens had been displaying
at Pearl Harbor on the 14th, Tennessee returned to
what semed to be a hostile squadron, there was nothing.
Puget Sound on the 27th for modernization.
The hostile fleet had been a mere electronic mirage.
California, Tennessee's sister ship, had been sunk in
During this same period, another surface force fought
shallow water during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Re-
a brief, but energetic, gunnery action with the same
floated, and her hull temporarily patched, she returned
kind of electronic "ghost" force south of Kiska. Distant
to Puget Sound in June for permanent repairs which
land masses had appeared on ships' early radar sets
included a thorough modernization. It was decided to
as ship contacts at much closer ranges.
include Tennessee in this program as well.
At about noon on 1 August, Tennessee was out on
By the time Tennessee emerged from the navy yard
what all thought another routine patrol when the word
on 7 May 1943, she bore virtually no resemblance to
was passed to prepare to bombard Kiska. At 1310, she
her former self. Deep new blisters increased the depth
began a zigzag approach through the usual murk to
of her side protection against torpedoes by eight feet-
the island with Idaho (BB-42) and three destroyers.
three inches on each side, gradually tapering toward
As the water grew more shallow, the ship slowed down
bow and stern. Internal compartmentation was re-
and streamed mine-cutting paravanes from her bown.
arranged and improved. The most striking innovation
Tennessee approached the island from the east, closing
was made in the battleship's superstructure. The heavy
to a range from which she could open fire with her
armored conning tower, from which Tennessee would
5-inch secondary battery. Her two OS2U Kingfisher
have been controlled in a surface gunnery action, was
floatplanes were catapulted to observe fire; and, at 1610,
removed, as were masts, stacks, and other superstruc-
the battleship commenced Aring from 7,000 yards.
ture, A new, compact, superstructure was designed to
Though the island's shoreline could be seen, the target
provide essential ship and gunnery control facilities
area-antiaircraft gun sites on high ground-were
while offering as little interference as possible to the
shrouded in low-hanging clouds and were invisible from
fields of fire of the ship's increasingly essential anti-
the ship. Tennessee's aerial spotters caught an occa-
aircraft guns. A low tower foremast supported a main-
sional glimpse of the impact area and reported the
battery director and bridge spaces; boiler uptakes were
ship's fire as striking home.
trunked into a single fat funnel which was faired into
The task group continued along Kiska's southern
the after side of the foremast. Just abaft the stack, a
coast. Tennessee's 14-inch guns chimed in at 1624,
lower structure accommodated the after turret-gun
hitting the location of E submarine base and other
director. Tennessee's old 5-inch battery. and combina-
areas with 60 rounds before firing ceased at 1645.
tion of 8"/25 antisircraft guns and 5"/51 single-
Visibility had dropped to zero, and results could not be
purpose "anti-destroyer" guns, was replaced by eight
6"/88 twin mounts. Four new directors, arranged
seen. The battleship recovered her floatplanes, and the
force turned back toward Adak.
around the superstructure, could control these guns
In the early morning hours of 15 August, Tennessee
against air or surface targets. All of these directors
again approached Kiska as troops prepared to assault
were equipped with fire-control radars; antennas for
the island. At 0500, the ship's turret guns began to
surface- and air-search radars were mounted at the
fire at cosstal-battery sites on nearby Little Kiska as
mastheads. Close-in antiaircraft defense was the func-
the 5-inch guns struck antiaircraft positions on that
tion of 10 quadrupls 40-millimeter gun mounts, each
island. The 14-inoh runs then shifted their fire to
with its own optical director, and of 48 20-millimeter
antiaircraft sites on the southern side of Kiska, while
guns.
the secondary battery turned its attention to an arti)-
Thus revitalized, and her battleworthiness greatly
lery observation position on Little Kiska and set it on
increased, Tennessee ran trials in the Puget Sound area
fire. The landing force then went ashore, only to dis-
and, on 22 May 1948, sailed for San Pedro. The days
cover that nobody was home.
of seeming purposelessness were over. Though the slow
After the loss of Attu, the Japaneze, knowing that
battleships were still incapable of serving with the
Kiska's turn would soon come, decided to save the
carrier striking force, their heavy turret guns could
island's garrison. A small surface force closed the
still hit as hard as ever. Naval shore bombardment and
island in dense fog and tight radio silence and, on 27
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and 28 July 1943, succeeded in evacuating 5,183 troops
when fire had to be checked to allow carrier dive
ea
this
from Kiska.
bombers to strike the island. Japanese antiaircraft
Arriving at San Francisco on 31 August, Tennessee
guns opened up on the planes. As soon as the attackers
also
began an intensive period of training and carried out
were clear of the area, the ship demolished the enemy
re-
hed
battle exercises off the southern California coast before
guns with two three-gun salvoes. The 5-inch battery
ese
provisioning and shoving off for Hawaii. After a week's
then opened up on beach defenses. Main and secondary
exercises in the Pearl Harbor operating area, the ship
guns continued to pound Roi and adjacent Namur until
headed for the New Hebrides to rehearse for the in-
noon, the high point of the morning coming when the
rt.
vasion of the Gilberts,
guns of Mobile (CL-63) detonated a Japanese ammu-
fic,
The Japanese had occupied Betio on Christmas Day
nition dump on Namur and sent an enormous mush-
rol
1941. In nearly two years, with the help of conscripted
room of thick black smoke into the air. At midday,
ce.
Korean laborers, they had done a thorough job of dig-
Tennessee retired from the firing area to recover and
oc-
ttu
ging themselves in. Americans still had a great deal to
service her spotting planes. Following a welcome mid-
in
learn about pre-landing bombardment. Air attacks and
day meal served to the crew at their battle stations,
<till
naval gunfire damaged, but did not knock out, the beach
the battleship returned to the fighting and shelled Roi
defenses; and the landing marines met an intense fire
and Namur through the afternoon. At 1700, Tennessee
he
from artillery, mortars, and machine guns. Casualties
gh
turned away to screen supporting escort carriers for
mounted rapidly, and the landing force asked for all
the night.
ns,
possible fire support. At 1084, Tennessee's 14-inch and
While the fire support ships pounded Roi and Namur
or
5-inch guns reopened fire. The battleship continued to
on the 81st, marines captured five small nearby islands;
as
shoot until 1138, resuming fire at 1224 and firing until
and the northern passage into Kwajalein lagoon was
are
a ceasefire order was issued at 1300. The desperately
cleared for ships to pass in. On 1 February, Tennessee
it-
he
contested struggle went on until dark, with close sup-
and Colorado, with Mobile and Louisville, were back
port being provided by destroyers which closed the
in their assigned area to the eastward and commenced
rs.
beach to fire their 5-inch guns at short range and by
firing at 0708. The ships pounded Namur through
ad
waves of carrier planes which bombed and strafed. To
the morning; marines began to land on both islands at
ng
reduce the chance of submarine or air attack, Tennessee
about noon: and Tennessee and her unit continued sup-
on-
and Colorado withdrew for the night to an area south-
nd
porting fire until 1245. Roi fell quickly, but Namur's
west of Betio and returned to their fire-support area the
he
defenders were well dug in and fought fiercely until
next morning to provide antiaircraft protection for the
the early afternoon on 2 February.
a's
ly
transports and to await & call for gunfire.
Later that day, the battleship entered Kwajalein
The battleships retired to their night area again at
lagoon. Vice Admiral Raymond Spruance and Rear
18
dusk. By this time, the battle for the island, its out-
Admiral Richard Conolly, commander of the Rol-Namur
g.
come uncertain for the first day and one-half of fight-
invasion force, visited Mr. Forrestal on board Ten-
8.
ht
ing, had taken a definite turn for the better, By 1800,
nessse; the Undersecretary and his party then went
the Marine commander ashore, Colonel David Shoup,
ashore to inspect the newly seized islands and departed
ne
could radio back that "we are winning." Tennessee
the following day by seaplane.
it
was back in position south of Betio on the morning of
Useful lessons were learned from this operation.
to
the 22d. At 0907, she began to deliver call fire on Jap-
Since the Navy had won command of the surface and
anese defenses at the eastern tip of Betio, dropping
in the air around the landing area, gunfire support
n
70 rounds of 14-inch and 322 rounds of 5-inch ammuni-
d
ships could close their objective and fire at what was,
tion on gun positions in 17 minutes of shooting.
for a battleship, virtually point-blank ranges. The
le
During the afternoon, the screening destroyers
heavy, short-range fire of the supporting gunfire ships
.0
Frazier (DD-607) and Meade (DD-602) made a sonar
"met the most sanguine expectations" of the assaulting
9.
contact. Depth charging drove 1-35, a Japanese long-
marines and foretold the shape of operations to come.
n
range submarine, to the surface. Her position was
By 7 February, the whole Kwajalein atoll was in
S.
hopeless. but the enemy crew scrambled to man the
American hands; and preparations began for the cap-
be
undersea boat's single 5.5-inch deck gun as Tennessee's
ture of Eniwetok atoll, at the northwest end of the
:T
secondary guns joined Frazier and Meade in hurling 5-
Marshalls group in the direction of the Marianas. Pre-
inch projectiles. Tennessee swung clear as Frazier
war Japanese security had been tight, and little was
rammed the submarine; four minutes later, I-35 went
known about the atoll, but aerial photographs and a
to the bottom.
Japanese chart found in a beached enemy ship on one
Betio was secured by the afternoon of 28 November.
of Kwajalein's small islets gave planners enough to
e
Tennessee operated in the general area of Tarawa and
work with.
n
Abemama atolls, alert for possible counterattacks by
Tennessee arrived at Majuro on 7 February to take
air or sea. At dusk on 8 December, Tennessee departed
on ammunition and supplies before returning to Kwa-
the area for Pearl Harbor and, on the 15th, headed for
jalein. On the afternoon of the 15th, she sailed for
the United States with Colorado and Maryland. On
Eniwetok with Colorado, Pennsylvania, and transports
arrival at San Francisco, four days before Christmas,
carrying Army troops and marines. Ships of the fast
she was quickly repainted in a "dazzle" camouflage
carrier force screened their approach, and cruisers
scheme designed to confuse enemy observers. On 29
and destroyers opened the action on the morning of
December, Tennessee began intensive bombardment
17 February by bombarding Eniwetok island, on the
practice, pounding San Clements Island in rehearsal
southwest side of the circular atoll, and the smaller
for the invasion of the Marshall Islands.
islands flanking the selected entry to the lagoon, Deep
In the early morning of 18 January 1944, Tennessee
Passage. Minesweepers cleared Deep Passage and the
set her course for Hawaii with Task Unit 53.5.1 and
nearby, though shallower, Wide Passage; and, at 0915,
anchored in Lahaina Roads, off Maui, on the 21st. That
Tennessee led the transport convoy into the lagoon and
day, the ship was inspected by a group headed by Under-
headed for the atoll's northern island of Engebi. The
secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. On the 29th,
battleship bombarded Engebi while landing forces
Tennessee, with Forrestal on board, headed for the
went ashore on neighboring islets to site artillery
Marshalls.
pieces. Her 5-inch guns were active during the early
D-Day was set for 81 January 1944. As one attack
evening in support of a marine reconnaissance com-
force landed on the unoccupied Majuro atoll, the major
pany which approached Engebi to plant marker buoys
force approached Kwajalein. Tennessee, Penneylvania,
for the next day's assault waves and to acquaint
and two destroyers took up their stations 2,900 yards
themselves with the beaches. During the night, Ten-
to the east of the atoll. At 0625, Tennessee catapulted
neasee drew off into the lagoon as light field pieces
off her observation floatplanes; and, at 0701, she began
from the newly captured ground harassed Engebi's
throwing 14-inch salvoes at Japanese pillboxes on Roi
defenders. The pre-landing bombardment began at
Island. Her two forward turreta were busily engaged
0700 the next morning, and Tennesses joined in at 0788.
91
Bill
Tennessee, her appearance entirely changed by wartime modernization, supports the landing on Iwo Jima.
(NR&L(M) 23597)
The first wave went ashore at 0844 and, with the help
kicked up a dense mixture of smoke and dust as the
of supporting ships and planes, had Engebi in their
hands by late afternoon.
landing craft went in. Tenneusee's heavy guns checked
The atoll was not yet secure, Japanese defenders
fire at 0852 when the first smphibian tractors were
on Eniwetok and Parry Islands had carefully dug in
300 yards from the beach, and her 40-millimeters took
and camouflaged their positions. Transports and land-
up the fire until the vehicles landed. Ships' guns
ing vehicles carried a force of soldiers and marines to
continued to provide support during the first two hours
the southern end of the lagoon and, after a preparatory
of land fighting but ceased firing as the troops expanded
bombardment, the troops went ashore on Enlwetok
their foothold and advanced across the island. By after-
There had not been enough time to give the island a
noon, Parry was secured, and Eniwetok atoll was
securely in American hands,
satisfactory softening, and progress was slow.
Tennessee spent the day anchored 5,500 yards north
On 23 February 1944, Tennesase sailed for Majuro.
of the island, but her services were not called for until
Here, she joined New Memico (BB-40), Mississippi
night fell. During the night, Army troops called several
(BB-41), and Idaho (BB-42). Under the command of
times for illumination. Destroyers played their search-
Rear Admiral Robert M. Griffin, the battleships sortied
lights oVer Japanese-heid areas, while Tennessee's 5-
from Majuro on 15 March with two escort carriers and
inch guns fired large numbers of star shells. The fight
a screen of 15 destroyers.
for Eniwetok went on into the afternoon of 21 Febru-
Their objective was the Japanese air and naval base
ary, but Tennessee's efforts had, by then, been diverted
at Kavieng, at the northern end of New Ireland. The
to Parry Island.
Bismarck Archipelago-the two large islands of New
Parry, at the mouth of Deep Channel, was defended
Britain and New Ireland-lie just to the east of New
by more than 1,800 well-trained, carafully-entrenched
Guinea, Rabaul, the by-low legendary Japanese oper-
Japanese troops. The assault plan called for a careful
ating base, is at the eastern end of New Britain, just
preliminary working-over with bombs and gunfire, and
across a narrow channel from New Ireland. About 240
marine light howitzers began to shell Parry from a
miles northwest of Rabaul, across the Bismarck Sea,
nearby islet in the evening of 20 February while car-
is the small Admiralty Island group, Another small
rier planes carried out repeated attacks. Tennessee
island, Emirau, lies northwest of New Ireland and
and Pennsylvania took up positions 900 yards off Parry
east of the Admiralties. Southeast from Rabaul, the
during the morning of the 20th and, at 1204, began to
Solomons chain extended for more than five hundred
blast the island.
miles. Since the first landing on Guadaleanal in August
The bombardment continued through the 21st, ships
1942, the chain had been slowly climbed in & series of
and planes taking their turns. Gun crews paused for
strongly contested actions by sea, land, and air. By
a "breather" while planes from the escort carriers un-
the end of 1943, American forces held E strong foothold
loaded their ordnance, then resumed their work. Colo-
on Bougainville, little more than 200 miles from Rabaul.
rado's 16-inch rifles added to the weight of Tennessee
The final steps in Rabaul's encirclement and isola-
and Pennsylvania's 14-inch fire, and Louisville and
tion were planned for the spring of 1944. Kavieng was
Indianapolis joined in with their 8-inch turret guns.
to have been captured early in April, but the success
Tennessee was firing at so short a range that, during
of the land-based air offensive against Rabaul con-
the afternoon of the 20th, she was able to take on
vinced Admiral Nimitz that it would be more profitable
beach defenses with her 40-millimater guns,
to occupy undefended Emirau instead, sending the
The final shelling, on the morning of 22 February,
bombardment ships against Kavieng to convince the
Japanese that 8 landing on New Ireland was planned.
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Admiral Griffin, accordingly, headed for Kavieng
had been trailing along 10 miles astern of the ships.
and, on the morning of 20 March 1944, approached the
Another submarine contact was reported to port of
harbor. Rain squalls and low-hanging clouds shrouded
the formation, and screening destroyers dropped depth
the area as Tennessee and the other gunfire ships zig-
charges. During the 18th, Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee's
zagged toward New Ireland. The island appeared
Task Group 58.7-seven new fast battleships of the
through the overcast at about 0700. Tennessee launched
North Carolina, South Dakota, and Iowa classes—
her spotting planes an hour later, and they were soon
temporarily detached from Vice Admiral Marc Mit-
out of sight in the rain and mist. By 0905, the range
scher's Task Force 58-hurled a furious bombardment
to the target was within 15,000 yards, and the battle-
at Saipan.
ships opened a deliberate fire. Steaming at 15 knots,
Throughout the following night, lookouts reported
Tennessee dropped single 14-inch rounds and two- or
gun flashes on the horizon, and escorting destroyers
three-gun salvoes on Kavieng as the bombardment force
attacked suspected submarines. General quarters was
slowly closed the range. Poor visibility made gunfire
sounded at 0400 on 14 June as the old battleships drew
spotting difficult, and the pace of firing was held down
near to Saipan. Near the horizon, & Japanese cargo
to avoid wasting ammunition.
ship, set afire by the guns of Melvin (DD-680), burned
Tennessee was about 7,500 yards from the island
brightly. Shortly before dawn, Oldendorf's battleships
when her lookouts reported gun flashes from the beach,
passed to the north of Saipan as the second fire-support
quickly followed by shell splashes just off the star-
group steamed through Salpan Channel at the southern
board bow and close to one of her screening destroyers.
end of the island. The southern group opened fire at
At 0928, Tennessee's port 5-inch guns opened rapid
0539. Nine minutes later, Tennessee began a methodical
continuous fire at the coastal battery, estimated to
bombardment of the selected landing area, the southern
consist of four to six 4-inch guns. A 180-degree turn
portion of Saipan's west coast, in support of mine-
brought the battleship's starboard secondaries to bear,
sweepers carrying out an assault sweep on the landing
and the duel continued. The Japanese gunners began
zone. Enemy coastal guns had fired & few shots at
to get the range, and some projectiles hit close aboard
Oldendorf's ships as they rounded the northern tip of
on the starboard beam while others came similarly
the island, and attacking carrier planes as well as the
close to Idaho, Tennessee was straddled several times
ships' observation floatplanes encountered heavy anti-
and drew away from the shore at 18 knots before
aircraft fire. Maryland drew fire from a battery con-
checking fire at 0934. Reducing speed to 15 knots and
cealed on a tiny islet off Tanapag harbor. She and
turning back to firing position, Tennessee reopened
California turned on this foe and soon silenced it.
fire at 0986. Her main and secondary batteries pounded
Released from this duty, Tennessee sailed southward
the enemy guns for 10 minutes, and nothing more was
to the area of Agingan Point, at the southwest corner
heard from the Japanese guns. For the next three
of Salpan and the southern end of the designated land-
hours, the ships steamed back and forth off Kavieng,
ing area. Underwater demolition teams (UDT) ap-
shelling the Japanese airfield and shore facilities. Other
proached the beach in small craft to reconnoiter the
coastal gun positions were sighted, but the battleship's
landing beaches and to plant radar beacons which
14-inch fire silanced them before they could get off &
would provide reference points to the next day's land-
round. Visibility continued to be & problem; observers
ing. Tennessee closed to 8,000 yards of Agingan Point
in the ships' floatplanes could not get a clear view of
and, at 0831, opened up with 14-inch, 5-inch, and 40-
the targets. When the 5-inch guns were firing at targets
millimeter batteries. Some smoldering powder grains
in wooded areas, spotters in the ship's gun directors
from the 5-inch guns fell on the port side of the battle-
could not observe hits in the heavy foliage. More than
ship's quarterdeck and burst into flame, but were quickly
once, rounds had to be dropped in the water to obtain
extinguished. Japanese guns dropped shells near the
& definite point of reference before "walking" fire onto
UDT's as mortars and machine guns joined in; at
the desired target.
about 0920, projectile splashes began to appear near
The bombardment ended at 1235. Tennessee turned
the supporting ships as batteries on nearby Tinian
away and made rendezvous with the covering escort
opened fire. Cleveland (CL-55) was straddled, and
carriers as Admiral Halsey wired his "congratulations
California and Braine (DD-680) took hits. Tennessee
on your effective plastering of Kavieng." This diversion
aimed counterbattery fire at the defenders who were
had had its effect. While Admiral Griffin's battleships
opposing the UDT's, and her turret guns Ared at
blasted Kavieng, Emirau had been seized without oppo-
Tinian. Shortly before noon, she moved to the north-
sition. Pausing at Purvis Bay and Efate, Tennessee
west to bombard Japanese fortifications on Afetna
arrived at Pearl Harbor on 16 April to refurbish and
Point, near the center of the landing zone. At 1331,
prepare for her next task.
the ship ceased fire and withdrew from the firing area
Operation "Forager," the assault on the Marianas,
to recover her seaplanes, later closing Wadleigh (DD-
was planned as a two-pronged thrust. Vice Admiral
689) and Brooks (APD-10) to take on board five
Richmond K. Turner's Task Force 51 was organized
wounded UDT men for treatment. She joined the rest of
into a Northern Attack Force (TF 52), under his
her fire support group and took up night stations to
command, and a Southern Attack Force (TF 53) under
the west of Saipan.
Rear Admiral Richard Conolly. While TF 52 attacked
D-Day on Saipan was 15 June 1944. Circling to the
Saipan and nearby Tinian, Conolly's TF 52 was aimed
north of the island, well out of sight from shore during
at Guam. The bombardment and fire support force
the last hours of darkness, the assault force was off the
arrayed for this operation included Tennessee and
landing beaches by dawn. Reserve landing forces staged
seven other older battleships, 11 cruisers, and about 26
an elaborate feint off Tanapag harbor, hoping to induce
destroyers. These ships were divided into two fire
the Japanese to reinforce its defenses before the actual
support groups. Tennessee, with California, Maryland,
landing took place further south. At 0430, the pre-land-
and Colorado, was assigned to Fire Support Group One
ing bombardment began. Tennessee joined in at 0540
(TG 52.17) under Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf,
with a heavy barrage from her main, secondary and
The Northern Attack Force assembled at Hawaii in
40-millimeter guns from 8,000 yards west of Agingan
mid-May 1944. After rehearsals off Maul and Kahoo-
Point. At 0542, the landing craft and amphibian trac-
lawe, Fire Support Group One sailed for Kwajalein
tors of the landing force began to load and assemble
while the transports staged at Eniwstok. On 10 June
for the movement to shore. Gunfire was lifted at 0680
1944, Tennessee and her task group departed Kwaja-
to allow carrier planes to bombard the island's defenses,
lein, bound for Saipan.
resuming at 0700. At 0812, the assault waves headed
Early on 13 June, as the force approached the
for the beach. The first went ashore at 0844 and met
Marianas, signs of Japanese activity began to appear.
heavy opposition. The pre-landing bombardment, though
A patrol plane reported sighting a surfaced submarine
prolonged and intense, had left much of the Japanese
some 20 miles ahead and attacked it. Another plane
defenses still able to fight; and, as the 2d and
shot down a landbased Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" which
4th Marine Divisions landed on 8 4-mile front south
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of Garapan, they found that much still remained to be
force headed westward. The next day, she was back
done.
on the gun line to blast gun positions on Manigassa
Tennessee's assault station was off the southern end
Island, off Tanapag harbor. Call fire occupied the
of the landing beach. During the Arst wave's approach,
afternoon, as she took on several targets near Garapan.
her guns enfiladed that end of the objective to prepare
Tennessee's 14-inch guns commenced firing at 0555 the
the way for the right-hand elements of the 4th Divi-
next day, pounding Garapan from 6,000 yards. Shell
sion. She checked fire as the troops neared the beach,
hits on the battered town raised clouds of smoke and
resuming it a few minutes later as the marines
dust, reminding the battleship's gunners of the Aleu-
fought to establish themselves ashore. Japanese 4.7-inch
tian murk. Fire was shifted onto Mount Tapotchau,
field guns, emplaced in a cave on Tinian, opened on
east of Garapan, before being returned to Garapan to
Tennessee. The battleship commenced counterbattery
assist the American troops who were working their way
fire, but the third enemy salvo scored three hits, all
into the southern part of town.
of which burst on impact. One projectile knocked out
On the night of 22 June, Tennessee got underway
& 5-inch twin gun mount; the second struck the ship's
for Eniwetok where Hector (AR-7) repaired her battle
side, while the third tore a hole in the after portion of
damage as the fight for Saipan ground to its end on
main deck and sprayed fragments into the wardroom
9 July. Her next destination was Guam. Departing
below. An intense fire inside the disabled gun mount
Eniwetok on 16 July with California, she joined Rear
was subdued in two minutes by repair parties and men
Admiral Ainsworth's Southern Fire Support Group
from nearby gun crews; the hit to the hull damaged
(TG 53.5) off Guam in the afternoon of the 19th. The
external blister plating, but was prevented from inflict-
next day, she joined in & systematic bombardment begun
ing further damage by the battleship's heavy belt
on the 8th which was carefully planned to soften up the
armor. Eight men were killed by projectile fragments,
enemy's defenses while avoiding harm to the island's
while 25 more were wounded by fragments and flash
friendly Chamorro population. Tennessee launched her
burna. Tennessee's damages did not prevent her from
planes; and, at 0742, her turret guns opened fire while
delivering call fire to help break up a developing Japa-
the 5-inch battery raked nearby Cabras Island. The
nese counterattack near Agingan Point before leaving
ship slowly maneuvered to & position north of Asan
the firing line to make emergency repairs. During the
Point, several miles north of Apra harbor, where one
afternoon and night, she took station to screen assem-
of two landing beaches was sited. UDT's scouted the
bled transports. Four Japanese dive bombers attacked
beaches while planes laid smoke screens to cover their
nearby ships at 1845, and Tennessee's 5-inch guns
movements, and the ships' guns kept the Japanese
briefly engaged them but claimed no hits. That evening,
defenders occupied. Firing ceased at midday and re-
Tennessee buried her dead. Tokyo radio claimed victory
sumed late in the afternoon, as Tennessee continued to
in the battle for Saipan, stating that they had sunk
hammer Japanese positions north of Apra.
a battleship which they identified as "probably the
Shortly after dawn on 21 July, the bombardment
New Jersey,"
ships again took up their work. Tennessee renewed her
The "sunken" Tennessee returned to Saipan Channel
attentions to Cabras Island as the assault waves formed
early the next day. Several Japanese counterattacks
and headed for shore and continued to provide support
had been stopped during the night, and Tennessee's
during the first stage of the landing. At 1003, ahe ceased
supporting fire assisted the marines in organizing and
firing. Late that day, she put to sea with California and
consolidating their beachhead. During the evening, the
Colorado and returned to Saipan on 22 July.
first troops of the Army's 27th Infantry Division began
Tennessee anchored in Tanapag harbor to replenish
to come ashore; another counterattack, this one involv-
ammunition before taking up her night position to the
ing tanks, was turned back during the night of 16 and
west of Tinian. At 0607 on 23 July, she opened fire
17 June.
on the waterfront area of Tinian Town, as part of a
The original plan had called for landings on Guam
deception scheme intended to convince the strong
on the 18th. However, during the afternoon of the
Japanese garrison that the landing would take place at
15th and the early hours of the 16th, Admiral Spruance
Sunharon Bay, on the southwest coast of the island.
was advised that Japanese warships Were at sea, off
À UDT even made a daylight reconnaissance of the
the Philippines, heading for the Merianas. The Japa-
beaches to strengthen the impression, and Tennessee's
nese plan for the defense of these vital islands called
guns supported the frogmen. Fire paused around mid-
for their garrison to hold out while a naval force
day and resumed again in the afternoon before the
mounted a counterstroke to destroy the American in-
ship retired to her night position off the island.
vasion fleet. By the morning of the 16th, Spruance
Early in the morning of the 24th, Tennessee took up
decided to cancel the attack on Guam while continuing
her position off Tinian's northwest coast with Cali-
the fight for Saipan and disposing his naval forces for
fornia, Louiaville (CA-28), and several destroyers.
battle. The fast carrier force was sent to counter the
From 2,500 yards offshore, the ships opened fire at
Japanese thrust, while the fire-support battleships were
0532, ceasing fire as the first wave closed the beach at
to be deployed to the west of Saipan in case the Japa-
0747. For the rest of the day, the ship stood by to
nese should evade Task Force 58 and direct a surface
deliver fire if needed, then retired for the night. In
thrust at the island. Tennessee held station west of
the morning of 25 July, Tennessee relieved California
Salpan with the other elderly battleships as the two
as the "duty ship" to furnish call fire upon request
fleets groped toward each other about 150 miles away.
from the beach. Through the 25th and 26th, Tennessee
On the 19th, Mitscher's task force clashed with
delivered supporting fire by day and star shell by
Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa's Mobile Fleet in what was
night. After returning briefly to Saipan to replenish
to be called the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot." By
on the 27th, the battleship was back on the firing line
this time, American carrier operations had attained a
on the 28th, and her fire supported the advancing
high level of excellence while the Japanese air arm, its
marines through the afternoon. Following replenish-
experienced airmen mostly lost during the long cam-
ment at Saipan on the 29th, Tennessee began the 30th
paigns of 1942 and 1943, had to make do with unskilled
in support of marines advancing southward through
pilots. The result was striking. In more than eight hours
Tinian Town, In the early morning, one of her obser-
of intense aerial combat, more than 300 Japanese planes
vation planes collided in midair with a landbased marine
were knocked down, most of these by carrier fighters.
OY-1 spotting plane. Both aircraft plummeted to earth
By the 20th, counterattacking American planes and
behind Japanese lines and burst into flames; the crews
submarines had sent carriers Hiyo, Shokaku, and Taiho
of both were killed.
to the bottom. Thus, Japan's last serious carrier offen-
Firing continued through that day and into the 81st,
sive operation ended in disaster.
as the marines crowded the last defenders into the
Ozawa's fleet never got close enough to Saipan for
southern tip of the island. At 0830 on 31 July, Ten-
Tennessee and her cousins to be called upon. On the
nessee's guns fell silent, and she returned to Saipan
20th, she fueled east of Saipan as the Japanese carrier
with her task accomplished. On the evening of 2 August,
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she arrived off Guam to resume fire-support duty. Re-
days before Army troops of the 81st Infantry Division
joining Ainsworth's gunfire task group, she delivered
went ashore on Angaur on the morning of 17 Septem-
call fire and illumination until 8 August when she
ber. Tennessee's guns supported the soldiers through the
joined California and Louisville for the voyage to
19th. By the morning of 20 September, organized re-
Eniwetok and thence to Espiritu Santo in the New
sistance was at an end; and the battleship steamed
Hebrides. The ships arrived at Espiritu Santo on 24
away from the island to Kossol Roads to refuel and to
August, On 2 September, Tennessee arrived at Tulagi
take on ammunition. On 28 September, she arrived at
for a brief period of amphibious support training.
Manus to prepare for her next operation.
Meanwhile, decisions had been made which would
Tennessee weighed anchor on 12 October and set
reshape the Allied offensive in the western Pacific.
her course for Leyte Gulf. Under the supreme com-
Meeting at Pearl Harbor in July 1944, President Roose-
mand of General MacArthur, Vice Admiral Thomas
velt, Admiral Nimitz, and General MacArthur had
Kinkaid's 7th Fleet carried two Army corps toward
finally reached an agreement that the Philippines were
the invasion area. Their objectives were two landing
to be liberated, not merely bypassed. After further
zones on the eastern coast of Leyte. A Northern Attack
discussions, the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved landings
Force (TF 78) under Rear Admiral Daniel Barbey
beginning at Mindanao, continuing north through Leyte,
was aimed at Tacloban, while Vice Admiral Theodore
then taking either Luzon or Formosa and Amoy. During
Wilson command TF 79, the Southern Attack Force
early September, Task Force 38 hit Japanese bases
whose target was Dulag. The old battleships were
from the Palaus to the Visayas, inflicting considerable
divided between two fire-support units. Tennessee, with
damage. Surprisingly little resistance was encountered
California and Pennsylvania, sailed with the Dulag
by the roving carriers, leading to a conclusion that
attack force under Rear Admiral Oldendorf.
enemy air strength was virtually nonexistent. Nimitz,
During its approach to the Philippines, the invasion
MacArthur, and Halsey agreed that this eliminated any
force was alert for air and submarine attack; but none
need for a network of southern air bases to support
came, As the ships steamed under hot, clear skies,
the capture of the Philippines. Proposed landings on
their radios brought news of Task Force 88 as the
Yap and Mindanao were scrapped, although Morotai
fast carriers ranged an are from the Ryukyus to For-
was invaded in September and preparations were made
mosa before turning on Japanese air bases in Luzon
for an assault on the Palaus before bypassing the
and the central Philippines. Preliminary minesweeping
southern Philippines and going into Leyte.
and bombardment, to clear the way into Leyte Gulf,
The Palaus were to be Tennessee's next objective.
began on the morning of 17 October 1944. The entrance
This group is not an atoll, but an elongated cluster of
to the gulf was secured, but the approaches to the
islands just north of the Equator and at the western
objective area were partially swept when Oldendorf,
end of the Carolines. The group is about 110 miles
to avoid delaying the operation, decided to order his
long from small islands and reefs to the north through
ships into the gulf. At 0609 on the morning of the 18th,
the large island of Babelthuap to the small southern
Tennessee, with her fire-support unit, entered the chan-
islands of Peleliu and Angaur.
nel between Homonhon and Dinagat islands. Paravanes
The objectives of the assault force were Kossol
streamed from her bows, and marines were stationed
Roads, a reef-sheltered anchorage at the northern end
in her upperworks to sink or explode floating mines.
of the chain, and the two southern islands; the large
The minesweepers continued their work as the heavy
Japanese garrison on Babelthuap was to be isolated
ships moved slowly up Leyte Gulf.
and left to its own devices. Planes and gunfire ships
took turns pounding Peleliu from the morning of 12
Tennessee took up her position off Dulag before dawn
on 19 October and, at 0645, began to bombard the
September until the assault waves went ashore on the
15th. The battle for that island was to be one of the
landing area north of the town. Her main battery
most bitter of the Pacific war, and organized resistance
opened up from 8,800 yards, and her secondaries chimed
in a few minutes later as she aimed at fortifications
was not eliminated until November, at a heavy cost in
and antiaircraft gun emplacements. Catmon Hill, a
lives.
1,000-foot elevation just inland, received particular
Tennessee's target was the smaller island of Angaur,
attention from the ships. Japanese planes were reported
a few miles south of Peleliu, On the morning of 12
in the offing, but the only attack came from a horizontal
September, Tennessee and Pennsylvania, with four
bomber which dropped one bomb into the water near
light cruisers and five destroyers, began & prolonged
Honolulu (CL-48) before being knocked down by gun-
bombardment AS carrier aircraft did their share.
The flash and roar of bombs and gunfire from ships
fire. Heavy shelling continued through the afternoon,
and the bombardment ships took up night cruising
and planes attacking Peleliu were plain on the horizon
stations off the mouth of Leyte Gulf.
as Tennessee closed Angaur early on 12 September.
The battleship opened Are at 0632, hurling 14-inch shells
The landings were scheduled for 20 October: and,
at targets ashore from 14,000 yards. Through the morn-
at 0600, Tennessee opened neutralization fire on the
ing and afternoon, her guns hit coast-defense positions
beaches. As the northern force pounded Tacloban and
and antiaircraft sites. During the afternoon, mine-
went in to the attack, transports assembled off Dulag
sweepers cleared the approaches to the beaches. By
and put the landing force into the water. Infantry
this time, Tennessee was only 3,750 yards from shore,
landing craft armed with heavy mortars (LCI(M))
and her 40-millimeters had joined in. A prominent
began dropping shells on reverse slopes at 0915; and,
masonry lighthouse on the west coast of Angaur was
at 0930, the landing waves crossed the line of depar-
ordered destroyed to keep the Japanese from using it
ture and moved for the beach. At 0945, rocket-firing
as a gunfire observation point. Twelve 14-inch rounds
landing craft (LCI(R)) began to hurl their masses
were aimed at it, scarring the area and scoring three
of explosive bombardment rockets at the beach defenses,
hits, but the tower remained standing. Other targets
and the first troops went ashore 15 minutes later. Naval
absorbed Tennessee's attention for the next three days.
gunfire was shifted inland and to the flanks to assist
Tennessee stood by off Peleliu during the morning of
the landing troops as they began to carve out a beach-
the 15th in case her guns should be needed to assist
head. The landing went well. During the afternoon,
the assault landing. When this work was completed,
Honolulu was again attacked, this time by a torpedo
bomber which scored & hit and forced the cruiser to
she returned on the evening of 16 September to Anish
off the stubborn tower before the next morning's
withdraw. Night air attacks were feared; a screen
scheduled landings. As the ship's turret guns trained
of destroyers was placed around the ships in the
out on the target, & 6-inch projectile from Denver
gulf, smoke was generated, and much nervous firing
(CL-58) screamed in from the far side of the island
flared up in the darkness and caused some casualties.
and sent the lighthouse crashing down in a cloud of
The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, on
smoke and dust.
noting the scale of the operation being mounted against
Ships and carrier planes pounded the island for five
Leyte, had decided to make that island the focus of
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A decisive naval counterstroke. The principal surface
cruisers to turn back with serious damage and, as the
strength of the Combined Fleet had gone to Lingga
day ended, sank the giant battleship Musashi. Com-
Roads, an anchorage in the Lingga Archipelago off
plaining of the lack of air support, Kurita turned back
Sumatra at the southwest end of the South China Sea,
in midafternoon; and this movement was reported to
to be near their fuel supply since American submarines
Halsey by his pilots.
had made it increasingly difficult to get oil through
Early on the 24th, a Japanese scout plane from
to Japan. The surviving carriers had returned to the
Luzon had spotted Task Force 38 east of that island. All
Inland Sea to train aircrews. Under the Japanese
available landbased planes were sent against it, mortally
plan, dictated by 8 combination of geography, logistics,
wounding the light carrier Princeton (CVL-23). Halsey
and the lack of adequate carrier aviation, four widely
concluded that the attackers were carrier-based. During
separated forces were to converge on the area of Leyte
the morning, Ozawa's reconnaissance planes sighted
Gulf in an effort to destroy, at whatever cost, the
Halsey's carriers; and an unproductive air strike was
American invasion force.
launched against Task Force 38 at 1145. In the after-
While the Japanese fleet set out for Leyte, Tennessee
noon, the Japaneze carriers were sighted and, in the
continued her work off the beachhead. Fire support
evening of 24 October, Halsey ordered the fast carrier
was not required from her for the time being, but the
force to go after them. Shortly before sunset, Kurita
increasing tempo of Japanese air activity in the area
had again reversed course and was heading back in the
required her to place herself where her antiaircraft
direction of Leyte Gulf; Halsey had been informed of
guns could assist in the defense of the assembled trans-
this, but exaggerated reports of damage inflicted by
ports and cargo ships. In the evening of 21 October,
his planes led him to believe that the Japanese force
while lying dead in the water in a smoke screen laid to
had been more grievously hurt than was the case.
protect the shipping from attacking planes, Tennessee
Judging that Kurita was too badly crippled to do any
was rammed near the stern by the transport War
harm to the ships in Leyte Gulf, Halsey continued north
Hawk (AF-168). No one was injured, and the battle-
through the night. By midnight the Japanese Center
ship's tough hull was little harmed, but her orders for
Force, as the American commanders referred to it, was
a night fire-support mission were cancelled.
pushing, unobserved, toward San Bernardino Strait
Matters continued to go well ashore, where the town
before turning south toward Leyte Gulf.
of Tacloban was captured and declared a temporary
Halsey had not sent his planes against the surface
seat of the Philippine government. Air defense, rather
forces of Nishimura and Shima, believing that Kinkaid's
than shore bombardment, was still Tennessee's mission;
warships would be able to deal with them. This was to
on the morning of the 24th, enemy planes sank an
be Oldendorf's job; and, in the evening of the 24th,
LCI (L) and damaged a cargo ship before being driven
he deployed his six battleships across the northern end
off. A larger raid came in from several directions be-
of Surigao Strait. Besides his capital ships, Oldendorf
fore noon, hitting American positions on Leyte. The
had available eight cruisers and 28 destroyers. These
afternoon was mostly quiet. A third attack occurred
were arranged toward the flanks, the destroyers placed
at 1700. As the enemy aircraft drew away, the battle-
in suitable position to launch torpedo attacks. A great
ship's executive officer passed the electrifying word that
deal of shooting in support of the landing operation
a Japanese naval task force was expected to try to
had already occurred, and most of the shells remaining
enter Leyte Gulf that night. The six old battleships
in the battleship's magazines were thin-walled, high-
of the fire support groups formed columns and moved
capacity bombardment ammunition rather than armor-
south to take up positions at the mouth of Surigao Strait,
piercing projectiles. Their handling-room crews care-
the body of water between Leyte and Dinagat which
fully arranged the projectile supply so that high-
formed a southern entrance to Leyte Gulf.
capacity shells would be ready for use against anything
The Japanese forces set in motion some days earlier
smaller than 8 battleship. The big ships were directed
were now approaching their objective. A force of four
to hold their fire until the enemy was within 20,000
carriers and two converted hermaphrodite "battleship-
yards to insure as many hits as possible.
carriers" was steaming south from Japan toward the
The sea was smooth and the moonless night intensely
Philippine Sea, while a small surface force under
dark as the ships steamed slowly to and fro along
Admiral Shima had sailed from Japanese waters head-
their assigned lines of position. Tennessee quietly
ing for the Sulu Sea. Two striking forces of battleships,
awaited her first action against her own kind.
cruisers, and destroyers had sailed from Lingga Roads;
All available 7th Fleet PT boats had been sta-
north of Borneo they separated. The larger force, under
tioned in Surigao Strait and along its approaches.
Admiral Kurita, passed north of Palawan (losing three
At 2236, the first PT's made radar contact with
cruisers to submarine attack) to transit the Sibuyan
Nishimura. Successive torpedo attacks were launched
Sea and emerge to the north of Samar. A smaller force,
as Nishimura entered Surigao Strait and steamed
commanded by Admiral Nishimura, turned to the south
north, with Shima trailing well behind; Nishimura was
of Palawan and crossed the Sulu Sea to pass between
annoyed but not injured, though one of Shima's cruisers
Mindanao and Leyte. Shima's orders directed him to
took a torpedo and had to drop out of the running.
support Nishimura, and his force followed some miles
Shortly before 0300, Nishimura was well into the strait
behind Nishimura's.
and taking up battle formation when he was hit by A
If the Sho plan, as it was called, worked properly,
well-planned torpedo attack by five American destroyers.
Kurita would approach Leyte Gulf from the north while
The battleship Fuso was hit and dropped out of forma-
Nishimura and Shima came up from the south, catch-
tion; other torpedo spreads sank two Japanese destroy-
ing the massed amphibious shipping in the jaws of a
ers and crippled a third. Another torpedo struck, but
vise and destroying it. Ozawa's force was toothless
did not stop, Fuso's sistership Yamashiro. Ten minutes
since prolonged heavy casualties and an inadequate
later, another destroyer attack scored a second hit on
pilot training program had left the Imperial Navy with
few experienced carrier pilots. The carrier force ad-
Yamashiro. The disabled Fuso had apparently been
set afire by the torpedo that had hit her; her magazines
vancing southward from Japan carried only enough
planes to make a convincing decoy; its job was to lure
exploded at 0338 as Arizona's had on the morning of
7 December; and the two shattered halves of the
Halsey's 3d Fleet to the north while the converging
battleship slowly drifted back down the strait before
surface forces did their job.
sinking.
During the morning of 24 October, carrier planes
On board Tennessee, observers had seen distant
sighted the three Japanese groups in the Sulu and
Sibuyan seas. Recognizing Kurita's as the most power-
fiashes of gunfire, star shells, and searchlights as the
torpedo boats and destroyers engaged the Japanese.
ful, Halsey directed the fast carriers' air groups against
Scon explosions could be heard. At 0302, the battle-
him as the Japanese ships steamed across the Sibuyan
Sea. With no air cover, Kurita had to endure repeated
ship's radar picked up Nishimura's approach at nearly
bomb and torpedo attacks which forced one of his
44,000 yards and began to track the lead ship. This
was the flagship, Yamashiro. With the cruiser Mogami
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and destroyer Shigure, she was all that remained of
east of Samar with some of the supporting escort
the first Japanese force. At 0351 Oldendorf ordered the
carrier force stationed there. Plans were hurriedly
flanking cruisers to open fire; and, at 0355, the battle-
drawn for another surface battle, and Oldendorf's ships
ships let fly from 20,500 yards.
turned toward the northern entrance to Leyte Gulf to
Tennessee's forward turret fired a three-gun salvo,
defend the landing area.
and the rest of her 14-inch battery joined in. In this
Their services were, however, not needed. In an epic
duel, Tennessee, California, and the recently arrived
action off Samar, the escort carriers, destroyers, and
West Virginia had a considerable advantage over the
destroyer escorts of Rear Admiral C. A. F. Sprague's
other battleships. During their wartime modernization,
"Taffy Three" put up so desperate a fight that Kurita
all three had received new Mark 84 main-battery
judged the odds against him hopeless and turned back.
directors provided with Mark 8 fire-control radars and
Halsey's carrier planes and surface ships sank all
associated modern gunfire computing equipment. The
four of Ozawa's decoy carriers, and a submarine
main batteries of the other ships were still controlled
finished off a damaged cruiser.
by systems developed 20 years or more before and
The Battle for Leyte Gulf was over. The last major
were using earlier Mark 8 radars. This handicap
Japanese naval counterstroke had been defeated, and
showed in their shooting. Firing in six-gun salvos to
Tennessee had had a share in the last naval action
make careful use of her limited supply of armor-pierc-
fought by a battle line.
ing projectiles, Tennessee got off 69 of her big 14-inch
The next several days were quiet ones for Tennessee,
bullets before checking fire at 0408. The battle line
though the Japanese sent numerous land-based air
had increased speed to 15 knots before opening fire,
strikes against Leyte Gulf. On 29 October, the battle-
and, as It drew near the eastern end of its line of posi-
wagon's crew was told that their next destination was
tion, simultaneous turns brought the ships around to a
to be the Puget Sound Navy Yard. Late that day, she
westward heading. California miscalculated her turn
got underway for Ulithi with Weet Virginia, Maryland,
and came sharply across Tennessee's bow, narrowly
and four cruisers. From there, she proceeded to Pearl
avoiding a collision and fouling Tennessee's line of fire
Harbor and thence to Bremerton where she entered the
for about five minutes.
shipyard on 26 November.
The effect of this intense bombardment was awesome.
Unlike her last yard overhaul, this refit made no
As one of Tennessee's crew described it, "when a ship
remarkable changes in Tennessee's appearance. She re-
fired there would be a terific whirling sheet of golden
tained her battery of 10 40-millimeter quadruple anti-
flame holting across the yes, followed by a massive
aircraft mounts and 43 20-millimeter guns, but her
thunder, and then three red balls would go into the
main-battery directors received improved models of
sky; up, arch-over, and then down. When the salvoes
the Mark 8 radar, and the Mark 4 radars used with
found the target there would be a huge shower of
the 5-inch gun directors were replaced by the newer
sparks, and after a moment a dull orange glow would
combination of paired Mark 12 and Mark 22 dual-
appear. This glow would increase, brighten, and then
purpose equipments. Tennessee's usefulness as an anti-
slowly dull." Little of the enemy could be seen from
aircraft ship was enhanced by the addition of a model
Tennessee. Occasionally, the vague outline of a ship
SP height-finding radar. Her pattern camouflage
could be seen against the glare of an explosion; and, at
scheme was replaced by a dark gray finish which was
one point, the single stack and high "pageda" fore-
calculated to provide a less conspicuous aiming point
mast of Yamashiro could be seen. Nishimura's three
for kamikaze suicide planes, introduced during the
ships found themselves at the focus of a massive
recapture of the Philippines and becoming more and
crossfire of battleship and cruiser fire. By 0400, both
more of & fact of naval life during the winter of 1944
of the larger Japanese ships had been hit repeatedly
and 1945.
BE they gallantly attempted to return fire; Mogami,
On 2 February 1945, Tennesses headed back toward
sorely damaged and her engineering plant crippled,
the western Pacific. While the was being refitted,
had turned back, and Yamashiro, burning intensely,
landings had been made in the Central Philippines and
came about to follow. Oldendorf ordered gunfire to
on Luzon; and the liberation of the Philippines was
cease at 0409, after hearing that flanking destroyers
nearly accomplished. From its base in the Marianas,
were being endangered by American gunfire. Yama-
the 20th Army Air Force was hitting Japan with B-29a.
shiro, still able to make 15 knots after her frightful
Their track led past the Bonin Islands, whose garrison
beating, was fatally hurt and, at 0419, rolled over and
could send an early warning to Japanese airfields and
sank with all but a few of her crew. Mogami was able
gunners in the home islands. To eliminate this danger,
to draw out of radar range but had been slowed to a
provide an advanced base for fighter escorts, and ob-
crawl. Shigure, more or less overlooked and relatively
tain an emergency landing field for damaged bombers,
undamaged, escaped southward.
Nimitz had been directed to capture Iwo Jims before
Shima's force, following along in Nishimura's wake,
going on to the Ryukyus to seize Okinawa as an
was unaware of what had befallen. When they were
advanced base for the assault on Japan proper.
about halfway up Surigao Strait, they sighted what
Japanese resistance on Leyte delayed the landing on
seemed to be two flaming ships; these were the broken
Luzon from 20 December 1944 to 9 January 1945, while
halves of Fuso. Shima's two cruisers made a radar
the landing in the Bonins, scheduled for 20 January
torpedo attack on what they believed to be American
1945, had to be deferred until 19 February. The schedule
ships but was, in fact, Hibuson Island. "The island,"
for landings in the new year was tight; but planners
as Samuel E. Morison remarked, "was not damaged."
deemed it essential to move as expeditionsly as possible
The Japanese admiral decided that Nishimura's force
since the Invasion of southern Japan, scheduled for
had met with disaster and decided on a retreat. As his
the fall, depended on the use of Iwo Jima and Okinawa
ships turned to steam back, cruiser Nachi collided with
as bases for a long and intensive aerial bombardment.
limping, burning Mogami, but both vessels were able
The Japanese had predicted that a landing would
to continue southward. Collecting Shigure, the only
be made on Iwo Jima, and a large garrison of good
other survivor of Nishimura's attack, Shima retired
troops under Lieutenant General Tadanichi Kuribayashi
back through the strait. Oldendorf sent some of his
had done A thorough job of digging themselves in. The
cruisers and destroyers after him, and the patrolling
volcanic island's rugged terrein was heavily fortified
PT's joined in. Fire was engaged with the stubborn
with strongly built firing positions supported by a
Mogami, but she continued on her way only to be sunk
deep and intricate network of tunneis.
by carrier planes shortly afterward. Destroyer
B-24 Liberators of the 7th Army Air Force bombed
Asagumo, her bow blown off by destroyer torpedoes
Iwo Jima for 74 consecutive days to soften it up for
during Nishimura's approach, was sighted and sent to
an assault, and five naval bombardments were delivered.
the bottom with her guns still firing. Oldendorf now
This pounding had no significant effect except to
received reports that Kurita's "crippled" force had
accelerate the work of the defenders.
emerged from San Bernardino Strait and joined action
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Tennessee was just in time to join Rear Admiral W.
ing craft circled near the transports As they awaited
H. P. Blandy's bombardment force. Blandy, an ordnance
the signal to land. Tank landing ships moved closer to
specialist, had been Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
shore, opened their bow doors, and launched LVT's
earlier in the war. With the expert help of Lt. Col.
carrying the first wave of assault troops. Shortly after
Donald Weller, USMC, the preinvasion bombardment
daylight, a heavy bombardment was opened by the ships
was thoroughly planned and was modified to meet im-
of Task Force 54 reinforced by the newer battleships
mediate needs as the shelling progressed. The Japanese
North Carolina (BB-55), Washington (BB-56), and
defensive tactic called for the landing troops to be
three cruisers lent for the occasion by Task Force 58.
stopped on the beaches before they could move inland,
A total of seven battleships, four 8-inch gun heavy
and a heavy belt of defenses extended along the shore-
cruisers, and three light cruisers armed with 6-inchers
line. The mission of the bombarding ships and planes
laid their fire on the landing areas. At first, the fire
was to break down the Japanese cordon and permit the
was slow and deliberate. It was checked for an air
landing marines to push through before they could be
strike, as planes from the fast carrier force delivered
cut to pieces.
bombs, rockets, and napalm before the ships resumed
Blandy's gunfire force arrived off Iwo Jima early on
a heavier fire. Beginning at 0850, fire was BO adjusted
16 February 1945. The morning was cool, with occa-
that carrier fighters could strafe the beaches during
sional rain squalls, and low cloud cover hindered
the last few minutes before H-hour. One minute before
spotting planes. Shortly after daybreak, the warships
H-hour, the turret guns ceased firing, and the sec-
deployed to their stations, with escort carriers in the
ondary guns began to drop a rolling barrage just ahead
near distance providing air cover. Minesweepers began
of the marines as they landed and moved inland. Shore
to clear the approaches to the island at 0645, and gun-
fire control parties (SFCP) accompanied the marines
fire opened at 0707. Tennessee's assigned firing course
ashore; one SFCP was assigned to work with each of
took her along the southeastern shore of Iwo Jima,
the supporting battleships and cruisers.
and her 14-inch guns struck the slopes of Mount Suri-
The first wave crossed the line of departure at 0880
bachi while the secondaries aimed at the high ground
and landed only a fraction before the scheduled 0900
at the north end of the beach. Floatplanes and fighters
H-hour. As the troops landed, the Japanese, who had
observing gunfire over the island were followed by dark
waited out the bombardment in their deep tunnels,
puffs of antiaircraft fire. Blandy ordered the ships to
manned guns and mortars in protected emplacements
fire only when air spot could function effectively in the
and opened an increasingly heavy fire. The ships' guns
intermittent visibility. Whenever the airplanes could
were kept busy; main batteries took on gun positions
observe the results, the ships kept their Are up through
as they were located while the lighter guns kept up
the day. During the afternoon, an OS2U Kingfisher
their barrage ahead of the men on the ground. Ten-
seaplane from the cruiser Pensacola (CA-24) found a
nessee's station was 8,000 yards from Suribachi at the
Japanese "Zeke" on its tail. The observation pilot, deter-
southern end of the landing area, and the water around
mined to put up all the fight he could, went at the
her was churned by hundreds of vehicles and landing
fighter though his plane was much slower and less
craft as the successive waves moved in. By the end of
maneuverable, and armed only with one .30-caliber
the day, some 80,000 marines were on Iwo Jima, and
forward-fring machine gun plus a second flexible gun
some tanks and artillery had been landed.
in the observer's cockpit. Against all the odds, the
Ground fighting on Iwo Jima continued until 26
"Zeke" went down in flames.
March, as the stubborn Japanese were slowly rooted
Visibility was better the next day, and the ships
out of the positions that they continued to defend to
began to approach beaches at 0808, Beginning at 10,000
the last. Even before the struggle ended, though, Army
yards, Tennessee, with Idaho and Nevada, soon closed
engineers had patched up the island's battered airstrip;
to 8,000 yards and delivered heavy direct fire to assigned
and damaged B-29a were able to seek refuge on dry
targets while assault minesweeping went on. At 1025,
land instead of ditching. Tennessee was & part of this
the battleships were ordered to retire to make way for
struggle until 7 March, when she sailed for Ulithi.
UDT's supported by LCI(G)'s. The defenders concluded
The days after the landing were a steady routine of
that this was the beginning of the actual landing and
call fire and counterbattery work as Japanese guns
unmasked guns and mortars in a heavy fire on the gun-
continued to reveal themselves by opening fire on the
boats and frogmen. Casualties mounted; one gunboat
hovering support ships before being located and taken
was sunk, another set aftre. The other LCI's returned
out. For this purpose, it had been found that single-
fire but had to withdraw as the bombardment ships
gun salvoes at close range, using "pointer fire" (in
resumed firing against the defenses. Three damaged
which the gun is directly aimed by telescopic sight),
gunboats came alongside Tennessee to transfer their
were the most precise and effective. The notion of using
wounded to the battleship's sick bay.
& 14-inch naval gun for sniping was rather new, but
Bombardment continued through the 18th under or-
it seemed to work very well.
ders prescribing concentrated hammering of the landing
Tennessee left the area, having deposited 1,370
beaches. Once more, Tennessee's big guns pounded
rounds of main-battery fire on Iwo Jima along with
Suribachi while her secondaries attacked gun positions
6,380 5-inch and 11,481 40-millimeter projectiles. At
overlooking the right flank of the objective area. While
Ulithi, she began to prepare for the Okinawa operation.
the heavier guns fired from ranges varying between
Supplies and ammunition were loaded, and the tired
2,200 and 6,000 yards, the 40-millimeter battery raked
sailors stretched their legs and drank beer on tiny
other targets on cliffs at the north end of the beach
Mog Mog Island, whose principal selling point as a
and shot up the wrecks of several Japanese ships
vacation resort seemed to be that it did not move
beached near the shore; these had been used as havens
underfoot.
for snipers and machine gunners at Tarawa and in
Everyone involved knew that this job would be
later landings, and were always treated as potential
attended by special hazards. Censorship had prevented
threats. Several fires were started ashore; an ammuni-
any mention of the Japanese kamikaze weapon in the
tion dump exploded spectacularly and burned for sev-
American press, but it was much in the mind of the Fleet.
eral hours. Coastal guns and antiaircraft weapons were
Admiral Oldendorf, injured and hospitalized shortly
still firing when Tennessee retired for the night, even
after reaching Ulithi, was replaced by Rear Admiral
though she and Idaho had been able to demolish many
Morton Deyo, who broke his flag in Tennessee on 15
massive masonry pillboxes with direct hits.
March. On the 21st, Task Force 54, the gunfire force,
Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner arrived off Iwo
was underway for the Ryukyus. As Kerama Retto, a
Jima at 0600 on the morning of 19 February with the
small cluster of islands near Okinawa, was taken for
main body of the invasion force and assumed command.
use as an advanced base, the battleships arrived off
Transports formed up in the darkness and, at day-
the main island. With Tennessee were Colorado, Mary-
break, put their landing craft into the water as troops
land, West Virginia, New Mexico, and Idaho, as well
clambered down the ship's cargo nets. The loaded land-
as Nevada, New York, Texas, and the venerable
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Arkansas (BB-83), first commissioned in 1912 and
antiaircraft fire, but Zellars (DD-777) was set ablaze
still pulling her weight; she was the only battle-
by a crashing plane. Five more picked Tennessee and
ship in the fleet still armed with 12-inch guns. With
came in through puffs of shell bursts and the heavy
the capital ships came 10 cruisers, 32 destroyer and
smoke from Zellars. Four were shot down, the last
destroyer escorts, and numerous gun- and rocket-firing
three only hundreds of yards from the battleship. The
LCI's and LSM's.
last diver came down on the bow at a 45-degree angle,
Shortly after midnight on 26 March 1945, Task Force
was set aflame by 5-inch fire, and plunged into the
54 approached Okinawa with its crews at general
water. At the same time, an Aichi A6M "Va!" dive-
quarters in the darkness. At daylight, it deployed; the
bomber, flying low on the starboard bow, headed
bombardment began at long range since the nearer
directly for Tennessee's bridge. Lookouts spotted the
waters had not yet been swept for mines. The mine-
"Val" at 2,500 yards, and every automatic weapon that
sweepers began to work as the ships fired on targets
could bear opened up. One of the plane's fixed wheels
located by previous aerial reconnaissance. No enemy
was torn off, and its engine began to smoke. Heading
fire answered the American guns though antiaircraft
at first for Tennessee's tower foremast, the Japanese
shells pecked at spotting planes. Japanese submarines
pilot swerved alightly and crashed into the signal
were in the area, and a number of ships sighted tor-
bridge. The burning wreck slid aft along the super-
pedo wakes, but no damage resulted. Planes from the
structure, crushing antiaircraft guns and their crews,
escort carriera and from Task Force 58 mounted strikes
and stopped next to Turret Three. It had carried &
on the island, took detailed photographs, and fiew air
250-pound bomb which, with what was left of the
cover for the surface ships. The need for this became
plane, went through the wooden deck and exploded.
quite evident early on the next morning, when a
Twenty-two men were killed or fatally wounded, with
number of kamikazes came in at B time when no combat
another 107 injured.
air patrol (CAP) was overhead. One suicider hit
This was not enough to put Tennessee out of action.
Nevada, knocking out one of her turrets; another dam-
The dead were buried at sea, and the wounded trans-
aged Biloxi (CL-80) at the waterline, while & third
ferred the following day to the casualty-evacuation
went into the water to port of Tennessee. The converted
transport Pinkney (APH-2). The ship's company turned
"fushdecker" Dorsey (DMS-1) was hit by a kamikaze
to on emergency repairs; and, by 14 April, the ship
which glanced off the ship, damaging, but not crippling,
was back on the firing line. Tennessee remained off
her.
Okinawa for two more weeks. On 1 May, Admiral Deyo
This was to be the pattern of life off Okinawa during
shifted his fing to a cruiser, and Tennessee set her
the grueling weeks to come, as the "fleet that came to
course for Ulithi. Here, the repair ship Ajax (AR-6)
stay" battled to see the land battle through while
made repairs, cutting away damaged plating and
keeping itself alive. Long hours at general quarters
installing new guns to replace those lost. On 8 June,
kept all hands tense and tired as the ships prowled
the ship sailed for Okinawa, arriving on the 9th. By
off the island firing at every likely target while reports
now, the worst was over. Army troops were making &
of suicide attacks piled up.
final drive to clear the island, and Tennessee's gunfire
The day of the landing-1 April 1945, Easter Sun-
again helped to clear the way. With the other old
day-was bright and fair, with a gentle breeze. At
battlewagons, she remained in support until organized
0600, Admiral Turner assumed overall command of
resistance was declared at an end on 21 June, By this
the operation as Deyo continued to direct the gunfire
time, the scene in the air was different. Besides Navy
ships. After a morning bombardment which Morison
carrier planes, large numbers of Army Air Force
described as "the most impressive gunfire support that
fighters were now fiying from Okinawan fields; and the
any assault troops had ever had," the landing began.
days when everything that flew was a cause for alarm
H-Hour was 0830, preceded by the by-now customary
had ended-for the time being.
intense battering by everything from battleships and
Vice Admiral Oldendorf was subsequently placed in
carrier planes to sheaves of rockets from flat-bottomed
command of naval forces in the Ryukyus, and Tennes-
landing craft. As the troops hit the beach, the bom-
are flew his flag as she covered minesweeping operations
bardment was lifted. Early progress was good, meet-
in the East China Sea and patrolled the waters off
ing surprisingly light opposition. Veterans of earlier
Shanghai for Japanese shipping as escort carriers sent
landings, and even the intelligence staffs, were puzzled
strikes against the China coast. This was Tennessee's
at not having to fight the usual savage struggle to get
station until V-J Day brought an end to the war in
ashore. Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima, com-
the Pacific. When this glad day came, the big ship was
manding nearly 100,000 defenders-three-quarters of
operating out of Okinawa and preparing to take part
whom were regular Army troops-had decided to
in the planned invasion of Japan.
make no attempt to stop the landing at the beaches.
The battleship's final assignment of the war was to
Instead, he dug his main strength into the hilly south-
cover the landing of occupation troops at Wakayama,
ern end of Okinawa, thoroughly fortified as Iwo Jima
Japan. She arrived there on 28 September, then went
had been but on a much larger scale. Japanese artillery
on to Yokosuka. Tennessee's crew had the chance
held its Are during the pre-landing bombardment so
to look over the Imperial Navy's big shipyard and
that their positions would not be given away; instead
operating base and do some sightseeing before the got
of dueling with the ships, they would save their fire
underway for Singapore on 15 October. At Singapore,
for the landing troops. His general idea was to pin
Oldendorf shifted his flag to the cruiser Springfield
down the invasion force and delay it as long as possi-
(CL-66), and Tennessee continued her long voyage
ble, while a massive suicide air offensive wore down
home by way of the Cape of Good Hope.
the supporting naval forces.
On the fourth anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the old
By 18 April, all of northern and central Okinawa
veteran moored at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.
was in American hands. The long fight for the Japa-
During those years, she had hurled 9,347 14-inch rounds
nese citadel around the old island capital of Naha was
at the enemy, with 46,841 shella from her 5-inch guns
to last much longer, and the island was not secured
and more than 100,000 rounds from her antiaircraft
until 21 June, In the meanwhile, the Navy battled by
battery.
day and night against the unremitting kamikase
offensive. On the afternoon of 12 April, Tennesses-
The process of trimming the wartime Navy down to
instead of taking up a fire-support station-was steam-
postwar size was already well underway. Tennessee
ing in air-defense formation. Deyo had been warned
was one of the older, yet still useful, ships selected for
that a heavy air attack was on the way and, during
inclusion in the "mothball fleet;" and, during 1946, the
the afternoon, it arrived. Some suiciders were knocked
underwent a process of preservation and preparation
down by picket destroyers or splashed by CAP; others,
for inactivation. The work went slowly; there were
though, got through and aimed themselves at the firing,
many ships to lay up and not too many people to do
maneuvering ships. More bandits were shot down by
it. Finally, on 14 February 1947, Tennessee's ensign
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was hauled down for the last time as she was placed
Tercel
01
out of commission.
la
Tennessee remained in the inactive fleet for another
The male of various hawks, especially of the peregrine
a:
12 years. By then, time and technology had passed her
falcon and the goshawk.
A
by; and, on 1 March 1959, her name was struck from
0)
the Naval Vessel Register. On 10 July of that year,
(AM-386: dp. 890; 1. 221'1''; b. 82'2"; dr. 10'9''; B.
she was sold to the Bethlehem Steel Company for
18.1 k. (tl.) cpl. 117; a. 1 3", 2 40mm.; cl. Auk)
of
scrapping.
Tennessee earned a Navy Unit Commendation and
Tercel (AM-386) was laid down on 16 May 1944 by
10 battle stars for World War II service.
the American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio; launched
on 16 December 1944; sponsored by Mrs. J. H. Thomp-
son: and commissioned on 21 August 1945, Lt. Comdr.
M. Dent, Jr., USNR, in command.
Tensas
Following trials in Lake Erie, Tercel headed for the
Atlantic via the Great Lakes waterway and the St.
A river which rises in East Carrol Parish, La, and
Lawrence River. She arrived at Boston on 7 September
winds its way south to join the Quachita at Jonesville,
and was outfitted. Sailing on 2 November, Tercel
reached Little Creek, Va., the next day for her shake-
d
(SwGbt: t. 41; 1. 91'; b. 22'5"; dph. 8'7½'''; dr. 4'; a.
down cruise.
2 24-pdr. how.)
Tercel was assigned to Mine Forces, Atlantic Fleet,
on 1 January 1946, when that organization was acti-
Tom Sugg-a wooden-hulled side-wheel steamer built
vated. She stood out of Norfolk a week later and con-
in 1860 at Cincinnati, Ohic-was outfitted as a side-
ducted exercises in the Chesapeake Bay until 21 March.
wheel gunboat and served under the name Tom Sugg.
In April, she was assigned to the Mine Warfare School
6
She operated as a merchant river boat in Arkansas on
at Yorktown and supported that establishment until
the White River carrying cotton and general cargo.
2 July 1946. The minesweeper conducted local opera-
After the outbreak of the Civil War, she transported
tions and participated in exercises along the eastern
arms and horses for Confederate troops near the White
seaboard from the Caribbean to New London until
River.
20 July 1951 when she arrived at Charleston, S.C.
On 14 August 1863, USS Cricket ascended the Little
Tercel stood out of Charleston in early September
2
Red River and captured Tom Sugg and Kaskaskia at
1951 for her first deployment to the Mediterranean.
Searcy's Landing. This blow destroyed Confederate
While there, she called at Gibraltar and ports in Italy,
river transportation in northern Arkansas and ulti-
France, Malta, and Greece. Upon her return to Charles-
mately diminished the flow of supplies to Southern
ton on 6 February 1952, she resumed her normal east
troops east of the Mississippi.
coast routine.
$
The United States Navy Department purchased the
Tercel was again deployed to the Mediterranean from
side-wheel gunboat from the Illinois Prize Court on
21 April to 26 October 1958. Then, after approximately
29 September 1863, and she was commissioned as Tensas
eight months of operations in home waters, the mine-
on 1 January 1864 at Mound City, III., Acting Master
sweeper was transferred to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet
1
E. C. Van Pelt in command. She served with the
for a preinactivation overhaul. The ship was placed
Mississippi River Squadron and was decommissioned
out of commission, in reserve, at Orange, Tex., on 10
on 7 August 1865. She was sold at public auction on
November 1954. On 7 February 1955, she was redesig-
17 August 1865 at Mound City, Ill., to E. B. Trinidad.
nated MSF-386 and reclassified a steel-hulled fleet
minesweeper. Tercel was struck from the Navy list on
1 July 1972 and scrapped.
Tensaw
Terebinth
A variant form of the name Tensas, a term derived
from the Louisiana Indian tribe Taensa.
A small European tree of the Sumac family that
yields Chian turpentine.
(YTB-418: dp. 260 (tl.); 1. 100'; b. 28'; dr. 11'; B. 12
k.; cpl. 10; a. 2 .50-cal mg-; cl. Sassaba)
(AN-59; dp, 1,275; 1. 194'6"; b. 87'; dr. 13'6"; S. 12.1
k.; cpl. 56; a. 1 8"; cl. Ailanthus)
Tensaw (YTB-418) ex-YT-418, was laid down on
Terebinth (AN-59) was laid down as Balm (YN-78)
8 August 1944 at the Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay,
on 24 March 1943 at New Bern, N.C., by the Barbour
Md.; launched on 11 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs.
Boat Works: launched on 19 August 1943 sponsored
Albert G, Mariner, Jr.; and placed in service on 8
by Mrs. J. M. Mitchell; renamed Terebinth on 7 De-
March 1945.
cember 1948; redesignated AN-59 on 20 January 1944;
Late that month, the new large harbor tug reported
and commissioned on 5 August 1944, Lt. Sandrup
to the Commandant of the 5th Naval District at Nor-
Bernson, USNR, in command.
folk. In April, she proceeded via the Panama Canal to
Terebinth departed Morehead City, N.C., on 6 August
the Pacific and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 14 May to
to complete fitting out at the Norfolk Navy Yard. On
begin duties in support of the Pacific Flest. In June
the 24th, the net laying ship steamed to Melville, R.I.,
1945, she steamed, via the Marshalls, to the Marianas
for shakedown training which she completed on 11
where she operated through the end of World War II.
September. After operating in the 5th Naval District
After Japan capitulated, the tug continued to serve in
out of Norfolk for two months, the net layer got
the Marianas until the Korean War sent her, via the
underway on 16 November for the west coast. She
Philippines, to Japan.
transited the Panama Canal on the 27th and reached
Arriving at Yokosuka on 7 February 1951, she sup-
San Francisco on 20 December 1944.
ported United Nations forces through the armistice in
On 26 January 1945, Terebinth headed for Hawaii
the summer of 1958. She continued in the western
and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 7 February. The fol-
Pacific through the 1950's and into the 1980's. Redesig-
lowing week, the net layer joined a convoy which pro-
nated a medium harbor tug-YTM-in February 1962,
ceeded, via Johnston Island and Eniwetok, to Ulithi.
she remained with the Pacific Fleet until July 1967
She was there from 6 to 11 March when she joined
when she was inactivated, and her name was struck
units of Mine Squadron 10 bound for the Philippines.
from the Navy Mst. The lug was subsequently slated
The ships arrived at San Pedro Bay 10 days later,
for disposal by sale, but no record of her final disposi-
prepared for the invasion of the Ryukyu Islands, and
tion has been found.
sortied on 19 March. They arrived off Kerama Retto
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the United Kingdom before departing Boston on 8
sailed for Europe on 18 December: touched at Fal-
December 1944 for Oran, Algeria; Casablanca, French
mouth, England; and made port at Rotterdam, Holland,
Morocco: and Marseille, France. The transport left
on 8 January 1919. Departing Rotterdam in ballast on
the Mediterranean one day after Christmas and pro-
21 January, the cargo vessel arrived back at New York
ceeded to Norfolk, Va.
on 5 February 1919. Less than a month later, on 4
In 1945, West Point voyaged to Italian and French
March 1919, West Shore was simultaneously decom-
ports, via Oran or Gibraltar, staging from Hampton
missioned, struck from the Navy list, and returned to
Roads, Va., Boston, or New York, After Germany sur-
the USSB.
rendered, she took part in some of the initial "Magic
Eventually laid up by the USSB in the mid-1920's
Carpet" voyages, bringing home American troops from
and listed in contemporary merchant ship lists as West-
the European battlefronts. Following her last European
shore, the freighter subsequently deteriorated until she
voyage-to Le Havre, France-West Point was trans-
was abandoned in either late 1929 or early 1930.
ferred to the Pacific Fleet. She departed Boston on 10
December 1945, transited the Panama Canal, and pro-
ceeded to Manila, Philippines, via Pearl Harbor, Re-
est View
tracing the same route, she returned to New York on
7 February 1946 and soon got underway for Hampton
(Freighter: t. 5,508; 1. 428'; b. 54'; dr. 24' ½"; dph.
Roads, where she was released from troop-carrying
29'9"; 8. 10 k.; cpl. 82)
service on 22 February, Washington's Birthday. Six
days later, the ship was decommissioned and trans-
West View-a steel-hulled, single-screw freighter
ferred to the Maritime Commission's War Shipping
completed in 1918 at Portland, Oreg., by the Northwest
Administration. West Point was struck from the Navy
Steel Co., for the United States Shipping Board
list on 12 March 1946.
(USSB)-was acquired by the Navy for use by the
Carrying & total of over 850,000 troops during her
Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS). Taken
naval service, West Point had the largest capacity of
over and commissioned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard,
any Navy troopship in service during World War II.
Bremerton, Wash., on 21 November 1918, West View
On one voyage in August 1944, she carried, including
conducted only one voyage for NOTS. She carried a
ship's company, a total of 9,805 people. In addition to
cargo of 7,200 tons of flour from the west coast via
troops, she had carried Red Cross workers; United
the Panama Canal to New York City where she
Nations officials; children; civilians; prisoners of war;
arrived on 12 January 1919. Decommissioned there on
and U.S.O. entertainers.
20 January 1919, the ship was simultaneously returned
Returning to her builder's yard at Newport News,
to the USSB and struck from the Navy list. She re-
West Point reacquired her old name-America-and
mained in the hands of the USSB and its successor, the
immediately began conversion back to her original
Maritime Commission, and lay in reserve in the James
passenger-carrying configuration. She was returned
River into the late 1980's. Her name does not appear
to the United States Lines on 81 October 1946 and
in any listing of American merchantmen after 1988,
departed New York on 10 November to begin her
suggesting that she was probably broken up due to age
maiden postwar crossing of the Atlantic. The liner
and deterioration.
continued to carry passengers between New York and
Southhampton, England, into 1964.
With the advent of stiffer international competition
West Virginia
in the transoceanic shipping business and the launching
of the new United States Lines' flagship-the larger,
At the outbreak of the Civil War, 40 western coun-
more luxurious United States-America was sold to the
ties of Virginia remained loyal when the rest of the
Chandris Shipping Line, a Greek firm, in October 1964.
state seceded. West Virginia was admitted to the
Renamed Austrahs, the eratwhile transport and flag-
Union as the 35th state on 20 June 1863.
ship of the United States Lines operated as a pas-
senger liner into 1977 on cruises to the Far East and
I
South Pacific. Acquired by an American cruise ship
West Virginia (Armored Cruiser No. 5) was renamed
firm in early 1978, the ship's maiden voyage for her
Huntington (q.v.) on 11 November 1916, in order to
new owners was financially unsuccessful, and the ship
began a major refit soon thereafter.
free the name Weat Virginia for Battleship No. 48,
II
West Shore
(BB-48: dp. 88,590 (f.); 1. 624'0"; b. 97'3½"; dr.
30'6" (mean); S. 21.0 k.; cpl. 1,407; a. 8 16", 12 5",
(Freighter: dp. 12,000; 1. 423'9"; b. 54'2"; dph. 27'8";
8 8", 4 6-pdrs., 21" tt.; cl. Colorado)
dr. 24' 1/2' (mean) ; B. 10.5 k.; cpl. 70; a. 1 5", 1 3")
The second West Virginia (Battleship No. 48) was
West Shore-a steel-hulled, single-screw freighter
laid down on 12 April 1920 by the Newport News
originally named War Archer-was launched on 18
Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. of Newport News, Va.:
January 1918 at Portland, Oreg., by the Northwest
reclassified to BB-48 on 17 July 1920; launched on 17
Steel Co., under a United States Shipping Board
November 1921; sponsored by Miss Alice Wright Mann,
(USSB) contract; taken over by the Navy and assigned
daughter of Issac T. Mann, a prominent West Vir-
the Id. No. 3170; and was commissioned at New York
ginian; and commissioned on 1 December 1928, Capt.
on 7 August 1918, Lt. Comdr. Harry R. Swift, USNRF,
Thomas J. Senn in command.
in command.
The most recent of the "super-dreadnoughts," West
The freighter soon shifted to Norfolk, Va., where she
Virginia embodied the latest knowledge of naval archi-
loaded 6,758 tons of cars and trucks for transportation
tecture; the water-tight compartmentation of her hull
to France. Returning to New York, the freighter sailed
and her armor protection marked an advance over the
in convoy for European waters on 23 September and
design of battleships built or on the drawing boards
arrived at Brest on 12 October. West Shore unloaded
before the Battle of Jutland.
her cargo and sailed on 6 November 1918-with 1,500
In the months that followed, West Virginia ran her
tons of iron pyrites as ballast-for the east coast of
trials and shakedown and underwent post-commission-
the United States. While the ship was making the
ing alterations. After a brief period of work at the
return leg of her voyage, the armistice was signed on
New York Navy Yard, the ship made the passage to
11 November 1918 ending World War I.
Hampton Roads, although experiencing trouble with
Arriving back at New York on 26 November, Weat
her steering gear while en route. Overhauling the
Shore loaded 7,714 tons of flour and foodstuffs. She
troublesome gear thoroughly while in Hampton Roads,
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West Virginia put to sea on the morning of 16 June
and the annual large-scale exercises, or "Flect Prob-
1924. At 1010, while the battleship was steaming in
lems." In the latter, the Fleet would be divided up into
the center of Lynnhaven Channel, the quartermaster at
opposing sides, and a strategic or tactical situation
the wheel reported that the rudder indicator would
would be played out, with the lessons learned becoming
not answer. The ringing of the emergency bell to the
part and parcel of the development of doctrine that
steering motor room produced no response; Capt. Senn
would later be tested in the crucible of combat.
quickly ordered all engines stopped, but the engine
During 1925, the battleship took part in the joint
room telegraph would not answer-it was later dis-
Army-Navy maneuvers to test the defenses of the
covered that there was no power to the engine room
Hawaiian Islands and then cruised with the Fleet to
telegraph or the stearing telegraph.
Australia and New Zealand. In fleet exercises subse-
The captain, then resorted to sending orders down to
quent to the 1925 cruise, West Virginia ranged from
main control via the voice tube from the bridge. He
Hawaii to the Caribbean and the Atlantic, and from
ordered full speed ahead on the port engine; all stop
Alaskan waters to Panama.
on the starboard. Efforts continued apace over the
In order to keep pace with technological develop-
ensuing moments to steer the ship with her engines
ments in ordnance, gunnery, and fire control-as well
and keep her in the channel and, when this failed, to
as engineering and aviation-the ship underwent modi-
check headway from the edge of the channel. Unfor-
fications designed to increase the ship's espacity to
tunately, all efforts failed; and, as the ship lost head-
perform her designed function. Some of the alterations
way due to an engine casualty, West Virginia grounded
effected included the replacement of her initial 3-inch
on the soft mud bottom. Fortunately, as Comdr. (later
antiaircraft battery with 5-inch/25-caliber dual-purpose
Admiral) Harold R. Stark, the executive officer, re-
guns; the addition of platforms for .50-caliber machine
ported:
"
not the alightest damage to the hull had
guns at the foremast and maintop; and the addition of
been sustained."
catapults on her quarterdeck, aft, and on her number
The court of inquiry, investigating the grounding,
III, or "high" turret.
found that inaccurate and misleading navigational data
In the closing years of the decade of the 1980's,
had been supplied the ship. The legends on the charts
however, it was becoming evident to many that it was
provided were found to have indicated uniformly
only a matter of time before the United States became
greater channel width than actually existed. The find-
involved in yet another war on a grand scale. The
ings of the court thus exonerated Capt. Senn and the
United States Flest thus came to be considered a grand
navigator from any blame.
deterrent to the country's most probable enemy-
After repairs had been effected, West Virginia be-
Japan, This reasoning produced the hurried despatch
came flagship for the Commander, Battleship Divisions,
of the Fleet to Pacific waters in the spring of 1989 and
Battle Fleet, on 80 October 1924, thus beginning her
the retention of the Fleet in Hawaiian waters in 1940,
service as an integral part of the "backbone of the
following the conclusion of Fleet Problem XXI in April.
fieet"-as the battleships were regarded. She soon
As the year 1941 progressed, West Virginia carried
proved her worth under a succession of commanding
out a schedule of intensive training, basing on Pearl
officers-most of whom later attained flag rank. In
Harbor and operating in various task forces and groups
1925, for example, under Capt. A. J. Hepburn, the
in the Hawaiian operating area. This routine continued
comparative newcomer to battleship ranks scored first
even through the unusually tense period that began in
in competitive short range target practices. During
late November and extended into the next month. Such
Hepburn's tour, West Virginia garnered two trophies
at-sea periods were usually followed by in-port upkeep,
for attaining the highest merit in the category.
with the battleships mooring to masonry "quays" along
The ship later won the American Defense Cup-
the southeast shores of Ford Island in the center of
presented by the American Defense Society to the
Pearl Harbor.
battleship obtaining the highest merit with all guna
On Sunday, 7 December 1941, West Virginia lay
in short-range firing-and the Spokane Cup, presented
moored outboard of Tennessee (BB-43) at berth F-6
by that city's Chamber of Commerce in recognition of
with 40 feet of water beneath her keel. Shortly before
the battleship's scoring the highest merit with all guns
0800, Japanese planes, flying from a six-carrier task
at short range. In 1925, West Virginia won the Battle
force, commenced their well-planned attack on the Fleet
Efficiency Pennant for battleships-the first time that
at Pearl Harbor. West Virginia took five 18-inch air-
the ship had won the coveted "Meatball." She won it
craft torpedoes in her port side and two bomb hits-
again in 1927, 1932, and 1933.
those bombs being 15-inch armor-piercing shells fitted
During this period, West Virginia underwent a cycle
with fins. The first bomb penetrated the superstructure
of training, maintenance, and readiness exercises,
deck, wrecking the port casemates and causing that
taking part in engineering and gunnery competitions
deck to collapse to the level of the galley deck below.
USS West Virginia (BB-48), circa 1985. (80-G-462964)
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Four casemates and the galley caught fire immediately,
power trial on the 6th, continuing her working-up until
with the subsequent detonation of the ready-service
the 12th. Subsequently returning to Puget Sound for
projectiles stowed in the casemates.
last-minute repairs, the battleship headed for San
The second bomb hit further aft, wrecking one
Pedro and her post-modernization shakedown.
Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplane atop the "high"
Finally ready to rejoin the Fleet from which she
catapult on Turret III and pitching the second one on
had been away for two years, West Virginia sailed for
her top on the main deck below. The projectile pene-
the Hawaiian Islands on 14 September. Escorted by two
trated the 4-inch turret roof, wrecking one gun in the
destroyers, she made landfall on Oahu on the 23d.
turret itself. Although the bomb proved a dud, burning
Ultimately pushing on for Manus, in the Admiralities,
gasoline from the damaged aircraft caused some
in company with the fleet carrier Hancock (CV-19),
damage.
West Virginia, as a unit of Battleship Division (Bat
The torpedoes, though, ripped into the ship's port
Div) 4, reached Seeadler Harbor on 5 October. The
side; only prompt action by Lt. Claude V. Ricketts,
next day, she again became a Aagship when Rear
the assistant fire control officer who had some knowl-
Admiral Ruddock shifted his flag from Maryland (BB-
edge of damage control techniques, saved the ship
46) to the "Wee Vee" as Commander, BatDiv 4.
from the fate that befell Oklahoma (BB-87) moored
Underway on 12 October to participate in the inva-
ahead. She, too, took torpedo hits that flooded the ship
sion of the Philippine Islands, West Virginia sailed
and caused her to capsize.
as part of Task Group (TG) 77.2, under the overall
Instances of heroic conduct on board the heavily
command of Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf. On 18
damaged battleship proliferated in the heat of battle.
October, the battle line passed into Leyte Gulf, West
The ship's commanding officer, Capt. Mervyn S.
Virginia steaming astern of California (BB-44).
Bennion, arrived on his bridge early in the battle,
At 1645, California cut loose a mine with her para-
only to be struck down by a bomb fragment hurled in
vanes; West Virginia successfully dodged the horned
his direction when a 15-inch "bomb" hit the center gun
menace, it being destroyed a few moments later by
in Tennessee's Turret II, spraying that ship's super-
gunfire from one of the destroyers in the screen. On
structure and West Virginia's with fragments. Ben-
18 October, West Virginia steamed into her assigned
nion, hit in the abdomen, crumpled to the deck, mortally
station in San Pedro Bay at 0700 to stand by off shore
wounded, but clung tenaciously to life until just before
and provide shore bombardment against targets in the
the ship was abandoned, involved in the conduct of the
Tacloban area of Leyte. Retiring to sea that evening,
ship's defense up to the last moment of his life. For his
the battleship and her consorts returned the next
conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage,
morning to lay down heavy gunfire on Japanese in-
and complete disregard of his own life, Capt. Bennion
stallations in the vicinity of the town of Tacloban.
was awarded a Medal of Honor, posthumously.
On the 19th, West Virginia's gunners sent 278 16-
West Virginia was abandoned, settling to the harbor
inch and 1,586 5-inch shells against Japanese installa-
bottom on an even keel, her fires fought from on board
tions, silencing enemy artillery and supporting the
by a party that volunteered to return to the ship after
UDT (underwater demolition teams) preparing the
the first abandonment. By the afternoon of the follow-
beaches for the assault that came on the 20th. On
ing day, 8 December, the fiames had been extinguished.
the latter day, enemy planes made many apearances
The garbage lighter, YG-17, played an important role
over the landing area. West Virginia took those within
in assisting those efforts during the Pearl Harbor
range under fire but did not down any.
attack, remaining in position alongside despite the
On the 21st, as she was proceeding to her fire support
danger posed by exploding ammunition on board the
area to render further gunfire support for the troops
battleship.
still pouring ashore, West Virginia touched bottom,
Later examination revealed that West Virginia had
slightly damaging three of her four screws. The vibra-
taken not five, but six, torpedo hits. With a patch over
tions caused by the damaged blades limited sustained
the damaged areas of her hull, the battleship was
speeds to 16 knots-18 in emergencies.
pumped out and ultimately refloated on 17 May 1942.
For the next two days, West Virginia, with her
Docked in Drydock Number One on 9 June, West
augmented antiaircraft batteries, remained off the
Virginia again came under scrutiny, and it was dis-
beachhead during the daylight hours, retiring to sea-
covered that there had been not six, but seven torpedo
ward at night, providing antiaircraft covering fire for
hits.
the unfolding invasion operations. Meanwhile, the Japa-
During the ensuing repairs, workers located 70
nese, seeing that American operations against Leyte
bodies of West Virginia sailors who had been trapped
were on a large scale, decided to strike back, Accord-
below when the ship sank. In one compartment, a
ingly, the enemy, willing to accept the heavy risks
calendar was found, the last scratch-off date being 28
involved, set out in four widely separated forces to
December. The task confronting the nucleus crew and
destroy the American invasion fleet.
shipyard workers was a monumental one, so great was
Four carriers and two "hermaphrodite" battleship-
the damage on the battleship's port side. Ultimately,
carriers (Ise and Hyuga) sailed toward the Philippine
however, West Virginia departed Pearl Harbor for the
Sea from Japanese home waters; a small surface force
west coast and a complete rebuilding at the Puget
under Admiral Shima headed for the Sulu Sea; two
Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Wash.
striking forces consisting of battleships, cruisers, and
Emerging from the extensive modernization, the
destroyers sortied from Lingga Roads, Sumatra, before
battleship that had risen, Phoenix-like, from the de-
separating north of Borneo. The larger of those two
struction at Pearl Harbor looked totally different from
groups, commanded by Admiral Kurita, passed north
the way she had appeared prior to 7 December 1941.
of the island of Palawan to transit the Sibuyan Sea.
Gone were the "cage" masts that supported the three-
American submarines Darter (SS-247) and Dace
tier fire-control tops, as well as the two funnels, the
(SS-227) drew first blood in what would become known
open-mount 5-inch/25's and the casemates with the
as the Battle for Leyte Gulf on 23 October when they
single-purpose 5-inch/51's. A streamlined superstruc-
sank, respectively, two of Kurita's cruisers-Maya and
ture now gave the ship R totally new silhouette; dual.
Atago. Undeterred, Kurita continued the transit, his
purpose 5-inch/88-caliber guns, in gunhouses, gave the
force built around the giant battleship Musashi.
ship a potent antiaircraft battery. In addition, 40-milli-
The smaller of the two forces, under Admiral Nishi-
meter Bofors and 20-millimeter Oerlikon batteries
mura, turned south of Palawan and transited the Sulu
studded the decks, giving the ship a heavy "punch" for
Sea to pass between the islands of Mindanao and Leyte.
dealing with close-in enemy planes.
Shima's forces obediently followed Nishimura's, heading
West Virginia remained at Puget Sound until early
for Leyte Gulf as the southern jaw of a pincer designed
July 1944. Loading ammunition on the 2d, the battle-
to hit the assemblage of amphibious ships and trans-
ship got underway soon thereafter to conduct her
ports unloading off the Leyte beachhead.
sea trials out of Port Townsend, Wash. She ran a full
Detailed to deal with the force heading in his direc-
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tion, Admiral Oldendorf accordingly deployed his size-
Entering the gulf during the pre-dawn hours of 8
able force-six battleships, eight cruisers, and 28 de-
January, West Virginia proceeded into the Sulu Sea.
stroyers-across the northern end of Surigao Strait.
Japanese air opposition, intensifying since the early
The American men-of-war steamed along their assigned
part of the Phillppine campaign, was becoming more
courses, their bows cleaving through the smooth sea.
deadly. West Virginia's men saw evidence of that when
At 2236 on 24 October 1944, the American PT boats
a twin-engined "Frances" crashed the escort carrier
deployed in the strait and its approaches made radar
Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) at 1712 on the 4th. Fires and
contact with Nishimura's force, conducting a harassing
explosions ultimately forced the "jeep carrier's" aban-
attack that Annoyed, but did not stop, the oncoming
donment, her survivors being picked up by other ships
enemy. Well into the strait by 0800 on the 25th, Nishi-
in the screen. Burns (DD-588) dispatched the blazing
mura took up battle formation when five American
CVE with torpedoes.
destroyers launched a well-planned torpedo attack.
Taking on board survivors from Ommaney Bay from
Caught in the spread of torpedoes, the battleship Fuso
the destroyer Twigge (DD-591), West Virginia entered
took hits and dropped out of the formation; other
the South China Sea on the morning of the following
spreads of "Ash" dispatched & pair of Japanese de-
day, 5 January 1945, defending the carriers during the
stroyers and crippled & third.
day from Japanese air attacks. Subsequently, the battle-
Fuso's sistership Yamashiro, meanwhile, had taken
ship moved close inshore with the carriers outside to
one hit and was slowed down, only to be hit again
carry out A bombardment mission on San Fernando
within 15 minutes' time. Fuso herself, apparently
Point. West Virginia hammered Japanese installations
ravaged by fires ignited by the torpedo hits, blew up
ashore with her 16-inch rifles.
with a tremendous explosion at 0888.
Suiciders, however, kept up their attacks in the face
West Virginia, meanwhile, was maintaining her posi-
of heavy antiaircraft barrages and combat air patrol
tion ahead of Maryland, Mississippi (BB-41), Ten-
(CAP) fighters. Losses among Allied shipping continued
nessee, California, and Pennsylvania (BB-38)--four of
to mount; kamikazes claimed damage to HMAS Aus-
these ships, like West Virginia, veterans of Pearl
tralia and the battleships California and New Mexico
Harbor. From 0021 on the 25th, the battleship had
(BB-40) on the 5th. West Virginia participated in
picked up reports on the PT boat and destroyer attacks;
putting up volumes of antiaircraft fire during those
finally at 0316, West Virginia's radar picked up Nishi-
attacks, emerging unscathed herself.
mura's force at a range of 42,000 yards. She tracked
West Virginia-in addition to the Ommaney Bay
them as they approached in the pitch black night.
sailors on board-soon took on board another group of
At 0852, West Virginia unleashed her 16-inch main
survivors from yet another ship: the men from the
battery; she fired 16 salvoes in the direction of Nishi-
high-speed minesweeper Hovey (DMS-11) which had
mura's ships as Oldendorf crossed the Japanese "T"
been sunk by a Japanese torpedo on the 6th. Before
and thus achieved the tactical mastery of a situation
she could transfer the escort carrier's and minesweeper's
that almost every surface admiral dreams of. At 0418,
sailors elsewhere, though, she had to carry out her
the "Wee Vee" ceased fire; the Japanese remnants
assigned tasks first. Accordingly, West Virginia's 16-
proceeded in disorder down the strait from whence they
inch rifles again hammered Japanese positions ashore
had come. Several burning Japanese ships littered the
at San Fabian on the 8th and 9th, as troops went ashore
strait; West Virginia had contributed to Yamashiro's
on the latter day. It was not until the night of 9 Janu-
demise, thus averaging her own crippling in the Pearl
ary that the battleship finally transferred her passen-
Harbor attack.
gers off the ship.
West Virginia had thus taken part in the last naval
After providing call fire support all day on the 10th,
engagement fought by line-of-battle ships and, on the
West Virginia patrolled off Lingayen Gulf for the
29th, departed the Philippines for Ulithi, in company
next week before proceeding to an anchorage where
with Tennessee and Maryland. Subsequently heading
she replanished her ammunition. During her shore
for Espiritu Santo, in the New Hebrides, after Admiral
bombardment tours off San Fabian, Weat Virginia had
Ruddock had shifted his flag back from West Virginia
proved herself most helpful, covering UDT operations,
to Maryland, the former underwent a period of upkeep
destroying mortar positions, entrenchments, gun em-
in the floating drydock, ABSD-1, for her damaged
placements, and leveling the town of San Fabian. In
screws.
addition, "Wee Vee" destroyed ammunition dumps,
The "Wee Vee" returned to the Philippines, via
railway and road junctions, and machine gun positions
Manus, on 25 November, resuming her patrols in Leyte
and warehouses. During that time, the ship expended
Gulf and serving as part of the antiaircraft screen for
395 16-inch shells and over 2,800 5-inch projectiles.
the transports and amphibious ships, At 1139 on the
Underway again at 0707 on the 21st, West Virginia
27th, West Virginia's antiaircraft guns splashed a
commenced call-fire support duties at 0815, operating
suicider and assisted in downing others while on duty
in readiness for cooperation with the Army units ashore
the next day.
in the vicinity of the towns of Rosario and Santo Tomas.
Rear Admiral Ruddock shifted back on board on the
After a few more days of standing ready to provide
80th, West Virginia maintaining her operations off
call-fire support when needed, West Virginia anchored
Leyte until & December, when the battleship headed
in Lingayen Gulf on 1 February.
for the Palaus. The battlewagon was then made the
Subsequently, as part of TG 77.2, West Virginia
flagship for the newly formed TG 77.12 and proceeded
protected the shipping arriving at the Lingayen beach-
toward the Sulu Sea to cover the landings made by
heads and stood ready to provide call-fire for the Army
the Southwest Pacific Force on the island of Mindoro.
when needed. She later departed Lingayen Gulf, her
Entering Leyte Gulf late on the evening of 12 December,
duty completed there, on 10 February, bound for Leyte
West Virginia transited the Surigao Strait on the 13th
Gulf. Before her departure, she received 79 bags of
and steamed into the Sulu Sea with a carrier force to
United States mail-the first she had received since
provide cover for the transports in TG 78.3.
the day before Christmas.
She subsequently covered the retirement of the trans-
After touching first at San Pedro Bay, Leyte, West
ports on 15 December, later fueling in Leyte Gulf before
Virginia arrived at Ulithi on 16 February, reporting
she returned to Kossol Roads, Palaus, at mid-day on
for duty with the 5th Flest upon arrival. Ordered to
the 19th. There, Weat Virginia spent the Christmas of
prepare in all haste for another operation, the battle-
1944.
ship provisioned and refueled with the highest priority.
There was more work to be done, however, for the
The ship completed loading some 800 tons of stores by
battleship, as the "return" to the Philippines continued
0400 on the 17th. At 0780 on the 17th, West Virginia
apace. On New Year's Day, Rear Admiral Ingram C.
got underway, bound for Iwo Jima in company with the
Sowell relieved Rear Admiral Ruddock as Commander,
destroyers Izard (DD-589) and McCall (DD-400). As
BatDiv 4, and the ship got underway for Leyte Gulf as
she headed off to Iwo Jima to join TF 51, West Vir-
part of TG 77.2.
ginia received a "Well-done" from Admiral Chester W.
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Nimitz for the manner in which she had readied her-
more enemy planes passed within her vicinity soon
self for her new duty after being released from the
thereafter-West Virginia claimed one of them.
7th Fleet such a short time before.
Finally, at 0630, West Virginia opened fire as land-
West Virginia sighted Iwo Jima at a range of 82
ing craft dotted the sea as far as the eye could reach,
miles at 0907 on 19 February. As she drew nearer, she
all heading for the shores of Okinawa. West Virginia's
saw several ships bombarding the isle from all sides
sailors, some 900 yards off the beaches, could see the
and the initial landings taking place. At 1125, she
craft heading shoreward like hundreds of tadpoles; at
received her operations orders, via dispatch boat and,
0842, lookouts reported seeing some of the first troops
20 minutes later, proceeded to her fire support station
going ashore. The battle for Okinawa was underway.
off the volcanic sand beaches. At 1245, her big guns
West Virginia continued her bombardment duties
bellowed to lend support to the marines ashore-gun
throughout the day, on the alert to provide counter-
positions, revetments, blockhouses, tanks, vehicles, caves
battery fire in support of the troops as they advanced
and supply dumps-all came under her heavy guns. On
rapidly inland. There appeared to be little resistance
21 February, the ship returned and, at 0800, com-
on 1 April, and West Virginia lay to offshore, awaiting
menced her support duties afresh.
further orders. At 1903, however, an enemy plane
Her 16-inch shells sealed caves, destroyed antiaircraft
brought the war down on West Virginia.
gun positions and blockhouses; one salvo struck an
The battleship picked up three enemy planes on her
ammunition or fuel dump, explosions occurring for
radar and tracked them as they approached; flak
about two hours thereafter. On the 22d, a small-caliber
peppered the skies but still they came. One crossed
shell hit the battleship near turret II, wounding one
over the port side and then looped over and crash-dived
enlisted man. That same day, another significant event
into West Virginia, smashing into a superstructure deck
occurred ashore-marines took Mount Suribachi, the
just forward of secondary battery director number two,
prominent landmark on one end of Iwo Jima, From their
Four men were killed by the blast, and seven were
position offshore, West Virginia's sailors could see the
wounded in a nearby 20-millimeter gun gallery. The
flag flying from the top.
bomb carried by the plane broke loose from its shackle
For the remainder of February, West Virginia con-
and penetrated to the second deck. Fortunately, it did
tinued her daily fire-support missions for the marines
not explode and was rendered harmless by the battle-
ashore. Again, Japanese positions felt the heavy blows
ship's bomb disposal officer. Although her galley and
of the battleship's 16-inch shells. She hit troop con-
laundry looked hard-hit, West Virginia-reporting her
centrations and trucks, blockhouses, trenches, and
damage as repairable by ship's force-carried on, ren-
houses. During the course of that time spent off the
dering night illumination fire to the marines ashore.
beaches on 27 February, she spotted a Japanese shore
West Virginia buried her dead at sea in the wake of
battery firing upon Bryant (DD-665). West Virginia
the kamikaze attack of 1 April and resumed her gun-
closed the range and, when about 600 yards from shore,
fire support duties soon thereafter. In the course of
opened fire with her secondary (5-inch) battery, silenc-
her tour offshore in early April, she shot down a
ing the enemy guns.
"Val" on the 6th,
Replenishing her depleted ammunition stocks early
In early April, the Japanese attempted to strike at
on 28 February, West Virginia was back on the line
the invasion fleet in a last-gasp offensive formed around
again that afternoon, firing continuous night harassing
the super-battleship Yamato. On the night of 7 and 8
and interdiction rounds, silencing enemy batteries with
April, West Virginia steamed north and south in the
air bursts from her secondary batteries. For the first
waters west of Okinawa ready to intercept and engage
three days of March, West Virginia continued her fire-
the Japanese surface force headed her way, The next
support missions, primarily off the northeastern shore
morning, 8 April, Commander, TF 58, reported that
of Iwo Jima. Finally, on 4 March, the ship set sail for
most of the ships in that enemy force had been sunk-
the Caroline Islands, reaching Ulithi on 6 March.
including Yamato, whose last sortie had been made
Joining TF 54 for the invasion of the Okinawa Gunto
with enough fuel to get her to Okinaws-but not to
area, West Virginia sailed on 21 March, reaching her
return. Thus, the Japanese Navy's largest kamikaze
objective four days later on the 25th. In fire support
perished-many miles short of her objective.
section one, West Virginia spent the ensuing days soft-
For West Virginia, however, her duties went on, pro-
ening up Okinawa for the American landings slated to
viding illumination and counterbattery fire with both
commence on 1 April. At 1029 on 26 March, lookouts
main and secondary batteries and giving her antiair-
reported a gun flash from shore, followed by a splash
craft gunners a good workout due to the heavy presence
in the water some 5,000 yards off the port bow. Firing
of many suiciders. Her TBS crackled with reports of
her first salvoes of the operation, West Virginia let
ships under attack and damaged-Zellars (DD-777),
fiy 28 rounds of 16-inch gunfire against the pugnacious
Tennessee, Salt Lake City (CA-24), Stanley (DD-478)
Japanese batteries.
-and others, all victims of the "divine wind," or kami-
The following day, the "Wee Vee" fought against
kaze. Her shore bombardments elicited nothing but
enemy air opposition, taking a "Frances" under fire at
praise from those enjoying the benefits of the ship's
0520. The twin-engined bomber crashed off the battle-
firing: one spotter reported happily on 14 April:
ship's port quarter-the victim of Weat Virginia's anti-
"You're shooting perfectly, you could shoot no better,
aircraft guns. Over the days that followed, enemy
no change, no change," and, "Your shooting is strictly
opposition continued in the form of suicide attacks by
marvelous. I cannot express just how good it is." She
Japanese planes. Mines, too, began making themselves
delivered sterling support fire for the 6th Marines
felt; one sank the minesweeper Skylark (AM-63),
upon that occasion: later, she continued in that fine
3,000 yards off West Virginia's port bow at 0930 on
tradition for the 10th Army and the XXIVth Army
the 28th.
Corps.
After taking on ammunition at Kerama Retto-the
West Virginia continued fire support for the Army
island seized to provide an advance base for the armada
until 20 April, at which point she headed for Ulith!,
massing against Okinawa-West Virginia sailed for
only to turn back to Okinawa, hurriedly recalled because
Okinawa to give direct gunfire support to the landings.
of Colorado's (BB-45) suffering damage when a powder
Scheduled to fire at 0680, the battleship headed for
charge exploded while she was loading powder at
her assigned zone off the Okinawa beaches. While en
Kerama Retto. Returning to Hagushi beach, West
route, though, at 0455, she had to back down all engines
Virginia fired night harassment and interdiction fire
when an unidentified destroyer stood across her bow,
for the 10th Army and the XXIVth Army Corps.
thus avoiding a collision.
Ultimately, West Virginia sailed for Ulithi, in com-
As she prepared to commence her bombardment, West
pany with San Francisco (CA-88) and Hobson (DD-
Virginia spotted a Japanese plane off her port quarter:
464), reaching her destination-this time without a
her antiaircraft batteries tracked the target and opened
recall en route-on 28 April.
fire, downing the enemy aircraft 200 yards away. Four
Returning to Okinawa after a brief sojourn at
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Ulithi, West Virginia remained in support of the Army
ship sailed for Pearl Harbor soon thereafter, reaching
and the Marines on the embattled island into the end of
her destination on 4 October.
June. There were highlights of the tour-on 1 June,
There, the crew painted ship and kept on board only
she sent her spotting plane aloft to locate a trouble-
those passengers slated for transportation to San Diego,
some enemy blockhouse reportedly holding up an Army
Calif. Bound for that port on the 9th, West Virginia
advance. A couple of rounds hurled in the enemy's
moored at the Navy Pier at San Diego at 1328 on 22
direction produced no results; she had to settle for
October. Two days later, Rear Admiral I. C. Sowell
obliterating some of the enemy's motor transport and
hauled down his flag as Commander, BatDiv 4.
troop concentrations during the day instead. The next
On Navy Day-27 October-25,554 visitors (more
day, 2 June, while in support of the Army's XXIVth
Corps, West Virginia scored four direct hits and seven
the next day) came on board the ship. Three days
near-misses on the blockhouse that had been hit the
later, on the 30th, she got underway for Hawaiian
waters to take her place as part of the "Magic Carpet"
day before.
operation returning veteran soldiers, sailors, marines,
West Virginia then operated off the southeast coast of
and airmen home to the states. After one run between
Okinawa, breaking up Japanese troop concentrations
San Diego and Pearl Harbor, West Virginia made
and destroying enemy caves. She also disrupted Japa-
another, the second time embarking Rear Admiral
nese road traffic by scoring & direct hit on a road
William W. Smith, who broke his flag in the battleship
intersection and blasted a staging area. On 16 June,
for the return voyage to San Francisco, Calif.
she was firing an assignment for the 1st Marines off
After making yet another run between the west coast
southwestern Okinawa when her spotting plane, a
and Hawaii, West Virginia reached San Pedro, Calif.,
Vought OS2U Kingfisher, took hits from Japanese
antiaircraft fire and headed down in flames, her pilot
on 17 December. There, she spent Christmas debarking
her third draft of passengers. The veteran battlewagon
and observer bailing out over enemy-held territory.
upped-anchor on 4 January 1946 and sailed for Bremer-
Within a short time, aided by Putnam (DD-757) and
ton, Wash, She reached her distination on the 12th and
an LCI, West Virginia closed and blasted enemy guns
commenced inactivation soon thereafter, shifting to
in an attempt to rescue her plane crew who had "dug
Seattle, Wash., on the 16th, where she moored alongside
in for the day" to await the arrival of the rescuers.
sistership Colorado.
The attempt to recover her aircrew, however, was not
successful. Loaned a Kingfisher from Tennessee, West
West Virginia entered her final stages of inactivation
Virginia kept up her gunfire support activities for the
in the latter part of February 1946 and was decom-
balance of June,
missioned on 8 January 1947 and placed in reserve, as
part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She never again re-
Shifting to San Pedro Bay, Leyta, at the end of June,
ceived the call to active duty, remaining inactive until
the battleship reached her destination on 1 July,
struck from the Navy list on 1 March 1959. On 24
escorted by Connolly (DE-306). There, on the morning
August 1959, she was sold for scrapping to the Union
of 5 July, she received her first draft of replacements
Minerals and Alloys Corp. of New York City.
since Pearl Harbor in 1944. After loading ammunition,
West Virginia commenced training in the Philippine
Weet Virginia (BB-48), although heavily damaged
area, an activity she carried out through the end of
at Pearl Harbor and missing much of the war, never-
theless earned five battle stars.
July.
Sailing on 8 August for Okinawa, West Virginia
reached Buckner Bay on the 6th, the same day that the
first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima.
Thee days later, a second bomb obliterated the greater
West Wauna
part of the city of Nagasaki. Those two events hastened
Japan's collapse. On 10 August, at 2115, West Virginia
(ScStr: dp. 12,185 (n.) Ibp. 410'5½"; b. 54'0"; dr.
picked up a garbled report on radio that the Japanese
24'1/2"; B.
government had agreed to surrender under the terms of
the Potsdam Declaration, provided that they could keep
West Wauna (Id. No. 3856)-a freighter constructed
the Emperor as their ruler. The American ships in
in 1918 at Portland, Oreg., by the Northwest Steel Co.
Buckner Bay soon commenced celebrating-the india-
under the supervision of the United States Shipping
criminate use of antiaircraft fire and pyrotechnics (not
Board-was acquired by the Navy from the Shipping
only from the naval vessels in the bay but from marines
Board on 14 January 1918 and commissioned that same
and Army troops ashore) endangering friendly planes.
day, Lt. Comdr. William Mayne, USNRF, in command.
Such celebrations, however, proved premature--at 2004
Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Serv-
on 12 August, West Virginia sailors felt a heavy under-
ice, West Wauna made only one round-trip voyage to
water explosion; soon thereafter, at 2058, the battle-
Europe during her brief Navy career. She loaded a
ship intercepted a radio dispatch from Pennsylvania
cargo of flour at Portland and put to sea on 1 February
(BB-38) reporting that she had been torpedoed. West
bound for the east coast on the first leg of her journey
Virginia sent over & whaleboat at 0023 on the 18th with
to Europe. After transiting the Panama Canal at mid-
pumps for the damaged Pennsylvania.
month, she arrived in Norfolk, Va., on 1 March. Follow-
The war ended on 15 August 1945. West Virginia
ing eight days of repairs and refueling, she set out
drilled her landing force in preparation for the up-
across the Atlantic. The freighter arrived in Falmouth,
coming occupation of the erstwhile enemy's homeland
England, on 26 March; and, after unloading her cargo,
and sailed for Tokyo Bay on the 24th as part of TG
she sailed for the gulf coast of the United States. She
85.90. She reached Tokyo Bay on the last day of August
entered port at Galveston, Tex., on 18 May. Six days
and was thus present at the time of the formal sur-
later, she was placed out of commission and was re-
render on 2 September 1945. For that occasion, five
turned to the Shipping Board.
musicians from West Virginia's band were transferred
West Wauna continued to operate in mercantile serv-
temporarily to Missouri (BB-63) to play at the cere-
ice, out of Portland, under the suspices of the Shipping
monies.
Board and than of the Maritime Commission. That serv-
West Virginia played her part in the occupation,
ice continued until the early stages of World War II.
remaining in Tokyo Bay into September of 1945, weath-
In 1941, she was transferred to British ownership and
ering a storm on the 15th that had winds clocked at
served through the war years as SS Empire Grabe.
65 knots at one point. On 14 September, she received on
Still under British registry, she was renamed SS Inch-
board 270 passengers for transportation to the west
mark in 1947 when she was acquired by the Inchmark
coast of the United States. She got underway at mid-
Steamship Co., Ltd., of Hong Kong. On 29 May 1949,
night on the 20th, bound for Okinawa as part of TG
the freighter suffered mortal damage when she ran
80.4. Shifting to Buckner Bay on the 23d, the battle-
aground on Schildpat Island Reef, Indonesia.
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suffered only minor hull damage from a near miss. Fol-
(ScStr: t. 241; 1. 128'; b. 20'2"; dph. 10'; S. 12 k.;
lowing repairs she sailed 12 January 1942 to escort a con-
a. 2 20-pdr.)
voy to San Francisco, arriving 21 January. The cruiser
Honeysuckle, a wooden screw steamer, was built as
continued convoy escort duty to Australia, Samoa, and the
William G. Fargo in 1862 at Buffalo, N.Y., and was pur-
United States until late May.
chased 19 August 1863 at New York from her owner,
With the Japanese pushing north toward the Alaskan
Frank Perew. Renamed Honeysuckle, she commissioned
peninsula, Honolulu departed 29 May to strengthen Amer.
at New York Navy Yard 3 December 1868, Acting Ensign
ica's position in that area. After 2 months of continuous
Cyrus Sears commanding.
operations out of Kodiak, she proceeded to Kiska Island in
Intended for use as a tug and offshore blockader, Honey-
the Aleutians 7 August, to begin bombardment of the
suckle departed New York 24 December 1868 and sailed
island. On 21 August, she screened the first American
by way of Hampton Roads and Charleston to Key West,
landings in the Aleutians at Adak Island (a jumping-
arriving about 8 January 1864, There she was assigned
off place for future landings in the island chain). After
a blockading station in the Gulf of Mexico west of the
a yard period at Mare Island, Honolulu departed San
Florida coast as part of the East Gulf Blockading Squad-
Francisco 3 November escorting 8 convoy to Noumea.
ron. In the next few months the ship was very active,
Later that month Honolulu salled from Espiritu Santo to
tightening the noose of the blockade. She captured Fly
intercept an enemy convoy attempting to reinforce posi-
11 January, Florida 20 March, and Miriam 27 April 1884.
tions on Guadalcanal, The Battle of Tassafaronga be-
Early in May Honeyauckle served as 8 dispatch vessel at
gan shortly before midnight 80 November, continuing
Key West and during the next 2 months was hit by an
through the night. Although Admiral Wright's Task
epidemic of yellow fever among the crew. In August she
Force 67 suffered damage to cruisers Minncapolis, Now
became & supply vessel, making one notable trip to Indian
Orleans, and Pensacola and lost Northampton in this bat-
River with medical supplies for J. S. Chambers, a ship
tle, the enemy was denied the planned reinforcement of
stricken with fever. Honeysuckle continued to act as a
Guadalcanal
supply vessel and tug until December 1864, when she was
Honolulu operated out of Espiritu Santo in early 1948
reassigned to active blockade duty after a repair period
with Task Force 67 in an attempt to engage the "Tokyo
at Key West. Taking up station off Cedar Keys, she
Express." During May she engaged in heavy bombard-
captured three more blockade runners in early 1865:
ment on New Georgia in the Solomon Islands, Honolulu
Augusta, 17 January; Sort, 28 February; and Phantom,
departed Espiritu Santo 28 June for more bombardment
2 March.
of the Solomons, After supporting the landings on New
Honeysuckle sailed to Tampa at war's end, and thence
Georgia on the 4th of July, she opened fire on enemy ships
to New York where she decommissioned 80 June 1865.
in the vicinity of Kula Gulf, knocking out one destrover
Sold to a private buyer, she became merchant ship Honey-
and assisting in the destruction of others.
suckle late in 1865 and remained active until 1900.
The battle-proved cruiser had another opportunity to
damage the Japanese fleet 13 July in the Battle of Kolom-
bangara. Shortly after midnight contact was made with
Honolulu
an enemy cruiser-destroyer force in the "Slot." At 0110,
Honolulu opened fire on a Sendal class cruiser; after three
The capital of Hawaii,
salvos the target burst into flame and was soon dead in
I
the water. Honolulu then shifted fire on an enemy de-
stroyer, which was immediately hit and disappeared. At
(dp. 4,902; 1. 412'; b. 51'; dr. 25'3": 8. 12 k.; a. 1.5";
0211. a torpedo very near the surface struck the starboard
1 3")
side of Honolulu, causing hull damage. The task force
The first Honolulu was built as Itasoa by Armstrong
then retired to Tulagi for temporary renairs, and on 16
Whitworth Ltd., Newcastle, England, in 1905. She was
August Honolulu arrived Pearl Harbor for overhaul.
taken over by Resolution of Congress 12 June 1917; trans-
After additional repairs at Mare Island, Honolulu de-
ferred to USSB ownership and assigned to Army service.
parted San Francisco 17 November to continue her
Although she operated as a U.S. cargo transport with
effective role in the struggle against Japan. She arrived
Navy crew, there is no record of her commissioning
Espiritu Santo 11 December, resuming operations in the
The name was changed to Honolulu 26 July 1918. Her
Solomons later that month. On 27 December she engaged
service included cargo cruises between the United States
in the bombardment of an enemy barge, troop. and supply
and various French ports. Navy personnel were released
concentration on Bougainville Island. In the early months
in March 1919 and she was rejected for further service
of 1944 the cruiser continued bombardment and patrol of
2 April 1919. Honolulu was returned to the USSB and
the Solomon Islands. She screened the landings off Green
sold 26 January 1920. Her name was later changed to
Island 13 February before retiring to begin preparations
Commercial Trader.
for the Salpan and Guam operations.
II
Honolulu took part in bombardment of the southeastern
part of Saipan in early June as the American Navy drove
(CL-48: dp. 9,650; 1. 608'4": b. 61'9"; dr. 19'5": S.
steadily across the Pacific. While bombarding Guam in
34 k; cpl. 868; a. 15 6", 8 5", 16 1.1", 8 20mm., 8 .50
mid-June, Honolulu was deployed north to intercept the
cal. mg. ; cl. Brooklyn)
Japanese fleet. She returned to Eniwetok 28 June for
The second Honolulu was launched 26 August 1937 by
replenishment before providing support for the invasion
the New York Navy Yard: sponsored by Miss Helen
of Guam. She remained on station for 3 weeks perform-
Poindexter, daughter of the Governor of Hawaii: and
ing great service with her accurate gunfire before re-
commissioned 15 June 1938, Captain Oscar Smith in
turning to Purvis Bay, Florida Island, 18 August.
command.
Honolulu sailed 6 September to provide fire support for
the landings on Palau Island. remaining in this area dur-
After a shakedown cruise to England Honolulu engaged
in fleet problems and exercises in the Caribbean. She
ing September uncontested by the Japanese fleet. America
mailed from New York 24 May 1989 to join the Pacific
now had decisive command of the Rea and therefore full
fleet, arriving SAn Pedro, Callf., 14 June. For the re-
freedom of operations.
mainder of the year she engaged in exercises along the
Honolulu denarted the staging area at Manus Island
West Coast. During the first half of 1940, Honolulu
12 October and sailed for the Philippine Islands invasion.
continued operations out of Long Beach and after over-
She began bombardment 19 October at Leyte Gulf and the
haul at Puget Sound, sailed 5 November for duty out of
next day began screening the landings. At 1600. 20 Octo-
Pearl Harbor. She operated there through 1941 and
ber an enemy torpedo plane was sighted as it almed its
was moored at the Naval Station when the Japanese
torpedo at Honolulu. Despite the skillful maneuvering of
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Captain Thurber to evade, the torpedo found Its mark on
for his work in radio, and 18 honored annually by the
the port side.
Navy through the Rear Admiral S. C. Hooper Trophy,
Honolulu salled the next day. arrived Manus 29 October
given to the outstanding electronics division in the Naval
for temporary repairs, sailed for Norfolk 18 November,
Reserve.
arriving 20 December via Pearl Harbor and San Diego.
Honolulu remained at Norfolk for the duration of the
(DE-1026 dp. 1,450; 1. 314'6"; b. 36'9''; dr. 18'9"; B. 25
war undergoing repairs and after a shakedown cruise in
k. cpl. 170; a. 4 8" i Weapon ALFA, 1 dct, 8 dep., 121"
October 1945, sailed to Newport for duty as a training
tt. cl. Evans)
ship. Honolulu arrived Philadelphia 8 January 1946 and
Hooper (DE-1026), originally Gatch but renamed 19
decommissioned there 8 February 1947 and joined the
July 1958, was launched by Bethlehem-Pacific Coast Steel
Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia. On 17 November 1949
Corp., San Francisco, 1. August 1957 sponsored by Miss
Honolulu was sold for scrapping.
Elizabeth Hooper. daughter of Rear Admiral Hooper: and
Honolulu received eight battle stars for World War II
commissioned at San Francisco 18 March 1958, Lt. Comdr.
service.
J. K. Leslie in command.
One of a new class of fast escort vessels designed for
Hood, John, see John Hood (DD-655)
convoy work, Hooper conducted shakedown training out of
her home port, San Diego, before deploying with the 7th
Fleet. The escort vessel took part in antisubmerine opera-
Hooper
tions and joined the vital Formosa Patrol before returning
to the United States 9 April 1959. Through 1961 she
Stanford Oaldwell Hooper was born in Colton, Calif.,
continued to operate with the 7th Fleet and in the San
16 August 1884, and graduated from the Naval Academy
in 1905. Serving in various ships of the fleet, but always
Diego area.
with an interest in the then new art of the "wireless",
In January 1962, Hooper began a 2-month assignment as
Hooper was appointed Fleet Radio Officer in 1912. A
school ship at San Diego for antisubmarine training.
radio observer during the first part of World War 1, he
Entering the yard at Hunter's Point in March, the ship
headed the Radio Division of the Bureau of Engineering
had her after 8" mount replaced with a helicopter flight
until America's entry into the war. Hooper commanded
deck to increase her versatility. and also had the newest
destroyer Fairfax 1917-18 on convoy duty, and received
sonar equipment installed. Returning to her regular pat-
the Navy Cross. Following the war he became the guid-
tern of deployments to the Far East, Hooper continued to
ing force behind the development of radio communica-
play an important role in keeping the peace in this vital
tions and electronics in the Navy, serving in various tech-
area. In addition to her regular operations, she took part
nical posts until his retirement in 1943. Rear Admiral
in SEATO maneuvers in the spring of 1963.
Hooper was retained on active duty until 1945, and held
After serving in Hawaiian waters, Hooper returned to
offices with civilian firms in the electronics field until his
the Far East in July 1964. During November Hooper
death 6 April 1955. He was the recipient of many awards
patrolled the Taiwan Strait. She returned to San Diego
Hurband E. Kinmel
USS Honolulu (CL-48)-Admiral Husband E. Eimmel's flagship 1989 to February 1041
357
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mann operated out of Newport until 6 November when
Helena
9
she sailed for the Mediterranean where she proved to be a
first-rate antisubmarine ship in joint exercises with the
Three outstanding vessels have been named for Helena.
Italian Navy. After revisiting Monaco at the invitation
capital city of Montana.
of Prince Ranier and Princess Grace, she returned to Fall
I
River 20 February 1957. She served as gunnery school-
(Gbt. 1. 230'9"; b. 40'11"; dr. 9' a. 4 4" Γ., 4 6-pdrs.,
11
ship out of Newport until 30 June when she joined Badger
11-pdrs., 1 8" r.)
in the screen of antisubmarine warfare carrier Leyte for
h
2 weeks of air operations for the training of Academy
The first Helena was launched by the Newport News
e
midshipmen. She decommissioned at Boston 20 December
Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va., 80 January 1896;
D
1957 and was assigned to the Boston Group of the U.S.
sponsored by Miss Agnes Belle Steele, daughter of the
r
Atlantic Reserve Fleet. On 14 August 1961 she was trans-
mayor of Helena commissioned at New York Navy Yard
.e
ferred on a loan basis to the government of Argentina
8 July 1897, Comdr. W. T. Swinburne in command.
under terms of the Military Assistance Program. She
Helena's first assignment was with the North Atlantic
in
serves in the Argentine Navy under the name Brown
Fleet, cruising primarily in home waters. During the
g
Spanish-American War, she stood by in Cuban waters,
(D-20).
8
where she saw action several times. On 2 and 8 July
In addition to the Presidential Unit Citation, Heermann
received the Philippine Republic Unit Citation Badge and
1898 she exchanged fire with enemy batteries at Fort
e
Tunas. On 18 July she was part of the squadron which
d
nine battle stars for World War II service.
closed the port of Manzanillo by sinking or destroying
eight small vessels there during a vigorous attack.
Heintselman, General Stuart, see General Stuart
The great problem facing the United States at the close
n-
Heintzelman (AP-159)
of the Spanish-American War was the Philippine Insur-
te
rection. To aid in suppressing this rebellion, Helena
e.
salled from Boston S November 1898, bound for duty on
e
Heldenfelds Barge 10, see YC-1036
the Astatic Station, via the Suez Canal. arriving Philip-
ns
pines 10 February 1899. On 21 May 1899 she was present
at the evacuation of Jolo by the Spanish and the landing
a-
of American troops to replace them. During June she
"al
Helen
stood by with other vessels in Manila Bay to support the
a
(Sch 4 guns)
Army during its offensive south of Manila into Cavite
to
Province. One of her landing parties brought troops
he
Helen was purchased at Philadelphia in September 1818
ashore in an assault which carried strong defenses along
us
and subsequently used as a despatch vessel on the bays
the Zapote River 18 June. On 7 November 1899, Helena
in
and rivers along the East Coast. She was lost in Dela-
bombarded San Fabian in Lingayen Gulf, and covered the
'Q-
ware Ray in 1815.
landing of 2,500 troops there. Just 45 years later, Ameri-
al
can troops would once more storm those beaches while
DF
American naval guns boomed in support.
nd
Helen, Lake, see Lake Helen
Helena remained in the Far East for the rest of her
til
naval service, engaged in protecting American lives and
he
interests. She served in Chinese waters from October
Helen B., see YP-92
1900 until December 1902, then returned to the Philippines
re-
until March 1908 when she sailed back to the China coast.
al
In December 1904, she moored once more at Cavite in the
in
Helen Baughman
Philippines, where she was placed out of commission 19
I.,
April 1905.
52
A former name retained.
Helena recommissioned 16 July 1906. and cruised on the
nd
Asiatic Station until June 1907. From that time on, with
ib-
(SP-1292 dp. 50; 1. 06'8'' b. 18'6" dr. 4'0")
intervals for overhaul, Holena served both with the South
ng
Helen Baughman, a schooner, was built by Bowns of
China patrol and Yangtze River Patrol. She was placed
Nanticoke, Md., in 1894 and taken over by the Navy in
in reduced commission 29 June 1929, but continued to serve
?p-
August 1917 from her owner, the Maryland State Con-
on the South China Patrol until 27 May 1932 when she was
ge
decommissioned and struck from the Navy list. She was
ar-
servation Commission.
art
Helen Baughman was assigned to the 5th Naval District,
sold 7 July 1934.
and was used for patrol of Chesapeake Bay. Based at
II
38.
Deale, Md., she cruised Herring Bay, Tangier Sound and
/
(CL-50: dp. 10,000 1. 608'4''; b. 61'8": dr. 19'10";
in-
surrounding areas until being returned to her owner 27
a. 88 k. : cpl. 888; a. 15 B" 35", 8 .50 cal.)
ter
November 1918.
for
The second Helena (CL-50), was launched 27 August
3d
1939 by the New York Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss
on-
Helen C., see YP-470
Elinor Carlyle Gudger, granddaughter of Senator Thomas
ter
J. Welch of Montana and commissioned 18 September
the
1939, Captain Max B. Demott in command.
4he
Helen Euphane
Helena, assigned to the Pacific Fleet, was at Pearl
at
Harbor on 7 December 1941, when the Japanese attacked.
A former name retained.
.al.
She was moored at 1010 Dock Navy Yard on the east side
lla
(SP-408: dp. 178; 1. 120' b. 20'4" dr. 7'8" ; B. 10 k.; a. 1
of the harbor outboard was minesweeper Ogiala. By
17
chance Helena was in the berth normally assigned to
1-pdr.)
Pennsylvania; and this became a prime target for the
in
Helen Euphane, a Menhaden fishing boat, was built by
Japanese planes.
ru-
E. J. Tull, Pocomoke City, Md., in 1902; purchased from
Within 3 minutes of the time the first bomb of the attack
the
her owners, Eubank Tankard Co., Kilmarnock, Va., 23
fell on Ford Island, a lone torpedo plane launched a tor-
in-
May 1917; and delivered 8 June 1917. Her first com-
pedo that passed under Ogiala, and hit Holena on the star-
to
manding officer was Lt. (1.8.) Rowland G. Foster, USNRF.
board side almost amidships, just as the crew raced to
40+
Assigned to the 5th Naval District as a minesweeper
battle stations. One engine room and one boiler room
she
and patrol boat, Helen Euphane, based at Norfolk, oper-
were flooded. Wiring to the main and 5-inch batteries
for
ated in Hampton Roads and lower Chesapeake Bay until
was severed, but prompt action brought the forward diesel
she was sold back to her original owners 15 April 1919.
generator up within 2 minutes, making power available to
:er-
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USS Helena in a mud dock on the Lino River, China, during the winter of 1903 and 1904
all mounts. Immediately, they sent up a heavy fire that
Tokyo Express for several days, so 11 October 1942 the
keep her free of further damage. Outstanding damage
Japanese poured everything they could deliver against
control work, and the fact that watertight integrity was
the airstrip, hoping to neutralize air operations long
promptly insured by the closing of the doors and batches
enough to bring heavy troop reinforcements during the
throughout the ship, kept Helena afloat. Many times
night The Japanese fleet closed and by 1810 was less
later she gave the Japanese occasion to regret their failure
than 100 miles from Savo Island.
to sink her that first day of the war.
Helena, equipped with superior radar. was first to con-
After preliminary overhaul at Pearl Harbor. Helena
tact the enemy and first to open fire at 2346. When firing
steamed to Mare Island Navy Yard for permanent repairs.
had ceased in this Battle of Cape Esperance in Iron
In 1942, she sailed to enter action, escorting a detachment
Bottom Sound, Helena had sunk cruiser Furutaka and
of SeaBees and an aircraft carrier rushing planes to the
destroyer Fubukt.
South Pacific, She made two quick dashes from Espiritu
Helena was next under attack on the night of 20 October
Santo to Guadalcanal, where the long and bloody battle
1942 while patrolling between Espiritu Santo and San
for the island was then beginning, and having completed
Cristobal. Several torpedoes exploded near her but she
these missions, joined the Task Force formed around
was not hit.
Wasp (CV-7).
Helena saw the climatic Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
This Task Force steamed in distant support of six trans-
from its beginning when she was assigned the job of
ports carrying Marine reinforcements to Guadalcanal.
escorting a supply echelon from Espiritu Santo to Guadal-
On 15 September 1942, in mid-afternoon Wasp was sud-
canal. The ship made rendezvous with the convoy of
denly hit by three Japanese torpedoes. Almost at once,
transports off San Cristobal 11 November 1942, and
she became an inferno. Helena, her guns blazing, stood
brought it safely into Guadalcanal. During the after-
by to rescue nearly 400 of Wasp's officers and men, whom
noon of 12 November, word came from a coast watcher,
she took to Espiritu Santo.
"enemy aircraft approaching." Immediately suspending
Helena's next action was near Rennell Island, again
unloading operation, all ships stood out to form an anti-
in support of a movement of transports into Guadalcanal.
aircraft disposition. When the attack came, superb
Air attacks from Henderson Field had slowed down the
maneuvering of the force, and its own antiaircraft fire,
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broke up the first attack but the second damaged two
was staved off by a Navy Liberator that dropped life-
ships. Helena came through without a scratch, and the
Jackets and four rubber lifeboats. The wounded were
task group brought down eight enemy planes in the
placed aboard the lifeboats. while the able-bodied sur-
8-minute action.
rounded the boats and did their best to propel themselves
As unloading resumed, an increasing stream of reports
toward nearby Kolombaranga. But wind and current
flowed in from patrolling aircraft. Ominously, the Japa-
carried them ever further into enemy waters. Through
nese forces sighted contained no transports, and their
the torturous day that followed, many of the wounded
intention was tbus read as one of being pure offense.
died. American search planes missed the tragic little
Helena, still steaming with Rear Admiral Daniel Calla-
fleet, and Kolombaranga gradually faded away to lee-
ghan's Support Group, aided in shepherding the transports
ward. Another night passed, and in the morning the
away from Guadalcanal. then reversed course to fateful
island of Vella Lavella loomed ahead. It seemed the last
"Ironbottom Sound." The night of Friday, 18 November,
K
chance for Helona's men and BO they headed for it. By
Helena's radar first located the enemy. In the action
dawn, survivors in all three remaining boats observed land
that followed, the tropical night was lit again and again
a mile distant and all who were left were safely landed.
by the flashes of her big guns. She received only minor
Two coastwatchers and loyal natives cared for the sur-
damage to her superstructure during the action. Day-
vivors as best they could, and radioed news of them to
light found a tragic scene in the grisly slot The weaker
Guadalcanal. The 165 sailors then took to the jungle to
American fleet had achieved the goal at heavy cost. Great
evade Japanese patrols.
valor had turned back the enemy and prevented the heavy
Surface vessels were chosen for the final rescue, Nicholas
attack that would have been disastrous to the Marine
and Radford, augmented by Jenkins (DD-447) and O'Ban-
K
troops ashore.
non (DD-450) set off 15 July 1948 to sail further up the
Helena found a measure of revenge when she was
Slot than ever before, screening the movement of two de-
assigned to the several bombardments of Japanese posi-
stroyer-transports and four other destroyers. During the
tions on New Georgia during January 1943. Her guns
night of 16 July, the rescue force brought out the 165
rocked the enemy at Munda and Vila Stanmore, leveling
Helena men, along with 16 Chinese who had been in
vital supply concentrations and gun emplacements. Con-
hiding on the island. Of Helena's nearly 900 men, 168 had
tinuing on patrol and escort in support of the bitter
perished.
Guadalcanal operation through February, one of her float
Helena was the first ship to receive the Navy Unit Com-
planes shared in the sinking of Japanese submarine
mendation. Her actions in the Battles of Cape Esperance,
RO-102 11 February 1943. After overhaul in Sydney,
Guadalcanal, and Kula Gulf were named in the citation.
Australia, she was back at Espiritu Santo in March to
Helena also earned the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign
participate in bombardments of New Georgia, soon to be
medal with seven stars.
invaded. The first goal on New Georgia proper was Rice
Anchorage. In the force escorting the transports carry-
ing the initial landing parties. Helena moved into Kula
The name Helena was assigned to CL-113, but con-
Gulf just before midnight 4 July, and shortly after mid-
struction on that hull was cancelled 5 October 1944.
night on the 5th, her big guns opened up in her last shore
bombardment.
The landing of troops was completed successfully by
dawn. but in the afternoon of 5 July 1948, word came that
(OA-75 dp. 18,600; 1. 674'11"; b. 70'10"; dr. 20'6" B. 88
the Tokyo Express was ready to roar down once more
k.; cpl. 1,142; a. 9 8": 12 5", 48 40mm., 22 20mm. cl.
and the escort group turned north to meet it. By mid-
Baltimore)
night 5 July, Helena's group was off the northwest corner
The third Helena received her name while building after
of New Georgia, three cruisers and four destroyers com-
the cancellation of CL-118; was launched at Bethlehem
posing the group. Racing down to face them were three
Steel Co., Quincy, Mass., 28 April 1945. sponsored by Mrs.
groups of Japanese destroyers, a total of ten enemy ships.
John T. Haytin, wife of the mayor of Helena; and com-
Four of them peeled off to accomplish their mission of
missioned 4 September 1945, Captain A. H. McCollum in
landing troops. By 0157 Helena began blasting away with
command.
a fire so rapid and intense that the Japanese later an-
Helena completed her outfitting in the Boston area and
nounced in all solemnity that she must have been armed
sailed 24 October 1945, arriving New York City the next
with 6-inch machine guns. Ironically. Helena made & per-
day to take part in the tremendous celebration of the
fect target when Ift by the flashes of her own guns. Seven
Navy's role in World War II victory that marked Navy
minutes after she opened fire. she was hit by & torpedo
Day, 27 October 1945. After two shakedown/training
within the next 8 minutes, she was struck by two more.
periods at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Helena returned to
Almost At once she began to jackknife. Below, she was
Boston in February 1945 to prepare for her first deploy-
flooding rapidly even before she broke up. In 8 well-
ment, a round-the-world cruise. Helena sailed from Bos-
drilled manner, Helena's men went over the side.
ton 12 February 1946 for England where Admiral H.
Helena's history closes with the almost incredible story
Kent Hewitt boarded and broke his fiag as Commander
of what happened to her men in the hours and days that
Naval Forces, Europe. and Commander 12th Fleet. Dur-
followed. When her bow rose into the AIr after the sink-
ing the next 8 months, Helena conducted training exercises
ing. many of them clustered around it. only to be fired
in Northern European waters and paid good-will visits
on there. About a half hour after she sank, two Amer-
to major ports in England and Scotland.
ican destroyers came to the rescue.
Relieved as flagship 1 May 1946. Helena sailed for the
At daylight, the enemy was in range once more, and
Far East via the Suez Canal. calling at major Mediter-
again the destroyers, Nicholas (DD-449) and Radford
ranean ports, Colombo, Ceylon, Singapore, and arriving
(DD-446), broke off their rescue operations to pursue.
Tsingtao 18 June 1946. During her tour in the Far East,
Anticipating an air attack, the destroyers withdrew for
Helona took part in a wide variety of training exercises
Tulagi, carrying with them all but about 275 of the sur-
and fleet maneuvers until she finally departed Shanghai
vivors. To those who remained they left four boats.
22 March 1947 for home after more than a year in foreign
manned by volunteers from the destroyers' crews. Cap-
waters.
tain C. P. Cecil, Helena's commanding officer. organized
After training operations in California waters Helena
à small Botilla of three motor whaleboats, each towing
departed once more for the Far East 8 April 1948, arriving
a liferaft, carrying 88 men to a small island about 7
Shanghai 24 days later. Throughout the summer and
miles from Rice Anchorage after a laborious all-day
fall of 1948, she operated primarily in Chinese waters,
passage. This group was rescued the next morning by
returning to Long Beach December 1948.
Guin (DD-488) and Woodworth (DD-460).
Helena spent much of the spring of 1949 in training a
For the second group of nearly 200, the bow of Helena
new crew and in May cruised to train Naval Reservists,
was their liferaft, but it was slowly sinking. Disaster
returning to Long Beach for a conversion necessary to
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in Mexican ports, primarily Manzanillo, Mazatlan, La Pas,
Scouting Force, operating for the next few years out of Boston
and Guaymas, for the next 4 years. During the time she
for battle practice, maneuvers, and port calls. Based at San
interrupted her Mexican assignments twice: for duty at
Diego, Calif., from 15 August 1933, she trained off the Call-
Ocos, Guatemala, from 6 to 25 October 1915; and et Corinto,
fornia coast, with occasional runs to the Caribbean, as well as
Nicaragua, from I April to 26 July 1916.
to Alaskan and Hawaiian waters. She departed San Diego
Undergoing repairs at Mare Island when the United States
27 April 1936 in company with the U.S. Fleet, transited the
entered World War I, Raleigh departed San Francisco in early
Panama Canal, touched at Charleston, S.C., and entered the
May 1917 and on 5 June joined the Patrol Force, U.S. Atlantic
Norfolk Navy Yard 15 June for overhaul.
Flect, at Newport, R.I. Assigned to Cruiser Force, 2d Squad-
As Raleigh repaired in the Norfolk Navy Yard, Squadron
ron, she patrolled from Boston to Norfolk until November
40-T, a special temporary squadron, was organized for duty
when she was detached for duty in Brazilian waters,
in Spanish waters to evacuate American nationals from the
On 12 December, Raleigh arrived at Rio de Janeiro and
Spanish Civil War areas. Rear Adm. Arthur P. Fairfield broke
until 27 April 1918, she patrolled between there and Bahia
his flag in Raleigh at Norfolk 17 September 1936. The next day
(Salvador). In May she arrived off West Africa; delivered
the cruiser steamed independently for Gibraltar, arriving 27
munitions to the Liberian Government; continued on to
September. Destroyers Kane (DD-235) and Hatfield (DD-
Dakar, French West Africa; then, on 18 May, headed west.
231) and CGC Cayuga, in company with Raleigh, initially
At the end of the month, she resumed Bahia-Rio patrols.
comprised the Squadron. Together, the ships saved hundreds
At the same time, however, German U-boats appeared off
of Americans and other nationals from the dangers of the war
the east coast of the United States. Raleigh was ordered home.
in Spain.
Clearing Bahia on 26 June, she joined the American Patrol
Omaha (CL-4) relieved Raleigh at Villefranche 28 April
Detachment at Key West, Fla., on 21 July and began guarding
1938, and 2 days later Raleigh headed for Hampton Roads for
convoys in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean, and off the
overhaul in the Norfolk Navy Yard, arriving 13 May.
east coast of the Carolinas. She remained on that duty until
Raleigh was next assigned to Flotilla One, Destroyer
after the end of the war and, into 1919, continued operations
Squadron, U.S. Battle Force. Clearing Norfolk 16 August,
out of Key West. On 6 April she entered the Charleston Navy
she trained at Guantanamo Bay and then arrived at her new
Yard and prepared for inactivation. On 21 April 1919 she
base of San Diego 5 September. In early 1939 she participated
was decommissioned for the last time and on 5 August 1921
in the fleet problem in the Caribbean, returning to San Diego
she was sold for scrapping to Henry A. Hitner's Sons Co.,
in May to resume coastal operations. Next assigned to the
Philadelphia, Pa.
Hawaiian Detachment, Raleigh steamed for Pearl Harbor
5 October. As the flagship of Destroyer Flotilla One, she
III
engaged in fleat maneuvers which took her from the central
Pacific to the California coast.
(CL-7: dp. 7,050; 1. 555'6"; b. 65'4"; dr. 13'6"; B, 34 k.;
Raleigh was moored at berth F-12, on the east side of the
epl. 458; a. 12 6", 4 3", 10 21" tt.; cl. Omaha)
north channel at Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese made their
infamous attack. In the first attack wave a torpedo passed
The third Raleigh (CL-7) was laid down by Bethlehem
ahead and a second hit Raleigh portside amidships. The
Steel Co., Quincy, Mass., 16 August 1920; launched 25
cruiser took such a list to port that it appeared she might
October 1922; sponsored by Miss Jennie Proctor; and com-
capsize. As she fought to survive, jettisoning topside weight,
missioned in the Boston Navy Yard 6 February 1924, Capt.
her gunners helped to destroy five enemy planes. Her vallant
William C. Watts in command.
men won her from the enemy and the sea in a struggle which,
Raleigh shifted to the New York Navy Yard 26 February
almost miraculously, left her with only a few wounded.
to complete fitting out and cleared that port 16 April for
The next day yard craft and the destroyer tender Whitney
shakedown off the Virginia Capes. Final building yard
(AD-4) came alongside to render assistance, and Raleigh was
alterations were completed at Quincy 24 June. After shifting
towed into the Navy Yard for repairs 22 December. She
to Provincetown, Mass., Raleigh out to sea from that harbor
departed Pearl Harbor 21 February 1942 as an escort of a
30 July to join the Light Cruiser Division, Scouting Fleet, in
five-ship convoy which arrived San Francisco 1 March. After
northern European waters for duty in connection with the
overhaul at Mare Island, she cleared San Francisco Bay
Army World Flight. After calling at ports in Norway, Den-
23 July as a unit of Task Force 15 assigned to convoy escort
mark, and Scotland, she took up her reconnaissance station
duty between San Francisco, Hawaii, Samoa, and the Fiji
S1 July off Harafjord, Iceland. She shifted her station to the
Islands.
east coast of Greenland 10 August; and, upon completion of
Raleigh steamed from Pago Pago 3 November to search out
duty with the flight operations, she returned to the Boston
and destroy four Japanese picket ships reportedly operating
Navy Yard 3 September 1924 for voyage repairs.
between the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Finding no trace of the
She stood out from Boston Harbor 16 October for maneuvers
enemy, she touched at Pear) Harbor 13-17 November, then
off the Virginia Capes, followed by operations and battle
stearned independently to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, Aleutians,
problems off Panama, California, and the Hawaiian Islands.
arriving 24 November. The following months were spent
Steaming from Honolulu 10 June 1925, she touched at San
searching for enemy ships carrying reinforcements in the Rat
Diego with the Scouting Fleet and then returned to the Boston
and Near Islands and escorting troop and supply ships
Navy Yard 13 July. Raleigh continued to operate out of Boston
between Dutch Harbor and Kulak Bay.
for the next 2 years, spending most of the winter months with
Raleigh put to sea 10 January 1043 with Task Group 8.6 to
the Scouting Force in Cuban and Panamanian waters.
cover the occupation of Amchitka Island. From 12 January she
Clearing Boston Harbor 1 February 1927, Raleigh embarked
conducted patrola off Amehitka, with infrequent sweeps off
two detachments of Marines at Charleston, S.C. After
Kiska with her task group. Detached from the group 10
participating in maneuvers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, she
February, she convoyed ships between Dutch Harbor and
transited the Panama Canal for Corinto, Nicaragua, arriving
Kulak Bay, then entered Puget Sound Navy Yard 23 March
5 February to land the Marines, who were needed to deal with
for repairs.
the bandit-plagued countryside. The cruiser stood by for
Sailing 22 April, she arrived Adak the 28th and joined
possible assistance until 23 March, whence she returned to
cruiser-destroyer Task Group 10.6, patrolling the approaches
Boston and resumed Atlantic coastal operations,
to the Near Islands and covering the southern approach to
During the spring of 1928 Raleigh operated off the California
Kiska. Raleigh participated in the hombardment of Kiska 2
coast and in Hawaiian waters, returning to Boston 26 June to
August, blasting targets in Gertrude Cove, and shelled enemy
prepare for European duty. Departing 17 August she steamed
positions again on 12 August, before heading for San Francisco
for Hampton Roads, Va., where, on 15 September, she
and overhaul.
relieved Detroit (CL-8) as flagship of Vice Adm. John H.
Raleigh stood out of San Francisco Bay 15 September and
Dayton, Commander, Naval Forces, Europe.
resumed support of operations in the Aleutiana, sweeping the
After touching at Boston, Raleigh made diplomatic calls to
ocean from Kisks to west of Attu. Aa part of Task Group
many principal European ports before returning to Hampton
94.6, she steamed from Massacre Bay, Attu, 1 February 1944,
Roads, Va., 4 September 1929. The next day she hauled down
to bombard enemy installations in Kurabu Zaki, Paramushiru,
the flag of Commander, Naval Forces, Europe.
Northern Kuriles. In the early morning darkness of 4 February,
Raleigh then rejoined Light Cruiser Division 3 of the
she took her bombardment station off that enemy shore to
20
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on
an
ilin
as
go
he
he
on
ty
he
ke
av
27
)-
lly
sp.
ar
ril
or
er
it,
ed
TO
he
or
he
ral
he
eir
ed
USS Raleigh (CL-7) as she appeared in the 1930s, her tophamper out down and an antiaircraft machine-gun tub mounted on
he
her foretop; compare this view with that of her sister ship Richmond (CL-9) on page 103. She wears the light hase-gray
ght
finish used on surface warships into 1940-41.
ht,
nt
by
blast an area where two dual-purpose batteries were located.
Caribbean in July with Amphibious Squadron 8. Raleigh
She also took an airfield under fire, destroying a hanger and
proved herself during this deployment by simultaneously
ey
several barracks buildings. Her gunners also scored hits on a
landing troops and equipment by means of boats and am-
as
small merchant ship anchored inshore. After touching at
phibious vehicles from her well and by helicopters from her
he
Attu 5 February, Raleigh returned to Puget Sound Navy
flight deck. During this cruise she made one trip to Haiti
a
Yard 1 March for a 3-month overhaul.
as tension there rose.
'er
Joining Task Force 94 at Massacre Bay 6 June, she suffered
Raleigh returned to Norfolk 1 October and then underwent
ay
a casualty to her number two main engine while on route to
post-shakedown availability at New York 7 January 1964
,rt
Matsuwa Island. After repairs at Puget Sound, Raleigh
through 13 March. During the spring she conducted am-
departed Seattle, 22 June, touched at San Pedro, Calif.,
phibious training operations off Onslow Beach, N.C.
thence proceeded via the Panama Canal to Hampton Roads
Steaming for Europe 12 October, Raleigh arrived off the
ut
arriving at Norfolk, 13 June. Calling at Annapolis, Md.,
coast of Spain and took part in Operation "Steel Pike." She
ng
1 July, she conducted two midshipman training cruises, in the
then called at Oporto, Portugal, and Vigo, Spain, before re-
he
Caribbean and along the east coast. Thence she steamed to
turning to Norfolk 27 November. After a yard period at the
on
the Philadelphia Navy Yard 29 September, there decom-
U.S. Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., she deployed to the
18,
missioned 2 November, and was struck from the Navy list
Caribbean 1 April 1965 with the Amphibious Ready Squadron.
nt
28 November. Her hulk was sold for scrap at Philadelphia 27
From 25 April through 6 June, she operated off the Dominican
'at
February 1946.
Republic, evacuating 558 refugees who were later transferred
ips
Raleigh received three battle stars for World War If service,
to Yancey (LKA-93) for transit to San Juan. For her part in
IV
the endeavor Raleigh and her crew received the Armed Forces
to
Expeditionary Medal. She returned to Norfolk 29 June,
he
(LPD-1: dp. 13,600 (f.); 1, 522'; b. 100'; dr. 23'; $, 20 k.;
After upkeep and coastal training operations, Raleigh
off
epl. 490; a. 83"/50; cl. Raleigh)
steamed for northern Europe 27 August to participate in "Bar
10
Frost 65," a NATO amphibious exercise featuring a landing in
nd
The fourth Raleigh (LPD-1), an amphibious transport
Norway's fjords north of the Arctic Circle. Returning to
ch
dook, was laid down by the New York Naval Shipyard,
Norfolk 23 October, she underwent a yard period through
Brooklyn, N.Y., 23 June 1960; launched 17 March 1962;
4 April 1966 and then steamed for refresher training at
ed
sponsored by Mrs. Terry Sanford, wife of the Governor of
Guantanamo Bay.
(ea
North Carolina; and commissioned 8 September 1962, Capt.
Raleigh's deployments to the Carlbbean from Norfolk as a
to
A. W. Whitney in command.
unit of the Amphibious Ready Squadron averaged two per
2
After fitting out through mid-December, Raleigh steamed to
year up until 1970. In July of that year, she began the first of
13
Norfolk, Va., for the holiday season. In January 1963 she
a series of Mediterranean cruises and has averaged one a year
co
steamed for shakedown at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but
into 1974.
returned to the building yard in Brooklyn in late February
nd
for correction of design deficiencies in her aviation gasoline
he
Rall
system. Returning to Guantanamo in April, she completed
up
shakedown, then assisted Commander, Amphibious Force,
Richard Redner Rall was born in Battle Creek, Mich.,
14,
Atlantic in hosting the Navy League national convention in
12 May 1909; appointed Assistant Surgeon with the rank of
u,
Ban Juan, P.R.
Lieutenant (junior grade), MC, USNR, 29 March 1935;
y,
Returning to Norfolk 1 June, Raleigh completed a week's
received regular Navy commission 10 March 1937; and
to
amphibious training at Little Creek and then deployed to the
attended postgraduate courses at Navy Medical School,
21
PEARL
ARBOR
IN THE MIND OF JAPAN
Fifty years later, the events of World War II still reverberate
through the country, with little sound of remorse.
BY STEVEN R.WEISMAN
Above: The rare Japanese tourists
to visit the U.S.S. Arizona
Memorial at Pearl Harbor. There
will be по commemorative
ceremonies of the bombing in
Japan, and many Japanese
magazine articles have warned
the United States about using the
anniversary to bash Japan.
Left: A photograph of a Japanese
submarine, preparing for a
suicide mission, at the Yasukuni
shrine for war heroes in Tokyo.
Japanese Cabinet members visit
the shrine annually, over the
protests of officials from China
and Korea, which were targets of
Japanese expansionism.
HE SKY WAS CLOUDY BEFORE
Tora! Tora!" ("Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!"), the code
military attack in its history - 2,403 Americans
dawn on Dec. 7, 1941, as Lieut. Zenji
indicating that the attack had been a complete
killed and 21 ships and 328 aircraft damaged or
Abe awoke in his cabin on the Akagi,
surprise to the United States Pacific force sta-
destroyed. The crucial turning point of World
one of a half-dozen Japanese air-
tioned at Pearl Harbor.
War II, Pearl Harbor galvanized Americans into
craft carriers waiting in heavy seas
"After we bombed our targets, the only thing on
a single-minded determination to win. For the
a few hundred miles north of Ha-
my mind was getting out of there," recalls Abe,
United States, Pearl Harbor will forever symbol-
waii. Having trained for months for
an unassuming, retired plastics company execu-
ize the disastrous consequences of complacency
this day, Abe felt little anxiety. He
tive living in a tiny apartment in the Tokyo
and evoke the moment the nation awoke from
washed, shaved, dressed and tucked
suburbs. "It wasn't until later that I realized I had
isolationism to global responsibilities that contin-
a picture of his wife and son in his
participated in a historic moment."
ue to this day.
pocket. Then he offered prayers at a
Members of Abe's generation all have searing
For the United States, the war tends to be seen
Shinto shrine below deck.
firsthand memories of what is called in Japan
as a long-ago event with little relevance today.
In the night air, the carrier's colored lights
"the Pacific war." Some remember coming home
But for Japan, what strikes any foreign resident
reminded the young lieutenant of fireflies. Soon
to houses burned to the ground. People in their
is how World War II daily asserts its contempo-
the first wave of what would become an on-
50's and 60's remember blacking out militarist
rary claims. It is a remarkable presence, not so
slaught of 350 planes took off and streaked
passages in their textbooks at the behest of Gen.
much in the lives of ordinary Japanese, but as a
south. Leader of a squadron of dive bombers in
Douglas A. MacArthur during the American oc-
subtext to the way the nation talks about itself,
the second wave, Abe was halfway to the same
cupation. All look back on the war with a mixture
sees itself and debates policy issues of all kinds.
target when his radio crackled with "Tora!
of horror and sadness.
The more Japan pushes to the future, it seems,
Next month, from a completely different per-
the more it is borne back to the past.
Steven R. Weisman is chief of the Tokyo bureau of
spective, the United States will be remembering
When Japan was pressured to become involved
The New York Times.
the 50th anniversary of the most devastating
in the Persian Gulf war, many Japanese were
reminded of the events that led to the tragedy of
were dismissed because of "the root disbelief
lance against a resurgent military today. A grow-
50 years ago, even though the circumstances
that the Japanese would undertake the risky
ing rightist minority, however, has transformed
prior to the gulf conflict were very different from
venture.")
the sense of victimization into a call for Japan to
those preceding the Pearl Harbor attack. They
For Japanese, the Pacific war casts a deep and
assert its interests more aggressively, even if
spoke with such anguish about the dangers of
complex shadow, creating a peculiar mixture of
they are antithetical to those of the United States.
militarism that it often seemed as if World War II
the desire to remember and the desire to forget.
The dangerous paradox of the war for Japanese
had happened yesterday. Japan was exposed as a
Most vaguely think of the war as an awful experi-
is that while emotions remain high, so does igno-
pacifist country, but it was a pacifism that also
ence that must never be repeated. At the same
rance. A restless new generation is waiting to
saw a war against aggression as unjustifiable.
time, as Japan assumes greater power in the
assume leadership of the most powerful nation in
Although Tokyo contributed $13 billion to the
world, its citizens - two-thirds of whom were
Asia. Yet in contrast to German textbooks, Japa-
military efforts against Iraq, that campaign was
born after the war had ended - are increasingly
nese textbooks whitewash the war. Some 20 mil-
disliked in Japan. A cover story in a popular
irritated by demands that Tokyo continue to ex-
lion people died in the Pacific war, and Japan
weekly magazine noted that many Japanese, re-
press remorse. "How long must we apologize for
itself lost 2.5 million lives, had 10 million men
membering what had been done to them in World
the mistakes we have made?" asks Noboru Ko-
under arms and forced millions of prisoners into
War II, sympathized with Iraq as a victim of
jima, a popular 64-year-old military historian.
hard labor. But after Emperor Hirohito died in
American bombing. These Japanese, it said, felt
Members of Japan's conservative establish-
1989, grainy footage of the Japanese occupation
"it would have been extremely delightful if Sad-
ment also speak of the attack on Pearl Harbor as
of much of China amazed young television view-
dam Hussein had staged a sneak attack on the
a mistake, not a crime. The "date which will live
ers, who had not known about it.
United States."
in infamy," in President Roosevelt's words, is
As the anniversary of Pearl Harbor approach-
The gulf war was also described by many
seen in Japan as a relatively unimportant event.
es, many Japanese fear that the commemoration
Japanese critics as another instance of Ameri-
There will be no Pearl Harbor ceremonies in
ceremonies in Hawaii and elsewhere will aggra-
can treachery. In a newspaper column, Hiroshi
Japan this year. There are none any year. Indeed,
vate resentments over their nation's peacetime
Yamada, executive director of the Osaka Stock
only a tiny percentage of the 1.4 million Japanese
transformation into the economic powerhouse of
Exchange, charged that Washington had lured
tourists visiting Hawaii each year bother to go to
Asia - the very status it once sought by military
Iraq into the gulf war the same way, he said,
the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
means. A flood of articles warns Americans
that it had tricked Japan. This is only an elabo-
Today, histories, movies, comic books and text-
against using the anniversary to bash Japan.
ration of a popular notion: Washington knew
books in Japan all emphasize how the Japanese
Among the recent titles in magazines are "The
about Pearl Harbor but let it happen anyway so
suffered as much as anyone - from starvation,
Occupation of Japan Has Not Ended" and "Why
that Americans would be more willing to go to
American incendiary bombs and finally the
Hate the United States Now?"
war. (American historians long ago rejected
atomic blasts on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in
this contention. There were serious reports of
August 1945.
TO LIVE IN JAPAN IS TO EXPERIENCE CON-
possible Japanese designs on Pearl Harbor, but
Japanese say they have learned the lessons of
stant reminders of the Pacific war. Every week
they were lost in a flood of contradictory sig-
war, but for most they are the lessons of innocent
brings some new revelation or disclosure: a dia-
nals. Gordon W. Prange, the late University of
passengers, hijacked by ultranationalist milita-
ry, a memoir, some testimony that receives at-
Maryland professor who studied the matter
rists whose fanaticism brought Japan to disaster.
tention in the news media.
over nearly four decades, wrote that the signs
To most people, such a view means eternal vigi-
Last year, an oral history recorded by an aide
to Emperor Hirohito revealed that the late em-
the United States. "It will
peror said that if he had tried to stop the attack on
take decades or even cen-
Pearl Harbor, "it would have led to a coup d'état"
turies before the correct
and possibly his own assassination. The revela-
judgment is delivered on
tion offered powerful new evidence that Hirohito
who is responsible for the
gave some thought to trying to stop the war, only
war," said Nobuo Ishihara,
to resign himself to it.
deputy chief cabinet secre-
This summer saw the startling publication of
tary, echoing a view wide-
notes written by Gen. Hideki Tojo, Japan's war-
ly shared in Japan.
time Prime Minister, while he was held prisoner
Of course, most Ameri-
after the war. Defiantly defending the attack on
can historians would
Pearl Harbor as forced by "inhuman" economic
have little trouble render-
sanctions imposed by Washington, Tojo, who was
ing a judgment on Ja-
hanged in 1948 as a war criminal, wrote: "For
pan's singular responsi-
Japan, doing nothing would have meant the de-
bility, if not guilt. Japan
struction of the nation."
annexed Manchuria in
Tojo's notes, scribbled in the margin of poetry
1931, made a bloody
books kept by his family, held the familiar
sweep through China in
argument that Pearl Harbor was not a sneak
1937 and in 1941 - after
attack, as most Americans remember it, be-
Japan became an ally of
cause Tokyo notified Washington of its hostile
Germany and Paris fell
intentions the day of the raid. What Tojo omitted
to the Nazis - it drove
was that, because of a mix-up in communica-
into French Indochina. (Korea had been forcibly
Left: Veterans at the Yasukuni shrine. Only one-third of
tion, including a delay in translating the mes-
annexed prior to World War I, in 1910.)
Japan's population today were alive during World War II.
sage, the warning was not delivered to Secre-
Beginning with the decision to move naval
tary of State Cordell Hull until nearly an hour
vessels from Southern California to Pearl Harbor
after the attack had begun. (Washington had
Top: Japanese schoolchildren visit the Hiroshima Peace
in 1940, the United States responded to Japanese
cracked Japanese military codes and learned
military aggression with warnings and protests.
Park. Textbooks in Japan emphasize that
that some sort of attack on Allied forces in the
In a series of ever tighter economic sanctions,
Japanese suffered as much as anyone in the war, and
Pacific was imminent.)
Washington banned sales to Japan of high-octane
some students are surprised to learn there even
Tojo's prison notes raised the question often
aviation gasoline and then iron and steel scrap.
was a war with the United States.
asked in Japan: Who actually was responsible for
Finally, Washington froze all Japanese assets in
the war? A Government spokesman recently
the United States, making it impossible for Japan
Bottom: At a cemetery in Hiroshima, the headstones
turned down a suggestion that Japan apologize
to pay for American oil imports and resulting in a
commemorate the victims of the atomic-bomb
for Pearl Harbor, saying that blame for the war
cutoff of 80 percent of Japan's oil supplies. These
blast. They are guarded by Jizo, a Buddhist god.
must be shared by all the combatants. including
on
page
42)
LIONEL'S LARGEST DEALER
PEARLHARBOR
groups that did gruesome
accounts of the 1937 "rape of
experiments on Chinese
Nanjing" - where the Chi-
KE YOUR CHRISTMAS A TRADITIONAL ONE
(Continued from page 33)
prisoners of war. Doctors
nese say that hundreds of
ONEL TRAIN UNDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
and others who were present
thousands of civilians were
protests short of war, were
at those experiments have
killed - were "a fabrica-
LIONEL
TRAINS
seen in Tokyo as provoca-
said there were human vivi-
tion." In a new book, "A Ja-
tions; Tokyo policy makers
sections, but the Govern-
pan That Can Firmly Say
felt they had to disable the
ment declined to look into
No," he also proclaimed that
American Navy at Pearl
how the skulls got there.
it was time for Tokyo to re-
Harbor while Japanese
Japanese historians doing
establish its wartime goal of
forces tried to capture new
research on the wartime
a Greater East Asian Co-
oil reserves in the Dutch
biological warfare program
Prosperity Sphere.
East Indies, which the Japa-
recently accused authorities
The root causes of all
nese occupied in 1942.
of blocking disclosures of
these diplomatic steps and
Japan's culpability before
the experiments.
missteps date from the ear-
and during the war remains
In Asia, Japan pays a con-
ly postwar years. After the
a raw issue among those
tinuous price for not negoti-
war, Germany made an at-
who had suffered from its
ating a formal set of repara-
tempt to "cleanse" itself of
militarism. Millions of
tions with China or Korea.
its Nazi past; nothing com-
Asians were brought to Ja-
There were reparations in
parable took place in Japan.
pan to do forced labor at
the 1950's with South Viet-
Also, although a few former
armaments factories and
nam, Burma, the Philip-
Nazis served in the postwar
elsewhere, often under ap-
pines and Indonesia. But
Governments, some post-
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nent in wartime resistance:
$195.50 (for complete set)
details of the harsh life of a
investment insuring access
Konrad Adenauer had been
other sets available from $7295 to $28995
Korean laborer at a Naga-
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in jail during the Nazi period
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and Willy Brandt had gone
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nesses - an access Japan
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Charles Ro
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had gone to war to get.
ble guardians of moral con-
were records from steel fac-
Tokyo negotiated a post-
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institutions.
compensation for these
nition in 1972. But because
The problem was com-
hardships, even though their
the reparations issue has
pounded by American zigs
requests are invariably re-
been shunted aside, China
and zags. Early in the occu-
jected by the Government. A
and Korea make it a point to
pation, the United States
The Authority on Selecting an
women's group from South
bring up the war - infuriat-
sought to purge Japan's
Korea arrived in Tokyo ear-
ing Japanese diplomats - in
leadership and bureaucracy
NDERFUL MATCHMAKER."
Connoisseur Magazine
Interior Designer
lier this year to present
virtually all negotiations.
of people involved in the
what it said were records
Japanese officials routine-
war. But after China fell to
that tens of thousands of
ly apologize for the war dur-
the Communists in 1949 and
ELPS CLIENTS FIND THE
At Designer Previews, you'll
women brought from Korea
ing trips abroad or visits by
the Korean War broke out a
RIGHT DESIGNER."
have a partner whose expertise
were forced to work as pros-
foreign leaders at home, but
House e Garden
year later, Washington
titutes for Japanese soldiers
is respected throughout the
their statements always
changed its mind, deciding
during the war. Again, Ja-
seem unsatisfying. Not sur-
to foster a stable conserva-
IGNER
decorating world. Karen Fisher
pan rejected their pleas for
prisingly, the former vic-
tive Government in Japan to
will show you the slides and
compensation.
tims of Japanese aggression
challenge Communism in
VIEWS
portfolios of America's finest
Small groups of antiwar
take a particular interest in
Asia. In some cases, admit-
designers and architects and
activists have long been pub-
the way the war is discussed
ted war criminals were en-
licizing their efforts to con-
ther information or a brochure
help you select the firm best
in Japan. While debating
couraged to resume Govern-
front the Government with
whether to send minesweep-
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77 2966 or (800) 367 4816
suited to your needs.
evidence of wartime atroc-
ers to the Persian Gulf or
Furthermore, unlike Ger-
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ANGELES
CHICAGO
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BOCA
RATON
pan China Friendship Asso-
Nations peacekeeping mis-
come forward with a defini-
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sions, Japan must constant-
tive statement of wartime
an exhibition on the "war of
ly reassure Asian countries
responsibility. No senior
SHEARLING!
aggression" in China, featur-
of its peaceful intentions. And
Japanese leader has made
ing pictures, war memora-
Also in this
Beijing and Seoul still protest
anything like the electrify-
bilia and a videotape. In the
the annual visit by Japanese
ing speech of President
Sunday's
videotape, three military of-
cabinet members to the Ya-
Richard von Weizsacker of
ficers confessed to behead-
sukuni shrine in Tokyo, where
New York Times
Germany, who declared in
ing or torturing unspecified
military heroes are enshrined
1985 that "all of us, whether
numbers of Chinese civil-
and where videotapes offer a
guilty or not, whether old or
ians - by drowning or burn-
ENTERTAINING
thoroughly unrepentant ver-
young, must accept the
ing them with hot irons -
sion of the war.
past" and "keep alive the
over a period of several
This year, China protested
memories" of the war.
months in Nanjing.
a renewed debate in Japan
Part 2 of
Two years ago, construc-
over war atrocities. Its focus
THE TENDENCY OF JAP-
tion workers unearthed a
RAFEL
was a magazine article by
anese to see themselves as
The
few dozen human skulls at
Shintaro Ishihara, a popular
the victims, rather than the
the site of an old building
direct from NYC's
New Hork Times
rightist novelist and leading
perpetrators, of war is espe-
that several historians said
light of the ruling Liberal
cially apparent in popular
t manufacturer of
& men's shearlings.
was a headquarters of the
Democratic Party in Parlia-
culture. In a well-known
ter; a burned-out clock fro-
28 leaders (7 of whom were
1930's, when the country was
PEARL HARBOR
zen at 8:15 A.M.; row after
hanged in December 1948)
rocked by assassinations, a
(Continued from page 42)
row of display cases of
served American interests
The first
military takeover and a
charred clothing, melted
in isolating the main culprits
growing conviction that it had
children's tale, "The Pitiful
glass and photographs of
and placating the Japanese
to rid Asia of white-skinned
Elephants," ZOO keepers
mutilated victims.
people in order to enlist
thing some
devils. But the book also
worry about the animals
Takahashi says he was in
them as an ally against
seems to exonerate the Japa-
during American bombing
fourth grade when he heard
Communism.
raids of Tokyo. Nearly every
about Pearl Harbor, and he
Nonetheless, Japan's incli-
Japanese
nese people of responsibility
since they had been hood-
Japanese child learns the
admits feeling elated that
nation to see itself as a vic-
winked by their leaders.
story of the decision to kill
Japan had been successful.
tim comes more deeply
students
The group to grapple most
the ZOO animals: how the ele-
But he is haunted more by
from within than without.
successfully with the com-
phants, being wise, refuse to
memories of Aug. 6, 1945,
Part of it is human nature -
eat the toxic food they are
when he, then a teen-ager,
the desire of any defeated
wanted to
plex issues of the war are
historians with a centrist ap-
given, how they cannot be
was standing in a school-
people to see the past in the
proach. Their outstanding
injected with poison because
yard just as the sky roared
most favorable light. Then,
know about
achievement is the eight-vol-
their skin is too tough.
with a blinding flash and
too, in Japan history tends
ume history "The Road to
In one children's book ver-
turned pitch black. Blown
not to be taught in terms of
the Pacific War" (1962-63).
sion, the anguished moment
more than 30 feet away, he
justice or right and wrong;
the war was,
This comprehensive history
comes when the zoo keepers
could see that the entire city
instead, it embodies the Con-
debunks the popular belief
decide to starve the ele-
was on fire. Today, Takaha-
fucian idea of the statesman
phants. The final page shows
shi's right hand is shriveled
adjusting to great historical
who won?
that the Japanese public
were passive bystanders. In-
the dying beasts with tearful
and his legs and arms are
forces rather than the West-
stead, many admired the
ZOO keepers shaking their
covered with scars.
ern notion that great leaders
militarists and their early
fists at the sky, shouting:
"When Americans say
can change the course of his-
complaining that his students
victories - the popular
"Stop the war! Stop the
Pearl Harbor, Pearl Harbor,
tory. From this follows the
were surprised to learn that
trust in the army a result of
war!" as American B-29's
Pearl Harbor, I am obliged
country's fatalistic ap-
there had been a war with the
the migration of rural peo-
fly overhead.
to point something out," Ta-
proach to the war.
United States. The first thing
ple to the cities, their feeling
Self-pity is also evident in
kahashi says. "Look at the
"Japanese people are very
they wanted to know, he said,
of displacement, powerless-
one of the most popular
order to drop the atomic
literate and they like the
was who won.
ness and resentment toward
movies this year in Japan,
bomb, and you see the
subject of history," says Fu-
Even a group of college stu-
politicians who appeared in-
"Rhapsody in August," di-
American military inten-
sako Tsunoda, author of pop-
dents belonging to a Japa-
capable of action.
rected by the patriarch of
tionally targeted innocent
ular historical novels. "But
nese-American friendship or-
One question still nags at
Japanese cinema, Akira
citizens. That was not the
people don't like to dwell on
ganization who were inter-
Japanese historians: Could
Kurosawa. At the film's dra-
case with Pearl Harbor."
what they did wrong. They'd
viewed for this article showed
the war have been avoided?
matic turning point, a Japa-
This year, the Mayor of
rather wash out the past and
a one-sided knowledge of the
Many contend that their
nese-American played by
Hiroshima apologized for
say: it ended and we lost it,
war. Yes, they said, not only
American counterparts
Richard Gere apologizes to
Japanese wartime aggres-
so let's think about rebuild-
do textbooks give the war
have not adequately ex-
his Japanese cousins for the
sion, referring to Pearl Har-
ing the country now."
short shrift, but the topic al-
plored the opportunities pre-
dropping of the atom bomb
bor as an example - the
ways comes up at the end of
sented to President Roose-
on Nagasaki. But there are
first time such a sentiment
N TRYING TO PLAY
the year — when everyone is
velt to arrive at a common
no references to anything
had been expressed at the
down Japanese ag-
too preoccupied by exams
ground with Japan and
Japan did that might have
annual commemoration of
gression, the Ministry
and vacation to pay attention.
avert a conflict. And many
provoked the American at-
the dropping of the atom
of Education has made
Asked about the underly-
who say Japan was essen-
tack. At a news conference
bomb on that city. But last
some clumsy attempts
ing causes of war, they listed
tially at fault also feel that
earlier this year, Kurosawa
year, when the city was ex-
to sanitize the past. Its
the collapse of the world
Roosevelt's demands - that
was asked if Japan might
panding its museum on the
move in 1982 to substi-
economy, the rise of Japa-
Japan relinquish Manchu-
also have something to apol-
bombing, some antiwar
tute the word "ad-
nese fascism and Japanese
ria, China and Southeast
ogize for. With a shrug, he
groups demanded that there
vance" for Japan's "inva-
feelings of economic vulner-
Asia before negotiations
said Japanese find it hard to
be an exhibition to remind
sion" of China was blocked
ability. "Basically," said Ha-
could commence - only
be remorseful because they
visitors that Japan had been
only because Japan became
jime Etoh, a law student, "I
made Tokyo more intransi-
were "never aware of what
the aggressor in the war.
embarrassed by Chinese
believe the war occurred for
gent and dangerous.
was going on."
Their demand was rejected.
protests. Generally, Japa-
economic reasons. Earlier
Japanese and American
To understand Japan as a
For Japanese, the Pacific
nese courts have upheld
this century, Japan didn't
historians still disagree on a
victim, one has to visit the
war has been largely bled of
whitewashing references to
have enough land or finan-
number of major issues
memorials at Hiroshima
its significance by a "history
war aggression, rejecting
cial resources or colonies to
about the war. In fact, on the
and Nagasaki. Some 200,000
in the passive voice, or 'vic-
lawsuits brought by teach-
compete with the United
issue of American responsi-
people died in the atomic
tims' history," noted Carol
ers and textbook writers.
States and the United King-
bility they may be moving
blasts there that ended the
Gluck, professor of history
Japanese textbooks fail to
dom. Japan thought that tak-
further apart. In the late
war. (Today, some Japa-
at Columbia University.
satisfy anyone. Conserva-
ing over China was the only
60's, American historians
nese historians acknowl-
Writing last year in the jour-
tives complain that the
way to survive."
were more willing to ques-
edge that, judging from the
nal Daedalus, she pointed
books underplay patriotic
If the war were basically a
tion American motives in
more than 200,000 who died
out that in Japanese text-
themes and deal with the un-
clash of economic interests,
Asia. Today, their tone is
in the Allied attack on Oki-
books "the war appears as a
pleasant past by trying to
why should Japan feel guilty
much less apologetic.
nawa, more Japanese would
natural catastrophe which
erase it. They complain that
about it? "Instinctively I re-
Participants of a confer-
have perished if an all-out
'happened' to Japan, as if
wartime leaders like Gen-
ject the idea that Japan
ence in 1969 - the first time
assault on the main islands
without the intervention of
eral Tojo and Adm. Isoroku
must be seen as a criminal,"
Japanese and American his-
had been launched by the
human agency."
Yamamoto (the brilliant
said Yoko Oshima, a student
torians pooled their re-
United States.)
Many Japanese legiti-
strategist who planned the
of international law, as the
sources to study World War
It is virtually impossible
mately point out that the
Pearl Harbor attack in spite
others nodded in agreement.
II - recall how the Ameri-
for anyone to see the skele-
idea of exonerating the Jap-
of deep misgivings) have be-
In Japan, there are histori-
cans were so guilt-ridden
tal shell of the old five-story
anese people was estab-
come virtual nonpersons.
ans who do see the nation's
over the Vietnam conflict
domed exhibition hall by a
lished by the United States
"Without teaching about
wartime behavior as crimi-
they even criticized Roose-
river bank in downtown Hi-
itself. According to the Al-
military power, how can you
nal, but they are generally
velt for his intransigence.
roshima and not be deeply
lied-sponsored Tokyo War
judge or assess the results
leftists. The 1968 classic histo-
The conclusion of the par-
moved. Akihiro Takahashi, a
Crimes Tribunal, a handful
of war?" asks Hiroyuki
ry, "The Pacific War," by Sa-
ticipants, published in
director of the Hiroshima
of leaders conspired to
Agawa, a biographer of Ad-
buro Ienaga, is a reminder of
"Pearl Harbor as History"
Peace Culture Foundation,
make war, ignoring the
miral Yamamoto.
the self-delusion and cruelty
(1973), was a model of even-
knows every exhibit by
wishes of the people. Thus
A recent newspaper article
of the ultranationalist Japa-
handedness. Its introduction
heart: maps of the hypocen-
the trials and convictions of
quoted a high-school teacher
nese leaders throughout the
(Continued on page 68)
Today Japan's nearly $50
PEARL HARBOR
billion in Asian holdings
(Continued from page 47)
makes it the largest single
source of investment and
noted the amazing scholarly
growth, dwarfing American
consensus that "blame for
resources in the same re-
the war could not be attrib-
gion. Asians are increasing-
uted primarily to either the
ly looking to Japan for lead-
United States or Japan."
ership. The British, the
Times have changed. Par-
French, the Dutch are all
ticularly after the Persian
going or gone. American
Gulf war and the collapse of
troops are also pulling out.
Communism in the Soviet
Although Japan has been
Union, Roosevelt's drawing
America's biggest ally in
a line in the sand is no longer
Asia in recent decades, an-
seen as improper.
other hostile element of
Pearl Harbor days lingers.
ANYONE FOLLOWING JAP-
During the war, both the
anese-American frictions
Japanese and Americans in-
cannot help but note the par-
dulged in an orgy of racial
allels between the early
hatred. As John W. Dower,
1940's and now. Fifty years
professor of history at the
after the attack on Pearl
Massachusetts Institute of
Harbor, Washington is still
Technology, noted in "War
debating the wisdom of eco-
Without Mercy" (1986), the
INB
nomic pressure on Tokyo.
Japanese stereotype was that
la NOUVELLEBAGUE
Will American trade sanc-
Americans were white impe-
tions provoke Japan into
rialists, bent on subjugating
From our collection of exotically colored bangles. Hand-applied
greater intransigence or re-
Asia, whereas in American
unbreakable enamel with accents of 18kt gold and dangling pendenti.
taliation?
eyes the Japanese were sub-
Priced from $660
Then and now, the vocabu-
human, or superhuman, in
lary of Japanese-American
their fanaticism.
relations is often framed in
"That vicious racial ste-
bellicose terms. Japanese
reotypes were transformed
N.
W
301 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 212/751-9824
speak of their "second
does not mean they were dis-
509 Madison Avenue
New
York,
NY
10022
212/888-0505
strike": if Washington cuts
pelled," wrote Dower. "They
To order, or for further information, please call 800-255-3310.
off Japanese imports, Tokyo
remain latent, capable of be-
can strangle the American
ing revived by both sides in
economy by cutting off in-
times of crisis and tension."
vestments or purchases of
Indeed, many Japanese still
Treasury bonds.
see themselves as victims of
Tension between Japan
racism - tortured, for ex-
and the United States today
ample, by the question of
techline®
has many causes, but much
why they, alone, suffered
furniture and cabinetry
of it is rooted in the growing
atom-bomb attacks.
perception in both countries
The Pearl Harbor anni-
that Japan has become an
versary could provide an OC-
economic juggernaut in
casion for more recrimina-
spite of - and perhaps even
tion or an opportunity for
because of - the war.
more understanding. Akira
For one thing, it is no long-
Iriye, a 57-year-old Ameri-
er widely accepted that Ja-
can-trained history profes-
pan was little more than a
sor at Harvard University
warmongering country be-
who has retained his Japa-
fore the war and that a "new
nese citizenship, is an apt
Japan" rose out of the ashes
symbol of the synthesis that
of defeat to achieve a mod-
Japan may need to achieve.
ern economic miracle. Most
"I remember being in
analysts, especially those in
grade school when, as the
the United States, now say
war grew worse, our teach-
that the "miracle" was part-
ers became more and more
ly a result of the close coop-
fanatical over the spiritual
eration between big indus-
superiority of Japan," Iriye
trial cartels and the Govern-
says. "Then once the war
ment. That partnership, es-
ended, they completely re-
tablished in the 1920's and
versed themselves, talking
1930's, was forged in the
about democracy and peace.
Quality
fires of war.
It was very disillusioning,
Tokyo went to war to expel
even to a 10-year-old.
Precision
rival colonial empires from
"Today, the Japanese are
Versatility
Asia, but its goal was to as-
clearly not teaching the war
sure access to natural re-
very well. It's very disturb-
sources, markets and free-
ing to me. I don't see any-
Now at techline studios in over 50 locations, including:
dom of the seas. Japan has
thing sinister about the
prospered because it ob-
Americans' remembering
New York, NY
Cleveland, OH
Morristown, NJ
St. Louis, MO
tained all these things, not
Pearl Harbor. The Japanese
(212) 941-0553
(216) 421-0020
(201) 605-8838
(314) 991-3595
only by dint of its own hard
may be nervous, but we
work, but also because of the
should all use it as an oppor-
Champaign, IL.
Lewisburg, PA-
Queens, NY
Washington, D.C.
generosity (and self-inter-
tunity for both sides to get to
(2.17) 352-5570
(717) 524-7300
(718) 779-1968
(301) 770-1779.
est) of the United States.
know each other better.'
The tragic sight of the battleship
Arizona burning after the attack on
Pearl Harbor is etched in our national
memory. But fewer remember the
Oklahoma, another battleship hit on
Capsized USS Oklahoma,
following the Japanese
December 7, 1941. A television pro-
attack on Pearl Harbor
ducer asked me to write a film script
about it, and eventually I managed to
track down the phone number of
someone who, I was told, might have
been an eyewitness. When I called, he
said in an accent I could not place:
"Nobody knows this story. Not my
wife, not my children.
"Come on up, I tell you everything.
I remember everything."
HE DECEMBER
sun was barely
edging over the ho-
rizon when Joe
No
Bulgo, a 21-year-
old shipyard work-
Then a familiar drone filled the
Medals for
vaders vanished, leaving behind an
er, walked through
sky. When Joe saw waves of air-
eerie silence-and unbelievable de-
the gates of Hono-
craft flying in formation across the
struction. All the workers were en-
lulu's Pearl Harbor
harbor, he assumed it was an Army
raged. They wanted to fight back,
Navy Yard. It was
Joe
exercise. He thought, I didn't know
but had nothing to fight back with.
Sunday morning, so the big shop
we had that many planes. But within
Eventually Joe received new orders.
buildings and repair basin were
By MAYO SIMON
seconds, plumes of water began
"Get down to the dock with your
nearly deserted. Beyond them lay
kicking up among the ships, and
chipping outfit," a supervisor
the entire Pacific Battleship Fleet,
he saw the planes' insignia: the
shouted to him. "They want you on
peacefully at anchor.
and test a new sea valve on the
rising sun.
the Oklahoma!"
Joe had come to this base from a
destroyer Shaw. He changed into
Pandemonium broke loose, and
A launch took him across the
pineapple plantation on the island
his work clothes and picked up his
Joe ran for cover. Screaming planes
channel. Half obscured by black
of Maui, where he was born. At six
pneumatic hammer, the biggest
swooped low, bombing and strafing
clouds of smoke, battleships were
feet, with broad shoulders and
one made. When other workers
the docks and harbor. The Shaw rose
settling to the bottom of the harbor.
thick arms, he seemed never to tire,
tried to use this chipping gun, it
up in a fiery cloud, its bow blown off.
Hundreds of bodies floated in the
and never complained. He would
would fly out of their hands. But
Torpedoes shuddered into the Okla-
water. The Arizona was burning,
do any job, anytime. After all, he
Joe could hold it. On his way to the
homa; the Arizona exploded. Ship
huge flames engulfing its twisted
had taken an oath to do what the
vessel, he heard a ship's band play-
after ship-destroyers, cruisers,
superstructure.
Navy said.
ing "The Star-Spangled Banner"
minelayers-turned over and sank.
The Oklahoma was unrecogniz-
Today his orders were to caulk
for the morning flag-raising.
After two hours of hell, the in-
able. All that was left of the huge
138
PHOTO: COURTESY OF U.S. NAVY
139
READER'S DIGEST
December
1990
NO MEDALS FOR JOE
ship was a curving piece of hull
drilled, they hit oil tanks, waste
tiously slid into the shaft with only
sticking out of the water. It looked
able to pry open the steel. Immedi-
tanks, dead ends, and would have
a cage lantern to light his way.
like a stranded gray whale.
ately the sailors came out in a huge
to plug up and start over. They
Deeper and deeper he went past the
rush of water-kids smeared with
Standing on the hull under the
knew that, little by little, they were
ribs of the upside-down ship. He felt
oil, hardly able to move or breathe
smoky sky were the chipping gang
letting out all the ship's trapped
like Jonah in the belly of the whale.
from Shop 11 and Joe's boss, Julio
after being trapped for over 20
air-the only thing keeping the wa-
Suddenly the ship began to sway
DeCastro. "Come on," he yelled at
hours. None had the strength to get
ter level down. The more holes they
and groan. Joe's stomach tightened
Joe. "Let's get going!"
made, the closer the men were to
to the hatch. So Joe said, "Here, up
in terror. If it starts to settle, I'm gone.
on my back!"
At least three torpedoes had cap-
drowning.
Fighting the urge to turn back, he
One by one they climbed on his
sized the Oklahoma, DeCastro told
Joe worked tirelessly, opening
tried to catch his breath in the
broad back, and he lifted them to
Joe. Its masts were stuck in the mud
bulkhead after bulkhead, only to
choking stench of oil and sewage.
the hatch, where other workers
at the bottom of the harbor, and
find himself in a maze of tiny
Then he heard the tapping.
some 400 sailors were still inside.
pulled them to safety. By the time
compartments filled with debris.
Faint. Steady. Joe tapped back with
"Listen," DeCastro said. Joe could
the last sailor got out, the water was
Sometimes he came upon smashed
his chisel on the sweating metal
hear the trapped sailors tapping on
up to Joe's neck. He scrambled up
bodies of sailors in passageways,
bulkhead. Come on, he thought.
his hose line, and DeCastro sealed
the steel beneath his feet.
but he had to keep going.
Tell me where you are. Finally, an-
the hatch behind him.
The workers tried to cut into the
Whenever Joe paused, he could
swering taps. Joe slid down farther
hull with their chipping guns, but it
Joe blinked in the sunlight, fill-
hear desperate tapping reverberat-
and cocked his head, listening hard.
ing his lungs with fresh air. The
was hard going. "Chipping guns
ing through the ship. Save me, save
He called for help from DeCastro.
sailors, wrapped in blankets, were
not made to cut through steel this
me, the terrified sailors were saying.
The two lifted open a manhole
already in the launch that was tak-
thick," Joe finally told DeCastro.
Give me life.
That sound would
cover, and Joe slipped into an emp-
"Why not burn them out?"
ing them to the hospital ship. Joe
live in Joe's marrow forever.
ty compartment. He heard the
shouted and waved, but they were
DeCastro showed him an open
Night fell, and the clatter of the
sound once more. Tap tap tap. It
too far away to hear. He watched
black patch in the hull. Before he
chipping guns continued. Fully ex-
was coming from the other side of
arrived, the burner gang from a
them disappear across the gray
pecting another Japanese attack,
the bulkhead.
harbor.
Navy ship had tried using acetylene
the workers could not use lights on
Joe tapped again. Suddenly
All told, more than 400 died in
torches. A cork-lined compartment
the hull. Instead, they relied on the
voices were shouting: "Hurry! Wa-
had been set afire, and two trapped
the sunken ship; but over four days
grisly illumination from the burn-
ter's coming up!"
sailors had suffocated. "We have no
and nights, Joe Bulgo and the rest
ing Arizona.
Joe's chipping gun dug into the
choice," said DeCastro.
of the chipping gang saved 32 men.
Toward midnight, when Joe cut
steel with an angry clatter. When
Later that year, Navy citations "for
Joe started up his gun with an
into the hull, water bubbled out. He
trapped air came out with a
earsplitting clatter. He leaned into
heroic work with utter disregard of
tasted it: sweet. He had hit a fresh-
whoosh, the sailors tried to stop it
the bulkhead, made two cuts and
personal safety" were awarded to
water tank. DeCastro found a
with their fingers. "Don't do
helped bend out a patch. Then he
Joe Bulgo, Julio DeCastro and 18
pump, and after several agonizing
that!" Joe yelled. "I'm going to cut
others from Shop 11.
went down into the ship and re-
hours, they had removed enough
it fast." He was a good worker,
lieved several exhausted workers
water so they could crawl into the
but he'd never cut so rapidly in his
AFTER THE WAR, Joe married, had
chipping at a deck inside.
tank.
life.
four children and joined the mer-
It was boiling hot. No air. They
They drilled open its bottom,
Water was rising to Joe's waist
kept looking for a way to get to the
chant marine. During the Vietnam
and a shout went up: inside was a
now. But he refused to be distracted
war, he returned to work for the
trapped men. But the ship was
dry, white shaft. A way in!
from his work. Keep on going, he
Navy on a chipping gang at the San
upside down, and it was impossible
As the others unreeled the hose
told himself. Get them out.
to figure where they were. As they
Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard.
of his pneumatic hammer, Joe cau-
After cutting three sides, Joe was
When his family said he was work-
140
141
READER'S DIGEST
December
1990
NO MEDALS FOR JOE
ing too hard, he'd reply, "Our boys
I never seen any of those boys I
that someone might save them. And
to their feet, cheering. He covered
are over there dying. They need
saved. It was all in the dark and so
how, finally, a young worker had cut
his face with his napkin. He didn't
these ships."
quick. I wish I could have talked
through the bulkhead, releasing
want them to see him crying. Then
In 1971, he had his first heart
with them once."
them all. I described how the rescuer,
three elderly veterans embraced the
attack. After a second attack, he
in the accent of the islands, had said
man who could no longer stand,
retired.
ON MAY 16, 1987, I waited in the
to the sailors, "Here, on my back"-
even to acknowledge the applause,
The most precious thing he
San Jose hotel, where 200 ex-sailors
and then lifted each one to safety.
but on whose broad, strong back
owned, his citation, was lost when
and their wives were meeting. I
The crowd was quiet as I read
they had once been carried.
somebody stole his suitcase in a bus
knew Joe was coming-his wife,
off the names of the sailors rescued
station. He wrote letter after letter
Val, had told me how excited he
that day. "I know three of those
JOE BULGO died two months later.
to Washington. He finally got a
was to have been invited-but I also
men are here tonight. And I also
When the San Francisco Examiner
copy of the citation, with a letter
knew he was ill. Bone cancer, she
know you never got a chance to
called me, I told them what I
saying he might have a medal com-
had said.
thank him. So if there's something
knew. His obituary begins: "Jo-
ing. He waited, wrote more letters.
Even so, when Val and their
you'd like to say to that Hawaiian
seph Bulgo, Jr., a neglected hero of
Nothing happened. It seemed the
daughter, Linda, brought Joe into
kid who risked his life to save yours
Pearl Harbor
rescue was a forgotten episode
the big convention room, I was
46 years ago-well, he's right over
Well, yes-there hadn't been any
about a forgotten ship.
shocked. He was in a wheelchair.
there."
medals for Joe. But, I thought to
His once-powerful body had
It is impossible to describe the
myself, in the end we made things
THAT WAS THE STORY Joe Bulgo told
shrunk. His eyes were filled with
emotions that swept the hall as I
right. We said thank you, at last, to
me in 1986 when I turned up at his
pain. "How you doing, Joe?" I said.
pointed to Joe, and 200 people rose
an American hero.
door, 45 years after Pearl Harbor. I
He pulled my head down and
kept thinking to myself: This man
whispered, "Thinking about this
deserves a medal. Well, if nothing else,
night is what's kept me alive."
the film will give him and his fellow
Blush Hour
They seated the Bulgo family in
shipyard workers the recognition they
front of the head table. A Navy
A SCHOOL SECRETARY met the superintendent in the hall one day. "I hear
merit.
chaplain gave the invocation. We
you are going to be a grandmother," the administrator said. "Is it the
But the film was never made, the
ate. The master of ceremonies told
daughter I met who is expecting?"
idea shelved by the network. Dis-
jokes. Then a band started to play,
"Oh, no," the woman was quick to reply. "It's my son and his wife. My
couraged, I put everything away-
and everyone was laughing, drink-
daughter and her husband can't possibly have any children until they
the script, my notes, the documents,
learn to make both ends meet."
-Contributed by Eileen A. Fitch
ing, dancing. Joe sat stiffly in his
the reminiscences of sailors-and I
chair, his food untouched. I won-
My SISTER pointed out to my mother and the sales clerk the iridescent-
went on to something else.
dered, Will people actually want to
purple dance outfit she wanted for an upcoming recital. "You can't have
Almost a year later, I got a call
listen to an old war story?
that," my mother said. "I told you every prostitute your Uncle George
from Al Ellis of the U.S.S. Oklaho-
Finally they introduced me, and
ever picked up was wearing purple!"
ma Association, an organization for
I began to speak. I told them one
No one had told the sales clerk that Uncle George had been a
everyone who had ever served on
sailor's story from that dark De-
policeman.
-Contributed by Anji Gandhi
the ship. Would I speak at their
cember day at Pearl Harbor. How
next convention in San Jose?
he and ten others had been trapped
DURING THE BUSY TAX SEASON my accountant puts in long hours, but
I was about to politely decline
since he works out of his home, he can frequently take quick naps to catch
in a compartment slowly filling
when I remembered something Joe
up on his sleep. One day I phoned, and his wife answered.
with water. How for 27 hours
had told me. At the end of the
"When do you think he can return my call?" I asked.
they'd banged frantically against
interview, he had said, "You know,
"I really don't know," she replied. "He's sleeping between two clients
the bulkhead, hoping-praying-
right now."
-Contributed by Vivian Kirkpatrick
142
143
Oct. 27 / Administration of George Bush, 1990
Nomination of John A. Bushnell To Be
Lebanon so that the process of national rec-
sight. The fleet
United States Ambassador to Costa
onciliation can proceed.
recovered-the
Rica
For 15 years we have argued against vio-
set the world T
October 27, 1990
lence in Lebanon. Now is not the time to
work complete
settle old scores. Now is the time for heal-
No member 0
The President today nominated John A.
ing. The United States has made this point
forget the clar
Bushnell, of Connecticut, a Career Member
to Syria as well as to the various Lebanese
represented. Th
of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Min-
parties.
country came
ister-Counselor, as Ambassador to the Re-
today, we each
public of Costa Rica. He would succeed
There was
Deane Roesch Hinton.
where the act
Remarks to Officers and Troops at
Since 1989, Mr. Bushnell has served as
Chase's Profess.
Hickam Air Force Base in
War II veteran
Deputy Chief of Mission in the Republic of
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Panama. Mr. Bushnell entered the Foreign
ton. Seizing or
Service in 1960 and has served in the fol-
October 28, 1990
war, a snide yo
miss the actio
lowing positions: assigned to the Depart-
The President. Thank you, Admiral Har-
Houseman's r
ment of State, 1960-1962; international
economist in Bogota, Colombia, 1962-1964;
disty. Please be seated. And thank each and
yanked off his &
international economist in Santo Domingo,
every one of you for joining us here today-
"No, I miss the
1964-1965; program officer for the Agency
and for joining in the defense of freedom
Persian Gulf, t.
for International Development, 1965-1969;
every day. You know, I'm proud to be back
with the ch
international economist for the U.S. Mission
here at Pearl and proud to be back as your
Saddam Hussei
in Geneva, 1969-1971; National Security
Commander in Chief and proud to be back
ful of clarity, I
Council, 1971-1974; Deputy Assistant Sec-
standing up for fighting men and women
Gulf, what we
retary for the Department of the Treasury,
like you that serve in the Armed Forces of
evil, right and
1974-1976; assigned to the Department of
the United States. We have never had a
shocking new 1
State, 1976-1981; member of the Board of
finer group of people. Governor Waihee,
of the reign
the Panama Canal Commission, 1980;
the Governor of the State-proud to be in
hospital, dialys:
Deputy Chief of Mission in Buenos Aires,
your State, sir. To my dear friend Pat Saiki,
their machines
1982-1987; and interfunctional officer in
the Congresswoman from this district,
from Kuwait
the Office of the Director of Management
thank you for joining me and thank you for
pulled the plug
Policy, 1988-1989.
being at my side coming out here. To Colo-
premature bab
Mr. Bushnell graduated from Yale Uni-
nel Lyon, my respects, sir. And again, Ad-
employees we.
versity (B.A., 1955) and the University of
miral Hardisty, thank you, sir, for this unfor-
machines were
Melbourne (M.A., 1959). He was born July
gettable welcome back here to this marvel-
you cannot p
ous Hickam Air Force Base. This is quite a
invasion of Ku
26, 1933, in New York. Mr. Bushnell is mar-
crowd. But I can't help but think of the
The invasion (
ried and resides in Panama.
warning that one soldier gave to comedian
And the invasi-
Steve Martin last week when Steve Martin
Iraq's invas
began a talk in Saudi Arabia. This is a true
breach of the
story. He said, "You'd better be funny.
of the United
Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater
We've got bullets."
actions, the Ir
on Lebanon
Well, you may recall, there was a slight
tempt for the
October 27, 1990
confusion a couple years ago when I said
United Natio
that Pearl Harbor Day was September 7th.
sein will be
The United States believes that order and
But now I've put an end to all that confu-
waged a wa.
security should be brought to Lebanon as
sion-and I just want to say I'm very happy
peaceful neig
soon as possible by the legitimate govern-
to be back here in at Clark Air Force Base.
and gassed it
ment. We believe that implementation of
Laughter] The truth is, I will always re
those crimes
the Taif Accord should proceed. The United
member the first time that I saw Pearl
ciples adopte
States strongly supports the unity, sover
Harbor in the early spring of 1944. Our
unanimously
eignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon
ship and my squadron were en route to
tions in 1950.
and urges the disbandment of all militias
Wake Island and out to the rest of the Pa-
tion of the N
and the removal of all foreign forces from
cific. Then, as now, it was an impressive
1686
Administration of George Bush, 1990 / Oct. 28
'SS of national rec-
sight. The fleet, having been pounded, had
sein must know the stakes are high, the
rgued against vio-
recovered-the naval shipyard here having
cause is just and, today more than ever,the
set the world record for the fastest repair
determination is real.
S not the time to
the time for heal-
work completed on battle-damaged ships.
You know, if you look into history, Amer-
No member of that generation can ever
IS made this point
ica never went looking for a war. But in
various Lebanese
forget the clarion call that Pearl Harbor
World War II, the world paid dearly for
represented. Things changed instantly. The
appeasing an aggressor who could have
country came together and, like you here
been stopped. Appeasement leads only to
today, we each knew our duty.
further aggression and, ultimately, to war.
There was a movie a few years back
And we are not going to make the mistake
d Troops at
where the actor John Houseman, Paper
of appeasement again. And one of the other
in
Chase's Professor Kinsfield, played a World
mistakes-one of the other lessons, rather,
War II veteran now deskbound in Washing-
that America, like it or not, was part of the
ton. Seizing on a passing reference to the
whole-that was the lesson. And Hitler re-
war, a snide young colleague asks, "Do you
miss the action of those days, sir?" And
joiced at the news-if you remember your
ou, Admiral Har-
Houseman's response was classic. He
history books-rejoiced at the news from
nd thank each and
yanked off his glasses and calmly fired back,
Pearl Harbor. And Adolf Hitler called the
ig us here today-
'No, I miss the clarity." Well, today in the
attack on Pearl Harbor the turning point of
fense of freedom
Persian Gulf, the world is once again faced
the war. And he was right. But not in the
proud to be back
with the challenge of perfect clarity.
way he thought. Pearl Harbor changed the
0 be back as your
Saddam Hussein has given us a whole plate-
world and America's role in it for all time.
proud to be back
ful of clarity, because today, in the Persian
And you here know that. During the past
men and women
Gulf, what we are looking at is good and
3 months, men and women like you from
Armed Forces of
evil, right and wrong. And day after day,
all 50 States have helped to launch what
lave never had a
shocking new horrors reveal the true nature
history will judge as one of the most impor-
Governor Waihee,
of the reign of terror in Kuwait. In one
tant deployments of allied military power
-proud to be in
hospital, dialysis patients were ripped from
since 1945. But make no mistake: The deci-
r friend Pat Saiki,
their machines and the machines shipped
sion for this deployment was not made in
m this district,
from Kuwait to Baghdad. Iraq soldiers
and thank you for
Washington; the decision for this deploy-
pulled the plug on incubators supporting 22
out here. To Colo-
ment was made by the men in Baghdad.
premature babies. All 22 died. The hospital
r. And again, Ad-
And we are the ones that are standing up
employees were shot and the plundered
sir, for this unfor-
for civilized values, standing up for a princi-
machines were shipped off to Baghdad. But
re to this marvel-
ple that's almost as old as our Republic
you cannot pull the plug on a nation. The
se. This is quite a
Franklin Roosevelt put it clearly in a fire-
invasion of Kuwait was without provocation.
but think of the
side chat, just after Pearl Harbor. He said:
The invasion of Kuwait was without excuse.
gave to comedian
And the invasion of Kuwait will not stand.
"Together with other free people we are
hen Steve Martin
Iraq's invasion marks an outrageous
now fighting to maintain our right to live
bia. This is a true
breach of the peace, a broad-faced violation
among our world neighbors in freedom and
better be funny.
of the United Nations Charter. And by its
in common decency without the fear of as-
actions, the Iraqi regime has shown its con-
sault." And Harry Truman understood this
here was a slight
tempt for the very principles on which the
lesson. Almost 10 years after Pearl Harbor
ago when I said
United Nations was founded. Saddam Hus-
he, too, spoke to the Nation, and he could
S September 7th.
sein will be held accountable. Iraq has
almost have been talking about Kuwait.
to all that confu-
waged a war of aggression, plundered a
"Korea is a small country," he said, "thou-
y I'm very happy
peaceful neighbor, held innocents hostage,
sands of miles away. But what is happening
k Air Force Base.
and gassed its own people. And all four of
there," said Truman, "is important to every
I will always re-
those crimes are punishable under the prin-
American." And he called the unprovoked
hat I saw Pearl
ciples adopted by the allies in 1945 and
invasion a "direct challenge to the efforts of
ng of 1944. Our
unanimously reaffirmed by the United Na-
the free nations to build the kind of world
ere en route to
tions in 1950. Two weeks ago I made men-
in which men can live in freedom and
e rest of the Pa-
tion of the Nuremberg trials. Saddam Hus-
peace."
as an impressive
1687
Oct. 28 / Administration of George Bush, 1990
And since that time, allied strength and
Thank you very much for coming. And
hopeful that this will
resolve have been tested many, many
God bless the United States of America.
effect on the economy,
times. But when we look back on that histo-
Thank you.
store the United States
ry of valor and sacrifice, it is clear that the
levels of growth, the rev
strength of our arms and the strength of
Note: The President spoke at 1:20 p.m. on
But that means we've g
our will is up to the challenge that we all
the tarmac at Hickam Air Force Base. In his
what I think of as this
face today in the Persian Gulf. And we are
opening remarks, he referred to Adm. Hun-
and spending.
not alone-remember this: we are not
tington Hardisty, commander in chief of
You know, the minut
alone. The United Nations Security Council
the U.S. Pacific Command.
was over, one of the
has passed eight major resolutions setting
said, well, now we're g
the terms for solving this crisis. A majority
fight to raise taxes on t]
of the Arab League is with us. The Soviet
old class warfare, tax-ai
Union and China are with us. And NATO's
resolve has never been more firm. And
Exchange With Reporters in
So, what I'll be doing is
San Francisco, California
across this country tha
today it is not Iraq against Kuwait, but it is
Iraq against the rest of the civilized world.
October 29, 1990
that tired old philosophy
ica back to work again.
And that message-we must say it over and
better than what these
over again.
California Gubernatorial Campaign
Terry [Terry Hunt, Ass
And so, this unprecedented unity is a
The President. Well, let me just say that
no, we've taken a major
result of hard work and favorable winds—
not the winds of war, but the winds of
I'm delighted to be back here. We had a
in the right direction
change. And from these magnificent Pacific
fundraising event for Pete Wilson and I am
there's plenty of reasons
Islands it's easy to see how, with skillful
very encouraged with the support we keep
it.
hands at the helm, these winds can carry us
reading about and hearing about for a Sena-
Persian Gulf Crisis
tor now about to be Governor. This State is
towards a future of vast horizons-a dynam-
a critical State in the sense of this election
Q. Mr. President, now
ic new Asia and a new partnership of na-
coming up. The governorship here is enor-
mission in the Middle E
tions where free peoples and free markets
look to our shore for partnership and securi-
mously important. It has national impor-
where, is there any ch
tance. And I am enthusiastically for Pete
short of a military solutio
ty and leadership. The world is still a dan-
Wilson, and he can give you a little vibra-
The President. Yes. i
gerous place. And those in uniform will
tion or two as to how he feels it's going. But
that the economic sanct
always bear the heaviest burden. Perhaps I
I like the feel of this campaign.
the worldwide solidarity
know something of what you endure-the
Senator Wilson. Mr. President, I share
Saddam Hussein-will CO
waiting, the uncertainty, the demands of
your enthusiasm and your optimism. I think
should, without condi'
family and professional life. We want every
it's going well. We are very pleased with
Kuwait.
single American home. No American will
the polling numbers that we're seeing and
Q. And negotiations in
be kept in the Gulf a single day longer than
even more pleased with the reaction that
ever?
necessary, but we will not walk away until
we're getting from the crowds. It sure is
The President. No-th
our mission is done.
nice to be back.
going to have negotiation
As we meet, it is midday in Hawaii. And
The President. Now you don't have to go
ity. There's no way to d
soon the Sun will be setting across much of
back there anymore. That's good.
gets out of Kuwait and
America. An hour of prayer, a day of rest, a
Federal Budget
mate government, ther
nation at peace. And soon many of those
work out difficulties tha
prayers will follow the Sun westward across
Q. Can I ask you a question on the
But we're not going to
the Pacific and Asia. And soon, like the rays
budget, Mr. President?
tions. And so-and the
of the Sun itself, those prayers will reach
The President. Yes.
tight. I think-talking t
down to carry the light of a new day to the
Q. Even with this deficit reduction deal
think he understands ho
brave men and women standing watch over
the deficit this year is going to go to $250
I know that he had the
the sands and shores of the Gulf. Not an
billion-a record. In over 5 years the debt is
he talked to President N
hour passes that they are not on my mind.
going to go from $3 billion to $5 billion-or
And I think that Presi
And so, we've come here to thank you for
trillion-excuse me. Doesn't that mean
holding just as firm as i
the important work that you-all of you-
there's a lot more painful medicine out
good, you see, Ann [Ar
do in defending our nation's freedom, in
there for the American people?
News], because that ser
keeping our nation strong, and holding high
The President. Well, it means we've had
that the free world is
the banner of freedom.
to swallow some painful medicine. And I'm
dictator.
1688
[714]
Public Papers of the Presidents
December 7
Our conversations convinced me of the depth of understanding between the
United States and the Philippines, which will permit points on which we may
differ to be resolved without becoming items of major conflict.
As I leave today, I go home convinced that the relationship of mutual respect
and mutual trust between our two countries is the continuing basis for a true
alliance today as well as in the future.
On behalf of Mrs. Ford, our daughter Susan, and all of our delegation-yes,
all of the American people-I thank you and Mrs. Marcos and all of the people
of the Philippines for the gracious, the kind, and the wonderful reception that
we had. We are most appreciative.
NOTE: The President spoke at 2:52 p.m. at the
with resolution to move forward in preparedness
Manila International Airport. President Marcos re-
for their security as well as for their development.
sponded as follows:
The confidence that you instill in the Asian na-
For and on behalf of the 42 million Filipinos, on
tions today shall be met with the effort of obtain-
behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, and on
ing self-reliance, and it is our hope that the bond
my own personal behalf and that of my wife, I
of friendship and comity that now exists between
wish you a happy trip home and hope that you will
our two countries shall continue strengthening.
bring with you to the American people the affec-
With the faith on the part of the Filipino people,
tion and good will that you have found in the
we can hopefully say, go with God, Mr. President,
Philippines.
and may you succeed on your mission of peace.
Thank you.
You came to Asia, Mr. President, with one mes-
sage underneath-that America has no intention of
withdrawing into the Pacific and into your hemi-
sphere and abandoning Asia and your allies in the
Earlier in the day, President Ford and President
Pacific.
Marcos went to Manila Harbor where they boarded
It is, therefore, with confidence that we face the
the presidential yacht for a trip to Corregidor Is-
future. All Asian countries and Asian leaders take
land. During the trip, the two Presidents held a
courage in your work and shall mark your work
meeting on the yacht.
715
Remarks at Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremonies in Honolulu,
Hawaii. December 7, 1975
Admiral Gayler, distinguished guests:
We who remember Pearl Harbor will always remember. For us it is a moment
etched in time, a moment of shock and mixed feelings and, particularly, dis-
belief, a moment of shame and a moment of sorrow, of anguish and of anger,
an end to irresolutions, a summons to action, the start of a total commitment
that comes but rarely to men and to nations.
Whoever watched the Pacific churned by winds of war comes to this hallowed
1948
December 7
Gerald R. Ford, 1975
[715]
place with feelings overcoming words. Our shipmates who rest in honor here,
our comrades in arms who sleep beneath the waves and on the islands that
surround us need no eulogy beyond the eternal gratitude of the land that they
loved.
On this Sunday morning in December, we remember them. In all the history
of war there is a recurrent question, why do young men have to die? Why not
save, instead of spend, our bravest and our best? Could they not live for their
country, work for their country, achieve for their country? Can't we have living
heroes, patriots of peace, and raise our monuments to lives well lived rather than
memorials to lives snuffed out in the black smoke of battle?
I believe we can and will build a safer and saner world. If I did not believe it,
then I and hundreds of thousands like me learned nothing in the Pacific during
World War II. If I didn't believe it, I would not have supported America's
bipartisan policy of peace through strength for more than a quarter of a century
of severe challenges-trials that are far from finished here today.
If I didn't believe it, I would not have journeyed 27,000 miles around the
Pacific as President to talk peace and mutually beneficial ties with the leaders
of Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of
China, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
The 1,600 million people of these nations and of the United States make up
more than half of the whole human family. If a majority of people want peace,
why cannot the world have peace? If a majority want to live in friendship, why
cannot we all live in friendship?
There may be uncertainties, but surely it is worth a try. Here in Hawaii, with
its diversity and its harmony, such a goal seems neither impractical nor im-
possible. The crossroads of the Pacific can become the crossroads of old and
new civilizations, the lives of all lands can be preserved and prosper in the
Pacific.
We who remember Pearl Harbor will never drop our guard nor unilaterally
dismantle our defenses. But we Americans must and will use our moral
leadership and our material strength to bring the Pacific community and the
world little by little, year by year, closer and closer to real and reliable peace.
We will hold our course for a peaceful Pacific, remembering that vigilance,
the price of liberty, must be paid and repaid by every generation. We will keep
faith with our past as we work to build a better world for our children and our
grandchildren.
1949
[715]
Public Papers of the Presidents
December 7
December
I believe they will see peace come through and thank us as we thank those
students W
fallen heroes we honor here today. Their duty is done. Let us do ours.
in educatic
Thank you and aloha.
understand
NOTE: The President spoke at 8:01 a.m. at the
In Haw:
he referred to Adm. Noel A. M. Gayler, USN, Com-
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. In his opening remarks,
mander in Chief, Pacific.
I was de
the honor
716
The gracic
American
Address at the University of Hawaii.
growing f1
December 7, 1975
tribute to
from a tra
Thank you very much, Dr. Kleinjans. Governor Ariyoshi, Senator Fong, Con-
can be aci
gressman Matsunaga, Dr. Matsuda, students, faculty, and members of the com-
improve re
munity here in Hawaii:
America
It was nice to see you, Doctor. I had the honor for a good many years of
responsibil
representing an area, a wonderful community, from which the Doctor came. I
and preser
know more of his relatives perhaps than he does-[laughter]-and they were
Asian com
always very kind to me, for which I was deeply grateful.
In 1941,
But it is good to be home again in the United States. I have just completed, as
the Pacific
many of you know, a 7-day trip to the State of Alaska, to the People's Republic
of China, to our good friends Indonesia and the Philippines, and now I am
were preoc
We have
obviously happy to be home in our 50th State, Hawaii.
This morning I reflected on the past at the shrine of Americans who died on
great com
Sunday morning 34 years ago. I came away with a new spirit of dedication to the
ferring in
ideals that emerged from Pearl Harbor in World War II-dedication to Amer-
association
ica's bipartisan policy of pursuing peace through strength and dedication to a
The cen
new future of interdependence and cooperation with all peoples of the Pacific.
Pacific int
I subscribe to a Pacific doctrine of peace with all and hostility toward none.
of action (
The way I would like to remember or recollect Pearl Harbor is by preserving
As I retui
the power of the past to build the future. Let us join with new and old countries
aware of 0
of that great Pacific area in creating the greatest civilization on the shores of
The sec'
the greatest of our oceans.
States, the
My visit here to the East-West Center holds another kind of meaning. Your
Europe ha
center is a catalyst of America's positive concern for Asia, its people and its
is absolute
rich diversity of cultures. You advance our hope that Asia will gain a better
Pacific.
understanding of the United States.
The firs
Last year we were pleased to receive and to welcome nearly 54,000 Asian
to any sta.
students to the United States, while thousands upon thousands of American
cern for St
1950