blackhawknj
Buckeye
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- Apr 22, 2010
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75th Anniversary of the "Day of Infamy."
December 7, 1941
- Thread starter blackhawknj
- Start date
any ruger
Blackhawk
Made my dad go to to the navy. USSBennington Cv 20. Airman machinist mate 2 class
exavid
Hunter
My father was already in the Army Air Corps when the attack came. He enlisted in 1939 as an aircraft mechanic. He was promoted to Master Seargent right after the attack. The last months of the war he was a crew chief on B29 Strange Cargo which brought the bomb to Tinian.
http://www.atomicheritage.org/profile/kermit-f-wescott
http://www.atomicheritage.org/profile/kermit-f-wescott
contender
Ruger Guru
So much happened that day, and so many things have changed in such a short time. Including our country. My Dad served, as well as 3 of his brothers. My Dad enlisted at the age of 27. Called "the old man" by his platoon, he also went Airborne! He served in the Pacific. Of the 4, (out of 7) boys, who served, we only lost one. At Normandy, on D-Day.
Lest we ever forget,,,,,,,,,,,,!
Lest we ever forget,,,,,,,,,,,,!
CGDustDevil
Buckeye
The day always makes me sad... I've been very much aware of the date since before the 20th Anniversary.
What an incredible time it must have been...
Regards, Pete
What an incredible time it must have been...
Regards, Pete
ronto
Hunter
My Dad was 38 when the war broke out, too old for the service but he worked in a ball bearing factory having defense contracts. His 2 younger brothers joined the Navy shortly after the War broke out. In those days the United States was truly "united".
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
My Dad was already in the Navy (enlisted in 1931/2) and had served on the Lexington and the Wasp, but went though the entire war never hearing a shot fired in anger. He was a 20 year career man when he retired in 1951.
I have lived on Ford Island (1947/48) and have seen the tears of sorrow** that the Arizona was weeping for those of her crew who died and were entombed inside her steel flanks on that Day of Infamy. There was no fancy Memorial structure in those days. May all the souls lost that day rest in peace and be blessed by the Lord as should the souls of all those who gave their lives to keep the USA a free nation in that war.
**The Arizona was seeping drops of fuel oil which would float to the harbor surface, those became called "Tears of Sorrow". After 75 years, I don't know if that is still occurring.
I have lived on Ford Island (1947/48) and have seen the tears of sorrow** that the Arizona was weeping for those of her crew who died and were entombed inside her steel flanks on that Day of Infamy. There was no fancy Memorial structure in those days. May all the souls lost that day rest in peace and be blessed by the Lord as should the souls of all those who gave their lives to keep the USA a free nation in that war.
**The Arizona was seeping drops of fuel oil which would float to the harbor surface, those became called "Tears of Sorrow". After 75 years, I don't know if that is still occurring.
smoke-eater
Blackhawk
My Mom had a high school classmate, Walter Simon, who lost his life on the USS Arizona. His remains were never recovered.
May he and his shipmates Rest in Peace.
Jeff
May he and his shipmates Rest in Peace.
Jeff
Up to my dad very male in the family had been Navy. Some career, some just a hitch. My grandfather was an old China sailor (look it up). But his last ship was the USS Vestal. The Vestal was a repair ship that was tied up along side the USS Arizona on the 7th.
Granddad had bee medically discharged due to a heart attack earlier in 1941. After the attack he got himself certified fit for duty. His hope was to go back to sea for some payback. However, he ended up with a shore billet in San Francisco. Sadly, he passed away later in 1942, yes, from a heart attack.
But his sons, nephews and one brother all served in the Pacific and got payback for the Vestal crew and all of the others.
Granddad had bee medically discharged due to a heart attack earlier in 1941. After the attack he got himself certified fit for duty. His hope was to go back to sea for some payback. However, he ended up with a shore billet in San Francisco. Sadly, he passed away later in 1942, yes, from a heart attack.
But his sons, nephews and one brother all served in the Pacific and got payback for the Vestal crew and all of the others.
graygun
Hunter
The old man was a "chairborne stranger" ...clerk typist with 10th Army HQ back then.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Colonialgirl said:
Hi,
I've never been there, but friends who have in recent years say it is... aerial photos taken in the right light show a light oil slick type sheen.
Rick
CGDustDevil
Buckeye
Colonialgirl said:
The Arizona does indeed still seep fuel oil to the tune of about 2.3 quarts a day... A little more than drops!
It had taken on some 1.2 million gallons the day before the attack as I recall. In fact, in some of the photos, one of the oilers servicing the fleet could be seen backing away from the conflagration. (It survived I'm told and served throughout the war) Not sure if that particular oiler was the one that filled the Arizona or not.
I have no idea how much of that fuel was lost/consumed in the attack & subsequent fires, but at the rate its leaking, it'll likely be some time before it quits without intervention. (Which was being discussed for environmental reasons at one time)
Best regards, Pete
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