December 7

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by bob deluke

I was stationed on a carrier during Nam. On the way over we stopped in Hawaii for on load planes, weapons, etc. If you were on the flight deck, or hanger deck for any reason, announcement was made on the MC-1 “Attention on deck” and you stood at attention and saluted as you passed by the Arizona and monument. Eerily quiet, not a sound on the ship, kinda spooky. Made that trip 3 times on the way to Nam.

We never passed since I was on small boys and we parked to the right

What struck me the first time sailing into Pearl was how narrow the channel is. It is just weird.

Originally Posted by bob deluke

My Dad was on the USS Wisconsin during WWII in the Pacific. Underwater welder…

That is so neat. I landed on the Wisconsin during the first PG War. Spectacular ship.

[Tobra]

Uncle Jack was at Pearl Harbor. Peeling potatoes that morning, radioman on KP. He was aboard the USS Pelias, which was on the course they took to attack battleship row, flew right over them. Moored just East of Battleship Row.

I have a vivid memory of him telling that tale at a family reunion. He said he was just furious when he realized what was going on. His ship was on the bomb run to Battleship Row, so they went right over him, could see their faces. He threw potatoes at them, "It was what I had." I ask what a potato is going to do to an airplane, and he says if you hit a potato going 300 mph, it is not going to do you any good. He said when you go to pull someone out of the water, you have to get your hands under their armpits. "Why is that?" If you just grab them by the arm, their skin comes off. They were among the first to render aid to sailors from the Oklahoma, closest ship to them. That was the only time I ever heard him speak of that day. I found picture on line one time that I am about 95% sure was him, undershirt without a cover, on a motor launch heading towards the smoke. Like a fool I did not download it, and have been looking for it about 15 years.

I need to scan his memoirs and post them here, y'all would be almost as interested in them as me.

[sc_rufctr]

I don't know how accurate this map is and I don't know if this includes everything but...

This is a map of the sunken Japanese ships of WWII.

https://worldwarwings.com/this-map-of-all-sunken-japanese-ships-during-wwii-is-absolutely-mind-blowing/