A Short Story of the Attack (Pearl Harbor)

Home , Attack on Pearl Harbor, Pearl Harbor

James W. Dittoe, U.S.N. (Ret)

Pearl Harbor Notebook

Photo of James W. Dittoe in 1941

Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Prayer

Speeches given by James W. Dittoe

TWX Message following loss of U.S.S. Lexington (2nd ship sunk that he was on)

Obituary I have decided to write this short story, because someday I may want to look back and remember what happened December 7, the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. I was getting ready to go on liberty in Honolulu on Sunday morning, when all of a sudden fire and rescue sounded. Not having any fire and rescue station on the West Virginia, I casually took my time going to quarters. About thirty seconds later G. Q. sounded and at the same time, a torpedo hit somewhere on the port side of the ship. I, as well as every other man aboard was on his way to his battle station, on the double. Before I reached my battle station (which incidentally was a machine gun) another torpedo hit on

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved on the port side, before any gun on the West Va returned fire. By this time the ship was listing quite a bit to port. On arriving at my battle station, I found there was no gun or ammunition present. I hastily left and went to the machine gun armory, hoping to get gun and ammunition on my station, so I could fire back at the enemy. The Japanese torpedo planes were coming in so close before launching their torpedoes, that it seemed possible to throw stones and hit them. It sure made one feel helpless, not to have something to fight back with. All in all, I would venture to say that there were seventy planes in the air that were enemy. There were torpedo and bombers attacking all vital points of Pearl Harbor, Army and Marine bases exactly at the same time. It appeared to me, as a well planned blitzkrieg. I know for a fact that the West Virginia received four torpedoes on the port side, and I've been told there were six. I know for certain there were four. We also received two bombs. One going through number three turret, exploding the gasoline in the plane on the catapult, and starting a large fire in the after part of the ship. All hands that were not engaged on some guns, immediately began breaking out fire hoses for the purpose of trying to put the fire out. After connecting the hoses, it was discovered that there were no pressure on the water main, so it was useless to try any more. The

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved other bomb hit in the foremast, causing the most damage, as far as bombs are concerned. It came through the navigation bridge, through the signal bridge, through the life jacket lockers and finally exploding in the galley. It ignited the gases in the galley, and caused the largest fire aboard. It was not put out until the following afternoon. In the meantime, the five inch anti-aircraft guns on the starboard side had commenced firing. The port side was listed so bad, that it was impossible to point and train the guns. There were approximately thirty rounds of five inch ammunition on top side. One of the broadside battery officers tried to take an ammunition train below to get some ammunition, but already the water and oil was up to the main deck, so that idea had to be dropped. When all the rounds had been suspended on the battery, there was nothing left to do, but abandon ship. Of the two machine guns that were mounted in the forward group, only one of these would fire. While two of the men worked desperately to get the faulty gun in firing condition, the other machine gun was blazing away. The good gun fired about one hundred and fifty rounds, before the Officer in charge ordered them to leave. The Captain had already ordered abandon ship twice, but these group of men stubbornly disobeyed and continued to fight back at

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved the enemy forces. By this time, the ship had settled straight down, instead of turning over. It was only because of the quick thinking of one of our Officers that she didn't roll over. He , regardless of his own safety, went below and cut in the counter balancing valve, flooding the starboard side, thereby, making it possible for the ship to settle properly. Most of the men had either gone to Ford island on the Tennessee by this time. I went to Ford island because that was the first thing that entered my mind. Incidentally, our Captain was hit by shrapnel in his stomach and died late that night. I made Ford island before the Japs started strafing swimmers. While either swimming or in lift boats, the Japs were strafing everything in their path. There are a group of trees on Ford island that received some bitter punishment from Japanese machine gun fire. The pilots of the Jap planes knew or either guessed that a lot of sailors were among the trees, so they let them have it. There was a house afire as I hit the island, and assisted putting it out. Of the seventy Japanese planes in the attack, forty were shot down in the three hour attack,. The U. S. Army claims twenty of these, leaving twenty as the Navy's score. The damage was high throughout the harbor in my estimation, but it always could have been worse. The Oklahoma received four torpedoes and turned upside down in about thirteen minutes. I have no knowledge as to whether

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved she got any of her battery's in operation or not. Casualties were very high aboard her. While I was on watch the following day (on the Tennessee), they were removing men alive from the double bottoms. It was more than a miracle they remained alive. The Arizona also had many casualties. from the reports I have gathered to date, one-hundred and sixty men are accounted for, out of a complement of twelve to fifteen hundred men. She was struck by a bomb which went down her stack and exploded the boilers. She burned until the afternoon of the following day. Beside the bomb in the stack, she received a bomb between her forward turrets, which exploded both forward magazines. The only return fire she had was machine gun fire, and a few rounds of five inch. There is one person off the Arizona that alone, fired several rounds of five inch. He would train then load, and then wait until a plane came within his train, and then would point it and fire. I think he showed bravery beyond words. I have talked to one of the men that was in the main top on the machine guns, and he was certain that one of their guns accounted for at least one plane. The Maryland received but one torpedo only, thanks to the Oklahoma, which was tied outboard of her. She received several bombs, which apparently caused little damage. Work was started immediately on her, and a crash mat was put over the torpedo

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved hole and she was moved to Berth 17 for further repairs. The California received two torpedoes. One forward and one aft. The ship sank down by the head and down by the stern, causing the ship to buckle amidships, finally settling straight down a couple days later. Her casualty list isn't so terribly high. The Pennsylvania was in dry dock, and was fortunate enough to receive only two bombs, causing no serious damage. Incidentally, one of her five inch guns fired so many rounds, that when it cooled off, the muzzle just warped all out of shape. One of the West Virginia's five inch guns replaced it. The Nevada also received her quota of torpedoes and bombs. She attempted to get underway, and did in seven minutes. She didn't get far, since it would have been very nice for the Japs if she was sunk in the middle of the channel causing the rest of the fleet to be blocked in the harbor. Her crew realized this and saw that they were being attacked fiercely. The men fought bitterly against large odds. The Nevada was a main objective now. A quartermaster saw it was impossible to make the open sea, so with the aid of two tugs, the battleship was beached. It was quick thinking on the part of the quartermaster. By beaching the ship, he kept the channel open for the rest of the fleet. In the mean time, she was hit by a bomb somewhere unknown to me, and a

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved terrible fire was raging. The fire was very hot on some of the men firing the A. A. battery, but regardless of their own safety, they continued fighting the Japanese. The Utah, (which hasn't a gun aboard) received more torpedoes than any one ship in the harbor. She was tied up at F-10, and it is everyone's opinion that the enemy thought she was an aircraft carrier. She received eleven torpedoes and turned upside down in from seven to ten minutes. She had few casualties, because she abandoned ship at the time other ships were sounding G. Q. The Lexington was very lucky. She was scheduled to be in Pearl Harbor over the weekend, but received orders to take a squadron of Marine scout planes to Midway Island two days before the attack. If it hadn't been for that, she would have been a good prize for the Japs. The Ogala, a repair ship and mine layer, was tied up at tin-tin dock. She only received one torpedo, but it hit a vital point. She was laden with hundreds of mines, and it blew every one to kingdom come. Casualties were very high. She sank in five to seven minutes. There was a submarine forward of her, and it also sunk. The Cassin and Downes were tied alongside each other. They were bombed and burned something awful. They are nearly total wrecks. These are just Naval disasters. I know there were were a great amount of damage done to the Army, but I have no knowledge

Copyright 2013 - J. Michael Dittoe - All Rights Reserved as to the extent of it. On Ford island, hangars were bombed and quite a number of planes were destroyed beyond repair. Glass flew every way from the concussion of the bombs and there were a lot of cuts received by personnel near.

James W. Dittoe 6512 Balsam Dr. Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 State of Ohio (614)861-9607 Office of State Chairman

Our heavenly Father. "The peace at any price" syndrome is as dangerous to the future well being of the United States as the attack on Pearl Harbor, and unfortux*Vely iziliuch more insidious. Freedom is a God given right, and'momet;mes it must be

_ defended by man. , Our Motto: Re ember Pearl Harbor KeepAMerica Alert. -- -.- This we must continue to do for our country, and for the memory of the Gallant Americans who have given their lives for their country. Der God, grant unto them eternal rest and let thy perpetual

12.ht shine upon them, and,iiiky their souls rest in peace, ' - , AMEN

Remember Pearl Harbor--Keep America Alert! Shipmates, Comrades, Ladies It is a privilege to stand before you for just a few minutes, relating some of the principles of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, as well as some reflections of my own. We of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association appreciate the invitation for the third consecutive year, to join with AMVETS in a MEMORIAL for our departed shipmates and comrades of Dec- ember 7, 1941. I am Jim Dittoe, enlisted in the Navy in July 1940, was aboard the USS West Virginia in Pearl Harbor on that fateful day of December 7, 1941. I am presently the state chairman for Ohio, representing 241 members in Ohio, of which 81 members are in the Central Ohio Chapter. Throughout the United States there are more than 8,000 members, with an untold number that are eligible, but for one reason or the other have not joined our gro'lp, and our best answer is that many do not know of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. Our present membership had it's beginning on December 7, 1958, when eleven survivors met in a restaurant in Gardena, California,

and agreed at that time to meet each year at the same place. By December 7, 1959 there were now fourteen survivors present, and they decided to seek out other survivors and form what we know today as the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. The motto of our group is: REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR—KEEP AMERICA ALERT. We are dedicated to the memory of Pearl Harbor and to those gallant Americans who gave their lives for their country on December 7, 1941. OBJECTIVES OF THE PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION: 1. Keep alive the memory of our brethern who perished in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 2, For fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational purposes. 3. To preserve and strengthen comradeship among it's members. 4. To maintain true allegiance to the government of the United States of America. 5. Foster true patriotism.

6. maintain and ext end the institution of American freedom, 7. Preserve and defend the United states of America from her enemies. ,- )...et- in8 I'd like to share with you, I think it is worthy of a lot of thought for most of us.... roday is the b.eginning of a new day. God has given us this aay to use as we see fit. Therefore, we can waste it - or use it for good, but what we do today is important, becuse, we are exchanging a day of our lives for it: When tomorrow comes, this day, today, will be gone forever, leaving in it's place something that we have traded for it. $o we should want it to be a gain and not a loss; good and not evil; success and not a failure; in

order that we shall not regret the price we have paid for this day.

We shall never forget the attack on Pearl narbor and all military installations on December 7, 1941. But today, it is a common fact that many of our young people doesn't even know where Pearl Harbor is, much less know of it's historical meaning. Aere are some of the news headlines that shocked America from It's complacency and paved the way to its entry into the most destructive war i the annals of our history'. "JAPS PULL SNEAK RAID ON PEARL HARBOR" "HITLER SAYS U.S. MUST BE DESTROYED" "NAZI TRAMPLE BELGIUM, HOLLAND AND NORWAY" "JAPS SINK U.S.S. HOUSTON" "NAZI STARVE MILLIONS IN POLAND AND GREECE" "JAPS CELNBRATE THE CAPTURE OF HONG KONG BY RE AND MURDER OF CIVILIANS" "U-BOATS SINK ThREE MORE U.S. MERCHANT SHIPS" Up to that historic event, isolation and complacency governed the thinking of L_arry of our leaders. Our enemies believed we did not have the will to fight and the capabilities of winning. It took a catastrophy like Pearl Harbor to arouse the United States from lethargy. Our enemies soon discovered they were wrong in their thinking. The United States went on a 1041% war basis. Industry and manpower were mobilized and food and gasoline rationed. In 1945, the power of the "UNIVERSE" was tapped to create the "ATOMIC BOMB" which quickly ended World War II. It is my guess that the next Pearl Harbor will not occur 2,000 miles from our mainland, but will drop silently from the sky, erupting in a nuclear holocaust, that will destroy our cities and kill millions of our American citizens. We must keep America alert and so strong, that no nation will dare attack us.

Complacency - yes, far too many of us today want to enjoy everything our country can give us, I said give us. Far too many want something for nothing, and will turn their heads the other way in order to obtain it.

A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious, but it cannot survive treason from within. A known enemy is far less

3 formidable, for he carries his banners openly. But the traitor who moves among us freely - his presence is in many government offices, for the traitor appears to be no traitor at all, he speaks the same language as his victims - and he Ey:peals to the trust that lies deep in the hearts of all men. This traitor rots the soul of a nation; he works secretly and unknown in the night - to infect any part of the United States government, so that it can no longer resist.

"Do not trust a country with adverse goals" We in the United States continue to talk about military cut- backs, while Russia continues to build a mighty military force. I'm certain much goes on in Washington that many of us question, but I pray to God that he will guide our leaders, so that they will kee. this countr , stron! and free. I have been called a "Flag Waver" along with a few other things, but I kind of like this, to me it's what this country is made of. It :,ntitled, "I AM OLD GLORY". For more than nine score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith, my gently flutter- ing folds have proven to be an inspiration to untold millions. men have followed me irto battle with unwavering courage. They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity. They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which have

4 been granted to every American as the heritage of free men. So long as men love liberty more than life i+,57elf; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of ne United States of America.

The letters spelling out the word "FLAG" should mean this to all of us: F Follow me when I defend the liberty and justice so many gave their lives for, L Love MR for what I so proudly wave in tne breeze for. A Acclaim me as I pass by, salute me, fly me high for all to see, G Guard me from being destroyed maliciously and being damned by many. May my red, white and blue guide you in being faithful to your country and true to all mankind.

And now my friends, I would like to leave you with the thoughts of the prayer of the PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION. "Bless us 0 Lord, as we gather here in thy name in remembrance of our shipmates and comrades, who served our country, and to promote the defense of our American ideals and heritage. Guide and direct us in our deliberations that they may give glory and honor to Thee and be for the good of all mankind in Thy Holy Name....Amen"

5 Prari Parhor cAssofiation Office of the National Vice-President

DALEE.SPEELMAN 870 PRIGH -ION AVENUE 3f- 09 NA1 IONAE VICE-PRESIDENT 10E E DO. OHIO 1 4)9 382 6 4 33 r

VETERAN'S DAY SPEECH

NOVEMBER 11, 1918 ARMISTICE DAY

NOVEMBER 11, 1981 VETERAN'S DAY

NOVEMBER 11, WHEN?----WHAT WILL IT BE CALLED THEN?

DOES ANYCNE HERE REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT COULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN? WHAT WOULD BE

THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FUTURE WAR? WHO CAN TELL???

ON THIS DAY IN 1918, THE WORST WAR IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, UP TO THAT TIME,

CAME TO AN END. THE GUNS WENT SILENT IN WORLD WAR I. THE SILENCE, UNFORTU-

NATELY, DID NOT LAST AS LONG AS THE WORLD HAD HOPED. TWENTY THREE YEARS LATER

CAME WORLD WAR II. TODAY, AS WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED IN THE WAR THAT WAS

TO "MAKE THE WORLD SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY," WE MIGHT GIVE SOME THOUGHT AS TO HOW

WE MAKE DEMOCRACY SAFE FOR THE WORLD.

SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER A HEADLINE WHICH APPEARED ON A MONENTOUS DAY YEARS

AGO IN THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS AND WAS REPRODUCED ELSEWHERE BECAUSE IT SAID

SOMETHING SO PROFOUND AND YET SO SIMPLE. IT CAME AT THE END OF WORLD WkR II AND,

IT READ, VERY SIMPLY, "PEACE BREAKS OUT." NOT SIMPLY PEACE, BUT RATHER "PEACE

BREAKS OUT." IT WAS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE BECAUSE PEACE IS PRECISELY THAT,

A BREAK OUT, OR A BREAK-AWAY, FROM THE GRINDING HORROR OF WAR. ON ARMISTICE

DAY, WHICH RECALLS THE CEASE-FIRE IN WHAT UNTIL THEN HAD BEEN THE MOST TERR-

IBLE WAR OF ALL TIME, WORLD WAR I, WE REMEMBER THOSE OCCASIONS WHEN THE

SHOOTING STOPPED AND THE BOMBING CEASED.

Remember Pearl Harbor — Keep America Alert (2)

WARS SOMETIME END WITH A WHIMPER, SOMETIMES WITH A BANG, SOMETIMES WITH AN

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER, SOMETIMES WITH A CEASE-FIRE PAINFULLY NEGOTIATED

OVER A BARGAINING TABLE. THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT ARMISTICE DAY IS NOT HOW

THE FIGHTING ENDED, BUT SIMPLY THE FACT THAT IT ENDED AT ALL. WE HAVE YET

TO SEE THE TIME WHEN AN ARMISTICE PROVED TOTAL AND ETERNAL. AND WHEN WE CELE-

BRATE ARMISTICE DAY WE ALWAYS EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT NO FURTHER ANNIVERSARIES

OF THIS KIND WILL BE CREATED---OR TEAT, IF FIGHTING RAGES ANYWHERE AS WE MEET,

IT TOO WILL REACH AN ARMISTICE DAY OF ITS OWN.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AT THE END OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WAS A WISE OLD MAN

WHO HAD LABORED LONG AND HARD IN THE STRUGGLE FOR OUR NATION'S INDEPENDANCE.

HE WROTE, IN 1783, THAT "THERE NEVER WAS A GOOD WAR OR A BAD PEACE." I DON'T

BELIEVE HE MEANT TOTALLY TO CONDEMN THE VIOLENT STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDANCE,

IN WHICH HE HIMSELF PLAYED SO GREAT A ROLE. WHAT HE MEANT, I BELIEVE, WAS

THAT AT ITS BEST--WAR IS NOTHING MORE THAN A NECESSARY EVIL, AND THAT MANKIND

WAS MEANT TO LIVE IN PEACE. ARMISTICE DAY REMINDS US THAT MAN AT PEACE IS

BETTER THAN MAN AT WAR, THAT THE SILENCING OF THE GUNS OF WAR IS THE TRUE VICTORY.

ON THIS DAY, WE REMEMBER---WHETHER FROM HAVING TAKEN PART OR FROM THE HISTORY

BOOKS---THE STRUGGLE WHICH WAS CARRIED ON TO PRESERVE OUR WORLD. WE REMEM-

BER THE JOY OF FINDING THE NATION AT PEACE. WE REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO MADE

THAT POSSIBLE. AND WE REMEMBER, ALSO, HOW BRIEF, IN THE LONG MARCH OF TIME,

WAS THE PARTICULAR ARMISTICE WE COMMEMORATE TODAY. LESS THAN 25 YEARS AFTER

ARMISTICE DAY 1918, THE WORLD WAS AFLAME AGAIN WITH WEAPONS OF DESTRUCTION

FAR MORE TERRIBLE THAN THOSE OF WORLD WAR I. THE DICTIONARY DEFINES AN ARM-

ISTICE AS A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT. PERHAPS

ONE DAY, INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING AN ARMISTICE DAY, WE SHALL TRULY CELEBRATE A

PEACE DAY, WHEN THE SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES IS PERMANENT, NOT MERELY TEMPORARY. /

AS YET, NOBODY HAS FOUND A WAY TO ARRANGE A LASTING ARMISTICE IN THE COLD WAR,

THE IDEOLOGICAL CONFLICT THAT UNDERLIES SO MUCH OF THE POLITICS OF THE WORLD

TODAY. AS YET, NOBODY HAS FOUND A WAY TO TURN ALL THE WORLD'S SWORDS INTO

PLOWSHARES. ARMISTICE DAY IS A DAY WHICH REMINDS US NOT TO GIVE UP TRYING,

NOT TO GIVE UP THAT FIGHT---THE FIGHT FOR LASTING PEACE.

THE MERE ABSENCE OF WAR IS NOT PEACE. PEACE HAM HER VICTORIES, NO LESS RE-

NOWNED THAN WAR. AND SO TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE BEST OF VICTORIES.

PRIOR TO DECEMBER 7, 1941, THERE WAS A STRONG FEELING OF ISOLATIONISM IN THE

UNITED STATES. A FEELING THAT WITH THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ON THE EAST AND THE

PACIFIC OCEAN ON THE WEST, WE WERE SAFE. LOOK---AND REMEMBER---WHAT HAPPENED!!

LET ME, NOT AS A MILITARY ANALYST, BUT AS A FIRST HAND OBSERVER, RECALL THAT

DAY OF SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1941, FOR YOU. AFTER ALL---IT IS A FACT THAT THE

AVERAGE AGE IN THE UNITED STATES TODAY IS APPROXIMATELY 29 YEARS. THIS MEANS

THAT ON THIS DAY, NEARLY THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK, SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT

OF THE PEOPLE NOW LIVING, WERE NOT YET BORN. DOES IT NOT FOLLOW THEN, THAT IT

IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THOSE PERSONS OF THE EVENTS OF THAT DAY?

DECEMBER 7, 1941 DECEMBER 7, 1981 40 YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THAT

MEMORABLE SUNDAY MORNING. WE HAVE ALL HEARD IT SAID MANY TIMES---"I WILL

NEVER FORGET WHERE I WAS OR WHAT I WAS DOING WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS ABOUT THE

ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR." HOW MANY HERE TONIGHT RECALL THESE THINGS? EX-

CLUDING, OF COURSE, THE SURVIVORS THAT ARE PRESENT. WE WHO SAW THE "RISING

SUN" THAT MORNING, CAN RECALL MANY INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED BEFORE THE SUNSET

OF THE EVENING. /

I AM NOT DIMISHING THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE WHEN I SAY THAT PEARL

HARBOR IS ONE OF THE BEST ILLUSTRATIONS OF MISTAKEN MILITARY THINKING. I AM

THINKING NOT MERELY OF THE BLUNDERS OF THE UNITED STATES FORCES WHICH SHOULD

NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, BUT ESPECIALLY OF THE BLUNDERS OF JAPANESE THINKING. IN

THE FIRST PLACE, THEY CHOSE THE WRONG TARGET FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT.

HAD THEY STRUCK AT BRITISH OR DUTCH BASES, THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES

MIGHT HAVE SHRUGGED THEIR SHOULDERS IN CONTINUING INDIFFERENCE. BUT THEY

STRUCK U.S. SHIPS AND PLANES THAT SUNDAY MORNING. NOTHING COULD HAVE BEEN

MORE EFFECTIVE IN UNITING AND AROUSING THE NATION TO ARMS---THE NATION FROM

WHICH THEY HAD THE MOST TO FEAR.

IN THE SECOND PLACE, THE JAPANESE MADE THE BLUNDER OF CHOOSING THE WRONG MILT-

TARY TARGETS. HAD THEY CHOSEN TO DESTROY THE OIL RESERVES AND THE STORAGE

BASES THAT SUPPLIED THE NEDDS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY, OUR SHIPS AND PLANES WOULD

HAVE BEEN OUT OF ACTION MUCH LONGER BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STRIKE BACK.

FINALLY, BY ATTACKING PEARL HARBOR, THE JAPANESE FIRED THE SPIRIT OF THE AMER-

ICAN PEOPLE TO RELENTLESS REPRISAL. IN THAT ONE AND THREE QUARTER HOURS, THEY

SOWED THE SEEDS THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE ULTIMATE DEFEAT OF THE JAPANESE NATION.

AND THEY THOUGHT AT THE TIME THAT THEY HAD WON A GREAT VICTORY!!!

AS MOST OF YOU MAY KNOW, THE MOTTO OF THE PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION

IS "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR---KEEP AMERICA ALERT." LET US EXAMINE THOSE WORDS

AND THEIR MEANING. "Ial REMEMBER" AND "ALERT TO WHAT?"

"WHY REMEMBER?"----WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS ABOUT DECEMBER 7th, 1941,

THAT WE WOULD RATHER FORGET? TO SAY "REMEMBER" USUALLY IMPLIES THAT WE WOULD

LIKE TO GO BACK AND RE-LIVE THE EXPERIENCE. NOT THIS!! NOT AGAIN WOULD WE

WANT TO GO THROUGH THE SHOCK OF THE ATTACK, THE AGONIES OF DEATH AND THE MAIM-

ING OF FRIENDS FALLING AT OUR SIDES. NOT AGAIN WOULD WE WANT TO FACE THE CON- SEQUENCES OF MISTAKES IN HIGH PLACES, THE PAIN AND DISGRACE OF DEFEAT. THIS

LET US FORGET!

AND YET WE MUST REMEMBER! WE MUST NOT HOLD CHEAP THE HEROISM OF THOSE WHO DIED

AT POSTS OF DUTY, SOME IN ACTS OF NOBILITY, SOME IN SENSELESS OBLITERATION JUST

BY BEING WHERE THE BOMBS FELL. THESE WERE OUR FRIENDS. THEY SERVED OUR CAUSE.

IT IS ALTOGETHER FITTING AND PROPER THAT WE SHOULD REMEMBER THIS---THE TASK

THEY COULD NOT FINISH IS OURS TO CARRY ON TO COMPLETION. WE REMEMBER!!!

WE REMEMBER BECAUSE WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION OF SURVIVORSHIP. SURVIVORS ARE PER-

SONS WHO GO THROUGH A GREAT MOMENT OF HISTORY WITHOUT DYING. GENERALLY THERE IS

NO HONOR IN MERELY SURVIVING. THE VICTIMS OF WAR ARE CHOSEN AT RANDOM. THE SUR-

VIVORS OF PEARL HARBOR WERE NEITHER MORE NOR LESS HONORABLE THAN THE VICTIMS, ONLY

FORTY TIMES GREATER IN NUMBER. IT IS NOT HONOR, BUT OBLIGATION, THAT BINDS THE

SURVIVORS TOGETHER. THIS ASSOCIATION CAN HAVE NO HIGHER PURPOSE THAN TO CARRY

OUT THE OBLIGATIONS OF SURVIVORSHIP. WE REMEMBER!!!!

ONE OF THESE OBLIGATIONS IS EXPRESSED IN THE SECOND HALF OF OUR MOTTO, "KEEP

AMERICA ALERT" -- ALERT FOR WHAT? SURELY NOT JUST FOR REVENGE. FORTY YEARS

OF HISTORY, IF WE KNOW HOW TO READ IT, HAS PROVEN THAT THE CHAIN OF EFFECTS SET

IN MOTION BY ACTS OF REVENGE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR TWO HAS ALWAYS BEEN MUTUALLY

DESTRUCTIVE. VENGEANCE IS GOD'S BUSINESS. WE CANNOT PLAY GOD!

ALERT TO PREVENT ANOTHER PEARL HARBOR? YES, CERTAINLY YES, IF BY PREVENTING

ANOTHER PEARL HARBOR WE MEAN SOMETHING MORE THAN MERELY BEEFING UP OUR MILITARY

DEFENSES. THE BEST DEFENSE A NATION CAN HAVE IS TO BE A PEOPLE SO WISE AND GOOD

THAT THE SETTLEMENT OF DISAGREEMENTS IS DONE BY BETTER METHODS THAN WAR.

WE NEED TO KEEP AMERICA ALERT TO THE FACT THAT EVEN MILITARY VICTORY IS NOT A

SOLID FOUNDATION UPON WHICH TO BUILD THE FUTURE. THE OUTCOME IS NOT GOING TO BE (6)

DETERMINED BY HAVING BETTER SHIPS AND PLANES IN THE OCEAN AND AIRWAYS, OR BY

HAVING MORE CLEVER POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON, BUT BY HAVING CITIZENS WHO HAVE

COME TO KNOW THROUGH VETERAN'S ASSOCIATIONS LIKE THIS, THAT SURVIVAL MEANS MUCH

MORE THAN STAYING ALIVE TO FIGHT IN ANOTHER GENERATION, THAT IT IS BETTER TO GIVE

UP LIFE FOR BROTHERHOOD AND PEACE AND HUMAN WELFARE THAN IN THE THUNDER AND FLAME

OF A BOMBING RAID. THERE ARE FINER WAYS TO BE HEROIC THAN IN WAR, -- WORLD

CHANGING WAYS, WAR NEVER CHANGES ANYTHING

TODAY WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO WERE CALLED UPON TO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE

LINE FOR THEIR COUNTRY. WE THINK OF THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE OF THE NATION.

LET US REMEMBER NOT ONLY THOSE WHO DIED, BUT THOSE WHO LIVED; FOR WHILE THE GIVING

OF ONE'S LIFE IS, AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID, "THE LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION,"

THOSE WHO CAME HOME FROM THE WARS ALSO DESERVE NOT MERELY THE GRATEFUL THANKS BUT

ALSO THE SALUTE OF THEIR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN.

THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWN WAR, UP CLOSE, DO NOT FORGET IT. THEY HAVE FORGED A FELLOW-

SHIP WHILE FACING THE FIRE. THEY HAVE HAD MORE OCCASION THAN MOST TO ASK THEM-

SELVES WHAT IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR, TO WONDER WHAT ARE THE REAL VALUES THAT MUST

BE DEFENDED. IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES ---AND OF OTHER NATIONS AS

WELL-- THE MOST REMARKABLE THING ABOUT VETERANS IN GENERAL IS THAT THEY COME HOME

AS MOTIVATED IN PEACE AS THEY WERE IN WAR. ANOTHER FAMOUS PERSON ONCE SAID THAT

"THE NATION WHICH FORGETS ITS DEFENDERS WILL BE ITSELF FORGOTTEN." I WOULD LIKE

TO REVISE AND UPDATE THAT REMARK A BIT. THE NATION WHOSE DEFENDERS FORGET IT

WILL CEASE TO BE A NATION.

MANY A VETERAN WILL TELL YOU THAT, SECOND ONLY TO THE FEAR OF DEATH, THE MOST

DIFFICULT ASPECT OF WARTIME SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES IS THE BOREDOM. IT IS

NOT MERELY A SORT OF STATE OF SUSPENDED ANIMATION; IT IS THE FEELING OF BEING IN (7)

LIMBO FAR AWAY FROM HOME, THE DREAD OF RECEIVING BAD NEWS AND BEING UNABLE TO DO

ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THE WEIGHT OF LONLINESS IN THE MIDST OF OTHER LONELY PEOPLE.

THAT IS PART OF THE ALIENATION OF WAR. AND FOR AMERICANS, USED TO THE FREEDOM

OF CIVILIAN LIFE, MILITARY DISCIPLINE, HOWEVER IT HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, IS

STILL A FAR MORE RIGID STRUCTURE THAN THE GIVE AND TAKE OF PEACE AT HOME. YET

THE VETERANS OF EVERY WAR HAVE COME HOME AND BROUGHT NEW VIGOR TO THEIR INTERRUPTED

LIVES. THEY HAVE NOT WITHDRAWN; THEY HAVE NOT CONSTITUTED THEMSELVES A SEPARATE

CLASS. THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO GIVE OF THEMSELVES AS GOOD CITIZENS. TODAY WE

SALUTE THEM.

IN 1950, 37 PERCENT OF THE MALE POPULATION 18 YEARS AND OVER WERE VETERANS. BY

1975, THANKS TO A COUPLE OF NEWER WARS, THE FIGURE HAD RISEN TO 41.8 PERCENT.

AND OF COURSE, AS WOMEN HAVE SERVED IN GREATER NUMBERS IN THE ARMED FORCES, THE

PERCENTAGE OF FEMALE VETERANS HAS ALSO GROWN. IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, WE HAVE

HAD ALL TOO MANY OCCASIONS TO ASK OUR YOUNG PEOPLE -- FOR IT IS MAINLY THE YOUNG

WHO ARE CALLED UPON -- TO RISK THAT "LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION." PERHAPS

THE GREATEST HONOR WE CAN PAY OUR VETERANS, LIVING AND DEAD, IS BEST EXPRESSED

IN ANOTHER WELL KNOWN EXPRESSION, "IT IS FOR US, THE LIVING. .TO BE DEDICATED

HERE TO THE UNFINISHED WORK THAT THEY HAVE THUS FAR SO NOBLY ADVANCED.. .THAT WE

HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN; THAT THIS NATION,

UNDER GOD, SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM, AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE,

BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH."

LINCOLN SPOKE THOSE WORDS ON NOVEMBER 19, 1863. FOR SOME REASON, NOVEMBER, IS A

PARTICULAR MONTH OF REMEMBRANCE, THE TIME WHEN WE GIVE THANKS AS A PEOPLE, WHEN

WE COMMEMORATE THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR, WHEN WE GO TO THE POLLS TO EXCERISE

THE RIGHTS IN DEFENSE OF WHICH SO MANY VETERANS HAVE WORN THE UNIFORM, CARRIED THE

FLAG, FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. BUT BEHIND EVERY VETERAN IN THE FRONT LINES THERE (8)

STOOD AN ANXIOUS, GALLANT AND SACRIFICING FAMILY AT HOME. THE VETERAN HAS NEVER

BEEN A SEPARATE ENTITY HERE, PERHAPS BECAUSE SO MANY OF US ARE VETERANS. IN PAYING

TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS, WE ARE IN FACT PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT HERITAGE THAT

WE ALL SHARE.

IN THE BROTHERHOOD OF SURVIVORSHIP, WE CAN ALERT AMERICA TO THE NEED FOR THIS KIND

OF SPIRIT, TO THE NEED FOR SACRIFICE OF TIME, MONEY, SERVICE AND POLITICAL ENERGY.

UNLESS WE SUCCEED, WE ARE DOOMED TO FACE ANOTHER PEARL HARBOR, WHERE AGAIN THE PRICE

WILL BE LIVES, HONOR, PRIDE, WEAPONS --- PAID IN FIRE AND THUNDER.

ON THIS OCCASION OF THE REMEMBRANCE OF THAT WAR "TO END ALL WARS," WE OFFER OUR

GRATITUDE TO THOSE VALIANT MEN AMWMMODOr WHO ENDURED, SUFFERED AND DIED IN THAT GREAT

CONFLICT.

IN DEDICATION TO THOSE WARRIORS, AND IN THE HOPE FOR FULFILLMENT OF THAT UNIVERSAL

QUEST FOR WORLD PEACE, LET US GIVE SILENT PAUSE THIS DAY. NOVEMBER 11TH, 1981.

IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE FOR MY WIFE AND ME TO SHARE THIS EVENING WITH YOU IN

OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US. _ _ ...... _ Speeoh delivered at the Columbus Athletio Club It tiNumober 1981 F - , A.A,- ri AP3' ff .-/J4strkat. Nt\r; 44 "4.0 YEARS ,estes - N = As.Avrreofl - iM1641A December 7, 1941

Ladies and Gentlemen, and distinguished guests * Forty years ago this coming Monday, at 0755 hours Honolulu time, there was a !Surprise" attack on the island of Oahu, most all the military installations were damaged. There are many of you in the audience that weren't around in those days, so this is history. The rest of you either learned of the tragedy by radio, newspapers, or word of mouth. Some of the headlines read as follows: "Japs pull sneak raid on Pearl Harbor" " Hitler says U.S. must be destroyed" "Nazi trample Belguim, Holland and Norway" "Japs sink U.S.S. Houston" "Nazi starve millions in Poland and Greece" "Japs celebrate the capture of Hong Kong by rape and murder of civilians" "U-boats sink three more U.S. merchant ships" I hope no one within the sound of my voice will ever forget what happened on December 7, 1941, and the sacrifices of so many of our military, and the people back home.

71 was a young sailor then, enjoying life in the navy on the battleship U.S.S. West Virginia, operating out of Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands, This was considered good duty in the navy, and like most of my shipmates, I was having the time of my life. As a matter of fact, I was getting ready to go ashore that very morning. At 0500 hours, the morning of December 7, 1941, there was nothing ; but a soft north wind, and a few dim lights. The sky, the sea, tbsor

were dark and silent, and although he could not see them, Admiral , 4 11 -AA IrtiiStiNtk 1`14,..c1_ ImStri1.1011 • noithi3o2zk lOdlCrlt1O91I Yamamoto knew that elements of the Imperial Fleet were on station, all 27 of them, and they were in full battle dress. The Japanese task force was under the command of Admiral Nagumo, and had assembled at Hitokappu Bay in the Aleutian Islands of Japan on November 22, 1941. The fleet 'had steamed 2700 miles and was nearing its destination, the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian chain, setting in motion a surprise attack unequaled in over 3000 years of military history. At 0600 hours, operation "X" was effected, just as Admiral Togo did at Port

Arthur, USSR, 40 years earlier. But this was Sunday, December 7, 1941 , a day to remember. The American scene thA-, Sunday morning in the islands, was pretty much like any other Sunday. The thick Sunday newspapers, warning the people, only 15 more shopping days until Christmas. Business was good, it had been beefed-up by the American foreign aid wartime orders for goods....General Rommel of the German Army was moving fast thru the desert, and negotiations with ths Japanese seemed to be at a stand-off. An advertisement in the Honolulu newspaper, stated, our navy is "equipped with amazing new deadly and secret devices, that no enemy will know about until it is too late, and we have he biggest, toughest, hardest-hitting, straightest shooting Navy in the world, and, it is primed and ready." Hoever, over the Koolau mountains the Japanese planes cme, a• relatively small but potent force of fighters, torpedo heavy bombers. Although "radar" had picked the planes up at 120 miles out, they had avoided visual observa.tion. At 0755 hours, each pilot with predetermined targets commenced the attack, and with surgical precision, took the military installations apart. In two waves, lasting a total of one hoar and fifty minutes, the Japanese gained a stunning victory, crushing the United States Pacific Fleet, U.S. Army Air Corps bases, U1,S. Army bases ana other military installations. The first wave t4 ' qt114 own*: -340 V T . , , — .,. , - 1! Oie, N 1 4 ' 1( :'-:1 Ott PiOSCI of Japanese planes consisted of 189, the second wave had 171, making 4 a total of 360 aircraft in the attack. Our losses were over-whelming, 4 - _ WE440 "or most of our heavy war shipsAout of commission, over 50% of military aircraft damaged or destroyed, and all military installations heavily damaged. Casualities were high also, 2251 military personnel killed or fatally wounded, and 1119 wounded in action. Deeds of heroism in both the Army and Navy were common, and in keeping with the highest traditions of the services, the Army awarded 5 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 65 Silver Stars; the Navy recommended 15 Medals of Honor and awarded 60 Navy Crosses. The civilian population did not totally escape this attack, several people were killed on the streets, and several buildings were destroyed, including a Ja -:-)anese languaa.e school. A number of private planes were flying in the balmy Hawaiian skies, some were shot down by the Japanese in the early stages of the attack. Such planes were entirely inoffensive and the slaughter of their occupants was wreckless :aurder in the first degree. How did all of this happen? Official boards of inquiry documented errors of judgement, both in 'ashington and in Hawaii, which greatly contributed to the disaster. Blunder on top of blunder, founded on misconception, oversight, and failure of communication, pyramiding into towering masses of critical evidence, that beamed searching questians for fixing the blame, and in the long run, on the American people as a whole. Regardless of who or what was to blame, the American people quickly, and with vengeance, set about to inflict penalty, to punish, to al4s annihilate and reduce to nothing that which had violatedAsovereignty. For the moment, empassioned patriotism was primary, allowing the words "unexpected and surprise" to be nudged aside, to become less thought provoking. For whatever the reason, what was done was done. The die

' A

, • ' ' 1

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*.A. '-'" loin ,._Ort Vity-c4 rio1:1 cyeo.„. 4 ioutriug 1 was cast,cast, and invoking the blessing of the Almighty, the natiun was

... committed, right was right...wrong was wrong, and the colors of the • red, white and blue were returned to full staff. Then there were other words, other phrases, other times and places and we were caught up spontaneously to get on with the job. Young men and older men, race or creed mattered not. hill folks, plains folks, city folks, all measure of people consumed of a willingness, to belong, to be a part, each to his own ability to define love of God and country. And then, ab all encompassing phrase becm.e a way of life, the "Selective Service. "Fall in..fall out," "Gut in.. chin out," and "You dumb knothead," Then there was, your left, your left, your left-right left, these sounds were disgusting to some of us. There were other strange words and str,nger sights, "fall in for short-arm inspection", followed by galright cough and spread tem! And of course the big, dull needles, I don't know of any man liking those. Yes, men, and women too csme to answer the call of their country, patriotism was once again the "in" word, ana the entire nation rolled up their sleeves and went to work. World War II Saw America fight its greatest and bloodiest of all wars, and ultimate victory over Japan, Germany and Italy. Emerging from this war, the United States was the most powerful of all nations, and from this position was thrust into world leaaership. As such, we became logically targeted for destruction by some future aggressor. No longer can we be the confident and complacent American citizen, because, arms and production can make short work of any - otential enemy. uone too is the reliance on distance being a favorable factor, satellites lurk behind every cloud watching, Bargaining from Positions of strength we had 20 or 30 years ago has

3°1•111-',1 sA4z.1-A 3 A -1 .5. -

A I,. elikr10_ 4 C ItAivr diminished, Particularily with the advent of the Third World Nations. :q We also find ourselves taktiig isbue, whether or not to scrap time worn treaties and alliances. We continue to dwell heavily on fostering our will on countries not wanting it. -Billions of dollars have been spent, attempting to gain favor, as if from a point of weakness. Should a confrontation with an aggressor result in war, we would surely come under massive attack. The one hour and fifty minutes used to lay waste to Pearl Harbor, would by todays computer oriented nuclear weapons systems, be ample time to explode the entire world as we know it. Somewhere, we must determine a point beyond which we will not go. Assuming dangerous and difficult responsibilities world-wide, we cannot hesitate to assert ourselves, it mould be a matter of total survival. A surprise attack of any magnitude would surely demand retaliation of horrible consequences to all mankind. If for no other reason, this alone demands we must always... "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR--KEEP AMERICA ALERT" Most of us at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 lost a good friend. There are times when words alone fail to interpret the innermost sentiments that lie deeply hidden and unexpressed within our hearts. No words can adequately express the deep sorrow caused by the absence of the ones we came to love and respect, and with whom we had lived so intimately. In a very real sense, they had become a part of us. It is natural that we should miss them, and stand humbled before Almignty God, because of the sacrifice so bravely given by those who did not pause to question the cost, when the hour of need arose. With a sincere belief, that these men we honor each December 7th., having lived and played, having sung and worshipped, having fought, bled and died together, would wish us to rise above the common place of ordinary things, and make a determined effort to guarantee their sacrifices were not in vain. Appreciation for so great a sacrifice

\,1111 rs 04 -1'1 ‘;1 1113 - .6. - - - - fa'N IoiltOit:Pak iotaio-nic, toth--thl, ' t;ot,l `''''' 1 is not an outward display of tears, nor a barrage of meaningless words, nor shallow suggestions of sympathy, but lives that bespeak of true gratitude, lives that make secure the democracy for which many died. If the sacrifices of our dead are not to be in vain, we must heed their voices you, me, all of us must never forget, "REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR--KEEP AMERICA ALERT"

And now my friends, I would like to leave you with the thoughts of the prayer of the PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION. "Bless us 0 Lord, as we gather here in thy holy name, in remembrance of our shipmates and comrades, who served our country, and to promote the defense of our American ideals and heritage. Guide and direCt us in our deliberations and thL-it they may give glory and honor to Thee and be for the good of all mankind in Thy Holy Name Amen.**

"FORTY YEARS AGO, ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR"

Jim Dittoe Married to the former Martha Struckman, Baltimore, Ohio. Three children, one son and two daughters, all married, and have two grandsons and one granddaughter. Enlisted in tne United States Navy on July 24, 1940, retiring in 1960. Highest grade attained, Aviati on Chief Machinist mate. Employment after retirement, North American Aviation, Sears Roebuck and Co, and currently with isAlart in Rey- noldsburg. Past Chapter President, and Past Ohio State Chairman of the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Association,

•

. . PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR ASSOCIATION IN CONJUNCTION 4PTH AM-VETS 6 DECEMBER 1987

Distinguished veterans, ladies and gentlemen OUT great nation is one steeped in a heritage of freedom i democracy, and human rights. Today we proudly recognize those, who were the major developers of that heritage....our veterans.

For forty-six years, this nation has taken time on this day, to remember the survivors and the men who gave their lives aboard the ships in Fearl Harbor, and the many military bases on the island. This attack by the Japanese was totally unprovoked, we in this free country must not forget that, and ”RENEIvBER PEARL HARBOR, KEP AkERICA ALERT."

All of us here today, agree that war is never desireable, but sometimes it is unavoidable. We must therefore, always be prerared to face this Possibility, just as our veterans have faced it in the past. r - any pave everything they had to gi-e in the nal ,re of freedom.

At Yorktown and Gettysburg, in the Argonne )rest, or the Peaches of Normandy, in the deserts of l\lorth Africa, on the waters and islands of the Pacific, in the mountains and rice Paddies of Yorea and Viet Nam, and yes even today in the many hot snots of the world, including the Persian Gulf, our veterans have fought to guarantee the survival of this great nation.

Our veterans deserve our thanks and resrect. indeed....thev have been there when they were needed at every stage of our history. Without them, we would not be here today.

-1- Recently, we celebrated one of the greatest events in OUT history, the 200th birthday of our constitution. That document, and how it came about, is unparalleled in human history, it initiated a new system of government, which defined and rrotected the basic, inalienable human rights of it's citizens.

The constitution set the stage for every American's future, but that future was not automatically assured. It took the blood, sweat and determination of neonle to defend that constitution, and the way of life it guaranteed. Fere, the veteran stood at the forefront.

Indeed the battles have been many, but our fighting forces have prevailed. AS a result, the constitution lives on today and our country remains strong and free.

General Phil Sheridan from Somerset, OF once said: "I never discussed the constitution very much, and T never made many speeches about it, but I have done a good deal of fighting for it." I believe most of you veterans here today can identify with those words, you knew within yourselves why you were fighting, and you simply did what you had to do.

By nrotecting o' r imerican ideals, vou knew You were rrotectincr your own families and loved ones back home, all the while safe- guarding a way of life, unlike any other in the world.

-2- We Americansare a people who value reace, freedom and inderendence------above all else, and believing so, believe that the defense of our nation is worth any Price.

"War is an ugly thing", John Stuart mill the nritish rhilosorher once said, "Rut not the ugliest of things". The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks nothing is worth war, is worse. A man who has nothing for which he Is willinr to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, this man is a miserable creature who has no chance of beinrr free.

As our forefathers were vigilant, so too we mist be. Our enemies continue to increase their military capabilities, as they exrand and modernize their forces. vital :rericen interests are constantly threatened while our citizens face the real dangers of terrorism across the globe. we must be prepared to fight, and be prepared for Personal sacrifice. we must continue to support our military forces, so that they have the best enuinment modern technology can give them. We must also stand behind our military forces, so that their desire and .1:121..._

to fight will continue to be strong. And, we 7ust never forget the

veterans...those gallant men 'lid worlen and their families that gave so much of themselves so that we here today can enioy the blessing of God and Freedom,

rriefly for a moment in our history, the veterans nf Pearl Harbor which we honor and remember today, they did hold the destiny of our nation in their hands. They did not fail us then, and we must not fail them now, ”REMEMBER YEARL riARBOR, KEEP AMERICA ATXRT.” Thank you

-3- ■

THE UNITED STATES AND WORLD WAR II

WHEN AND WHERE IT BEGAN

It began at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, at 0755 hours, on 7 December 1941. It was at this hour that the Xaranese Tmrerial. Yaval Aircraft began their first attack on the U.S', Naval ships that were tied up and at anchor. Japan is a nation of islands, and needed to exrand, their invaded

China first in 1937. The United States continued to sell materials to Taran, until July of 1941, when the Taranese made further connuests into French Indo-China. Our then President Roosevelt warned !"ficnan about env further invasions, by storring all trade, and freezing 7arans assets In the United States. In October 1941, relations became very tense, and the following month a Japanese diplomat by the name of "Yurusu" was flown to the United States to help the Jananese Ambassador "Nomura" with reace negotiations. There

was no progress, so Hideki Tojo the Premier of 7aran, about the middle of November, committed a very large naval force on a secret mission, th-t mission was the attack on Pearl Harbor. The naval force consisted of aircraft carriers, ba'tleshirs, cruisers, destroyers and submarines. reg- otiations were still going on right up to the time of the attack, and about one hour after the attack began, the J'aranese e'voys handed a note to

the Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, saying that negotintions no longer had any Purpose. On December 8, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, only" one Congressman voted NO. Your parents or grand-parents could rrobablv tell you exactly where they

were and what they were doing when their heard about the "attack", just RS you co ild relate the same way with the death of Dr. vartin Tuther Vin, or President John Kennedy, I'm just going to talk about the Navy And Pearl Harbor, because of time limitations, II

Pearl Harbor was the worse defeat this country ever encountered, - we lost that battle, but won the war. The United States rayv was totally unprepared. There were several reasons for this unrreraredness, such es; life being too relaxed in the islands, our military lenders had no'advance warning, and it was on a Sunday morning. raY dad was on board the TTqc

West Virginia, getting ready to go to church, then WRS going on into Honolulu for the day. This particular week-end, nest of the Pacific fleet was in rePrl Harbor, except the two aircraft carriers, the ITS Lexington and the USS Enterprise, plus a few accomranying ships. rany of the larger shins, such as battleshirs, were ready for various types of inspections. This meant that sore or all of the wnter-tlght doors were not dogged down. Recause of this, the shins receiving torpedo hits, either rolled over or sank straight down. The Japanes fleet consisted of 33 shins, including six aircraft carriers, with a total of 353 aircraft on board. The first attack consisted of 1P1 aircraft, 43 fighters, 49 hl-level bombers, 51 dive bombers, and 40 torpedo bombers.

The USS Arizona WRS hit by 5 tornado's and many bombs, one armor piercing bomb found it's way down into a rowder raga7ine. kr exrlosion followed, upward and not outward, sending debris and bodies flvinainto the air. Over 1100 men Perished or the TISS Arizona that day, still entombed inside the shin, and many others severlv iniured and burned from the explosion. The "Arizona raemorial" is the only memorial dedicated to People that lost their lives during that attack, and there are thousands upon thousands of visitors to the raemorlal each Year. The USS Oklahoma was hit by 3 torpedo's and heeled to port, then 2 lefelY more torpedo's struck her, and in lonlv P minutes she had errn sbir, On of her rolled over. lost of her crew WRS trarred inside the III

1345 man crew were lost. After the attack, 32 men were rescued by workmen cutting holes in the bottom of the shin, mnny others were lost before rescuers could reach them. The second wave of the air attack consisted of 80 dive bombers and fighters, this was one hour after the first wave, this one at 0855. The entire attack lasted only about l Irmrs, com,, leted at 0945. A black mess attendant grabbed a machine gun during the attnck, and Performed so valiantly, that he was awarded the Navy Cross. This was the first black man to ever win such an award. The USS California took torpedo hits as well as bombs, and one bomb blew UD in the sick bay area, killing over 100 men. ZislOtURY Daniel Inoye, of Taranese ancestry, and OUT Present senator from ; Hawaii, was a high school student at the time of the at 4 ack. In observing the aircraft with his Father in their front yard, he 4 s rerorted to have said "those dirty Taps". He later distinguished himself as 9 soldier in Europe, losing the use of his right arm. Our total losses: Killed 2335

Wounded 1143 kircraft destroyed 347 Ships badly damaged 18 Japanese reported losses: 1st. wave - 3 fighters, I dive bomber, 5 torredo bombers 2nd wave - 6 fighters, 14 dive bombers

55 Airman 9 midget submarine sailors -1-

FACTS AS I KNOW THEM....JAMES W. DITTOS THE ATTACK ON PgARL HARBOR, DEUEMBER f, 1941 23 October 1995

December 7, 1941, the Jananese Imperial Navy aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor

and all military bases on the island of Oahu. It should be remembered that peace negotiations were still going on in Washington, DC, does that sound

like the Japanese still wanted peace. I think not

There were no warning from our government to the Hawaiian island Commanders of a possible attack, but someone had to take the blame, so Admiral Husband

Kimmell and General Walter Short were held totally responsible for the terrible

loss of life, plus damage and destruction of government property. They in turn

were relieved of their commands, and returned to Washington. Many of us feel

both men got bum raps, many of us still do,

There were approximately 60 ships in Pearl Harbor on the fateful morning, and casualities were high. Including all military personnel, 2635 died, 1143 were wounded. Of the 60 ships, 18 were badly damaged, and we lost 347 aircraft', most were destroy on the ground,

I'm referring to the Navy only now, this is what I am most familiar with, There

are still two ships remaining under water in Pearl Harbor, the battleships

Arizona and the Utah. Still entombed in the Arizona is more then 1100 sailors, - - this ship has become the National Memorial for the fateful day. The Memorial

is built over the sunken USS Arizona, there are thousands of visitors each year.

I was on the battleship USS West Virginia, we received four torpedo hits and

three bomb hits. Because of an inspction that week-end, we had no watertight

integrity, which means all doors and hatches were open. After the tornedphits on

the port (left) side of the ship, it began to roil over towards the left, but due to the quick action of the damage control personnel, the ship was counter-flooded

and it then sank straight down to the shallow bottom, Because of the inspection,

all ready ammunition had been removed from the ready boxes at the gun stations,

and taken below and stored in the magazines below decks. As a result, our anti-

aircraft guns were unable to fire on the enemy aircraft, no ammunition.

The ship was afire Above deck as well as below, and abandon ship was ordered

for everyone who had no hand in fighting fires or damage control. Many of us -2-

swam to ForatIsland, which was just a few yards away, others crossed over to

the USS Tennessee, which was tied up to the inside of the USS West Virginia,

For those of us that decided to swim to Ford Island, we were hampered by oil

burning on the surface of the water. Consequently, we had to swim below the

burning oil, come up for a breath of air by pushing the water and oil away from

us with our hands, then submerging again. Most of us made it, and at that time we didsnt give this danger a thought.

It should be mentioned, there were two attacks that Sunday morning, they occurred

about one hour apart,

It sho'Ild also be mentioned, that all but three ships sunkon December 7, 1941

wee repaired and retur-nerl to duty for the remainder of the war. My ship, the

USS West Virginia was at Pearl Harbor when World War II began, and it was in

Tokyo Bay when the war ended. I'm quite proud of that f act, even though I never

went back aboard when I left the morning of December 7, 1941.

Our Navy was quite fortunate that none of the three assigned carriers were in

port the morning of December 7, 1941. The USS Enterprise was returning from

Wake Island, where she had ferried a load of planes. The USS Lexington was

r-2turning from Midway Island, where she too had ferried a squadron of Marine

Corps bomber aircraft, and the USS Saratoga was enroute to Pearl Harbor from

the West coast, these three ships would be in battle soon enough. I was to

go aboard the USS Lexington when it came into port, and in later years spent

some time aboard the USS Saratoga,

On the nicrht of December 6, 1941, the TIES Ward was on patrol just off the coast

of Oahu, and at 03.4) AM on December 7, 1941, a mine sweeper spotted a submarine periscope briefly, and notified the destroyer Ward. The USS Ward immediately

steamed to the position and began dropping depth charges, and when visual

contact was gained, fired her main guns. The following message was received at

District Headquarters at 7:12 AM,

WE HA1V ATTACKED, FIRED UPON, AND DROPPED DEPTH CHARGES UPON A

SUBMARINE OPERATING IN THE DEFENSIVE SEA AREA. -3-

Upon receipt of this mesage, the duty office dispatched the USSNhonaghan to verify, sh:: did not get underway until 0827, and at 0843 rarmed and sank a Japanese midget submarine in the harbor just north of Ford Island. The

Monaghan was the first ship to get underway after the beginning of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor began at 0755 AM (1:25 PM Washington,

DC time).

The major attack on Ford Island (which was a naval air station) was by dive bombers, their purnose was to destroy aircraft on the ground and in the hangars,

and they did a remarkable job. Their were about 70 aircraft of different types

in hangars and on the ground, and the report was that 33 were destroyed or seriously damaged , primarily from fire, the fire spread from one aircraft to the next.

The torpedo planes concentrated on "battle ship row", so named because the battle-

ships were all tied up (sometimes two at a time) behind each other. Pearl Harbor being so shallow, it was never suspected that torpedos could be used effectively,

but the Japanesehad perfected a shallow running torpedo, making it the most

damaging ordinance used in the attack on ships. The torpedo planes flew towards

the battleships at altitudes between 50 and 100 feet, the aim of their delivery was almost perfect.

All battleships received damage of various degrees during the attack, none got

to sea that day. The USS Nevada did get underway, but the Japanese aircraft

c aught her heading for the channel and concentrated on sinking her in the

channel. That would have been a disaster, blocking the channel, NO the Nevada

grounded herself to prevent this. The USS Oklahoma was hit by 3 torpedos, and

was unable to stop the ship from rolling over on it's port side, it ended up

with the bottom of the ship showing. For several days, sounds could be heard

from tanning inside the ship, many holes were cut in the bottom of the ship,

and an undetermined number of men were rescued from certain death. I have the

good fortune to know only one of these survivors, he lives in Michigan.

The THS Pennsylvania was in dry dock, so torpedos couldn't harm her. She did however receive two bombs amidships, causing fires, which wertfinally extinguised wIAAL tALLI_LuulLy • Domus.causeu uamage to many orner snips, some very serious, others not so badly damaged. The destroyers Cassin, Downs and Shaw were seriously damaged by bombs, heavy fires, substantial damage. Some of the utility ships were damaged by bombs also, such as the seaplane tender Cnrtiss, and the repair ship Oglala. For information, the USS Maryland was the first battleship to return to action, following repairs at a shipyard on the west coast.

There was not a single man at Pearl Harbor, or any of the many military bases on the island, that did not lose at least one good friend. For what it's worth, when in the military, when one makes a friend, it is usually for life, I have friends like that vet today that survived.

In retroresp2ct, I nerlected to mention the sinking of the USS Arizona. This

Shin received 5 torpedo's and an armor-piercing bomb that found it's way down into the powder magazine. It was this armor-piercing bomb that destroyed the

Arizona. The explosion, that followed, upward and outward, sending debris +Wall kinds into the air. It might be noted that part of the debris blown from the ship included many dead sailors.

The present senator from Hawaii, Daniel Inoway (check spelling), of Japanese ancestry, was a high school student at the time of the attack. In observing aircraft with his Father in their front yard, he is reported to ha‘ ,e said

"those dirty Jens". He later distinguished himself as a soldier in Europe, losing the use of his right arm s TWX MESSAGE

DEDICATED TO THE U. S. S. LEXINGTON TO THE OFFICERS AND MEW OF THE LEXINGTON, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY HIGHEST ADMIRATION FOR YOUR PERFORMANCE IN ACTION AND CONDUCT DURING THE DAY WHEN EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE TO SAVE THE SHIP. You HAVE UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE NAVY. WE WERE OPPOSED BY AT LEAST THREE CARRIERS AGAINST OUR TWO, THEY LOST TWO FOR OUR ONE. IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE CREW OF THE LEXINGTON WILL BE KEPT TOGETHER TO COMMISSION ANOTHER LEXINGTON, WHICH WILL RETURN TO AVENGE THE LOSS OF OUR SHIP. I AM HONORED TO HAVE SERVED ABOARD WITH YOU IN ACTION AND HOPE — TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN, AUBREY V* _FIICR_ REAR ADMIRAL U. So NAVY, COMDR. CARRIER DIV. ONE. IN 1929 THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST HAD A VERY SEVERE COLD SPELL* BECAUSE OF THE FREEZING CONDITIONS, THE HYDROELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON, WAS CUT OFF.THE LEXINGTON STEAMED UP PUGET SOUND AND TIED UP AT COLEMAN DOCK, AND FOR THREE MONTHS THE — LEXINGTON POWER UNITS FURNISHED ALL THE ELECTRIC POWER THAT WAS NEEDED FOR THE COMMUNITY, WITH SOME TO SPARE. IN 1934 0_ INE__!1EX• TREMENDOUS IN A RUN OF 72 HOURS AND SOME ODD MINUTES, BETWEEN SAN PEDRO CALIF ANDFoRm121111 HONOLULU, HAWAII* TWX MESSAGE — ON JULY 3 # 1937, WHILE ANCHORED OFF SANTA BARBARA THE "LEX" RECEIVED WORD TO LOOK FOR AMELIA EARHART, LOST NEAR THE HOWLAND ISLANDS. SHE PICKED UP HER SQUADRONS, PROVISIONS, FUELED AND PROCEEDED TO HILO, HAWAII AND FROM THERE SEARCED A TOTAL OF 25,000 MILES IN 27 DAYS, BUT COULD NOT FIND HER* IT IS A PREVILEDU TO QUOTE CAPTAIN SHERMAN, THE CAPTAIN IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE LEXINGTON CREW AND AIR GROUP BE KEPT TOGETHER — AS A UNIT AND TRANSFERRED TO A NEW CARRIER TO BE RENAMED THE LEXINGTON AND COMMISSIONED AS sem AZ posslzu. FROM A DISTANCE SPECTATORS SAW ONE LONE FIGURE DANGLING FROM THE END OF A LINE OFF THE STARBOARD QUARTER AFTER ONE OF MANY GREAT EXPLOSIONS. HE WAS THE LAST MAN TO LEAVE THE SHIP. THE CAPTAIN, FREDERICK C SHERMAN, SINCE THE WAR BEGAN DEC. 7, 1941, THE U. S. S. LEXINGTON HAS STEAMED 42,611 MILES. DURING THIS TIME SHE FOUGHT FOUR ENGAGEMENTS WITH THE IMPERIAL JAPANESE FORCES. HER FIRST ENGAGEMENT wria BATTLE OF BOCAINVILLE* SHOWED HOW WELL THE SHIP COULD TAKE CARE OF HERSELF. - DURING THE MORNING OF FEB * 20 WHILE APPROACHING NEW IRELAND ISLAND TO DELIVER AN AIR ATTACK ON THE ormy CONCENTRATIONS AT RAWL, TWO JAPANESE FOUR ENGINE FLYING BOATS WERE DISCOVERED SEADOWING THE FORCE. —

-1- - FoRmmin 'MX MESSAGE LEXINGTON WAR HISTORY CONT THESE TWO "SHADOWS" WERE DOWNED WITHIN 11 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. HOWEVER jp BEFORE LOCATED AND DESTROYED, THEY RADIOED OUR POSITION TO THEIR BASE AND LATE THAT AFTERNOON, 14 TWIN ENGINED LAND BASED BOMBERS CAME TO ATTACK AND DESTROY IF POSSIBLE, OUR SMALL TASK FORCE. IN A SPECTACULAR ACTION FOUGHT MOSTLY WITHIN SIGHT OF THE SHIP, OUR FLIERS SHOT DOWN 14, THE ANTIAIRCRAFT BATTERIES ACCOUNTED FOR AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE OTHER TWO, BECAUSE OF DAMAGE INFLICTED, NEVER RETURNED TO HIS RASE. WE LOST TWO FIGHTERS, BUT ONE PILOT WAS SAVED BY A DESTROYER. ON MARCH 10 THE 'ILEX" NEXT LED HER FORCE IN TO THE GULF OF PAPUA. FROM A POINT 25 MILES FROM THE COAST, SOME 110 AIRCRAFT OF THE LEXINCTON AND YORKTOWN ATTACK SQUADRONS CARRIED THEIR HEAVY LOAD OF toes, TORPEDOES AND FUEL THROUGH 7,500 FT HIGH MOUNTAIN PASS ACCROSS THIS STRIP OF NEW GUINEA TO BOMBARD JAPANESE WARSHIPS AND TRANSPORTS LYING IN THE HARBORS OF LA! AND SALAMAUAi - WHILE THE FIGHTERS STRAFFED THE JAP GUNNERS AND PLAYED AROUND - TO DRAW THE FIRE OF THE DEFENSES, THE ATTACK PLANES SANK 1 HEAVY CRUISER, 1 LIGHT CRUISER, 2 DESTROYERS, 5 TRANSPORTS, I AUXILIARY VESSEL,. 2 MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS, AND DAMAGED 13 OTHER SHIPS. A JAP SOC TYPE PLANE WHO SCUTTLED AROUND TRYING TO INTERFERE WITH OUR TORPEDO PLANES AS THEY MADE THEIR RUN ON ENEMY SHIPS, MADE THE ERROR OF PULLING UP TO TANGLE WITH THREE FIGHTERS AS THEY DIVED TO MACHINE GUN A DESTROYER. ONE FIGHTER PILOT PULLED OUT OF HIS DIVE LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE HIM A SaUIRT OF LEAD. NEED WE SAY MORE FOR THIS JAP. MAY_TTH_VA4_THE HICHLIGNU_ -COMBINED WITH THE YORKTOWN AIRCRAFT, VIE ATTACK FORCE FROM THE untmow TOM OFF TO BRING A JA? NAVAL FORCE TO BATTLE. THE ENEMY FLEET WERE REPORTED TO CONSIST OW MESSAGEFoRm121111 - AIRCRAFT CARRIERS AND SEVERAL CRUISERS AND DESTROYERS WHICH Wt APPROACHING THE ISLAND OF MISIMA FROM THE NORTH. FLYING FROM A POINT ROUGHLY TO SOUTHWEST OF THE LOUISAIDES ARCHIPELAGO, OUR AIRCRAFT - COVERED SOME 140 MILES BEFORE FINDING AND SETTING TO WORK. DURING THE NEXT FEW MINUTES THEY HIT A JAP AIRCRAFT CARRIER WITH" 8 • 1000 LB BOMBS 1 • 00 LS BOMB. 9 ONE OF THE EXCORTED JAP CRUISERS CAUGHT • 1000 LB. BOMB AND 1 • pao LB BOMB. PRESUMABLY THE MISER WAS DESTROYED. F SHOWED THE JAP CARRIER AFIRE FROM A POINT ABA/1 4ns. stinwmmu 44.AVAIVA TO THE STERN. BESIDES THIS ACTION OUR PLANES FOUGHT A SUCCESSFUL ACTION WITH OTHER jAP 10 :ZERO FIGHTERS WHO WERE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE INTERCEPTED SNOOPINC AROUND. TOTAL BAG OF THIS DAY WAS • 1 FOUR ENGINED FLYING BOAT OVER FLEET AT 400. 2 SEAPLANE TYPE FIGHTERS OVER JAP FORCE THESE WERE DOWNED BY OUR SCOUTS WHEN ENEMY WAS FIRST SIGHTED. 3 SINGLE SEATER FIGHTERS SHOT D4VN ST REAR GUNNERS DURING ATTACK.

FoRm121111 TWX MESSAGE

LEXINGTON WAR HISTORY CONT 1 SINGLE SEATER FIGHTER BY SCOUT PILOT USING FIXED GUN 4 FIGHTERS BY LEX FIGHTERS DURING THE ATTACK. 5 *0" FIGHTERS DURING 1700 AIR BATTLE OVER OWN BATTLE FORCE. A GRAND TOTAL OF 16 PLANES JAP- 1 LARGE AIRCRAFT CARRIER, 60 PLANES AND ONE HEAVY CRUISER, FOR THE DAY. OUR LOSSES FOR THE DAY WERE 2 SCOUTS AND 1 'FIGHTER. NEXT DAY, MAY 8TH 1942 SAW ANOTHER ATTACK BY THE COMBINED SQUADRONS OF THE LEXINGTON AND THE YORKTOWN, OUR SCOUTS REPORTED TWO CARRIERS AND ESCORT WARSHIPS 175 MILES TO NORTHWARD. SQUADRONS COMPRISED OF Ma 73 AIRCRAFT WENT OFF TO MEET AND FIGHT THE JAP FORCE. ONLY ONE CARRIER WAS DISCOVERED AND AGAIN OUR ATTACK GROUP WENT TO WORK AND GAVE THE JAP CARRIER AT LEAST 7 TORPEDOES AND 2 1000 LB. somas. UNQUESTIONABLE IT WAS DESTROYED. WHILE OUR ATTACK FORCE WAS ABSENT ON THIS MISSION, THE ENEMY MADE AN ATTACK ON OUR TASK FORCE. ALMOST DISREGARDING THE OTHER SHIPS, THE JAP PLANES MADE—A- CONCENTRATED ATTACK-40 THE LX. HAVING THOUGHT THEY SANK HER BEFORE, THEY REALLY WENT AFTER HER THIS TIME, AT 11.16 A. Ms AT LEAST 20 TORPEDO PLANES AND THE SAME NUMBER OF DIVE BOMBERS FLEW AND FIRED THEIR MISSLES AT THE PORT SIDE OF THE LEX. WITHIN 2 MINUTES ONE TORPEDO EXPLODED A FEW FEET AFT OF BATTERY 2, FOLLOWED AT ALMOST HALF MINUTE INTERVALS BY MANY EXPLOSIONS ABOARD. NOTE THIS LEFT 3 TORPEDO PLANES AND 7 BOMBERS WHICH ATTACKED THE YORKTOWN.

•••■ LWV-- rOWTORPRDOES AND TWO 500 LR.,_ BOMBS CANE ABOARD FROM THIS PORT SIDE ATTACK RUN, OUR GUNNERS DOWNED THE SECOND AND TH, 14goRm121111 TORPEDO PLANKS, EXPLODING ONE CLOSE ABOARD AND SCATTERED Dytt. SSAGE THE SMATTERED AIRCRAFT ONTO THE FLIGHT DECK. ANOTHER TORP c WAS MADE ON THE STARBOARD SIDE BY 5 TORPEDO PLANES, BUT LUCKILY, ALL MISSED. THE EXPLOSION CAUSED THE LEX. TO LIST 8 DEGREES TO PORT. WITHIN 32 MINUTTES SHE WAS ON AN EVEN KEEL MAKING 25 KNOTS AND TAKING ABOARD HER BROOD OF PLANES FOR FUEL AND AMMUNITION AND SENDING THEM UP TO MEET THE ENEMY, THE SPLENDID DEVOTION TO DUTY SHOWN BY THE

FIRE AND ENGINE ROOM CREWS, DAMAGE CONTROL PARTIES, WHO WENT ABOUT •■■ FIGHTING FIRES AND ATTENDING THE SHIP,_ ALMOST SAVED HER. FOR THREE 'MRS SHE OPERATED PL IDLY AND !IAINTAIMET - A 1PM- r.NOTS AND FIRES SEEMED TO BE FAIRLY WELL IN HAND. HEAVY INTERNAL EXPLOSIONS SHOOK THE SHIP FROM STERN TO STEM, WHICH WAS THE FORWARD BATTERY. WRECXINC THE POWER UNITS AND CAUSING HER TO EVENTUALLY CONE TO A STOP. IT ALSO LOOSENED HER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND CUT OFF THE WATER AND INCREASING MI INTENSITY OF THE FIRES. EVEN THOUGH ALL ABOARD MUST HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT SHE WAS NOW DOOMED, STOOD FAST, JOKED, AND WAITED FOR ARRANGEMENTS TO BE MADE TO gkBLE THE LEXINGTON MEN TO ABANDON SHIP. THIS WAS COMPLETED BY 1900. THE FIRE EVENTUALLY REACHED THE STORE OF TORPEDO WAR HEADS AND THEY EXPLODED WITH A TREMENDOUS ROAR. WITH HER SURVIVORS SCATTERED ON TEN DIFFERENT SHIPS, SHE FINNALLY SETTELED TO REST IN THE CORAL SEA LAT. 15 • 18 00 SOUTH, LONG. 155 * 33 40 EAST "MAY THE WATERS FOREVER LIE QUIET OVER YOU

-3- DITTOE 1ft. James W. "Jim" Dittoe. age 82, Sunday at his residence. Graduate Lancaster High School class of 1937. Retired veteran U.S. Navy serving during World War II and Korean War, Pearl Harbor Survi- vor. Life member Pearl Harbor Survi- vors Association Chapter 4, Fleet Re- serve Association Branch 199, Re- ynoldsburg Post #9473 VFW, Reynolds- burg Senior Center, Malibu Race Team. Survived by wife of 59 years. Martha, whom he married July 8, 1943; son, J. Michael (Donna) Dittoe of Ky.; daughters, Kathryn Moore of Columbus, Carol (Terry) Taber of Ga.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brother, Robert L. Dittoe of Lancaster; sister, Marie Vess of Lancaster; many relatives and friends. Preceded in death by parents, brother Jack and sister Ruth Crawford. Funeral Mass Thursday 10 am., Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial service Thursday 2 p.m.. EVANS FUNERAL HOME, 4171 E. Livingston Ave. Father James Ogurchock officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim s memory may be made to Mt. Carmel Hospice c/o Mt. Cannel Health Foundation. 793 W. State St., Columbus. OH 43222.