December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor

Today is the last in the series from the Interlaken Historical Society’s Between the Lakes Newsletter Vol 18, #3 June 1992.

Pearl Harbor and Islands of the Pacific by Richard Worrell, Interlaken

January 30, 1940 - I enlisted in the U. S. Army at Olean, N. Y. and was assigned to active duty in, at that time, the Territory of Hawaii. Upon completion of documentation and physical, I was sent to St. Bonaventure University to be sworn into the Army by a Captain in their R.O.T.C. unit. I then boarded a train bound for Fort Slocum at New Rochelle, New York.

Following a week's stay there where uniforms and supplies were obtained along with orientation, I traveled by boat to the Brooklyn Army Base and from there to the coast of Panama aboard the U.S.S.A.T. Republic. As we sailed around Cape Hatteras, a severe winter storm confronted us, lasting many hours.

Going through the Canal was a slow process after which we anchored in Gatum Lake to take on fresh water, continuing on through the locks to the Pacific Ocean, exiting at Balboa--a ten-day trip. We then traveled up the Central American coast, past Mexico and southern California to San Francisco where we encountered very rough seas off the bay.

Several days were spent at Fort McDowell on Angel Island before we continued on to Honolulu, Hawaii. There we traveled by train to Schofield Barracks where we were assigned to M Company - 27th Infantry. There we spent eight (8) weeks of recruit training followed by more rigorous training which brought promotions through the ranks, and I was promoted to Staff Sergeant in September 1941.

December 7, 1941—I was standing on the second-floor gallery of our barracks on this Day of Infamy when a large number of low-flying fighter planes came into the area, strafing a building nearby. Bullets were flying in all directions, pelting the concrete off the columns of all buildings in the quadrangle. Disbelief and confusion ran amok as bombs were dropped at the Wheeler Field Hanger and on the planes parked on the runways.

It was some time before we were able to head to the Pearl Harbor channel, our defensive sector.

We had to go through Hickam Field and Fort Kam to reach our destination, encountering smoke and flames all the way. Needless to say, Pearl Harbor was a disaster area with heavy black smoke engulfing the entire harbor. Following several days’ occupation there, we moved into Honolulu where we underwent anti-sabotage duty.

March, 1942 - We moved back to the upper post at Schofield Barracks, where we began eight (8) weeks of intensive jungle training. Upon completion, a division review was given by our commander, Major General Lawton C. Collins. We were sent to a docking area boarding a transport ship bound for the South Pacific, landing at Suva, the capital of the Fiji Islands. There we departed the ship via cargo nets, marched through the city, around a racetrack, and back aboard in the same fashion. Leaving Suva we met a small group of ships at sea, stopping for a rendezvous. Their officers came aboard our ship via Breeches Buoy (a cable with a seat). Following their departure a meeting with our command was held and we were ordered to proceed to Guadalcanal to relieve a Marine unit which had landed there in August. We landed unopposed early in the morning, moving into temporary positions.

December 10, 1942 - A drive was begun to eliminate the Japanese from Guadal Canal and by February 1943, the last stronghold at Kukum Bona was captured. Patrol was continued for some time in order to round up any remaining Japanese.

June 1943 - My division moved on to New Georgia where we captured the airfield at Munda in October of 1943. From there we island-hopped the Solomon Chain, deporting at Kolumbangara where we were relieved and told to report back to Guadalcanal. Having no formal transportation, we were forced to hitch a ride aboard a destroyer which was escorting a fleet of smaller ships back to the Canal.

In late October we were sent to New Zealand for a rest period, training, and re-equipment. We landed at Auckland, N.Z. in November; from there on to Warkworth, a small town, by train. I contracted a severe case of pneumonia after being there two weeks and was sent to Queen's Hospital in Auckland for two months.

February 1944 - Our unit boarded a ship for New Caledonia, landing at the capital, Noumea. Upon arrival, we were moved up into the mountains where we began training for re-capture of the Philippines.

June 1944 - My name was selected from our unit via the rotation plan for order to report back to the U.S. to a post near my home. I was relieved of all duties and given charge of the camp until a ship was ready for transport.

September 1944 - I boarded a ship bound for San Diego, California. From there I was sent to Camp Anza near Riverside, California. Following several days there, I was sent by troop train to Fort Dix, N.J., where I was given a 21-day pass and went to Hornell, N.Y. From Hornell I was sent to Lake Placid, N.Y. for rehab and re-assignment.

January 1945 - I reported to the 1249th Service Unit in Trenton, N.J. as a Military Policeman assigned to Penn Railroad Station as a desk sergeant.

August 14, 1945 - V.J. Day! All police were on duty. The following day I visited the 1249th Commander and was informed that I and sixteen others from our unit were to report to the Fort Dix Separation Center at the end of the week. On Monday I reported to the Post Chapel where I received my Honorable Discharge.

Returning to Trenton for a few hurried farewells, I boarded a train in New York City bound for Hornell, N.Y.; arriving there the next day, I was a HAPPY unemployed CIVILIAN.

Dewitt’s Diary, Sunday, December 7, 1941

Japan went to war against the US today by attacking the Hawaiian Islands without warning. Heavy loss to us as we were not on guard.