Pearl Harbor Dec 7th 1941

[Steindaddie]

The attack was 66 years ago this week and if people here have related photos & such why not share? I'll start with this, a group shot of the 50th Reconnaissance Squadron 11th Bomb Group, Hickam Field November 1941. Only a couple weeks or days before the attack and the fates of some of the men are recorded by the original owner as seen. I believe that is a B-17D behind them and look close to see a B-24 to the right background. On the left is a building I have often had business in - base ops at Hickam. Click on the photo for a bit of a close up.

[Steindaddie]

R.I.P.

[siege1863]

No photos at this time, but here is a list I compiled of all Mississippians who died on 7 December 1941.

 

Mississippians Lost at Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941

 

U.S.S. Arizona

Bond, Burnis L.—Wiggins, Stone Co.

Carter, Paxton T.—Hattiesburg, Forrest Co.

Chadwick, Charles B.—Rena Lara, Coahoma Co.

Dial, John B.—Hattiesburg, Forrest Co.

Fortenberry, Alvie C.—Magnolia, Pike Co.

Green, Glen H.—Paulding, Jasper Co.

Menefee, James A.—Jackson, Hinds Co.

Molpus, Richard P.—Meridian, Lauderdale Co.

Moody, Robert E.—Utica, Hinds Co.

Murphy, Jessie H.—Picayune, Hancock Co.

Oglesby, Lonnie H.—Jackson, Hinds Co.

Ruddock, Cecil R.—Pass Christian, Harrison Co.

Smith, Walter T.—Gunnison, Bolivar Co.

Thornton, George H.—Blue Springs, Union Co.

White, Volmer D.—Kokomo, Marion Co.

 

U.S.S. California

Clark, Cullen B.—Laurel, Jones Co.

Curtis, Herbert S. Jr.—Kilmichael, Montgomery Co.

 

U.S.S. Oklahoma

Davenport, James W. Jr.—Hattiesburg, Forrest Co.

Ferguson, Charlton H.—Kosciusko, Attala Co.

Johnston, Jim H.—Wesson, Copiah Co.

Jones, Jerry—Stonewall, Clarke Co.

Thornton, Cecil H.--Mississippi

Wade, Durrell—Calhoun City, Calhoun Co.

 

U.S.S. West Virginia

Melton, John R.—Liberty, Amite Co.

Mister, Joe E.—Grenada, Grenada Co.

 

Hickam Field

Denson, Eugene B.—Canton, Madison Co.

Gossard, James E. Jr.—Electric Mills, Kemper Co.

Joyner, Theodore K. Jr.—Canton, Madison Co.

 

Wheeler Field

Everett, James—Canton, Madison Co.

Price, John A.—McComb, Pike Co.

[Brian Keith]

Is that Maj. Sweeney the same Sweeney of the 509th Composit Group (Atomic Bomb) fame?

BKW

[Steindaddie]

Is that Maj. Sweeney the same Sweeney of the 509th Composit Group (Atomic Bomb) fame?

BKW

 

Chuck Sweeney is the A-Bomb man but this is Walter C. Sweeney who did a few things himself. In addition to his Pearl Harbor connection he also led the B-17 attacks on the Japanese fleet at Midway in June 1942 - no hits but hey, they kept them off balance. Later in his career he commanded the 8th AF before getting his fourth star and taking charge of Tactical Air Command.

 

PS. I went to a Pearl Harbor memorial service this morning and talked with men who were there that morning plus other WW2 vets as well. This event was hosted by a local navy unit, EODMU11, who have recently lost men in Iraq so the ceremony had the sacrifices of today intertwined with those of 66 years ago. Very well done.