Post your Pearl Harbor Survivor dog tags

[muddyboots]

2

[muddyboots]

3

[muddyboots]

4

[muddyboots]

5

[muddyboots]

6

[muddyboots]

7

[USdog]

Great tag!

[CHASEUSA11B]

 

I've posted this elsewhere on the forum but here's my great uncles tag. He was on the USS San Francisco and was present during the attack

[CHASEUSA11B]

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/209726-my-great-uncle-maxs-navy-cross/?hl=archibeque&do=findComment&comment=1646304

[Simon Lerenfort]

Thanks for starting this thread to the witnesses of that fateful day.

[Gator]

Greetings,

 

Well as part of effort to add to my Pearl Harbor tags I was lucky enough to just acquire the following USN tag of a CFC(PA) sailor who is listed on USS Solace rolls for December '41. But as you will see it appears that he was transferred from or to the USS Ralph Talbot Dec 10th/16th? Could one straighten me out that is more educated on these rolls. Also what does PA mean? Either way this veteran was present on that fateful day. God Bless them all!

 

USS Solace

 

USS Solace (Hospital ship) was moored near the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when World War II began for the United States in an aerial attack by Japan. A crew member filming from the deck of that ship, an Army medical Doctor named Eric Haakenson, captured the precise moment of the USS Arizona's explosion. The ship was unscathed in the attack, and later received seven Battle Stars for its service in the South Pacific.

 

USS Ralph Talbot

 

Moored at Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941, the crew of the Ralph Talbot manned her guns and began preparations for getting underway within minutes of the start of the Japanese attack. By 0900 she was en route out of the harbor having already splashed her first enemy aircraft. After the attack, she searched for enemy submarines.

 

 

Mark

 

PS: Still looking to add to the PH list of tags!

[KASTAUFFER]

It looks to me like his permanent station was the USS Ralph Talbot and that he was a patient on the Solace from 12/10-12/16. Perhaps he was wounded?

 

PA means "Permanent Appointment" . Once a Chief had a "Permanent Appointment" only BU PERS could reduce him in rank. A captain of a ship could not "bust" a chief who had a PA.

 

The other designation was "temporary appointment".

 

Kurt

[Gator]

Kurt,

 

Thanks for the details. I have submitted a FOIA so maybe we will see if he was wounded or other explanation. Also thanks for explaining PA

 

Mark

[CHASEUSA11B]

Ed McCue spent the war on the USS St Louis CL-49 includingDecember 1941. 

[muddyboots]

William J Keller Jr. 3rd Defense Battalion Pearl Harbor.

[FlyNavy02]

Identification tag of Chief Metalsmith Earle Wyatt Harper. He was serving on the USS Rigel on 7 December 1941.

 

 

Reprot of the USS Rigel:

 

USS Rigel (ARb-1), Report of Pearl Harbor Attack

U.S.S. Rigel

ARb-1/A9-8/(016)

Pearl Harbor, T.H.

December 9, 1941

 

From:Commanding Officer.

To:Commander Train Squadron SIX.

 

Subject:Report of particulars after battle of Sunday, December 7, 1941.

 

Reference:(a) Articles 712 and 874 U.S.N.R., 1920.

 

Enclosure:(A) List of wounded.

This vessel was moored in berth 13, U.S. Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, T.H. on December 7, 1941, undergoing major repairs and conversion. No motive power or other power available from own plant due to work in progress of replacing power units, boilers, generators, etc. All essential services of steam, electricity, fresh and salt water and compressed air were being supplied from the Navy Yard. Approximately half the officers, including the Captain and Executive Officer and one third of the crew were on shore on authorized leave or liberty.

At about 0815, December 7, 1941 an air attack by Japanese aircraft began on ships moored in Pearl Harbor and other military objectives on the Island of Oahu. This vessel has no armament installed hence could take no offensive or defensive action. The attack developed rapidly and due to existing conditions heavy damage was inflicted by the attackers with little loss to themselves or opposition.

This command concerned itself with rescue efforts with ship's boats available. Ensign Charles R. Hake, U.S.N.R. volunteered as a boat officer and was put in charge of Rigel's #1 motor launch with a volunteer crew consisting of MILLER, Keith M., S1c., USN, Coxswain, WINEBARGER, Eugene, F1c., USN Engineer, SHEPHERD, Robert H., S2c., USN Bow Hook and BLAIR, William E., S2c USN Stern hook. This boat proceeded to rescue survivors from the U.S.S. West Virginia and succeeded in saving between 50 and 100 men who were injured or blown overboard and were in imminent danger of drowning or death from suffocation or burning due to flaming oil which covered the surface of the surrounding water. The work of this boat was stopped by a fouled screw in such a position that it was in imminent danger of destruction by burning. Ensign Hake and the crew succeeded in saving the boat. The attack on the West Virginia consisting of torpedo, bomb and machine gun assaults by waves of planes was at its height during the rescue operations above mentioned. It is considered that Ensign Hake and the crew of #1 motor launch as enumerated above are deserving of special commendation for the initiative, resourcefulness, devotion to duty and personal bravery displayed on this occasion.

Ensign James P. Bienia U.S.N.R. was detailed as boat officer of #2 motor whaleboat, the crew of which consisting of DZIBUCH, Stanley J., S1c. USN, coxswain, STOCKER, Robert F., F1c., USN engineer and ROGERS, Robert E., S2c., USN bow hook, and directed to proceed and assist in rescue work. This boat was manned and in the act of getting underway from its berth under the starboard bow of this ship when an enemy plane dropped light bomb which struck the port quarter of the boat and cut all planking from capping to keel in two. This bomb exploded after passing through the boat and underwater, throwing Ensign Bienia and his crew into the water. STOCKER, Robert F. F1c., USN and ROGERS, Robert E., S2c., USN sustained serious injuries and have been hospitalized. From the above it is believed this was an armor piercing bomb with a delayed fuse setting.

The captain returned on board about 0830 when the attack was at its height.

Shortly after the bomb referred to in paragraph 4 fell another bomb dropped near USS Rigel stern and approximately midway between piers 13 and 14, this bomb exploded on contact with water and fragmentation appears to have been most complete. Approximately one hundred fifty holes, varying from 2½ to ¼ inch in diameter, were blown in port quarter of Rigel between frames 120 and the stern. All above the waterline. This damage is being repaired by ship's force. Flying splinters and fragments injured WIGGAM, Richard E., SK3c, USN, CRAWFORD, Lawrence E., F3c., USN, TALEVICK, William D., F3c., USN, JOHNSON, Henry E., MM2c., USN and GOODMAN, Eldon W. Bmkr1c., USN, who have been hospitalized.

The Executive Officer returned to the ship about 0900 and other officers and crew members returned as soon as possible, all being more or less delayed due to traffic congestion on main highways. There is one exception to the above, viz: Lieutenant Harry E. Morgan, U.S. Navy, who resides at 3239 Oahu Ave., Honolulu, T.H. did not return on board until about 0800, December 8, 1941. When questioned as to why he had not returned as soon as possible after the hostile air raid began he stated in effect, to the Executive Officer, Commander William E. McClendon, U.S. Navy that he was unaware that a hostile raid had been made on Pearl Harbor and other military objectives, or that any material damage or personnel casualties had been inflicted on United States forces. He appeared at that time to have been drinking but was not considered intoxicated or drunk.

Two officers from this vessel – Ch. Elect. W.H. Moore, U.S. Navy and Machinist H.H. Vanaman, U.S. Navy left the ship about 0615 for a hike through the hills back of the town of Aiea. At about 0800 they had reached a point at such elevation that they were able to witness the attack on the ships and Hickam Field which were apparently the initial objectives. They stated that three separate flights of planes at three levels, viz: low, medium and high passed over them from the north heading in for the attack. The attack on ships appeared to them to be made only by torpedo planes and dive bombers. The attack on Hickam Field was made by high level bombers according to these officers and the bombs were dropped in rows similar to planting potatoes. Three different plantings were observed and it appeared that the attack was well planned, coordinated and executed.

Lieutenant Commander Loar Mansbach, U.S. Navy, was acting commanding officer at the beginning of the attack and until the captain (Roy Dudly) returned on board. This officer had taken immediate action to assist in fire fighting and rescue on damaged vessels and had assembled repair parties, tools and equipment ready for dispatch to any point where they could be of service. His prompt action in this and his general conduct of this command period are considered deserving of special mention.

Chief Boatswain Ashley D. Holland, U.S. Navy was officer-of-the-deck at the beginning of and during the attack. He performed all of his duties in a highly satisfactory manner and deserves special mention for his zeal and efficient performance of duty.

The commanding officer has no complaint to make concerning the conduct of any officer or man who was on board during and immediately following this action, but on the contrary feels that every one of these officers and men conducted themselves in a highly creditable manner.

[signed]
R. DUDLE

 

Source: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/digitized-collections/action-reports/wwii-pearl-harbor-attack/ships-m-r/uss-rigel-arb-1-action-report.html