Louis P. Davis, Jr., Diary (USS Reid), 7 December 1941

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Louis P. Davis, Jr., Diary ( USS Reid ), 7 December 1941

Notes
The word "Director" in the text stands for the fire control center for the aiming of the 5" guns on board the vessels in question. Also, the mention of the "Wesley" not being able to supply enough for five vessels is in referrence to a power source that supplied power to the "Directors" as mentioned above.

Text and Image(s) from Diary

December 7, Page 49-50 51-52 53-54 55-56 57-58 59-60

Transcription for the images below:

Page 51 of Louis Poisson Davis, Jr.'s diary

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Page 52 of Louis Poisson Davis, Jr.'s diary

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Transcription for the images above:

[Page 51]

Had a hell of a time getting 5" firing. About 0820 I got them ready with ammunition. During time I was getting ammunition for 5" battery I saw Utah capsize astern of us. We are second DD in Harbor to open upwith machine guns, first with 5" [gun] Arizona is burning fiercely. Her back is broken. Raleigh is torpedoed astern of us [q] Quickly gets bad list to port. All DDs are

[Page 52]

firing now. This is hottest part of harbor. Plane is attacking our west. "All guns fw'd train 45" [degrees] "Fire when hearing" Fw'd machine guns are firing steadily. Several Machine seen bullets ricochet off sides of director and mast. One 6" from my head a bunch about a foot away. Glad this is my lucky day.

Gun #2 is firing. Machines guns hit planes burst into

December 7, Page

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Citation : [Diary of Louis P. Davis, Jr.], 7 December 1941, Louis Poisson Davis Jr. Papers.
Location : East Carolina Manuscript Collection, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 USA
Call Number : Louis Poisson Davis Jr. Papers #452.1.d. Display Collection Guide

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Citation :	[Diary of Louis P. Davis, Jr.], 7 December 1941, Louis Poisson Davis Jr. Papers.
Location :	East Carolina Manuscript Collection, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 USA
Call Number :	Louis Poisson Davis Jr. Papers #452.1.d. Display Collection Guide


Exhibit Tools Search Browse Contact Us About the Exhibits Contributors User Information About the Collage	Day of Infamy Exhibit War Begins First Reactions Second Wave Striking Back Smaller Ships News Spreads Looking Back