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Charles P. Trumbull, Diary ( USS Louisville ), 7 December 1941



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December 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
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Page 55 of Charles P. Trumbull's diary
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Page 56 of Charles P. Trumbull's diary
Higher resolution image


Transcription for the images above:

[Page 55]

December 8, Monday

At quarters today it was announced that the Japanese have started hostilities against us. Soon after we heard that Japan had declared war against the United States by making a surprise early morning attack on Pearl Harbor. (it was last night by our time.) Apparently the whole fleet was caught completely unprepared and great damage was done. The Japs report several ships sunk including several battleships.

Manilla and Singapore also were bombed. Guam and Wake reported lost.

The Japs certainly picked the right time - when all the officers were on weekends and asleep at home .

When we received word of

[Page 56]

the war we were just north of the Japanese mandated islands so changed course from 048 to 072 to pass south of the Ellice Islands. Later we received orders to proceed to Pago Pago, Samoa for fuel and further orders.

We broke out ammunition at all guns, keeping an [a] shell in each tray at 2 secs and three in the fuse pots at 3 secs. A new Condition III watch puts into effect using twelve officiers and four fire controlmen in the directors with no battery officier. My new job is no longer mine since all orders are cancelled so I am back in A.A. again

Reports say Nevada was damaged and towed in. Also the West Virginia was badly damaged and that one battleship capsized. I wonder how Archie made out.
December 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
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Citation : [Diary of Charles P. Trumbull], 7-16 December 1941, Charles Pendelton Trumbull Papers.
Location : East Carolina Manuscript Collection, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 USA
Call Number : Charles Pendelton Trumbull Papers #829.3.12.    Display Collection Guide

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Page Updated 12 September 2003
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