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Report of Frank R. Walker Lieutenant Commander on Pearl Harbor
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
USS Patterson, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack
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UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
DESTROYERS, BATTLE FORCE
U.S.S. Patterson (392) |
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DD392/A16-3
Serial (0512) |
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Pearl Harbor, T.H.
December 12, 1941. |
| From: |
The Commanding Officer. |
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| To: |
The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. |
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| Subject: |
Japanese raid, December 7, 1941, offensive measures taken. |
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| Reference: |
(a) CinCUS Despatch 102102 of December, 1941. |
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| Enclosure: |
(A) Sketch showing location USS Patterson and USS Curtis.
[not attached] |
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- Immediately the attack on Pearl Harbor was observed, the crew manned battle stations and
enemy aircraft were brought under fire with main and .50 caliber batteries. A vigorous and
spirited fire was maintained.
- During firing, and without interruption to the service of the guns, preparations for
getting underway were made, and the ship stood out of harbor at 0900.
- It is reasonably certain that at least one enemy plane was shot down by our fire.
- The plane claimed by this ship was one observed diving on the USS Curtis,
approaching from ahead. Our guns were firing at this plane. At an altitude of
approximately 400 feet this plane was seen to fly apart at the same time a shot was fired
by gun 2. The pieces dropped into the water just forward of the USS Curtis. No
shell burst was observed. Apparently gun 2 scored a direct hit with a shell which failed
to detonate. That this was so is based on the absence of any burst nearby at this instant
and the belief that the sudden and complete disintegration of this plane could not have
been caused by a hit from any small caliber gun.
- When this plane was shot down the USS Patterson was moored at berth X-11.
- No damage was sustained by this ship.
- Throughout the action, the conduct of the entire crew of this ship was exemplary. Battle
Stations were promptly manned, a heavy volume of fire was maintained, and there was a
minimum of confusion.
- The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Frank R. Walker, joined the ship, via small
boat, approximately two miles south of Pearl Harbor entrance at 0930. Thereafter this ship
operated under the command of Commander Destroyers Battle Force. After sortie no contacts
with the enemy were made during this operating period.
[signed]
A.F. WHITE,
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy.
Frank R. Walker,
Lieutenant Commander,
U.S. Navy.
CC:
Source: Enclosure (E) to CINCPAC action report Serial 0479 of 15 February 1942,
World War II action reports,the Modern Military Branch, National Archives and Records
Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740.
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