This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Wallin, Homer Norman, VADM USN(Ret).
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Admiral Wallin was the Chief Salvage officer after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Early in 1942, he was placed in charge of the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard's Salvage Division. Through most of 1942, he directed the Pearl Harbor ship salvage effort, a huge task that enabled the Navy to recover the use of three sunken battleships.
World War II/Asiatic-Pacific Theater/Attack on Pearl Harbor
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
December / 1941
Description The attack on Pearl Harbor, also known as the Battle of Pearl Harbor, the Hawaii Operation or Operation AI by the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, and Operation Z during planning, was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, on the morning of December 7, 1941. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II.
Japan intended the attack as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan planned in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States. Over the next seven hours there were coordinated Japanese attacks on the U.S.-held Philippines, Guam and Wake Island and on the British Empire in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The attack commenced at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time. The base was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk. All but Arizona were later raised, and six were returned to service and went on to fight in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Important base installations such as the power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 64 servicemen killed. One Japanese sailor, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured.
The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. Domestic support for non-interventionism, which had been fading since the Fall of France in 1940,[19] disappeared. Clandestine support of the United Kingdom (e.g., the Neutrality Patrol) was replaced by active alliance. Subsequent operations by the U.S. prompted Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day.
From the 1950s, several writers alleged that parties high in the U.S. and British governments knew of the attack in advance and may have let it happen (or even encouraged it) with the aim of bringing the U.S. into war. However, this advance-knowledge conspiracy theory is rejected by mainstream historians.
There were numerous historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan. However, the lack of any formal warning, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy". Because the attack happened without a declaration of war and without explicit warning, the attack on Pearl Harbor was judged by the Tokyo Trials to be a war crime.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
December / 1941
To Month/Year
December / 1941
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories MEMORANDUM for Flag Secretary: The following report covers damage sustained by ships of the Battle Force, Pacific Fleet, resulting from enemy attacks on 7 December, 1941: (a) BATTLESHIPS Arizona sunk at berth as result of aircraft torpedoes and heavy bombs which exploded forward magazines. Ship is considered to be a total wreck. California sunk at berth as a result of hits by two or more aircraft torpedoes; also received one large bomb hit amidships which caused serious fire. Nevada damaged by heavy bombs, possibly mine in the channel, and aircraft torpedoes. Beached across from Hospital Point to prevent sinking after an attempt to sortie. Batteries intact and manned though no power is on the ship. Oklahoma capsized at berth as a result of receiving three or more hits by aircraft torpedoes. Pennsylvania slightly damaged by bomb hit, starboard side of boat deck, while in drydock number 1, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor. Repairs have been completed and ship is ready for service. Maryland damaged by two bomb hits forward -- one on forecastle and one through side which exploded in C&R storeroom causing numerous leaks. Tennessee received one heavy bomb through turret top which did not explode, but put two rammers out of commission. Also one bomb hit aft which cracked one 14-inch gun. Heat from the Arizona fire melted and ignited paint in after portion of the second deck, which was badly burned out. West Virginia sunk at berth as result of four aircraft torpedoes and one bomb hit. There is considerable damage from fire. (b) CRUISERS Helena damaged by bomb hit at frame 80 starboard side, opening up side under armor belt for distance of about 50 feet. Number One and Two firerooms and forward engineroom flooded. Ship is now in drydock #2, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, to effect repairs to make seaworthy. It is estimated that new shell and framing will be completed within two weeks and ship will be able to operate with two shafts and with all gun batteries in commission. It has been recommended that ship proceed to Mare Island for completion of repairs to hull and machinery. Honolulu damaged by near miss at approximately frame 40, port side. Considerable internal damage to structure and electric cables. Raleigh damaged by one aircraft torpedo which flooded forward half of machinery plant. Also hit by small bomb aft, which penetrated three decks and went out ship's side and did not explode. (c) DESTROYERS Cassin and Downes damaged by bomb in number one drydock, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, ahead of Pennsylvania. Bomb hit Downes exploding her torpedo warheads and causing serious oil fire. Cassin was damaged by fire and was knocked off drydock blocking and fell over on Downes. Shaw hit by bomb while docked on floating drydock. Forward part of ship and floating drydock badly damaged by fire resulting from oil and power. After part of ship not seriously damaged. (d) AUXILIARY VESSELS Oglala sunk by aircraft torpedo and possibly near miss by bomb at ten-ten dock at Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor. [signed] H. N. WALLIN, Commander, U.S. Navy, Battle Force Material Officer.
