OCTOBER 15th, 1941
U.S.S. ARIZONA, BATTLESHIP ROW
PEARL HARBOR, OAHU, THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
The Island of Oahu, also known as "The Gathering Place" is the third largest island of the Hawaiian Islands, which sit peacefully in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Of course, peace could be controversial to some people, considering Oahu's main inhabitant: The United States Pacific Fleet, stationed at Pearl Harbor.
The Fleet had originally relocated from San Diego to Pearl in 1887, but due to recent conflicts in the Japanese-Chinese War since 1937, the United States formed an Embargo, cutting Japan off from gaining further supplies in oil, which was crucial to being victorious in its dominance of Southern Asia.
The U.S. Navy was complimented with 8 Battleships, 2 Heavy Cruisers, 6 Light Cruisers, 30 Destroyers, 4 Submarines, 23 Mine Warfare ships, 13 Patrol ships, 28 Auxiliary ships, 27 Service Crafts, and 4 Coast Guard Vessels.
The eight Battleships were the icons of Pearl Harbor. 7 of them were lined up in their own little section docked off of Ford Island, which sat in the middle of the Harbor. This little section was named Battleship Row.
The U.S.S. California (BB-44) was stationed at the most southern part of Ford Island. The fifth battleship to be named after a State, she was the last American ship to be built on the West Coast, and was the only one to be a dreadnought type.
Behind her were two more battleships that were tied together: The U.S.S. Oklahoma (BB-37)and the U.S.S. Maryland (BB-46). Oklahoma is a veteran battleship, and had served as an escort for many American convoys crossing the Atlantic to aid the Allies for the Great War, and now sits on the outside of the row. Maryland was nicknamed "Old Mary" or "Fighting Mary" by her crewmates. For a while, she served as a flagship cruising to Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.
Behind those two ships were the U.S.S. West Virginia (BB-48) and U.S.S. Tennessee (BB-43). West Virginia had participated in exercises in engineering and gunnery courses, winning four medals in the latter. She's performed in other naval tactical development operations until 1939, when she was transferred to Pearl the next year. Now she rests behind Oklahoma. The Tennessee was the head of her class of battleships, and was the third ship to be named after a state. She resides behind the Maryland.
Behind the West Virginia, rests a small repair ship, the U.S.S. Vestal (AR-5). Repair ships are auxiliary ships that provide maintenance and repairs to warships; they are like a Medic to its soldiers on the battlefield.
To her right, and sitting behind the Tennessee, lies the Pride of the Pacific fleet: The U.S.S. Arizona (BB-39). Arizona was amongst a group of American ships that escorted President Woodrow Wilson to the Paris Peace Conference. She also made motion picture history by serving as the location for the 1934 Romantic Comedy film, "Here Comes the Navy", starring James Cagney and Gloria Stuart.
I will take a moment now to mention that Gloria was nominated for an Oscar 63 years later for her performance as "Old Rose" in the 1997 Romantic Drama, "Titanic".
And lastly, sitting behind Arizona is U.S.S. Nevada (BB-36). Nevada was the head of two Nevada-Class Battleships; her sister being Oklahoma. She was an advance in dreadnought technology. She used oil instead of coal for fuel, her turrets were all triple gunned, and she had geared steam turbines for greater range. She was the Navy's first "Super-Dreadnought".
The last battleship to complete the eight was the U.S.S. Pennsylvania (BB-38). She was the head of her class, and during the Fall of 1941, had been stationed inside a dry-dock for maintenance. She was accompanied by Destroyers U.S.S. Cassin and Downes.
!
27-year old Lieutenant Alan Combeferre stepped down from the ladder that lead to the main mast tower that hovered over the main deck of the Arizona. He was soon accompanied by the Arizona's Captain, Franklin Van Valkenburgh.
"Another perfect day." Valkenburgh said.
"Yes sir! I've been wondering if it ever rains here for more than 15 minutes." Alan said.
Valkenburgh laughed. "I think 15 minutes may seem excessive. I'd say 10!"
Alan smiled as the two of them walked along the Main Deck of their ship. His focus began to turn to the big beautiful green mountains hovering over the other side of the Harbor.
"What's on your mind, son?" Valkenburgh asked.
"I was just wondering if we'd be able to see that new radar station they've been talking about."
Valkenburgh laughed. "One, it wouldn't be tall enough to surpass the trees up in those mountains. Two, if it was already set up, it would most likely be stationed at Opana Point, all the way on the Northern side of this island. There's no way in hell we'd be able to see her.
"And Three, the last I heard, they still haven't gotten permission from the Hawaiian National Park."
Alan rolled his eyes. "We annexed this island, you'd think that it would be within our prerogative to set up the station wherever we deem it necessary!"
Valkenburgh shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I'm not so sure that we'd have much need for the radar. I've just spoken with Admiral Kimmel and General Short. They don't believe that an air raid is possible here."
"How so?" Alan asked.
"Take a good look at our harbor." Valkenburgh pointed to the water they were looking over. "The entire Harbor is protected by an anti-submarine net that is further guarded by 24/7 patrols. So there's no chance of any submarines possibly infiltrating the base. Furthermore, the deepest part of this entire harbor is 40ft maximum. And a torpedo dropped from that of an aircraft, must by logic, descend to 75ft before leveling off."
Alan nodded. His superior was well spoken. "Well, if they're not concerned with an air raid, what ARE they concerned with?" he asked.
HICKAM AIRFIELD
SOUTHWEST OF PEARL HARBOR
"Sabotage?" Alan's younger brother, 25-year old Patrick Combeferre asked, dumbfounded. "The big guys are concerned about sabotage?"
His younger brother, 24-year old James Combeferre, shrugged his shoulders. "That's what Alan said to me earlier today. It could explain why all of the planes are being rearranged…"
Patrick and James Combeferre, both Army Lieutenants of the U.S. Pacific Air Corps, are stationed at Hickam Airfield.
The reason that the 390 aircrafts were being repositioned, were, as James had put it, sabotage.
It was one thing for Japan to launch some sort of an attack. The very idea had been tossed around by Kimmel and Short once or twice. But the fact remains that there is a very huge majority of Japanese civilians occupying the islands of Hawaii, mainly Oahu. So sabotage was of bigger concern.
Rather than risk the planes be blown up by 'enemy agents' at night in their own isolated hangers, General Walter Short commissioned the order to have all planes stationed together on the runways of Hickam, Bellows, and Wheeler Airfields. This way, 90% of the aircraft can be under surveillance.
But this also made them easy targets in the unlikely event of an air raid.
"Well that's all I know." James continued. "Or at least that's all that Alan was able to tell me. You know: security reasons." He rolled his eyes.
"Eh…I still think the whole idea is downright ridiculous." Patrick said.
James shrugged his shoulders again. "General's orders."
U.S.S. OKLAHOMA
BATTLESHIP ROW
Seamen Douglas and Thomas Prouvaire were off duty and in their quarters, each on a bunk bed.
20-year old Thomas had his postcards laid out on his bed.
"You know, Tom, you don't have to send Mom and Dad a postcard EVERY single weekend." 22-year old Doug said.
"Oh, no this one's being sent to Godfather Lesgles. Thought he could use it." Tom corrected.
"Don't they have a daughter to send them stuff?" Doug asked, referring to Marilyn.
"Yeah but this is a thank-you card for sending me the article that published Dad's latest poem."
Doug nodded as he laid back down on his cot staring at the ceiling. "I'm surprised it was actually published."
Tom looked over at his brother. "The man's a genius. Why wouldn't it be?"
Doug looked back at Tom. "He's also a depressed genius. He writes some seriously sad shit sometimes! I'm surprised the Pre-Code hasn't done anything to them."
Tom agreed. "War's crazy."
"Well not only that…" Doug began, before Tom nodded. He knew what his brother was talking about.
"Man…it's almost too surreal, how one can be surrounded by so much death, and many of them his loved ones…" Tom reflected. "And to think at one point he wrote poetry about life, peace, and love."
Doug sighed. "Thank god we have The Lesgles' to keep an eye on him. Sometimes I feel like it may get overwhelming for Mother."
"Can't think of why not." Tom said. "She's no stranger to loss either…" He was referring to their mother's late ex-lover, Henri Courfeyrac.
"Whelp…" Doug began. "Let's just pray to the Almighty that you and I never have to go through THAT amount of pain."
"Yes sir!" Tom chuckled softly.
Doug then began to lean his head backwards, letting it hang over the edge of the bed.
His vision showed the rest of the quarters upside down.
It was then that he saw somebody enter the room.
"Afternoon, Carson." Doug said.
26-year old Dennis Carson, the eldest of three of Jack Carson's sons, greeted the two Prouvaires. "Did you boys get the invitations from Harry yet?"
Tom and Doug both sat up in their bunks. "Your cousin? I didn't know he lived down here!"
"Yeah he just moved in not too long ago. His radio play made him damn successful. So he bought himself a pretty fancy house, and he wants to invite his friends up for a house-warming."
"Will Charlie and Sam be going?" Doug asked.
"Sam might, but I don't know if Charlie will. He's stuck on duty tonight in the Mess Hall, so it most likely won't happen."
"And…will, uh…" Doug prodded.
Dennis laughed. "If she's not tied down at the Club, maybe."
Tom shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe you can have Jane sing at the party. You know, free entertainment!" he nudged Dennis in the arm.
"Nah, I couldn't do that. We've only been going steady for about a few weeks."
"Ah, I get it." Doug began. "You don't believe in asking girls to sing at parties; you're waiting until marriage." He laughed.
That earned Doug a good shove that nearly knocked him out of his bunk.
U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL
SOUTHEAST OF PEARL HARBOR
The telephone rang. 20-year old Judy Prouvaire picked it up as she straightened her hair.
"Thank you for calling the United States Naval Hospital. This is Judy speaking, how can I help you today?" She paused to hear the caller talk.
"Certainly, sir. We can make an appointment. What's the emergency?" She was ready to get out her calendar book when she quietly snickered.
"Oh, no it's ok! You needn't feel embarrassed! No, we get patients here for sunburn issues all the time! Trust me, you're hardly the first! Yeah…no don't worry! Our schedule's clean as a whistle. You can come in right now if you'd like! Okay! Great! Bye-bye!" And with that, Judy hung up the telephone.
The head Nurse, 22-year old Marilyn Lesgles walked in as soon as Judy was done talking. "Well?"
"Another sunburnt case." Judy replied.
Marilyn rolled her eyes. "Can't these dumb civilians ever get any injuries that aren't tropical-related?"
Judy shrugged her shoulders. "At least we're getting patients."
"What's the count, by the way? Including this one?" Marilyn asked.
Judy flipped all the way to the back of her notebook, where there was a tiny little tally score card.
"This last one amounts to three times. We have had only three patients come in here since September!"
Marilyn laughed. "This island's new advertisement campaign should be 'Come to Hawaii, where nobody gets injured, and a bunch of beautiful nurses are bored out of their minds!"
"Ha! Try 'bored out of their minds and in desperate need of the company of some willing and well-endowed men!' By the time the first hundred ads go out, we'll have enough enlisted men to claim all of Asia as their own." Judy said sarcastically.
Marilyn shivered at the last sentence. "Don't even joke about that, Judy. I can't ever imagine America ruling the world. Look what it's doing to Germany…"
Judy looked over at Marilyn as the latter sat down in her chair, before replying. "Marilyn, you've told me yourself there's no one you know back in France. Why does this still bother you?"
"Because it was my father's when he was my age. I can't imagine anything like that happening to us."
"Well it won't, because we're not in the war." Judy said.
Marilyn remained unconvinced.