NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUÉS
1-300
AND PERTINENT PRESS RELEASES
DECEMBER 10, 1941
TO
MARCH 5, 1943
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1943
Foreword
March 23, 1943.
This publication contains the first 300 communiqués issued by the Navy Department during the Second World War. The first is dated December 10, 1941; the last March 5, 1943. There are also included certain press releases, such as the Secretary of the Navy's statement on Pearl Harbor dated December 15, 1941, which it is felt are of outstanding historical importance.
It will be noted that the communiqués are reprinted serially and that the press releases have been interpolated in their proper chronologic places. Where not otherwise stated all these documents were given to the press for "immediate release."
|
MONTH |
COMMUNIQUÉS |
PAGES |
|
1-22 |
1-14 |
|
|
22-35 |
15-24 |
|
|
36-48 |
25-35 |
|
|
49-64 |
35-46 |
|
|
65-74 |
46-51 |
|
|
75-82 |
52-55 |
|
|
83-92 |
55-62 |
|
|
93-100 |
62-74 |
|
|
101-116 |
74-85 |
|
|
117-135 |
85-95 |
|
|
136-175 |
95-125 |
|
|
176-206 |
121-137 |
|
|
207-234 |
137-152 |
|
|
235-266 |
152-168 |
|
|
267-294 |
168-182 |
|
|
295-300 |
182-184 |
No. 1 DECEMBER
10, 1941
The Navy Department
announces that instructions have been issued that the remains of naval
personnel, including Coast Guard and Marine Corps, lost in action be interred
temporarily in the localities in which they lost their lives. This procedure is necessitated by the difficulties
of ocean transport in war. They will be
buried with full military honors.
No. 2 DECEMBER
11, 1941
The Marine garrison on Wake
Island has been subject to four separate attacks in the last 48 hours by enemy
aircraft and one by light naval units.
Despite the loss of part of the defending planes and the damage to
material and personnel, the defending garrison succeeded in sinking one light
cruiser and one destroyer of the enemy forces by air action. A resumption of the attack and a probable
landing attempt is expected. The Marine
garrison is continuing to resist. The
above report is based on information received up until noon December 11.
No. 3 DECEMBER
11, 1941
The Navy Department
announced that Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief, United
States Asiatic Fleet, has reported that Navy patrol planes scored bomb hits on
a Japanese battleship of the Kongo class off the coast of Luzon. The ship was badly damaged. This is the second Japanese battleship to be
bombed effectively by United States forces.
No. 4 DECEMBER
12, 1941
Naval forces continue to
coordinate their efforts with the Army on land, sea and in the air against
heavy Japanese attacks on the Island of
1
Luzon. There is no confirmation of the alleged
occupation of Guam by the Japanese. The
resistance of Wake and Midway continues.
No further air activity over Hawaii has been reported. The situation in the Atlantic remains
unchanged.
The above is based on
reports up to noon today.
No. 5 DECEMBER
13, 1941
The Navy Department
announced that it is unable to communicate with Guam either by radio or
cable. The capture of the island is
probable. A small force of less than
400 naval personnel and 155 marines were stationed in Guam. According to the last reports from Guam, the
island had been bombed repeatedly and Japanese troops had landed at several
points on the island.
Wake and Midway continue to
resist.
The above is based on
reports until 9 a. m. today.
No. 6 DECEMBER
13, 1941
U. S. airmen turned back the
fishing vessel Alert of U. S. registry in the Gulf of Nicoya, on the
west coast of Costa Rica. The vessel
was boarded on its return to port and was found to have seven Japanese in the
crew. They were taken into
custody. The Alert was loaded
with a cargo of 10,000 gallons of Diesel oil.
No new developments have
been reported from combat areas as of 3 p. m. (e. s. t.) today.
No. 7 DECEMBER
14, 1941
There have been two
additional bombing attacks on Wake Island.
The first was light, the second was undertaken in great force. Two enemy bombers were shot down. Damage was inconsequential.
The Marines on Wake Island
continue to resist.
Enemy submarines are known
to be operating in the Hawaiian area.
Vigorous attacks are being made against them.
The above is based on
reports up until noon today.
2
DECEMBER 15, 1941
BRIEF REPORT OF CONDUCT OF NAVAL PERSONNEL DURING
JAPANESE ATTACK, PEARL HARBOR, T. H., DECEMBER 7, 1941
The Secretary of the Navy,
after making a full report to the President this morning on behalf of the Navy
Department, issued the following statement this afternoon concerning the air
attack on the island of Oahu on Sunday, December 7:
My inspection trip to the
island enables me to present the general facts covering the attack which
hitherto have been unavailable.
1. The essential fact is
that the Japanese purpose was to knock out the United States before the war
began. This was made apparent by the deception practiced, by the preparations
which had gone on for many weeks before the attack, and the attacks themselves
which were made simultaneously throughout the Pacific. In this purpose the
Japanese failed.
2. The United States
services were not on the alert against the surprise air attack on Hawaii. This
fact calls for a formal investigation which will be initiated immediately by
the President. Further action is, of course, dependent on the facts and
recommendations made by this investigating board. We are all entitled to know
it if (a) there was any error of judgment which contributed to the surprise,
(b) if there was any dereliction of duty prior to the attack.
3. My investigation made
clear that after the attack the defense by both services was conducted
skillfully and bravely. The Navy lost:
(a) The battleship Arizona
which was destroyed by the explosion of
first, its boiler and then its forward magazine due to a bomb which was said to have literally passed
down through the smokestack;
(b) The old target ship Utah
which has not been used as a combatant ship for many years, and which was in
service as a training ship for antiaircraft gunnery and experimental purposes;
(c) Three destroyers, the
Cassin, the Downes, and the Shaw;
(d) Minelayer Oglala. This
was a converted merchantman formerly a passenger ship on the Fall River Line
and converted into a mine layer during the World War.
The Navy sustained damage to
other vessels. This damage varied from ships which have been already repaired,
and are ready for sea, or
3
which have gone to sea, to a
few ships which will take from a week to several months to repair. In the last
category is the older battleship Oklahoma which has capsized but can be
righted and repaired. The entire balance of the Pacific Fleet with its aircraft
carriers, its heavy cruisers, its lights cruisers, its destroyers, and submarines
are uninjured and are all at sea seeking contact with the enemy.
4. The known Japanese
materiel losses were 3 submarines and 41 aircraft.
5. Army losses were severe
in aircraft and some hangars, but replacements have arrived or are on their
way.
6. The up-to-date figures of
Navy killed and wounded are: officers, 91 dead and 20 wounded; enlisted men,
2,638 dead and 636 wounded.
The Secretary of the Navy
told in some detail of many individual actions of outstanding courage.
He said:
"In the Navy's gravest
hour of peril, the officers and men of the fleet exhibited magnificent courage
and resourcefulness during the treacherous Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor.
The real story of Pearl Harbor is not one of individual heroism, although there
were many such cases. It lies in the splendid manner in which all hands did
their job as long as they were able, not only under fire but while fighting the
flames afterward and immediately starting salvage work and reorganization.
"Prompt action saved
many lives and a vast amount of material. Without exception, all ships and
stations rose to the emergency. Less than 4 minutes after the first alarm, guns
of the fleet went into action against enemy aircraft. Seconds later the first
Japanese plane was shot down.
"To a recruit seaman
aboard a battleship probably goes the honor of striking the first telling blow
in the fleet's defense. Even before 'general quarter' sounded, this youngster
single-handedly manned a machine gun and blasted an attacking torpedo plane as
it leveled against his ship.
"The dying captain of a
battleship displayed the outstanding individual heroism of the day. As he
emerged from the conning tower to the bridge, the better to fight his ship, his
stomach was laid completely open by a shrapnel burst. He fell to the deck.
Refusing to be carried to safety, he continued to direct the action. When the
bridge became a blazing inferno, two officers attempted to remove him. But he
ordered them to abandon him and save themselves. The latter found themselves
blocked by the flames. Only the heroic efforts of a third officer enabled
4
them to escape. He climbed
through the fire to a higher level from which he passed one line to an
adjoining battleship, and another to his trapped shipmates. By this frail means
they made their way to safety.
"Entire ship's
companies showed exemplary valor and coordination. Drama was thus crowded into a few seconds on board an aircraft
tender moored at the naval air station, target of the enemy's fiercest bombing
and strafing. With the ship already on fire from repeated high-altitude
attacks, her antiaircraft batteries downed a plane which crashed in flames on
deck. At this moment her captain observed the shadow of an enemy two-man
submarine approaching within a few yards of the vessel. It was placed under
fire. Hits were scored immediately and the submarine exposed her conning tower.
At that instant a destroyer stood down channel, passed directly over the
submarine, and sank it with depth charges. Doubtless saved from this craft's
torpedoes, the tender then shot down a second plane, which fell on land nearby.
"Men fought with the
cool confidence that comes from complete indoctrination for battle. In one
case, a single bluejacket manned a 5-inch antiaircraft gun after his 10 battery
mates had been shot down by a strafing attack. He would seize a shell from the
fuze-pot, place it in the tray, dash to the other side of the gun, and ram it
home. He would then take his position on the pointer's seat and fire. After the
third such round, a terrific explosion blew him over the side of the
battleship. He was rescued.
"At the several naval
air stations attacked, crews dashed into the flames enveloping planes set
ablaze by incendiaries, stripped off free machine guns, and with them returned
the enemy's fire. In at least one instance an enemy craft was shot down.
"Two cruiser scouting
seaplanes, their speed and maneuverability reduced by heavy pontoons, destroyed
an attacking Japanese pursuit ship of thrice their speed.
"Simultaneously
throughout the navy yard examples of personal heroism developed. Several
workmen of Japanese ancestry deserted their benches to help the Marine defense
battalion man machine-gun nests. Two of them with hands blistered from hot gun
barrels, required emergency treatment.
"Cool as ice, the men
who manned the navy yard signal tower from which flashed orders to the anchored
fleet, carried out their assignment under a hail of machine-gun fire and bombs
from the enemy, as well as
5
shrapnel from their own
force's antiaircraft batteries. None left his dangerous post. First to observe
the invaders through their long glasses from their high vantage point, they
sent out the astounding air raid warning by visual signals. Then they settled
into the complex business of transmitting the scores of orders to the ships
that fought back at the attackers from their berths, or prepared to stand out
to sea.
"Men from ships out of
action managed at any cost to return to the battle. There were the survivors of
the capsized ship who swam through blazing oil to clamber aboard other ships
and join gun crews. Crews from another disabled vessel swam into mid-channel
where they were hoisted aboard outward-bound destroyers. Proof that getting
back into battle took precedence over their own lives was the fact that the
comparative safety of the shore lay only a few yards away. Lying in a hospital
bed when the first air raid alarm sounded, one officer leaped up, brushed aside
nurses and ran across the navy yard to his ship. He fought with such gallantry
and zeal, despite his illness, that his captain recommended him for promotion.
"There was the case of
the destroyer tender which lay alongside a dock undergoing major overhaul,
powerless and without armament. Unable to assume an active defense role, she
concerned herself with the vital task of rescue with her available ship's
boats. One Naval Reserve ensign volunteered as skipper of a motor launch. With
four men he proceeded across Pearl Harbor's reverberating channel through a
hail of enemy machine-gun fire and shrapnel. They saved almost 100 men from 1
battleship - men who had been injured or blown overboard into the oil-fired
waters. The attack on this vessel was at its height as these rescue operations
proceeded. Suddenly the launch's propeller jammed. Coolly, the ensign directed
the work of disengaging the screw as flames licked around its wooden hull,
meantime also supervising the picking up of more victims from the harbor. His
captain cited him for 'initiative, resourcefulness, devotion to duty and personal
bravery displayed'.
"Four motor-torpedo
boats had been loaded aboard a fleet tanker for shipment. Their youthful
ensign-captains put their power-driven turret machine guns into immediate
action, accounting for at least one enemy raider plane.
"To the unsung heroes
of the harbor auxiliaries must go much of the credit for helping stem the
onslaught. Even the lowly garbage lighters shared the grim task. One came
alongside a blazing ship which
6
threatened momentarily to
explode. Calmly the yardcraft's commander led fire-fighting both aboard the
warship and on the surface of the harbor. He kept his tiny vessel beside the
larger one for 24 hours.
"Men's will-to-fight
was tremendous. One seaman had been confined to his battleship's brig for
misconduct a few days earlier. When an explosion tore open the door, he dashed
straight to his battle station on an antiaircraft gun. On the submarine base
dock a bluejacket, carrying a heavy machine gun for which there was no mount
immediately available, shot the weapon from his arms, staggering under the
concussion of the rapid fire.
"Quick-thinking in the
dire emergency probably saved many lives and ships. An aviation machinist's
mate aboard one ship saw that flames from the huge vessel threatened a repair
ship alongside. He ran through the blaze and single-handedly slashed the lines
holding the two ships together. Freed, the smaller craft drew clear. Only in
the final moments, when remaining aboard appeared utterly hopeless, would men
leave their ships. Then they went reluctantly. Once ashore, instead of finding
some dry place to recuperate from their terrific pounding, they pitched
emergency quarters as near their vessels as possible. And with portable guns
they continued to fight; later they stood guard at these same camps as repair
operations began on their ships, setting regular shipboard watches. Like all
treacherous attacks, the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese caught certain
vessels of the fleet under periodic overhaul. While in this condition of
repair, such ships were not able to utilize their offensive powers to the
greatest effectiveness. These ships, therefore, turned to with a will at many
useful purposes. One ship rescued with its boats, hundreds of survivors thrown
into the water by the force of explosions; meanwhile the surface of the water
was becoming a raging inferno from burning oil. Other ships sent their repair
parties to help the fighting ships keep afloat. Others sent ammunition parties
to maintain the flow of powder and shells to the guns. Without doubt the whole
spectacle was the greatest spontaneous exhibition of cooperation,
determination, and courage that the American Navy has been called upon to make.
The crew of one ship followed it around on its outside as it capsized, firing
their guns until they were under water. Those same men stood on the dock and
cheered as one of the more fortunate ships cleared the harbor and passed by, en
route after the Japanese. Of all the accounts submitted on that memorable day,
the record shows a con-
7
tinual demonstration of
courage, bravery, and fearlessness of which the American Nation may well be
proud."
No. 8 DECEMBER 15, 1941
A Norwegian motor ship was
sunk while approaching the Hawaiian Isles.
The crew was rescued by naval vessels.
The Hawaiian area has otherwise been without incident.
Recent enemy bombing in the
Philippine theatre has resulted in no damage to naval installations or
ships. Heavy weather in the North
Atlantic hampers naval operations there.
Midway and Wake Islands
continue to resist.
The above is based on
reports up until noon today.
No. 9 DECEMBER 16, 1941
Two islands in the Hawaiian
area have been shelled by Japanese war vessels within the last 24 hours. The naval outpost of Johnston Island figured
for the first time in Pacific action.
It was bombarded by ships of the enemy at dusk. On the northeastern coast of the island of
Maui, the shipping center of Kahului was shelled by an enemy submarine at about
the same time. Damage in both instances
is believed to be slight. Naval
operations are continuing against the enemy.
Wake Island has sustained
two additional bombing attacks. The
first occurred in the afternoon, the second in the evening. The first attack was light, the second
heavy.
Wake and Midway are
countering the blows of the enemy.
No. 10 DECEMBER
17, 1941
It has been established that
there were no injuries to personnel in the weak attack on Johnston Island
reported yesterday. The naval situation
in the Atlantic remains quiet.
No. 11 DECEMBER 18,
1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation as of noon today:
8
Atlantic Area.
The naval situation has been
without incident. Heavy weather
continues in the western Atlantic.
Eastern Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Central Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Far East.
Submarine actions against
enemy forces in the Far East have resulted in the sinking of an enemy transport
and the probable loss of one enemy destroyer.
No. 12 DECEMBER
19, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation as of 9 a. m. today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Central Pacific.
There have been two
additional air attacks by the enemy on Wake Island. The first occurred on the night of the 17th-18th and was
comparatively light. The second was in
greater force and occurred in the forenoon of the 19th. Wake Island continues to counter these
blows.
Far East.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 13 DECEMBER 20, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué‚ on the naval
situation as of 9 a. m. (e.
s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
9
Eastern Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Central Pacific.
There are no new
developments to report.
Far East.
A U. S. submarine sank an
additional enemy transport. Cavite
sustained a heavy bombing raid at noon of the 19th. This raid caused some damage to property, but only light
casualties to our own forces and civilian personnel.
No. 14 DECEMBER
21, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation as of noon today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are indications of
enemy submarine activity off the East Coast of the United States.
Eastern Pacific.
Enemy submarines have been
active along the west coast of the United States. The S. S. Agwiworld was shelled by an enemy submarine.
The S. S. Emidio was
also shelled and then torpedoed. The
crew abandoned ship and took to the lifeboats.
Three lifeboats were destroyed by submarine gunfire. Thirty-two survivors have been rescued. There were 54 in the crew.
Central Pacific.
Wake Island has sustained
two additional attacks by enemy aircraft.
Far East.
The enemy made a light air
attack on Cavite. Only slight damage
resulted.
No. 15 DECEMBER
22, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué‚ on the naval situation as of noon (e. s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
The S. S. Samoa was
attacked by an unknown submarine off the coast of California during the night
of December 20. The attack was made at
close range, and consisted of gunfire followed by the discharge of a
torpedo. All shots missed their
mark. The torpedo exploded in the
vicinity of the ship. There were no
casualties or damage to the Samoa.
Central Pacific.
Thirty survivors of the S.
S. Lahaina have landed at Kahului on the island of Maui. The Lahaina was shelled and sunk by
an enemy submarine on December 11 while en route to San Francisco. Two of the crew are dead and two are
missing.
There has been no enemy
activity in the vicinity of Midway Island
recently.
Far East.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 16 DECEMBER
23, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
Two U. S. merchant ships
were attacked by enemy submarines off the Pacific Coast. Both attacks were unsuccessful.
Central Pacific.
Wake Island sustained
another strong air attack in the forenoon of the 22d. Several enemy planes were shot down. An enemy force effected a landing on Wake the morning of the 23d.
Far East.
Japanese claims of seizure
of a large number of American merchant vessels are without foundation. The only U. S. merchant vessel known to have
been seized by the Japanese is the S. S. President Harrison.
11
No. 17 DECEMBER
24, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
Eastern Pacific.
The S. S. Larry Doheny
was shelled by an enemy submarine, but reached port safely. Press reports of the sinking of the S. S. Montebello
are confirmed.
Central Pacific.
Radio communication with
Wake has been severed and the capture of the island is probable. Two enemy destroyers were lost in the final
landing operations.
Palmyra Island was shelled
by an enemy submarine. Damage was
negligible. There were no casualties. Johnston Island was also shelled by an enemy
submarine with no damage to material and no casualties resulting.
The Hawaiian area was quiet.
Far East.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 18 DECEMBER
26, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
Press reports of U. S.
submarine activities in the Far East on Christmas Day are confirmed. A dispatch from Admiral Hart states that one
enemy transport and one mine sweeper have been sunk. An additional transport and one seaplane tender are probably
sunk.
Manila has been declared an
open city as defined in Hague Convention (IV) of 1907, Annex, Article 25. Our forces have complied with the
stipulations of that convention.
Central Pacific.
Enemy reports that 3,000
naval and marine personnel were engaged in the defense of Wake Island are
incorrect. The total strength of the
12
garrison was less than 400
officers and men. There were approximately 1,000 civilians engaged in
construction work on the island, which may account for the enemy statement that
1,400 prisoners were captured.
Eastern Pacific.
Naval operations against
enemy submarines are being vigorously prosecuted.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 19 DECEMBER
27, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
During enemy bombing attacks
two of our destroyers sustained minor damage.
There were no casualties to personnel.
Eastern Pacific.
Enemy submarines still are
operating in the West Coast shipping lanes.
Due to the effective countermeasures adopted by our forces they arc
experiencing great difficulty in prosecuting their attacks.
Central Pacific.
Countermeasures against
enemy submarines patrolling in the Hawaiian area are being vigorously
prosecuted.
Atlantic Theater.
There are no new
developments to report.
No. 20 DECEMBER
29, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to 9 a. m. (e. s. t.) today:
Far East.
U. S. submarines have sunk
two additional ships of the enemy. One
was a transport, the other a supply vessel.
During enemy air operations
one of our destroyers was attacked.
Slight damage and minor casualties resulted.
13
Central Pacific.
Thirteen survivors of the S.
S. Prusa, torpedoed by an enemy submarine on December i8, have been
rescued.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 21 DECEMBER
30, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon today:
Far East.
Submarine operations against
enemy surface craft are continuing.
Reports that a U. S. destroyer and two of our submarines were sunk in
the period December 26-28 are without foundation.
Central Pacific.
The situation in respect to
Midway Island remains unchanged. There
have been no further attacks since last reported.
Eastern Pacific.
Japanese vessels are
suspected of being in the vicinity of Kodiak.
All merchant vessels have been warned.
There is nothing to report
from other areas.
No. 22 DECEMBER
31, 1941
The Navy Department issued
the following communiqué, on the naval situation based on reports received up
to noon (e. s. t.) today:
Central Pacific.
The naval situation in respect t