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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 42316:  View at the Pearl Harbor Marine Barracks, in the morning of 7 December 1941.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- World War II in the Pacific --

Pearl Harbor Raid, 7 December 1941 --
Marine Barracks during the Pearl Harbor Attack

Pearl Harbor's Marine Barracks, located just south of the Navy Yard's industrial area, was not a target of the Japanese attack. It received slight damage from falling anti-aircraft projectiles and only a few non-fatal casualties, but had a very close view of the destruction inflicted on the nearby warships.

Like the other personnel at Pearl Harbor, the Marines were completely taken by surprise when the Japanese onslaught began. However, they organized quickly. Some were posted on the Barrack's parade ground and sentry posts with their rifles and ammunition, ready to fire on passing planes. Reportedly, one plane was downed by this small arms fire. Machine guns and seven three-inch anti-aircraft guns, with some associated fire control equipment, were broken out and emplaced. First aid parties were organized, for use inside the Barracks compound and at the Navy Yard, gathering casualties and transporting them to treatment facilities.

Other Marines, assigned to the Navy Yard Fire Department, worked hard to supress fires on and around ships and buildings at the Navy Yard and the nearby Naval Hospital. Marines were also sent to Hickam Army Air Field, located just to the south of the Barracks, to help with anti-aircraft defense and wreckage clearance. After the raiders had left, by 10AM, the Marines, along with Hawaii's Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen, stood ready through the day, and beyond, in case the enemy should return.

This page features views taken at the Marine Barracks during and soon after the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

For pictures of, or related to, attacks on ships in and near the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, see:

  • Attacks in the Navy Yard Area.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 50926

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View of the Parade Ground at the Pearl Harbor Marine Barracks, between 0930 and 1130 hrs. on 7 December 1941, with smoke in the background rising from burning ships.
    Note Marine in foreground, possibly combing his hair. His M1903 "Springfield" rifle is on the ground beside him. Other armed Marines are also present, awaiting the possible return of Japanese aircraft.
    This view forms the left section of a panorama, with Photo #s NH 50925 and NH 50927 to its right.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50925

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View of the Parade Ground at the Pearl Harbor Marine Barracks, between 0930 and 1130 hrs. on 7 December 1941, with smoke in the background rising from burning ships.
    Note Marine standing at right, wearing a tropical helmet. He is holding a M1903 "Springfield" rifle.
    This view forms the middle section of a panorama, with Photo #s NH 50926 and NH 50927 to its left and right.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 530 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50927

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View of the Parade Ground at the Pearl Harbor Marine Barracks, between 0930 and 1130 hrs. on 7 December 1941, with smoke in the background rising from burning ships.
    Note armed Marines at left, awaiting the possible return of Japanese aircraft.
    This view forms the right section of a panorama, with Photo #s NH 50926 and NH 50925 to its left.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 540 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50928

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View at the Pearl Harbor Marine Barracks, taken from the Parade Ground between 0930 and 1130 hrs. on 7 December 1941 looking toward "Battleship Row".
    Smoke in the distance is from the burning USS Arizona (BB-39). Navy Yard water towers are in the left center, with flags flying from a signal station atop the middle one.
    In the center of the view, Marines are deploying a three-inch anti-aircraft gun. Other Marines, armed with rifles, stand at the left.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 545 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 42316

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View at the Pearl Harbor Marine Barracks, taken from the Parade Ground between 0930 and 1030 hrs. on 7 December 1941 looking toward "Battleship Row".
    Smoke rising from the right distance is from the burning USS Arizona (BB-39). Navy Yard water towers are in the left center, with a signal station atop the middle one.
    In the center of the view, Marines are deploying a three-inch anti-aircraft gun. A temporary wooden barracks building is at left.
    Taken by a photographer from the Headquarters & Support Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, Fleet Marine Force.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     


    For pictures of, or related to, attacks on ships in and near the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, see:

  • Attacks in the Navy Yard Area.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 19 November 2000
    Coding updated 22 April 2009