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.
18
May 2001