The Calm Before The Storm

Description: Dawn had broken to reveal another glorious day in paradise, and on board the USS Arizona and the repair ship USS Vestal alongside, the crew were taking it easy. All next week they would be hard at work preparing for sea, but today was Sunday, and that meant light duties.

On the Arizona, the duty crew were preparing the stern of the battleship, erecting the awnings for the ships band at Morning Colors. The young officer in charge smiled approvingly, it was an inspiring scene and he thought that the recently overhauled battleship had never looked more impressive.

But within the hour he would glance skyward, and a frown of puzzlement crease his forehead as, out of nowhere, Japanese carrier-based aircraft were descending on the unsuspecting Naval base. As he registers the bright red circles on their wings, the blood froze in his veins. He realized that hell had come to Pearl Harbor!

Then, just before 0810, the unthinkable happened. A bomb from a Nakajima B5N Kate high-altitude bomber penetrated the ship’s armor plated deck and exploded in the forward magazine. Within seconds a cataclysmic blast ripped through the Arizona, devastating the mighty ship which would burn for two days, taking with her the lives of nearly twelve hundred men.

Signed by the following USS Arizona survivors:

• Quartermaster 3c Louis CONTER, USN
• Lieutenant Commander Joseph LANGDELL, USNR
• Seaman 1c Clarendon HETRICK, USN
• Seaman 1c Lonnie COOK, USN
• Chief Warrant Officer Edward WENTZLAFF, USN (Companion print)