General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: My uncle enlisted in the Navy, right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. I found this picture of him [View all]11 Bravo
(23,926 posts)dig out his pilot's log (as the oldest son, it came to me). Here are his entries from that time frame: (I won't include names)
24th - **** killed on pre-dawn rendevous. Skipper shot down four Sally's one Zeke, and one Irving. **** got two Sally's and one Zeke. **** got one Sally and one probable. I flamed one Sally and one Zeke. Jap fleet near.
25th - Santee took a 500 LB bomb hit when a Judy made a suicide dive into the flight deck. Caught a fish about 15 minutes later. Still afloat in pretty good shape and are keeping our position in CARDIV 22. Made first night landing tonight. ****, ****, **** and **** all had to make water landings after torpedo attack on Jap fleet. **** was hit in the arm with a 7.7 slug, but is OK. Suwanee was bombed in the same manner we were. Relatively few casualties and everyone on board has done a marvelous job today. God has surely been with us. We are hoping that the "Big Boys", our Third Fleet, will be here in the morning.
Das was 21 at the time. They had to grow up fast.