THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 15, 1995 TAG: 9512150014
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
In early December 1941 we were on a Navy ship (an ex-Graco steamship line passenger ship) bound for Wake Island. We had on board a large contingent of Marines, radar equipment, artillery pieces and much ammunition. We also had on board a number of civilian contractors and their equipment, all designed to boost the defenses of Wake Island.
We were due to arrive there on Dec. 7, but we were delayed by having to rendezvous with another ship and take on board a critically-injured seaman. Meanwhile, Wake Island was under continuous air attacks by the Japanese. Because we realized, as did Navy headquarters, that it would be suicidal to proceed on our planned course, we were diverted to another island beyond Johnston Island.
We arrived late in the afternoon and anchored on the shallow side of the island with plans to debark the Marines and civilians with all the equipment the following morning. At dusk we were startled by heavy gunfire from two Japanese warships (which had approached the island on the steep-to side) shelling everything above ground. The enemy's superior speed and firepower negated our putting up any reasonable resistance; therefore, we broke out our anchor and sped away at flank speed fully expecting to be chased and sunk. In her broadcast the following day, ``Toyko Rose'' stated, ``Our Imperial naval forces successfully destroyed Johnston Island as a base and drove off a huge American warship.'' Our profile must have been incredibly deceptive.
After these two near misses, we headed back to Hawaii only to witness the awful devastation in Pearl Harbor. It was all so scary and depressing.
JOSEPH C. SEVER
Norfolk, Dec. 6, 1995 by CNB