US Navy Report of Japanese Raid on Pearl Harbor, Enclosure E, USS Tucker

Editor's Note: The following content is a transcription of a period document or a collection of period statistics. It may be incomplete, inaccurate, or biased. The reader may not wish to take the content as factual.

15 Dec 1941

ww2dbase
DD374/A16-3
Serial 718
U.S.S. Tucker (DD374),
Pearl Harbor, T.H.,
December 15, 1941.

From: The Commanding Officer.
To: Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
 
Subject: Offensive Measures Taken During December 7 Raid.
 
Reference: Cincpac Dispatch No. 102102 of December 1941.

  1. The start of the air raid on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 was first seen on this vessel by Bowe, Walter E., G.M.2c, USN, who immediately manned the after 50 calibre Machine Guns of this vessel. Almost simultaneously (at 0757) the quartermaster on watch (Robert Burns, Sea.1c, USN) on the bridge sounded the general alarm. Before the general alarm started ringing Bowe was firing one of the after machine guns. It is believed from numerous reports and comments by personnel of this and other ships that Bowe fired the first shot fired by the American Forces in Pearl Harbor.
  2. The entire crew with the exception of about 3 men and 4 officers were on board. The Executive Officer, Lieutenant W.H. Watson, USN, was the senior officer on board. The entire battery was manned. This vessel being nested alongside the tender, U.S.S. Whitney, 5" gun No. 3 could not be fired. However all other guns and 50 caliber machine guns were manned and fired at attacking planes during all attacks. Ensign Lee D. Goolsby, USN, served in the capacity of Gunnery Officer. There were no losses to the personnel nor damage to materiel of this vessel.
  3. It is believed that this vessel shot down 3 or 4 enemy planes. It is further believed that one, possibly 2 of the planes shot down were brought down by Bowe on the after machine gun.
  4. The performance of all personnel of this vessel was outstanding and in the best traditions of the naval service. The quick action of Bowe on his own initiative was particularly outstanding.

[signed]
W.R. TERRLELL.

ww2dbase

Source(s):
United States National Archives, Modern Military Branch

Added By:
C. Peter Chen





Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds


Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Search WW2DB
Famous WW2 Quote
"We no longer demand anything, we want war."

Joachim von Ribbentrop, German Foreign Minister, Aug 1939


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!