Volunteer Packet

Oklahoma and Infamy

Oklahoma History CenterDecember 2011

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Table of Contents

World War II and Pearl Harbor: An Introduction………………………………………………………………………..2

The Great Depression Panel……………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

The Great Recovery Panel………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3

CCC: Civilian Conservation Corps……………………………………………………………………………………………….3

The World War II Panel………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Pearl Harbor Panel…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4

Timeline of the Attack on Pearl Harbor………………………………………………………………………………………5

Declaring War…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9

President Roosevelt’s Speech…………………………………………………………………………………………………….9

Oklahoma and Infamy Japanese Case………………………………………………………………………………………13

Bataan Has Fallen Panels………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Pearl Harbor Survivors……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14

U.S.S. Oklahoma Artifacts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

Oklahoma and Infamy Vinyl Case……………………………………………………………………………………………..15

Oklahoma and Infamy Center Case………………………………………………………………………………………….15

Oklahoma and Infamy Letters Case………………………………………………………………………………………….16

Marya Welch Label…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16

Timeline of World War II………………………………………………………………………………………………………….17

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World War II and Pearl Harbor Exhibit: An Introduction

Throughout World War II, the state of Oklahoma established itself as the home of many brave, dedicated, passionate, and exceptional individuals. They endured and overcame many hardships that the Great Depression, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the war brought to Oklahoma, the nation, and the world in general. By joining the military, fighting in battles overseas, and contributing to the war effort on the home front, these men and women became the “Greatest Generation.” On December 07, 2011, the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Oklahoma History Center recognized the events and individuals associated with Pearl Harbor by opening a new exhibit, “Oklahoma and the Day that Will Live in Infamy.”

The story of World War II and Pearl Harbor has a long, intricate, and complex narrative. Therefore, this exhibit focuses on one particular day and one particular moment in time: December 07, 1941. The exhibit begins with an introduction of the subject material through a series of panels on the Great Depression. These panels, artifacts, and graphics set the scene at home by covering the Depression in Oklahoma, the New Deal, the mind frame of Americans when World War II breaks out, and the war effort in Oklahoma.

The exhibit then highlights the U.S.S. Oklahoma through historical information, interviews with Pearl Harbor survivors, and artifacts that include flags flown on the ship while it was in service, the ship’s wheel, and letters, photos, and silver service pieces from the ship.

At the climax of the exhibit lie the panels, artifacts, graphics, and AV/interactive components from December 07, 1941. This section has little to no interpretive text. Instead, a timeline of the attack and the use of Oklahoma voices, through quotes and oral histories, allow the day’s events to speak for themselves. The Japanese artifacts on display add a unique component to the exhibit and the attack itself. These materials, saved from Oklahomans who served abroad, put a face and description to the enemy.

Concluding with the final events of “the day that will live in infamy,” the exhibit then features artifacts, historical information, and panels about the Japanese attacks on the Philippine Islands and Wake Island.

One of the most unique aspects of this exhibit is the chance to sit and watch the interviews with Pearl Harbor survivors as they retell their stories and memories from that day, December 07, 1941. This is a once in a lifetime experience.

The Great Depression Panel

After the stock market crashed in October 1929, the United States officially become enthralled in the Great Depression. Throughout the 1930s, this global economic recession left many people homeless, unemployed, and starving. Thousands of banks failed, farmers were forced to

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stop growing crops, and consumer spending dramatically decreased. In Oklahoma, the Great Depression, droughts, and dust storms combined to destroy homes, livestock, crops, and the soil. By the winter of 1932-33, Oklahoma’s economy had hit rock bottom. Her urban population reached a 37% unemployment rate and farm income dropped 64 percent. As residents moved into squatters’ camps or migrated out of the state, Oklahoma’s population declined by more than 15 percent.

The Great Recovery Panel

In order to stop this economic depression and alleviate the people’s suffering, newly elected President Franklin Roosevelt initiated a series of reforms, which came to be known as the New Deal. The relief efforts under the New Deal included the establishment of programs like the Works Progress Administration, Farm Security Administration, Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Civil Works Administration, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Despite Governor Murray’s Oklahoma Tax Commission and FDR’s New Deal, relief efforts were slow. Homeless Oklahomans began moving into squatters’ camps and migrating out of the state. Oklahoma’s population decreased by over 15% during the 1930s. Still, the New Deal did provide some employment for Oklahomans and slightly helped alleviate the hardships of the economic depression. It was not until America entered World War II that Oklahoma began to emerge from the Great Depression with the construction of military training and production facilities, the construction of POW camps, and with thousands of men joining the military. The Will Rogers Field was established in Oklahoma City to train pilots and machine gunners for service. The Midwest Air Depot, an air supply and repair facility, was also established to help with the war effort. Today, it is known as Tinker Air Force Base.

CCC: Civilian Conservation Corps

The Civilian Conservation Corps was a New Deal program established under President Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The CCC was designed to relieve the economic suffering of the people by providing men with the opportunity to work on numerous outdoor projects, earn up to $30 dollars a month, and live in CCC camps for free. By building lakes, planting trees, fighting fires, protecting wildlife habitats, focusing on disease and insect control, and constructing state parks, CCC men were also able to revive the regional economy and the over-cultivated soil and land.

While racial and ethnic discrimination was prohibited, African Americans did face some prejudice and were segregated into all black CCC companies and CCC camps.

America’s entrance into World War II brought an end to the CCC. Still, the Civilian Conservation Corps was one of the most successful New Deal programs in the state of Oklahoma.

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The World War II Panel

Many Oklahomans and Americans were focused on the Great Depression and other issues at home when conflict began brewing in Europe and Asia. Even after World War II broke out, most Americans were only focused on the economic problems gripping their nation. Still, during the 1930s, conflict abroad was bringing the world, and the United States, closer to WWII. Japan’s invasions of China and expansionist goals were increasingly concerning the U.S. In Europe, the political and economic instability in Germany and the ever-present German resentment over the harsh terms of the Versailles Treaty fueled the rise of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party (the National Socialist Party). Over the course of the decade, Hitler began the rearmament of Germany, developed plans for Germany’s territorial expansion and expansion of the Aryan race (this is often referred to as Lebensraum, or living space), formed alliances with Japan and the Soviet Union, annexed Austria (known as the Anschluss), occupied Czechoslovakia, and signed the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact. Despite Hitler’s open aggression and intentional defiance of the Versailles Treaty, France, Britain, and the United States did want to enter into another conflict so soon after the end of World War I. So they simply appeased Hitler. It was not until 1939, when Hitler invaded Poland, that Great Britain and France declared on Germany. This was the official start of World War II.

Pearl Harbor Panel

Pearl Harbor was not the first interaction between Japan and the United States. For years, the two countries had been heading toward conflict. The United States was concerned with Japan’s attitude toward China, her expansionist desires, and her scheme to take over China’s import market. In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, China to gain access to coal, iron, and land. These natural resources were then to be exploited and used to ensure Japan’s prosperity in the face of a global economic depression. In 1937, Japan declared war on China in order to accomplish her goals. The U.S. responded with a series of economic sanctions and trade embargoes, denying Japan access to oil, money, and other goods. The U.S. hoped this would push Japan to leave China and stop her expansion across the Pacific. Negotiations between Japan and the United States were not able to come to a fruitful end. Instead, Japan devised a military plan that, they hoped, would force the U.S. to lift their embargos and sanctions while also destroying their naval power. Operation Hawaii was designed to secure Japan’s conquest of the South Pacific without interference from the United States by launching a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that would destroy the United States Naval Pacific Fleet. On December 07, 1941 at 8:00 a.m., after days of complete radio silence, Japanese planes rained down bombs and bullets on the U.S. naval vessels moored at Pearl Harbor. A bomb was dropped on the U.S.S. Arizona. The ship exploded and sank with over 1,000 men trapped inside. Torpedoes pierced the U.S.S. Oklahoma. This, coupled with the U.S.S. Maryland cutting the lines that secured the Oklahoma, caused the battleship to capsize and fall underwater. Four hundred and forty-eight crewmen on board the U.S.S. Oklahoma died and 32 were rescued. Every battleship in Pearl Harbor was

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damaged. All but two, the Arizona and Utah, were salvaged and repaired. In all, after the two hour attack, 2,500 men were killed, 1,000 men were wounded, and 18 ships, 300 airplanes, and several dry docks and airfields were destroyed.

Civilians living on the island were also devastated by the attacks. One bomb fell just feet away from the governor’s home. The Japanese fleet was never discovered, and when the Japanese Embassy was raided by the Honolulu police, they were found to be burning documents. Martial law was declared and the military took over the Civilian Government of Hawaii.

This attack was a surprise to American military and intelligence, the president, and the American people. Still, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was not completely destroyed: the aircraft carriers were away from Pearl Harbor and the base’s onshore facilities (oil storage depots, repair shops, shipyards, and submarine docks) were left intact. This allowed the U.S. Navy to recover quickly.

Timeline of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

3:42am: The minesweeper USS Condor sights a periscope off of Honolulu Harbor and notifies the destroyer USS Ward to investigate.

6:00am: 200 miles south of Oahu the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise launches eighteen aircraft to scout ahead and then land at Ford Island Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor.

6:10am: 220 miles north of Oahu Admiral Chuichi Nagumo orders the launching of the first wave of 183 aircraft off six aircraft carriers. The planes were divided into three groups with differing targets and differing aircraft. The 1st Group was to target the battleships and carriers. This group contained fifty Nakajima B5N bombers carrying armor piercing bombs and forty B5N Nakajima bombers armed with Type 91 torpedoes. The 2nd Group was to target Ford Island Naval Air Station and Wheeler Army Air Field. This group contained fifty-four Aichi D3A dive bombers. The 3rd Group was to target Ford Island Naval Air Station, Hickam Army Air Field, Wheeler Army Air Field, Barber’s Point Naval Air Station, and Kaneohe Naval Air Station. This group contained forty-five Mitsubishi A6M fighters.

6:30am: The USS Ward is notified of a submarine following the supply ship USS Antare as it heads toward the Pearl Harbor entrance.

6:45am: The USS Ward opens fire on the target hitting the conning tower with shellfire from the No. 3 4-inch gun. She also drops a full pattern of depth charges. An air attack by a patrol plane follows.

6:53am: The commander of the USS Ward, Captain W.W. Outerbridge, sends a message to the Commandant of the 14th Naval District, "We have attacked, fired upon and dropped depth charges upon submarine operating in defensive sea area."

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7:00am: Commander Mitsuo Fuchida directs his pilots to home in on the local radio station to find Oahu.

7:02am: Pvts Joe Lockhard and George Elliott operating the Opana Radar Site pick up what appears to be a flight of unidentified aircraft bearing in 132 miles north of Oahu.

7:10am: Pvt. Elliott phones in this radar return to Fort Shafter. The only person present at Information Center is Lt. Kermit Tyler.

7:15am: Capt. Outerbridge's message concerning the attack on the submarine, delayed in decoding, is finally delivered to the duty officer of the 14th Naval District and to Admiral Husband Kimmel's duty officer. The second wave of 171 assault aircraft is launched from the Japanese fleet. This wave is also divided into three groups. The 1st Group targets Kaneohe Naval Air Station, Ford Island Naval Air Station, Barber’s Point Naval Air Station, and Hickam Army Air Field. It consists of fifty-four Nakajima B5N bombers. The 2nd Group is to attack the aircraft carriers and cruisers. It consists of eighty-one Aichi D3A dive bombers. The 3rd Group targets all aircraft at Ford Island Naval Air Station, Hickam Army Air Field, Wheeler Army Air Field, Barber’s Point Naval Air Station, and Kaneohe Naval Air Station. It consists of thirty-six Mitsubishi A6M fighters.

7:20am: Lt. Kermit Tyler feels certain the Opana Radar Site has picked up a flight of B-17s arriving from the mainland. He then instructs the personnel at the Opana Site to shut down for breakfast. Pvts Elliott and Lockhard continue to plot incoming flight while waiting for a truck to take them to the mess hall.

7:33am: An important message from US Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall in Washington D.C. to Major General Walter C. Short is received via RCA in Honolulu. This cablegram has no indication of priority and is delivered by messenger Tadao Fuchikami .

7:35am: An Aichi E13A1 reconnaissance seaplane from cruiser Chikuma radios “Enemy formation at anchor, nine battleships, one heavy cruiser, six light cruisers. Wind direction from 80⁰, speed 14 meters, clearance over enemy fleet 1700 meters, cloud density seven.”

7:39am: The Opana Radar Site loses radar return 20 miles off coast of Oahu due to a "dead zone" caused by the surrounding hills.

7:40am: The first wave of Japanese aircraft sights the North Shore of Oahu and begins deploying for their attack.

7:49am: Commander Mitsuo Fuchida orders all pilots to begin their assault on military bases on Oahu.

7:53am: Commander Fuchida radios a code to the entire Japanese Navy, "TORA, TORA, TORA!" indicating success, maximum strategic surprise, Pearl Harbor caught unaware.

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7:55am: The island-wide attack begins with Japanese dive bombers striking the airfields Kaneohe, Ford Island, Hickam, Bellows, Wheeler, and Ewa and aerial torpedo planes begin their attack on the ships in Pearl Harbor. All along Battleship Row, ships are struck with the new torpedoes specifically designed for the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor. At the 1010 Dock, violent explosions rock the cruiser USS Helen crippling both her and the minelayer USS Oglala moored next to her. On the other side of Battleship Row at Ford Island, the target ship USS Utah is struck by torpedoes and capsizes. The cruiser USS Raleigh moored ahead of the USS Utah takes measures to prevent capsizing with her. Commander Logan Ramsey of Ford Island Command Center sends out a message for all radiomen on duty to send out in plain English "AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR THIS IS NO DRILL" His second dispatch orders all patrol planes to seek out the enemy. Simultaneously the call for General Quarters echoes throughout Pearl Harbor.

8:00am: Twelve B-17 bombers from the mainland and eighteen SBD-2 Dauntless dive bombers from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise arrive over Ford Island Naval Air Station. Both of these flights are caught between enemy and friendly fire.

8:02am: Machine guns on the battleship USS Nevada open fire on Japanese torpedo planes approaching her port side. Two of the planes are hit but one torpedo tears a huge hole in ship's port bow.

8:04am: Radio station KGMB interrupts music calling for: "All Army, Navy and Marine personnel to report to duty".

8:05am: The repair ship USS Vestal moored outboard of battleship USS Arizona opens fire. Admiral Husband Kimmel arrives at CINCPAC (Commander in Chief, Pacific Command) headquarters. The battleship USS California is hit by a second torpedo. Prompt action directed by Ensign Edgar M. Fain prevents the ship from capsizing. Japanese B5N bombers begin their assault on Battleship Row.

8:08am: Nakajima B5N bombers jettison armor piercing, delayed action bombs from an altitude of 10,000 feet scoring hits on battleships.

8:10am: Forward magazines on the battleship USS Arizona are hit by bombing creating a tremendous explosion and huge fireball. The ship sinks within nine minutes. Concussion waves from the explosion blow men off the repair ship USS Vestal.

8:12am: Major General Walter Short advises the entire Pacific Fleet and Washington D.C., "Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor.”

8:15am: Radio station KGMB interrupts music with second call ordering all military personnel to report for duty.

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8:17am: The USS Helm, the first of several destroyers to clear Pearl Harbor, spots a midget submarine struggling to enter the harbor and attacks. Her shots miss the target, the sub frees itself from the reef and submerges.

8:25am: Using a Browning Automatic Rifle, Lt. Stephen Saltzman and Sgt. Lowell Klatt shoot down an enemy plane making a strafing run on Schofield Barracks.

8:26am: The Honolulu Fire Department responds to calls for assistance from Hickam Army Air Field. Three of the firemen are killed and six wounded during the attacks.

8:30am: A third call is broadcast from local radio stations for military personnel to report for duty.

8:35am: The tanker USS Neosho, half loaded with high-octane aviation fuel, moves clear of Battleship Row and the oil tanks on Ford Island.

8:39am: The seaplane tender USS Curtiss sights a midget sub in the harbor and opens fire. The destroyer USS Monaghan heads for the intruder at ramming speed.

8:40am: A midget submarine surfaces after sustaining damage. The USS Monaghan hits this sub and drops depth charges as she passes. Local radio stations broadcast, "A sporadic air attack...rising sun sighted on wing tips".

8:50am: Lt. Commander Shigekazu Shimazaki orders the deployment of the second wave over military bases on Oahu.

8:54am: The second wave of Japanese aircraft begin their attack.

9:30am: Tremendous explosions rock the destroyer USS Shaw sending debris everywhere. A bomb falls near the Governor's home.

10:00am: The first wave lands on the Japanese aircraft carriers, 190 miles north of Oahu.

10:05am: Governor Joseph Poindexter calls local papers announcing a state of emergency for the entire territory of Hawaii.

11:00am: Commander Mitsuo Fuchida circles his plane over Pearl Harbor assessing the damage. He then returns to the carrier task force.

11:42am: As ordered by the Army, local radio stations go off the air. General Walter Short confers with Governor Joseph Poindexter regarding martial law in Hawaii.

11:46am: The first of many false reports emerge claiming the sightings of enemy troops landing on Oahu.

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12:10pm: American planes fly north in search of the enemy. The Japanese fleet is never discovered.

12:30pm: The Honolulu police raid the Japanese embassy and find personnel burning documents.

12:40pm: The Governor of the Territory of Hawaii confers with President Roosevelt regarding martial law. Both agree it is necessary for the military to take over the civilian government.

1:00pm: Commander Fuchida lands his aircraft back on board the aircraft carrier Akagi. Admiral Chuichi Nagumo is encouraged to launch a third assault. He declines.

1:30pm: Signal flags on the carrier Akagi orders Japanese task force to withdraw.

Declaring War

Less than 24 hours after the attack, President Roosevelt delivered a speech to Congress that was six minutes and thirty seconds long. Through a radio address, the speech was heard around the nation. He was asking for Congress’s approval to declare war on Japan. Before his speech, Roosevelt was transported from the White House to the capitol in the armored car of notorious mob boss Al Capone, which had been confiscated by the Treasury Department. This was due to the fact that the President’s usual car was unarmored (as he was allowed to spend only $750 on a vehicle) and they still feared another attack by Japan. When the President arrived at the capitol, he was determined to show his strength and resolve by walking to the podium. He had suffered from Polio since 1921 (which left his legs paralyzed), and he refused to use his wheelchair to come before Congress. With leg braces locking his knees in place, a cane in his right hand and his son James on his left, President Roosevelt slowly walked to the podium and addressed Congress and the nation with his famous “a day that will live in infamy” speech. Congress and the American people sat silent, entranced by the President. They hung on to his every word. Less than one hour after the speech, Congress approved Roosevelt’s declaration of war. All but one vote was for war. The single vote against the war came from Montana Representative Jeannette Rankin, a pacifist who also voted against America’s entrance into World War I. With the approval of war, the United States entered World War II, two years after it first began. With her entrance, America tipped the war in favor of the Allies,

President Roosevelt’s Speech

http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/day-of-infamy/#documents

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Oklahoma and Infamy Japanese Case

Flight Suitc. 1932-1945Japanese winter heated flight suit with fur lining.

Naval Uniformc. 1932-1945Japanese summer naval uniform

Naval Blousec. 1932-1945Japanese landing forces’ blouse

Flagsc. 1932-1945Imperial Japanese silk flags known as hinomaru yosegaki or “rising sun autographs.”

Rifle and Bayonetc. 1932-19457.7MM Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle with Type 30 Bayonet Machine Gun and Bayonetc. 1932-19457.7MM Japanese Arisaka Type 99 light infantry machine gun with Type 30 Bayonet

Rifle and Bayonetc. 1932-19457.7MM Japanese Arisaka Type 99 rifle with Type 30 Bayonet

Swordc. 1932-1945Japanese sword

Swordc. 1932-1945Japanese sword known as a Wakizashi.

Bataan Has Fallen Panel

Pearl Harbor was not the only place attacked by the Japanese on December 07, 1941. Imperial Japanese forces also attacked the Philippine Islands and Wake Island. The news of the Pearl Harbor attack reached the Philippines and General Douglas MacArthur at 3:00 a.m. Military

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personnel were placed on alert and pursuit planes were sent on patrol. Still, Japanese air fleets from Taiwan were able to launch a surprise attack on Cavitte Navy Yard, Clark Field, and Nichols Field. The American air force in the Philippines was reduced to half. Ten days later, all remaining aircraft was sent to Australia. Later, the U.S. Navy ships were ordered to leave the Philippines for Java. Following this air raid, Japanese forces landed on Luzon on December 12, 1941 and surrounded the remaining American forces on the island. The war in the Philippines progressively worsened until, on March 11, 1942, Roosevelt finally ordered MacArthur to evacuate to Australia. Before he left, General MacArthur promised the Filipino people and American troops left on the island that he would return. The remaining American and Filipino troops continued to fight the advancing Japanese forces, but malnutrition and a lack of support and supplies lead to the surrender of all American forces in the Philippines (including Bataan) to Japan by May 8, 1942.

Wake Island, a coaling station for the United States Navy, was also attacked by Japanese forces. The battle for this island began simultaneously with the attack on Pearl Harbor: on December 07, 1941. American forces on the island were able to fight off Japanese landings until December 23, 1941, when Japan’s invasion of the island overwhelmed and defeated the American Marines. These men spent the rest of the war as POWs in China.

Pearl Harbor Survivors

Survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Oklahoma have been interviewed and their memories recorded. Some brave men escaped by climbing out of portholes and swimming through the burning, oil-filled water. Visitors are encouraged to sit and watch the video interviews of these heroic individuals. With only a few Pearl Harbor survivors left, this is a moving and valuable experience.

U.S.S. Oklahoma Artifacts

Ship’s Wheelc. 1941A ship’s wheel that was salvaged from the U.S.S. Oklahoma.

Bronze Lettersc. 1941The bronze letters that spell out the name of one of the ships at Pearl Harbor, the Oklahoma, were salvaged from the U.S.S. Oklahoma.

U.S.S. Oklahoma Silver Servicec. 1913-1941

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At the turn of the century, United States Naval battleships served as floating consulates and representatives of the American government. In this capacity, they disseminated American interests abroad, where formal Embassies had not been established. Often, official diplomatic dinners and events were held on board these ships. In order to present the best image of the American government and show proper respect for the visiting dignitaries aboard the ships, it became a tradition to use silver service sets. These silver service pieces were given by states to the ship that represented the state.

In 1913, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized $7500 for a silver service set for a new battleship that was to be named after the state, the U.S.S. Oklahoma. In 1940, the Navy implemented the “strip ship” program, which removed all non-essential hardware and sundries from battleships in preparation for potential hostilities. As part of this process, the silver set was removed from the U.S.S. Oklahoma and stored in a warehouse in Bremerton, Washington until it was returned to the state of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma and Infamy Vinyl Labels

Flagc. 1941United States 48 star flag which flew on board the U.S.S. Oklahoma.

Pennantc. 1941Pennant from the U.S.S. Oklahoma made by crew members.

Oklahoma and Infamy Center Case

Salvaged Razor & Penc. 1943

Japanese Newspaperc. 1941This Japanese newspaper from December 1941 shows the first torpedoes speeding toward the Oklahoma. The ship would take as many as nine torpedoes before she capsized, killing 429 sailors and Marines. Rescuers later cut 32 trapped survivors out of the upturned hull. CutlassUnited States Navy Ames Cutlass taken off the U.S.S. Oklahoma when it was turned upright in 1943. Sword

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This sword belonged to Ensign Lucian Jackson Hunt, Jr. who served onboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma and survived the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Ensign Hunt reclaimed this sword from his stateroom after Navy engineers turned the ship upright in 1943. Wood and Steelc. 1941Armor plate and teak wood decking recovered from the U.S.S. Oklahoma following the attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Coatc. 1941Ensign Herbert Rommel wore this coat on the morning of December 7, 1941. Fuel oil spilling out of the torpedoed ships permanently stained the normally all-white coat when he went into the water.

“There was no doubt in my mind what was going on. So, I ran aft to my station, air defense. I grabbed one of the communication buttons and passed the word. ‘This is a real air raid, this is no shit.’”

Ensign Rommel’s harsh language caught the attention of the crew and signaled the seriousness of the situation. His words saved many men by moving them into action.

Oklahoma and Infamy Letters Case

Letters1941Letters written by Lorena Canning to her son, William Canning, who was killed at Clark Field in the Philippines on May 5, 1942.

Marya Welch Label

W.A.VE.S. Uniformc. 1942The female division of the United States Navy, the W.A.V.E.S., was created in 1942. The meaning of the acronym is “Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service.” Guthrie, Oklahoma resident Marya Welch was one of the first forty W.A.V.E.S. commissioned to service in World War II. She reported to New Orleans in 1942 as an ensign and attained the rank of commander when she left the service in 1945 from her final duty station in Hawaii. Her officer’s uniform was purchased at Lord and Taylor in New York.

Timeline of World War II

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September 1, 1939- Germany invades Poland-begin WWII1940- Increased production of planes

First peacetime military draftDecember 7, 1941-Pearl HarborDecember 8, 1941- U.S. declares war on JapanDecember 11, 1941- Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.May 1942- Sugar is rationedJune 3-6- U.S. wins Battle of MidwayAugust 1942- U.S. Employment Services drive for jobs for womenAugust 7, 1942- Marines land on Guadalcanal-first offensive movement against JapanNovember 19, 1942- Stalingrad1943- Still had labor shortages-propaganda increased

Almost 3 million women enter the workforceMarch 1943- Douglas Aircraft finishes its first aircraft (C-47)September 1943- women recruited for civilian jobs, like bank tellers and grocery clerks

Italy surrendersGasoline rationing begins

1944- Spring-Women in War campaign calling for workersMay 3, 1944- meat rationing beginsJune 6, 1944- D-DayAugust 4, 1944- Some domestic appliances are allowed to be produced againWinter 1944-campaign for female workers stopsDecember 16, 1944- Battle of the BulgeEarly 1945- job opportunities begin to declineFebruary 19, 1945- U.S. lands on Iwo JimaApril 12, 1945- FDR dies; Enter Harry TrumanApril 30, 1945- Hitler commits suicideMay 7, 1945- Germans surrenderedMay 8, 1945- V-E DayAugust 6, 1945- U.S. bombed HiroshimaAugust 9, 1945- U.S. bombed NagasakiAugust 14, 1945- Japanese surrender

V-J DayAugust 19, 1945- gasoline and fuel rationing endsSeptember 2, 1945- Allies and Japan sign formal surrender-WWII officially overNovember 23, 1945- food rationing on all items but sugar endsDecember 30, 1945- nationwide rationing of tires ends

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