Walden Danielson US Navy USS Tennessee |
On December 7, 1941, I was on board the USS Tennessee moored 75 feet ahead of the USS Arizona. I wasn't sure what was happening when general quarters was sounded, but I headed to my post in the transmitter room. My battle station was in Radio II, which was the location of radio transmitters. This is directly below the main mast and below the armor deck. The bugler was a little bit shook and it was hard to hear what he was calling. I did not see any of the action, only getting a blow by blow of what was happening from a shipmate whose battle station was in the conning tower. Not until we secured from general quarters did I get on topside to view the destruction. The Tennessee took two armor-piercing shells fitted out with fins for use as aerial bombs. One clipped a yardarm on the main mast and deflected into the top of turret three. Were it not for clipping the yardarm it would in all likelihood have penetrated the radio room. After leaving the Tennessee in May 1942, I served in New Zealand and Tulagi BSI. In October 1944, I was part of the commissioning crew of AKA 93 USS Yancey (Assault Cargo Ship). We were a part of the invasion forces at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. We were moored at a dock in Tokyo Bay when the peace treaty was signed. I claim the distinction of being in Pearl Harbor and in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the peace treaty. For the past 19 years we have spent our winters in Tucson, Arizona. They have a special observance of December 7th at the University of Arizona on the Sunday nearest the 7th. We have attended this memorial to the Arizona many times and heard the ship's bell being tolled as the names of some still in the hull are read. The sound of taps tears at my heart, and the sight of Old Glory waving in the breeze is very special to me. |
Information provided by Walden Danielson. |
