Edward E. Hall 13th Truck Company Hickam Field

Sunday morning, December 7, 1941 found me at Hickam Field in a small temporary mess hall, which was under repairs.  I was doing KP for extra pay.  Working along with me was my friend Alex.  "Hey, Hall", Alex yelled.  "You going skating tonight?"  Going skating was the only thing that was on my mind.  Before I could answer, we were interrupted by a loud noise.  Thinking it to be an air compressor outside, I dismissed it.  There was no mistaking the explosion I heard next.  It sounded as if the hangers were being bombed directly across the street from us. I ran to the back door and looked out.  I looked to my right just in time to see Hanger #1 and #3 blow up.  Debris was flying every way imaginable.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see men running out of Hangers #2 and #4, scattering every which way, while pieces of asphalt came flying up.  Shock and fear had set in.  I looked up to see a plane flying across the field in the wrong direction, spraying bullets along its way.  It was headed straight for me.  Fortunately for me, the pilot pulled up because of electrical wires, which were in the way.  Had those wires not been there, neither would I have be here today. Alex and the rest had ran out the front door, I followed dodging bullets and debris along the way trying to find cover.  During the second attack, I picked up the wounded and dead, transporting them to the base hospital.  After which I helped clean debris away from the flight line and wherever else needed.  IT was ten days later when I next saw my buddy Alex.  The rest of the war I spent in Hawaii, Marshall, Gilbert and the Phoenix Islands.  I know I'm a lucky man!

Information provided by Edward E. Hall