Paul P. Joyce US Navy USS Utah |
Service US Navy - Jan. 1939 - March 1969 Assigned to the USS Utah, April 1939 My ship the USS Utah, was one of the first to be hit; hit by two torpedoes. The ship rolled over and sank in about 18 minutes. I was in the liberty section when the first torpedo hit. I had gone to the Tailor Shop to get my neckerchief. I was also picking up a neckerchief for Reed SF3/C; we were going ashore together. As the ship shuddered from the first torpedo hit, I started Topside to see what was going on. A plane flew over and strafed the ship. Several men and officers were killed. I left and returned to my division to get them out, then to my battle station, damage control, forward #2 Turret area. When I arrived the word was passed to abandon ship. I had to return to the after part of the ship to get topside. Water was coming from the engineering spaces. When I reached the second deck by the CPO quarters, water was coming through the portholes. Two other men trying to get topside joined me. I slipped and fell, but by the strangest coincidence managed to get up to the ladder. I firmly believe I was saved because my gold Navy Ring which my father had given me for my 21st birthday caught on the hatch, preventing me from being swept into the strong current as the ship sank. We finally got under the overhang of #5 turret and made our way over the side, by now the propeller shafts were out of the water. In the water a sailor was having problems. Another sailor and I helped him to a motor launch. In this motor launch was Lieutenant Commander Isquith, Chief Engineer on the ship, and Senior Officer in Command at the time. He received the Navy Cross and the man who pulled the sailor into the boat received the Silver Star. Upon reaching the beach we spent the rest of time in a drainage ditch until the all clear was given. Word was passed for Division Petty Officers to get a muster of their respective divisions. I, being a Petty Officer 2nd class, mustered the "R" division. Two men were missing. Davidson SF3, later turned up at the Air Station loading ammo on a plane. Reed SF3, was later found on board, a casualty. I was later detailed to the USS California to try to keep her from sinking. When this failed, the ship's Captain flooded the ship and set it up right on the bottom, making salvage much easier. On Dec. 8, 1941, I was assigned to the burial detail at Aiea fleet landing. I was on this detail for three days. Our job was to nail closed coffins when medical personal said they were ready to be closed. On Dec. 11th, 1941, I along with CPO Bagley, CPO John Gilbert and I .T. Edwards CM3/C were assigned to the Sub base Pearl. CPO Bagley was later transferred to the USS Neosho Oiler. He was lost in battle, in the Coral Sea. John Gilbert was later promoted to Lt. Jg and was at the Receiving Station, Pearl. I made 1st Class in 1942 and in 1943 was transferred to an oiler USS Saugatuck AO-75. In January, 1944 I was promoted to Warrant Carpenter and transferred to the USS Mt. McKinley AGC-7. I remained on board until Jan. 1948. |
Information provided by Paul P. Joyce |
Paul P. Joyce standing behind the Pearl Harbor Survivors Monument at the USS Alabama Battleship Park on December 6, 2001. |
