Harry R. "Bob" Kerr Army Air Force Hickam Field

Like most people who were touched by that day, I have memories that linger.  Even 60 years ago and now aged 81; I can trace my steps from the first sound of a bomb through the remainder of the day.  I was the company clerk of one of the army air corps squadron, and was fortunate to know the men of my squadron.  We lost 11 men, KIA, and never had a record of the injured.  Like all other military personnel who were under attack I was frightened, and angry!  Having survived the first wave of Japanese zeroes and bombers, I started to load dead and wounded men into a truck which had been abandoned in our squadron area.  A few others volunteered to help.  I then took, count unknown, the dead and wounded to the station hospital was able to take two such loads before the second attack.  On my third trip to the hospital I was ordered to take the truck and one man to the officer's quarters and take women and children to a prepared tunnel north of Honolulu.  I took three such trips until night caught me and we couldn't travel at night!  I mentioned that I was a clerk; therefore I had access to the squadron files.  I took one roster and tucked in my shirt when the action began at 0755.  By then I realized the severity of the situation and started making a muster of the men of the 23rd Material Sq. Late in the afternoon of December 8, I had located all the men!  Some of course were found in morgues, hospitals, and duty stations, and really some in unusual places.   After making the muster on my own, I thought it best to report it to some one, so I took it to Base HQ.  From my actions all other squadrons were directed to make a similar muster!  I received a nice letter of commendation and was promoted from Private to Sergeant!   I stayed in the Army Air Force until September, 1947 when I elected to become a part of the US Army. I retired in June 1964.

Information provided by Harry "Bob" Kerr