John Roy Riter US Navy USS Utah |
I was assigned to the USS Utah. It was early Sunday morning, 0755, when all hell broke loose. There were two explosions portside. The armored deck buckled and seawater was pouring in. I made my way to a nearby ladder and proceeded to the next deck above. The ship was listing to port rapidly. I made my way topside in time to witness aerial strafing of our area by Japanese planes. The mooring lines were parting, so I was convinced it was time to abandon ship. At this time there was a lull in the action, so boats from other ships began picking up survivors. We were beached on Ford Island just as the second raid began. We were in a hangar until the attack was finished. I have no memory of what occurred until I was given a blanket and a change of clothes. This was late in the evening of December 7. The next morning, a party of eight or nine was dispatched to Dry-dock #1 for duty. It was here that I (we) went aboard the USS Honolulu and I remained aboard until April 1944 when I returned stateside. |
Information provided by Lester Richie. |
