Michael Stecz US Navy USS Oklahoma |
Information provided by John McGoran, Survivor |
I was aboard the USS Oklahoma the morning of December 7, 1941. After breakfast, I went to my living quarters in the "After Steering Room," five decks below the main deck and was lying in my bunk awaiting the call to "turn to" ( begin work details ) at 8:00 a. m. This was not the usual Sunday morning because we were scheduled to have a ship's inspection the next day so each member of the crew had to get his assigned space in ship-shape condition. My work station was the wheelhouse, which was also my battle-station. Suddenly, the ship shook violently. Almost immediately, the Officer of the Deck announced over the P.A. system, "All hands, man your battle station, this is the real thing --- NO SHIT." It was the voice of Ensign Rommel; he never swore so I knew he meant business! I jumped to my feet and began to run up a nearby ladder. Even though men were trying to close the hatch above me, they let me get through. As we were dogging (closing) down the hatch, water was spurting in and the ship began to list and roll over. Moored outboard of the Maryland, the Oklahoma took 3 torpedoes. As she began to roll over, 2 more torpedoes struck the ship. Then the lights went out. I heard the order to "Abandon Ship." As I groped my way in total darkness, I figured that I may not have much longer to live. However, being a quartermaster with a good knowledge of the ship, I was able to work myself up to the next deck and on up to the second deck where I worked my way into the Sick Bay. In the Operating Room I found several others in the same fix. Then I saw a port hole. The ship capsized in less than 15 minutes. It took me only about 10 minutes time to reach the Sick Bay and Operating Room and discover the porthole. The superstructure was still in the air, but headed for the water. The Oklahoma had rolled to such an angle that the porthole was now above us. It was obvious to me that the porthole was our only means of escape. I had no idea as to what to expect on the other side of the porthole, no clue of the carnage. It took some time to locate some tables and chairs, the only things available to build a makeshift ladder. I prayed they would hold us until we reached the porthole. Before I tried, I helped a couple of men escape. I was skinny in those days and when my turn came I was able to make it through the porthole. Once I was out, I helped others to struggle free. In the water were many bodies of shipmates. Some were swimming in burning oil and others struggling, searching for anything to grab on to. Nearby I saw a motor launch; no one was in it. I slid on my behind down the ship's bottom and into the water and swam to the motor launch. I was able to get it started and went about picking up several survivors from the water and took them to Naval Hospital on Ford Island. Several men were trapped within the ship. Some were rescued days later by shipyard workers who cut holes through the bottom of the capsized ship. Twenty officers and 395 enlisted men were killed. On Ford Island I was assigned to various jobs, issuing clean clothing to survivors, loading bombs, etc. That night I stood a watch on a machine-gun. For several nights I stood watch on the overturned hull of the Oklahoma. Rumors abounded. One was: the Japanese will invade Hawaii. A week later, I was assigned to the heavy cruiser, USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). One of the ship's first important assignments was to escort the new aircraft carrier, Hornet, on its April 18, 1942 Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. The Salt Lake City participated in several engagements in the Pacific. During the war, she was in three ship-to-ship battles with Japanese warships. On March 27, 1943, in the Komandorski Battle, in the North Pacific, a Japanese force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and five destroyers were escorting several heavily laden transports to bases on Attu and Kiska. Our American task group consisted of the Salt Lake City, the Richmond, and four destroyers, Dale, Monaghan, Coughlin and Bagley. Despite being heavily outgunned, the American force, under Rear Admiral Charles McMorris on the Richmond, attacked. For three hours the battle of the Komandorski Islands raged and despite being fought in daylight, only a small percentage of the several thousand major caliber shells fired by both sides scored hits. But those that did, damaged the Salt Lake City. Our crew suffered casualties. The Salt Lake City was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. Mike Stecz, Quartermaster USS Oklahoma BB-37, USS Salt Lake City CL-25 Awards: 12 battle stars |
