William H. Wallace US Navy USS Raleigh

Being on authorized shore leave the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, I did not witness the engagement between enemy planes and the U.S.S. Raleigh, I succeeded in returning to the ship about 1000, Sunday, December 7, at which time all enemy action had ceased. Upon my return I found all officers and men who were aboard at their stations, in high spirits, apparently only hoping that the enemy would return so that they could have another crack at them. The morale was exceptionally high. At this time the ship was in a precarious position due to the damage resulting from the torpedo hit and the bomb hit. The ship gave every indication of capsizing. Although this fact was self-evident, o person showed any desire to leave his post or the ship. The Anti-Aircraft battery of 3", 1.1 and 50 caliber, had been manned and opened fire with great rapidity. Most of the crews were firing for the first time. Despite this it was reported that the Raleigh was credited with three enemy planes and a probable fourth. Ammunition parties were quickly functioning and no shortage of ammunition resulted. Compartments were counterflooded promptly and in the proper sequence. The Damage Control Organization, directed by the Damage Control Officer, has worked constantly day and night to keep the ship afloat. Their efforts have been ably directed and should be crowned with success. The Engineers, ordered topside, fearlessly reentered the after boiler and engine spaces. lighting off, with water over the floor plates, to raise steam and get pumps running. Coffee and sandwiches were prepared by the Commissary department and distributed to the crew at their station. Orders were carried out promptly and without confusion. The rapidity and good seamanship displayed in getting both planes over the side without damage, in jettisoning heavy topside weights, such as catapults, torpedo tubes, boat skids, etc., were all done without power on the ship, contributing materially in saving the ship. Regular week-end shore leave and liberty had been granted over Saturday, December 6, and Sunday, December 7. Liberty parties were unusually large as Friday, December 5, was pay day. The third officer duty section and the port watch had the duty. In addition to yourself and the officer duty section; which consisted of Lieutenant R.H. Taylor, USN, Lieutenant J.W. Geist, USN, Ensign D.L. Korn, A-V(N), USNR, Ensign W.H. Game, USN, Ensign J.M. Werth, USN, and Machinist G.S. Cummins, USN; the following officers were on board when the action commenced: Ensign J.J. Coyle, USN, Ensign J.F. Steuckert, USN, Ensign R.C. Collins, D-V(G) USNR, Ensign J.R. Beardall, jr., USN, Ensign J. Scapa, D-V(G) USNR, Ensign G.S. Morrow, jr., E-V(G), USNR, Lieutenant (jg) D.M. Fox (DC) USN, Electrician T.R. Tate, USN, and Carpenter R.C. Tellin, USN. All officers, except Lieutenant Commander H. Hains, on leave and not on the Island of Oahu, and men, except a few detained at the Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, by competent authority on other duty, returned to the ship promptly and as rapidly as means of transportation was available. During the engagement and afterward, when steps were being taken to save the ship, no incident has been reported to me of any individual, officer or man, deserving of censure. On the contrary every report of individual action by officers and men has been of a commendable nature. The organization of the ship as a whole, especially the Gunnery Department and the Damage Control Department, proved their worth and functioned under surprise and stress. All officers and men, as they returned to the ship, picked up and helped carry the load. I am unable to pick out individual cases deserving of praise above others. I believe all officers and men on the U.S.S. Raleigh have the right to be proud of their behavior and their performance of duty. They were tried and found not wanting, especially those officers and men who were fortunate enough to be aboard during the action.

Information provided by Thornwell Simons