DECEMBER 7, 1941 ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

Seventy one years ago, the light cruiser USS DETROIT (CL 8) was attacked along with the many other ships moored at Pearl Harbor Naval Station.  Here's the after-action report by the ship's commanding officer, L.J. WILTSE.  Captain Wiltse when on to become Commander of Cruiser Division 10 and obtained the rank or Vice Admiral.  He graduated the US Naval Academy, Class of 1914. VICE ADMIRAL LLOYD JERMORE WILTSE, USN He died February 1, 1984.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

USS Detroit, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack

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CL8/P3-1	U.S.S. Detroit	11/Ge/
Serial 1471
		December 10, 1941.

 

From:	The Commanding Officer.
To:	Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.
Subject:	URDIS 102102 December 1941.

a.                   Set Condition Zed throughout ship.

2. Manned and fired all A.A. Guns, both 3" and .50 calibre machine guns. Round fired: 422 3"; 10,000 .50 calibre.
1. Two planes were brought down by joint fire of this vessel and Curtiss.
2. Two men received superficial wounds.
3. No damage to ship, Motor boat sunk by explosion alongside Nevada.
4. No case of distinguished conduct.
5. One aerial torpedo passed about ten yards astern of Detroit at Berth F-13. Believe this torpedo buried in mud or coral between Berths F-12 and F-13.

[signed]
L.J. WILTSE.

Copies to:

Combatfor
Comdesbatfor
Comcrubatfor

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Source: Enclosure (E) to CINCPAC action report Serial 0479 of 15 February 1942, World War II action reports, the Modern Military Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740. 09/03/2003

 

I came across this report while preparing for a presentation I'm giving tonight to the Oakland County (Michigan) Veterans Organization.  Trust that you found the report of interest.  Here are some links that will also be of interest:  

 

Naval Historical Center home page Pearl Harbor Atttack Reports page.

Fair winds and following seas,

JGMCC