Pearl Harbor Rescue Attempts
Dave Cornelius (dwcorns@EN.COM)
Sun, 9 Feb 1997 20:05:09 -0500
I've read several articles about the sinking of the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl
Harbor, on December 7. Her deck is still visible from the surface. Parts
of her were still above water after her hull came to rest on the bottom.
The big guns on her decks were eventually removed and set up as shore
batteries, defending the entrance to the harbor.
About 50% of the Americans who died in the raid on Pearl, lost there lives
on the Arizona. Many of them were trapped alive, below deck, because of the
nature of the attack and the short time in which the Arizona sank. Many of
those trapped, survived the sinking and were heard to be rapping distress
signals on the hull. The last of these signals ended on Christmas day, some
two and one-half weeks later.
And now my questions. Is there any public record of any attempt made to
rescue these trapped survivors? If not, why? If yes, were any of the
attempts successful? If not, why? How could they be able to eventually
salvage the guns and yet not rescue the survivors? I understand that
several successful rescue attempts were made on the U.S.S. Oklahoma but that
these efforts too were suspended with known survivors still trapped below
decks. Why?
Is there anyone still alive who was directly involved in these or other
similar rescue attempts at Pearl? Is there anyone still alive who was
involved in the decision-making process to abort these efforts who can talk
about it? I did not lose any family at Pearl. I was just really shocked
when I first read about this years ago. I have never been able to let go of
my unanswered queations. The more I research this issue, the more questions
I develop. Any information will be appreciated. Private correspondance
will be welcomed as well.
Sincerely,
David