February 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, February 27th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/27/2014
Typed letter signed by officer Kenneth V. Dawson, an officer on the USS California, one of the four ships sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942. Letter on Navy Department stationery is marked ''Confidential'' on every page and addressed to Captain Joel Bunkley, the ship's Commanding Officer. Undated letter reads in part, ''...I rounded up many of the officers who should have been able to assist in gathering the data. It seems hard to believe, but no one seems to have any idea when one day ended and the next began; there is nothing but a great vagueness about the sequence of events, or even of what took place between December 7 and December 13...While we were still using the hangar at Ford Island as an office, I prepared two reports of the occurrences on December 7...These reports...were assembled by Fritschmann and turned over to Bernstein. When I tried to find them in May, all but a few (including mine) were missing from the ship's files...I had no sleep for 4 1/2 days after the attack...As to the damage: (a) Under-water. Two torpedoes, possibly three. There were tow large holes which ripped out the side...(b) Bombs. Two near misses sprung the plating near the bow...Probably 4 other bombs landed between the ship and Ford Island...One large fragment passed through the pilot house...(c) Straffing...several men were hit by 27 caliber machine gun bullets. The report that several men made that a box of .50 cal. M.G. ammunition exploded in the F. Div. compartment was incorrect. No parts were found...[signed] Kenneth V. Dawson''. Report runs 4pp. stapled together at upper left. Measures 8'' x 10.5''. Light toning, punch holes to top edge and scattered pencil notations, else near fine.
Fascinating & Confidential Navy Letter Documenting First-Hand Account on the USS California at Pearl Harbor -- ''...several men were hit by 27 caliber machine gun bullets...''
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