My Uncle, Albert Buckles, was on the USS West Virgina during the attack. I have a letter he wrote my mother, His sister in the hospital just after the attack. Its about 6 pages long and tells in detail about the attack. He has passed on from cancer, but his memory is still written in the letter we keep. I have seen a few stories here from those who had relatives who were on the same ship during the attack and I have e mailed them thanking them for posting their story.

Mark E. McPhee

Lt. Commander W.J. McPhee Officer of the USS Vestal on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Vestal was docked to the USS Arizona at the moment Peal Harbor was attack. My grandfather told me the stories, read about Him in books I can't seem to find anymore and stories from all the living officers when they all would attend the funeral of an Officers who passed on with Full Uniform with Total Respect & Honor! My Grandmother and Father just was coming back from the states to go home in Hawaii on that Day. My Grandfather flew from the officers deck into the water and with all the bodies and the hot oil & gas was buring everyone in the water. Shortly after returning from the State to Washington D.C. he was also on the Ship that brought the bombs that fell on Japan. That ship left Pearl Harbor and was sunk a few miles out-side of Peal Harbor. That was how close we didn't have the tools to attack Japan that saved the U.S. and made history of our Freedoms. He was personal friend with J. Egart Hoover and they love to play cribage... That's My Short Story... God Bless You - Mark E. McPhee

Debbie K.

My Dad, Edward F. Wallace was attached to the USS Oklahoma on 7 Dec. 1941. In the early 1990's he finally shared his tragic story with his local newspaper. It says he was one trapped in the ship, until he and a few other men were cut out of it. He swam under the oil laden water to safety and as the story goes, he had to shower for 3 days to get all the oil off of his body. I met my Dad later in life but my Mother always made sure I knew his story. I am sure he suffered some lasting issues with this attack that lasted probably the rest of his life. However, I am sure he was proud of his service in the Military, as I still am. Dad passed away in 1998, and is buried in a military cemetery in his home state. In the future I will dig out the newspaper story and put it on a website. But until I do, if any survivors are still alive, my pride and thanks still need to go to them. I am proud to be a daughter of a man who served in Pearl Harbor on "The Day Of Infamy".

Rides A Pale Horse

http://deathby1000papercuts.blogspot.com/2008/01/rip-bill-blackwood-inventor-pearl.html

This is the story of a man who survived Pearl Harbor (crew on the U.S.S. California), finished out the war in the Pacific, became a Naval aviator and instructor and after becoming paralyzed in an ejection accident from a jet trainer, didn't give up and went on to become yet again a hero to many who thought they would never fly.

I'm proud to say I knew him.

Rides A Pale Horse

http://deathby1000papercuts.blogspot.com/2008/01/rip-bill-blackwood-inventor-pearl.html

This is the story of a man who survived Pearl Harbor (crew on the U.S.S. California), finished out the war in the Pacific, became a Naval aviator and instructor and after becoming paralyzed in an ejection accident from a jet trainer, didn't give up and went on to become yet again a hero to many who thought they would never fly.

I'm proud to say I knew him.