by World War II, Pearl Harbor
[WWII] [Pearl Harbor] Extensive scrap book and photo album archive featuring original, historic News Flashes and Special Bulletins from Dec. 8 - 13. Archive includes several News Flashes, military patches, newspaper clippings, letters, cards, magazine clippings, photos and more, along with 22 silver gelatin press photographs of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Oklahoma, U.S.S. Nevada, and U.S.S. Maryland. Scrap book measures 11.5" x 15.5" inches and includes 84 unique pieces in addition to the 22 photographs. Scrapbook belonged to US Navy serviceman Albert Louis Allen. Extends from 1936 during enlistment to Pearl Harbor in WWII and his disability claim in 1947. One special interest item included is a Sept. 1, 1939 flyer from the USS Beaver stating that Germany had entered Poland: "fighting and bombing in progress," and a Sept. 3, 1939 flyer announcing that: "The Second World War Officially Came Into Being at 10 O'Clock" (Between Britain and Germany). Also included is 10 pages of original historic News Flash and Special Bulletins from Dec. 8 through Dec. 13, 1941 from the U.S.S. Otus, announcing that Pearl Harbor had been attacked on Dec. 7 by the Japanese, estimating casualties, describing Roosevelt's actions, the US, British and German response, the declaration of war by the US, Japanese being interned in the Philippines and New York, and much more. Otus was stationed in the Philippines and received minor damage from Japanese bombs on Dec. 10. Allen's ship, the Widgeon, was a submarine rescue vessel that provided defensive fire during the Dec. 7 raid on Pearl Harbor, but was not damaged. One News Flash dated Dec. 8 adds: "WASHINGTON: A UNITED STATES DECLARATION OF WAR ON JAPAN WAS BELIEVED BUT A MATTER OF HOURS SUNDAY NIGHT AS JAPANESE ATTACKS UPON AMERICAN ARMY AND NAVY BASES IN HAWAII AND MANILA OPENED HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. THE PRESIDENT CALLED A MEETING OF HIS CABINET FOR 8:30 PM THEY WERE JOINED AT 9 P.M. BY CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS." Also included are 1936 enlistment papers, his training in San Diego as a "bluejacket" including a 4th of July dinner menu at the training station, his arm insignia with his promotion from Petty Officer 3rd to 1st class, and a duty sheet from the USS Beaver. Also various items from his time aboard the U.S.S. Holland at Pearl Harbor including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner menus, some Honolulu business cards, training course certifications and some 8" x 10" photographs of ships at Pearl Harbor before the attack. String binding is still tight on album, and all material inside remains in very good condition.
(Inventory #: 20296)