Pearl Harbor 1941: El Paso swung into action after news of attack by Japanese
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Each year, Americans remember the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously declared it as "Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy."
The surprise raid on the major U.S. Navy base near Honolulu killed more than 2,400 Americans and left another 1,100 injured. The strike signaled the entry of the United States into World War II.
According to the National Park Service, Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in August 1994.
Here are some facts to know about Pearl Harbor:
When was Pearl Harbor attacked?
On Dec. 7, Americans mark the 82nd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
"Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy," as President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed.
Who was president during Pearl Harbor?
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
How many people died at Pearl Harbor?
The surprise raid killed more than 2,400 Americans and left another 1,100 injured.
A look back at how El Pasoans mobilized in anticipation of war
Dec. 8, 1941, El Paso Times
Dear Mom,
Well, it looks like I won’t be seeing you Christmas. Damn the Japanese.
Soldiers usually do not write in that language to their mother but as one soldier in USO Salvation Army Recreation Center said, “It’s the best way I can explain it.”
Enlisted men in the city’s recreation centers Sunday night burned the midnight oil writing letters to friends, sweethearts and relatives.
They were expert interpreters of the news. They knew that Japan’s declaration of war against the United States meant cancellation of Christmas furloughs.
Vacation trips had vanished
A vacation they had been looking forward to since enlistment and induction, trips to the Midwest and Eastern Seaboard they had thought about during those wet and stormy nights in the swamps of Louisiana had vanished.
Major W. Hill, manager of the USO Salvation Army Center said the general sentiment of the boys was that they were glad the time had come for action, but they hated to leave their home country just before Christmas time. “Most of the boys in my outfit feel the same way,” F.J. Schubert, Headquarters, 70th Coast Artillery said. Schubert lives in Chicago.
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Japan bit off more than they’ll chew
A member of the 63rd Coast Artillery, a unit that had already had Christmas furlough canceled, said Japan bit off more than they can chew this time. “They’re crazy. They couldn’t whip China in five years and now they’ve got the U.S. to whip.”
Jack Davis, a graduate engineer, who was inducted as a selectee only a month ago, said, “I’m ready. I’ve been in the Army only a month and I guess I’ be getting a gun pretty soon, now.”
Soldiers stayed downtown late in civilian clothes.
From now on until peace it will be O’D.’s.
Double guards protect Biggs Field
Biggs Field was being protected Sunday night by a double guard following an order by the air base command to strengthen its watch.
The field’s personnel was tense with readiness for orders, expected Monday morning that will cancel all leaves, including the customary Christmas furloughs.
Officers reported there were no unusual airplane operations.
Mayor says men needed as guards
Mayor J.E. Anderson authorized the following statement Sunday night:
“The Chief of Police is receiving steady calls from reliable watchmen. Able-bodied American citizens of good health and character, who can furnish references, desiring such employment, may register with the Chief of Police, starting Monday, at 219 South Campbell Street. Men past the draft age are preferred.”
El Paso Electric Company officials Sunday called up additional guards to protect the firm’s property in the El Paso area from possible sabotage.
“We have had an organization of guards for some time for use in event of an emergency,” one company official said. “This guard has been increased and is on duty now.”
Guards will watch the company’s power plant in the Upper Valley, sub-stations and all power transmission lines.
Boundary commission prepared
The International Boundary Commission is prepared to meet any emergency that may arise, L.M. Lawson, commissioner here, said.
“We have guards stationed up and down the border guarding government structures,” Mr. Lawson said, “and they have been on the alert for some time.”
Working with the boundary commission in protecting American property on the border is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Texas Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Heavily armed guards were keeping a 24-hour watch over Elephant Butte dam in New Mexico and the vital hydroelectric plant here.
Supt. L. R. Flock of the U.S. Reclamation Bureau here said that 12 guards were on duty at Elephant Butte and four men were watching the Caballo Dam.
No person will be allowed to stop at the dam or to loiter nearby, Mr. Glock said.
The precautionary measures taken at Elephant Butte were in line with a general “alert” sounded at power plants throughout the nation.
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Borders lost to Japanese nationals
Government officials here were preparing to uphold Treasury department orders issued Sunday to close the nation’s borders to Japanese nationals and to impose a strict ban on any financial transactions by Japanese nationals.
The department’s actions come in a brief order by secretary Morgenthau revoking all outstanding general and specific licenses for any transactions by Japanese which may have been issued since Japanese and Chinese credits in this country were frozen by executive order on July 25.
Defense council swings into action
Approximately 2500 members of El Paso Civilian Defense Council swung into action Sunday as the organization, under leadership of Roy S. Nelson, prepared to handle local defense assignments.
Fire Chief W.E. Jackson headed 16 companies of volunteer El Paso fire fighters. Chief Jackson and Sheriff Bill Hawkins have divided El Paso into sections for fire fighting in case of an emergency. Each volunteer squad handles one El Paso district.
Central recruiting Office of El Paso Civilian Defense Council is in the Chamber of Commerce building.
Divisions in the organization include fire and rescue, Red Cross, utility divisions, intelligence department and recruiting division.
Trish Long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 915-546-6179.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Facts about Pearl Harbor; El Paso soldiers prepare for World War 2
