Earlier this month, I had an entry about Robert Coley, 86, who was on the USS Pelias during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Later, I gave an account of the ship's war record and history and then discussed the Toons at War Blog which mentioned that Walt Disney's cartoonists had created the Pelias' logo.
Then I came across the official report of the ship concerning the attack.
The ship went to General Quarters and opened fire with its anti-aircraft battery with four 3 inch 23 Caliber guns, 2 forward and two aft; four 50 caliber machine guns, 2 fore and 2 aft.
Two hundred rounds were fired from the three inch guns and 5000 from the 50 Caliber. Most were against torpedo planes attacking the battleships in which they were in a good position to do.
Damage to enemy aircraft not determined, but fire from the Pelias, Tautog and a destroyer shot down one which hit the water near the submarine base's finger piers. Another plane turned away under fire and was last seen flying low and streaming smoke toward the officer's club.
The "ship's company performed in a most admirable manner especially when it is realized that few had ever been through even target practice, and practically none had ever been in action under enemy fire."
William Wakefield, CINPAC Action report, Dec. 11, 1941.
Greatest Generation.
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