"There was no doubt in my mind what was going on.

So I ran aft to my station, air defense, the turret crews would normally man their turrets,

not that they could shoot at anything, but for their own protection. In the meantime the officer of the deck had sounded air defense on the

bugle which was the proper thing to do.

I grabbed one of the communication buttons and passed the word."

 

(click on photo to read about my visit with Capt. Rommel)

"This is a real air raid, this is no shit!"

 

 

Then I ran up to my turret and most of the men had manned the turret. We heard several explosions into the hull and it occurred to me that perhaps we should go out and assist the damage control parties. I started to climb out of the aft end of the turret and just then there was another explosion nearby which sent me scurrying back into the turret. In the meantime, the ship started listing and it became apparent we would have to abandon ship.

By the time I got out of the overhang hatch, the ship was so far listed over that I slipped right into the water."

 

Ensign Herbert Rommel

 

 

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 2004 ReunionWebMaster Pearl Harbor Today