“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 ~ a date which will live in infamy ~ the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan..”
…one of the most remembered quotes from World War II was spoken by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as he addressed congress on December 8th. At that time the Empire of Japan had made multi-strike attacks against Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, Philippine Islands and Wake Island. Followed the next day by striking Midway Island.
In recognition of this important date in our history ~ the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack ~ we looked through our collections and found some material of this area relative to this event and the Pacific War that we would like to share with you at this time.
Our veterans’ files note a number of service men that were at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day: Frederick Gubania, Seaman 1/c, Ticonderoga, killed in action; Frank J. Java, Lt. USN, Mineville; Joseph and Stanley Kordziel, USN, Seaman 2/c, Witherbee; Karlton S. Ross, Corporal, U.S. Marines, Crown Point; Burnell Ross, USN serving aboard the submarine USS Triton – killed in action; three brothers: Malcolm, Leroy, Randolph Barber – sailors serving aboard the USS Oklahoma, Keeseville, listed in January, 1942 “as missing in action.” Robert Cumm, Whallonsburg, served aboard the USS West Virginia and Woodrow Willard, Moriah, S/Sgt.
Also, Horace B. Eldred, Keeseville, Scofield Barracks, Pvt. Glen St. John, Keesveille, Fort Shafter, Andrew McCormick Harkness, USN, Pearl Harbor, Pvt. Wilfred Agacy, Pearl Harbor, Pvt. Edward Morirette, Witherbee, Scofield Barracks; Reginald Cross, Whallonsburg, and Howard Mac Dougal, USA, Essex, Philippines; Pvt. K. S. Ross, Crown Point, Pearl Harbor; Pvt. Charles Hogg, Scofield Barracks, Pvt. Floyd Mitchell, Ticonderoga, Fort Shafter; Pvt. Joseph gursky, Witherbee, Scofield Barracks; Sgt. Hayden Wallace, Ticonderoga, Fort Shafter and Pvt Ward McKeown, Honolulu; and Capt. Charles H. Morhouse, Ticonderoga, attached to a medical unit in Manila;.
Others: Pvt. Carl Gonyea, Lake Placid, Pearl Harbor; Raymond Barney, Lake Placid, Honolulu; Pfc. Howard Akey, USA, AuSable Forks, Schofield Barracks; S/Sgt Frank Nutt, Jr., USAAF, Rouses Point, Pearl Harbor.
(Note: these names were compiled from articles in local newspapers of the time. Other than Capt. Charles H. Morhouse, no photographs or service records are available in our collection.)
One of numerous ships that were destroyed during this attack was the USS Cassin (DD-372) while it was in dry dock. This destroyer, the second so named, was named after Captain Stephen Cassin, whose remarkable service while captain of the first named USS Ticonderoga at the Battle of Plattsburgh (1814), War of 1812 was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal. (Today, remains of the hull from the first USS Ticonderoga can be seen at Whitehall, NY)
Captain Stephen Cassin, early in the War of 1812, built a fortification at the mouth off Otter Creek opposite Basin Harbor, VT to protect McDonough’s fleet while under construction at the shipyard in Vergennes VT. This location is still known as Fort Cassin. Captain Cassin at the Battle of Plattsburg commanded the schooner “Ticonderoga” which “gallantly sustained her full share of action” according to letter which Commodore McDonough wrote to the secretary of the navy.
And as we remember this 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor we also remember another USS Ticonderoga – the fourth named ~~ ship that fought so gallantly during World War II ~~ an aircraft carrier which also suffered greatly latter in the war via kamikaze attacks. For all those that were killed, or were wounded, during these attacks we also remember them.
Thank you to the members of the Ticonderoga American Legion Post #224 and its auxiliary the “Sons of Squadron” for their annual Memorial and Veterans’ Days’ “Raising and Retrieval of the Colors” at our local seven cemeteries, two monuments and local nursing home in honor of all those who have worn the uniform.
Your collective demonstrations throughout the years in honor of all those American who have, and are serving, this country is very much appreciated.
2016 Festival of Trees Display WWI – Tonya Condon Photo
Looking for World War II gift items? Visit our Old Post Office Book and Gift Shop ~ we have in books a limited series of titles plus other items available at discounted prices. We still have a limited number and sizes of WWII t’ees available for $5.
We remember and honor all those that have served and those that no longer are amongst us. And to all our active duty service men and women and their families, our best to you and our wishes that each of you a joyful and safe Holiday Season.
12/5/16 wgd