Hawaii’s Hidden Military Memorials—Pearl Harbor

Hawaii’s Hidden Military Memorials By COL Peter Hirai and Mr. Eric Kimura

The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) houses four (4) monuments to commemorate the December 7th, 1941 attack. All are within the Controlled Industrial Area (CIA) that prevents access unless someone is cleared for entry. Each is a bronze plaque mounted on a concrete base and specifically denotes an action that occurred on that fateful morning. The plaques are difficult to read so each plaque photo is accompanied by a transcription. Each memorial plaque is in proximity to US Navy ships that were severely damaged during the attack with accompanying loss of life. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the attack that brought the United States into World War II, let us not forget the Greatest Generation that fought bravely, many making the ultimate sacrifice, for our nation. Special thanks to Mr. Eric Kimura, supervising engineer at PHNSY, for providing the research, photographs, and narratives from each plaque. It is through Mr. Kimura’s work that the significant history of the shipyard and it’s critical role during the attack and the entire World War II effort is properly documented and preserved.

MONUMENT Number / Name: 2. USS Shaw and Tug Sotoyomo Memorial 3. USS Pennsylvania, USS Cassin & USS Downes 4. USS Helena & USS Ogala 5. USS Honolulu

Inscription on the plaque of Marker #2: At 0910, 7 December 1941 near this spot, the destroyer USS Shaw and the tug Sotoyomo were drydocked in floating drydock No. 2. Enemy dive bombers inflicted grave damage sinking the drydock and severely damaging the Shaw and the Sotoyomo.

Inscription on marker #3: At 0910, 7 December 1941 enemy dive bombers attacked the USS Pennsylvania and the destroyers Cassin and Downes then in drydock No. 1 near this spot. The Pennsylvania later took part in many engagements against the enemy, but the Cassin and Downes were damaged beyond

Inscription on the plaque of marker #4: At 0758, 7 December 1941 at berth Baker 2, the USS Helena moored inboard the USS Oglala, was struck on the starboard side by an aerial torpedo which passed under the Oglala. The pressure from the explosion caved in the port bilge of the Oglala. She flooded, capsized, and sank. Inscription on the plaque: At 0758, 7 December 1941 near this spot an armor-piercing bomb penetrated the dock deck and exploded under water inflicting severe damage to the USS Honolulu.

Commandery Operations

by Secretary COL Arthur N. Tulak

The Commandery conducted a meeting on Friday, September 21st at the Sunset Lanai on Camp Smith. Members present set about planning the Commandery’s participation in memorials and commemorations for Veterans Day, poppy appeals at Camp Smith, and the Christmas Brunch with the Military Order of World Wars Capt. Gaylord Dillingham Chapter. At this meeting, the EXCOM approved an order of MOFW garrison caps from Keystone Cap Co. which will be available for sale at the January 2021 Commandery meeting.

Companions present remarked on the passing of a great Vietnam Veteran CSM Robert “Bob” Novite Silva, who served in the U.S. Army Special Forces, with a total service of 28 years in the Army. Bob was a Green Beret in the 77th, 7th, 5th and 10th Special Forces groups, and served two tours in Vietnam. His basic training in Ft. Ord, CA was the 1st all Hawaii Company. Upon retirement from the Army, he then served 21 years as a JROTC Army Instructor at Farrington High School and 7 years as the Hawaii JROTC SGM at the state level. In April of 2016, the Hawaii Commandery presented Bob with the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal for his continuing volunteer service with Special Forces Association, the Army Retiree Council, and the Oahu Veteran's Council . Bob passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2021, at the age of 84.

The photo at right was taken by Dan Curtis at the Sunset Lanai at Sunset at the conclusion of the meeting, and is a good reminder of why we meet there.