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Naval History and Heritage Command

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H-001-4: USS Ward (DD-139) Gun 

H-Gram 001, Attachment 4
Samuel J. Cox, Director NHHC
17 November 2016


Black and white photo of USS Ward showing number three 4"/50 mount and its crew

This photo (NH 97446) was taken of the USS Ward (DD-139) shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack. It shows the number three 4"/50 mount and its crew, consisting of Naval Reservists from Minnesota. This gun survives today and is located in a park near the grounds of the Minnesota state capitol. The original U.S. Navy official caption, as well as the plaque on the gun today, erroneously states that this gun fired the first shot during the Pearl Harbor raid. Gun #1 fired the first shot, which missed. Gun #3 fired the second shot, which hit and sank the Japanese midget submarine. USS Ward only fired two rounds during the engagement.

Published: Wed May 08 09:59:56 EDT 2019