Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Related Content
Topic
  • Ordnance and Weapons
  • Theater of Operations--Pacific
  • Theater of Operations--American
Document Type
  • Primary Source Document
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials

USS Sicard, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack

U.S.S. Sicard (DM21)

DM21/A16 ( 316 )

Pearl Harbor, T.H.

December 9, 1941.

 

From: The Commanding Officer.  
To: The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.  
Via: (1) The Commander Mine Division One.
(2) The Commander Minecraft, Battle Force.
 
   
Subject: Report of Action, December 7, 1941.  
   
Reference: (a) Article 712, U.S. Navy Regulations, 1920.  
  1. The following report of action with Japanese aircraft is submitted in accordance with reference (a):

    CONDITION OF SHIP

    Undergoing overhaul in Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, T.H. Moored starboard side to USS Pruitt in berth 18. Ship totally disabled as to main and auxiliary machinery, boilers, and gun batteries. By 0815 condition of readiness Afirm was set as well as possible considering that numerous airports and hatches defied closure. Two fire parties were formed to utilize fire fighting equipment forward and aft. By 0820 two .30 cal. machine guns were mounted and serviced with the meager amount of small arms ammunition left aboard. By 1300, two .50 cal. machine guns were mounted, .50 cal. ammunition at hand.

    ACTION

    At 0812, a squadron of Japanese planes was sighted coming in from the Southwest at about 5000 elevation to dive bomb objectives on Ford Island. These were followed immediately by waves of horizontal and dive bombers whose objectives were ships at the 1010 dock, Ford Island, and Battleships moored in the vicinity of Ford Island. 0820 Sicard opened fire with .30 cal. machine guns on planes within range. Some hits were observed on fuselage and tail surfaces, but no apparent damage done to the planes. 0827 ceased firing. 30 cal. machine guns, having expended 300 rounds. 0832 four flights of horizontal bombers attacked battleships moored in vicinity of Ford Island. These were followed by eight torpedo bombers. Oklahoma was struck by several torpedoes and taking a heavy list to starboard, capsized. Arizona was struck by torpedoes and heavy bombs. 0835 sent working party of twenty men to Cummings to handle ammunition and four gunner's mates to New Orleans to aid in preparing her batteries for firing. A party of ten men was previously detailed to go to Pennsylvania from the Receiving Barracks to assist in damage control. 0845 attack broken off. 0900 dive bombers from southeast attacked ships moored to docks in Navy Yard. This was followed by waves of dive and horizontal bombers on ships at docks and in berths near Ford Island. 1030 attack broken off. Mustered crew upon return of working parties previously detailed. No injuries or casualties. Absentee: HICKOK, Warren Paul, #311 57 25, S2c, USN, who was believed to have remained aboard Cummings. Sent four gunner's mates to West Loch. At 1100 another horizontal bombing attack on capital ships was started. This attack was completed at 1110. 1133 another horizontal bombing raid was started; the bombers withdrew at 1135. At 2100 three lighted planes approaching from the south at an altitude of about 4,000 feet approached Ford Island. After challenging them without success, New Orleans opened fire. She was followed by ships present. After two bursts fire was checked and ceased on Sicard for it was then believed that they were friendly planes. The other ships continued to fire at the planes.

    DAMAGE AND CASUALTIES

    No material damage was received by this vessel. There were no personnel casualties. Upon mustering, it was learned that the only absentee was HICKOK, Warren Paul, #311 - 57 - 25, S2c, USN, who was believed aboard Cummings, which got underway at 1100.

    CONDUCT OF CREW AND PERFORMANCE OF DUTY

    This was and remains excellent. The reaction of the men, after the first surprise, was most commendable. While some individuals stood out, all hands cooperated to the best of their ability.

    Ensign Jack S. Ross, D-V(G), USNR, was the duty officer and commanding officer at the beginning of the attack. Quickly grasping the situation, he initiated the above action and organization of the crew into various parties in a commendable manner.

[signed]
M.C. SCHULTZ.

Source: Enclosure (E) to CINCPAC action report Serial 0479 of 15 February 1942, World War II action reports, Modern Military Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740.

 

Published: Tue Mar 13 15:06:52 EDT 2018