Descriptive Finding Guide for Pearl Harbor Dispatches Special Collection SDASM.SC.10112
Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
11/11/2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Pearl Harbor Attack Dispatches Special Collection
creator:
Pasewalk, Russ E.
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10112
Physical Description:
0.23 Cubic Feet
One 15”x2.5”x11” box, containing 4 folders
Date (inclusive): 1941-1942
Abstract: On the morning of December 7, 1941, there was a surprise Japanese military strike against the US naval base, Pearl Harbor,
in Oahu, Hawaii. This Collection contains dispatches reporting on the attack.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
On the morning of December 7, 1941, there was a surprise Japanese military strike against the US naval base, Pearl Harbor,
in Oahu, Hawaii. The attack on Pearl Harbor was intended to prevent the US fleet from interfering with Japanese military actions
in the Pacific and led the United States into World War II.
This collection was compiled by Russ E. Pasewalk who was on the USS Tennessee (BB-43) in Pearl Harbor during the attack. He
had enlisted in the Navy about six years prior, joining shortly after his high school graduation. After the attack he remained
in Pearl Harbor until late December then sailed to the West Coast of the United States serving on various ships through 1942
including the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) and the USS Tennessee (BB-43). The collection is primarily about his time on these
ships.
The USS Tennessee (BB-43) was one of the eight battleships present during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She received two bomb
hits, both on gun turrets. After being trapped at her berth for ten days, the Tennessee sailed to Puget Sound in late December.
Once receiving permanent repairs in the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Washington, the Tennessee operated on the US West Coast through
August 1942.
The USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was another of the battleships which received bomb hits during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The
Pennsylvania was in dry dock during the attack and therefore incurred only slight damage. On December 20, 1941 Pennsylvania
sailed for San Francisco and operated along the US West Coast throughout 1942.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Naval Aviation in San Diego and North Island Collection
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4841950314/
San Diego Air and Space Ship Image Collection
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4841141043/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/4841756864/in/set-72157624462715209
Related Research Institutions:
Naval History & Heritage Command
Washington Navy Yard
805 Kidder Breese SE, Washington DC 20374-5060
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-t/bb43.htm
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-p/bb38.htm
Secondary Sources:
Emmons, Roger M. Attack on Pearl Harbor: an eyewitness account written immediately after the action. Quantico, VA: Marine
Corps Association, 1944.
“Hawarden Boy In Action at Pearl Harbor,” The Hawarden Independent, Vol. LXV. No. 39, November 12, 1942, 1. http://newspaperarchive.com/hawarden-independent/1942-11-12.
Toland, John. But Not in Shame: the six months after Pearl Harbor. New York: Random House, Inc., 1961.
One 15”x2.5”x11” box, containing 4 folders. Items in this collection, from 1941-1942, consist of internal US Navy information.
Information includes an early report by the compiler of the collection, Russ E. Pasewalk, of the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack
of Pearl Harbor and the days immediately after, a Sept. 4, 1941 memo on incendiary bombs, and information sheets from the
USS Tennessee (BB-43), and Pennsylvania (BB-38).
Narrative of events contains references to Russell Pasewalk’s wife, Ellen of Los Angeles.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pennsylvania (Battleship)
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941
Naval Station Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)
Tennessee (Battleship)
Pasewalk, Russ E.
United States. Navy
Box 01
Folder 03 –USS Tennessee Document –Information Sheet