Elva Smith remembers Pearl Harbor's 'Day of Infamy'

This snapshot of Elva O. Smith was taken in June 1941 on the day she arrived in Honolulu.

The surprise attack had been conceived by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who used the striking force of 353 Japanese aircraft. There had been no formal declaration of war.

Approximately 100 ships of the U.S. Navy were present that morning, consisting of battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships.

Also present was Elva O. Smith, who now lives in the Hazel Hollow section of Jackson County. She was sent there as a secretary in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, later promoted to head of payroll and then worked as an assistant in the real estate office.

Here is her story:

The bombing of Pearl Harbor is a day many of us will never forget, and I was there.

In his message to Congress, President Roosevelt stated: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941 ­ a date that will live in infamy ­ the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." So war was declared!

Realizing wishful thinking accomplished little, I headed for a shower and then breakfast. Other sleepy-eyed girls residing at Fernhurst congregated in the dining room, disgusted as I that sleep was gone for the day.

Then news came on the radio. The Island of Oahu was under attack. We did not believe it ­ but reality came. The radio blasted: "This is an air raid. This is not maneuvers. This is the real McCoy. Japan is attacking Pearl Harbor."

Some of us dashed outside and climbed the fire escape to the roof, scampering from one side to the other. We saw tufts of smoke rise, heavy black smoke like oil fires, and dog-fights in the air. We heard anti-aircraft guns go into action and bombs whistling as they dropped. Machine gunners sounded off.

The battleship USS Arizona before (up) and after (down) a bomb penetrated into the forward magazine, causing massive explosions and killing 1,104 men. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians were killed. Approximately 100 ships of the U.S. Navy were present that morning, consisting of battleships, destroyers, cruisers and various support ships.

Our office on hangar row in Wheeler Field was completely destroyed. I spent the next few days as a volunteer at the hospital, painting blackout windows and rolling bandages, as I awaited relocation of my work place.

Enroute to work again, our official car toured the Pearl Harbor area, enabling us to see the total devastation suffered by American ships. Yet the horror of war was not realized until a few days later when pine boxes, with dead bodies inside, piled up outside the mortuary. The building inside was already full.

Rescue efforts continued as hope lingered for survival of personnel aboard ships, but all in vain. Factual news was limited to discourage the aggressors. Hawaii was no longer impregnable. Total blackout took effect Dec. 7 and continued all during the war.

Most of us began working seven days a week with increased hours. Government employees were issued special IDs and gas masks, with transportation provided to various bases. Military dependents were sent home, and Hawaii became the staging area for war against Japan.

Life went on and work had to be done. Blackout changed our way of living. Wherever you were when darkness fell, you remained until morning. Only military vehicles, using slit blue lights, were allowed to move at night. Fun and games ceased. We had air raid drills; slit trenches were dug and used; and tear gas sometimes released to keep us honest. Very few working women returned to the States. Days off were treasured, and we felt we were doing our part. We lived each day believing this war would be won ­ and it was.'

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