Page i[Pages iv-xvi are lists of witnesses, which will be made available separately. A link to this spot will be made at that time.]PEARL HARBOR ATTACK
HEARINGS BEFORE THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES SEVENTY-NINTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION PURSUANT TO S. Con. Res. 27 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, AND EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING THERETO PART 26 Proceedings of Hart Inquiry Printed for the use of the Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1946 Page ii JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK ALBEN W. BARKLEY, Senator from Kentucky, Chairman JERE COOPER, Representative from Tennessee, Vice Chairman WALTER F. GEORGE, Senator from Georgia JOHN W. MURPHY, Representative SCOTT W. LUCAS, Senator from Illinois from Pennsylvania OWEN BREWSTER, Senator from Maine BERTRAND W. GEARHART, Representa- HOMER FERGUSON, Senator from Michi- tive from California gan FRANK B. KEEFE, Representative J. BAYARD CLARK, Representative from from Wisconsin North Carolina COUNSEL (Through January 14, 1946) WILLIAM D. MITCHELL, General Counsel GERHARD A. GESELL, chief Assistant Counsel JULE M. HANNAFORD, Assistant Counsel JOHN E. MASTEN, Assistant Counsel (After January 14, 1946) SETH W. RICHARDSON, General Counsel SAMUEL H. KAUFMAN, Associate General Counsel JOHN E. MASTEN, Assistant Counsel EDWARD P. MORGAN, Assistant Counsel LOGAN J. LANE, Assistant Counsel Page iii HEARINGS OF JOINT COMMITTEE Part Pages Transcript Hearings No. pages 1 1- 399 1- 1058 Nov. 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, and 21, 1945. 2 401- 982 1059- 2586 Nov. 23, 24, 26 to 30, Dec. 3 and 4, 1945. 3 983-1583 2587- 4194 Dec. 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13, 1945. 4 1585-2063 4195- 5460 Dec. 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21, 1945. 5 2065-2492 5461- 6646 Dec. 31, 1945, and Jan. 2, 3, 4, and 5, 1946. 6 2493-2920 6647- 7888 Jan. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21, 1946. 7 2921-3378 7889- 9107 Jan. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, and 29, 1946. 8 3379-3927 9108-10517 Jan. 30, 31, Feb. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, 1946. 9 3929-4599 10518-12277 Feb. 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14, 1946. 10 4601-5151 12278-13708 Feb. 15, 16, 18, 19, and 20, 1946. 11 5153-5560 13709-14765 Apr. 9 and 11, and May 23 and 31, 1946. EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE Part Exhibits Nos. 12 1 through 6. 13 7 and 8. 14 9 through 43. 15 44 through 87. 16 88 through 110. 17 111 through 128. 18 129 through 156. 19 157 through 172. 20 173 through 179. 21 180 through 183, and Exhibits-Illustrations. 22 through 25 Roberts Commission Proceedings. 26 Hart Inquiry Proceedings. 27 through 31 Army Pearl Harbor Board Proceedings. 32 through 33 Navy Court of Inquiry Proceedings. 34 Clarke Investigation Proceedings 35 Clausen Investigation Proceedings. 36 through 38 Hewitt Inquiry Proceedings. 39 Reports of Roberts Commission, Army Pearl Harbor Board. Navy Court of Inquiry and Hewitt Inquiry, with endorse- ments.
Organization of examination ................................. 1
Introduction of counsel ..................................... 1
Modification of counsel ..................................... 391
Reporter sworn ........................ 2, 29, 32, 225, 288, 308, 363
Adjournments .............. 1, 31, 53, 73, 85, 96, 104, 114, 134, 146,
169, 178, 194, 204, 205, 206, 214, 228, 249, 262, 272, 278, 292,
307, 323, 337, 347, 354, 362, 367, 378, 382, 390, 398, 403, 412,
425, 430.
Notifications of meetings to Rear Admiral H. E. Kimmel 1, 2, 206, 338
Closing entry ............................................... 432
[ii]
| Name of Witness | Examined by examining officer [1] | Verified [1] |
| Claude C. Bloch, Admiral, USN (Ret.) | 2, 86 | 147 |
| Benjamin Katz, Commander, USN | 29, 54 | 184 |
| W. W. Smith, Rear Admiral, USN | 32, 54, 55 | 184 |
| L. D. McCormick, Rear Admiral, USN | 66 | 184 |
| Walter S. DeLany, Rear Admiral, USN | 74 | 205 |
| Arthur C. Davis, Rear Admiral, USN | 96 | 141 |
| M. E. Curts, Captain, USN | 105 | 147 |
| P. N. L. Bellinger, Vice Admiral, USN | 115 | 194 |
| Wilson Brown, Rear Admiral, USN | 135 | 170 |
| William S. Pye, Rear Admiral, USN | 147 | 195 |
| Robert O. Glover, Captain, USN | 170 | 205 |
| Paul C. Crosley, Commander, USN | 179 | 205 |
| Willard A. Kitts, Rear Admiral, USN | 185 | 205 |
| Vincent R. Murphy, Captain, USN | 195 | 204 |
| Joseph J. Rochefort, Commander, USN | 207 | 338 |
| Edwin T. Layton, Captain, USN | 214 | 272 |
| W. L. Calhoun, Vice Admiral, USN | 225 | 262 |
| Granville C. Briant, Commander, USNR | 229 | 262 |
| Charles H. McMorris, Rear Admiral, USN | 233 | 335 |
| Richmond K. Turner, Vice Admiral, USN | 250, 262 | 338 |
| John L. McCrea, Captain, USN | 273 | 338 |
| Theodore S. Wilkinson, Rear Admiral, USN | 279 | 292 |
| Aubrey W. Fitch, Vice Admiral, USN | 288 | 292 |
| George VanDeurs, Captain, USN | 290 | 292 |
| William F. Halsey, Jr., Admiral, USN | 293 | 322 |
| Irving H. Mayfield, Captain, USN | 308 | 322 |
| John Henry Newton, Vice Admiral, USN | 314 | 322 |
| William B. Stephenson, Lieutenant, USNR | 323 | 335 |
| Howard F. Kingman, Rear Admiral, USN | 335 | 391 |
| William E. G. Taylor, Commander, USNR | 338, 348 | 354 |
| L. F. Safford, Captain, USN | 355 | 383 |
| Herbert F. Leary, Vice Admiral, USN | 363 | 391 |
| J. B. Earle, Captain, USN | 368 | 378 |
| Wesley A. Wright, Commander, USN | 379 | 404 |
| Charles Wellborn, Jr., Captain, USN | 383 | 404 |
| Walter S. Anderson, Rear Admiral, USN | 391 | 402 |
| Roland Munroe Brainard, Vice Admiral, USN | 399 | 404 |
| R. E. Schuirmann, Rear Admiral, USN | 404 | 431 |
| Joel W. Bunkley, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.) | 413 | 431 |
| Royal E. Ingersoll, USN | 415 | 431 |
Page 2
[iii]
| Exhibit | Character of- | Admitted in evidence [1] |
| 1 | Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel of 2/17/44 | 1 |
| 2 | Letter from Adm. Kimmel to Adm. Hart of 2/19/44 | 1 |
| 3 | Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel of 3/4/44 | 2 |
| 4 | Pacific Fleet Confidential Letter 2CL-41 (Revised) | 4 |
| 5 | Joint Coastal Frontier Defense Plan (JCD-42) | 6 |
| 6 | Dispatch: CNO to CINCPAC; 16 Oct. 41; Ref: 162203 | 30 |
| 7 | Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 24 Nov. 41; Ref: 242005 | 30 |
| 8 | Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 27 Nov. 41; Ref: 272337 | 30 |
| 9 | Disp: CNO to com pnncf; 28 Nov, 41; Ref: 290110 | 30 |
| 10 | Disp: OpNav to CINCAF; 30 Nov. 41; Ref: 300419 | 30 |
| 11 | Disp: OpNav to CINCPAC; 3 Dec. 41; Ref: 031850 | 31 |
| 12 | Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 26 Nov. 41; Ref: 270038 | 54 |
| 13 | Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 26 Nov. 41; Ref: 270040 | 55 |
| 14 | Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 29 Nov. 41; Ref: 282054 | 55 |
| 15 | Disp: CNO to OpNav: 28 Nov. 41; Ref: 280627 | 55 |
| 16 | U. S. Pacific Fleet Operating Plan (Rainbow 5) | 58 |
| 17 | Ltr from CNO to CinCPAC; 15 Feb. 41; re: anti-torpedo baffles, Pearl Harbor | 61 |
| 18 | Ltr from CinCPAC to CNO; 12 March 41; RE; anti-torpedo baffles, Pearl Harbor | 61 |
| 19 | Ltr from CNO to Com 14; 13 June 41; re: anti-torpedo baffles | 61 |
| 20 | Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel of 3/10/44 | 74 |
| 21 | 14CL-41 (Revised); re: organization of PacFlt into task forces | 75 |
| 22 | Ltr fm Com 14 to CNO with enclosure of Joint Estimate of 3/31/41, dated 1 May 41 | 86 |
| 23 | Ltr from Com 14 to CNO; 30 Dec. 40; re: security of Fleet and ability of local defenses to meet surprise attacks | 87 |
| 24 | Ltr from ComPatWingTwo to CNO; 16 Jan 41; re: readiness of ComPatWingTwo | 128 |
| 25 | Ltr from CominCPacFlt; 13 Aug. 41; re: employment schedules, 2nd Quarter 1942 | 179 |
| 26 | Employment Schedules 3rd Quarter 1942 | 180 |
| 27 | Employment Schedule-Task Force One | 181 |
| 28 | Employment Schedule-Task Force Two | 181 |
| 29 | Employment Schedule-Task Force Three | 181 |
| 30 | Verification letter-V.Ad. Bellinger | 194 |
| 31 | Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel; 3/22/44 | 206 |
| 32 | Letter from Dist. Atty. to Atty. Gen; Hawaii; 6/4/41 | 325 |
| 33 | Verification letter-Comdr. Rochefort | 338 |
| 34 | Verification letter-V.Ad. Turner | 338 |
| 35 | Verification letter-Captain McCrea | 338 |
| 36 | Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel; 4/24/44 | 338 |
| 37 | Verification letter-R.Ad. Kingman | 391 |
| 38 | Verification letter-V.Ad. Leary | 391 |
| 39 | State Dept. publication: PEACE AND WAR, 1931-41 | 406 |
| 40 | Ltr fm SecNav to SecWar, 24 Jan. 41; and reply fm SecWar to SecNav, 7 Feb. 41; re: security Pearl Harbor against attack | 407 |
| 41 | Verification letter-R.Ad. Bunkley | 431 |
| 42 | Verification letter-Admiral Ingersoll | 431 |
[1] RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE FOR READING THE TESTIMONY CONTAINED HEREIN
Insofar as there was a plan for the sequence of witnesses, it consisted of examining officers who were in Hawaii, 7 December 1941, and then following what they brought out by examining officers who were elsewhere, most of such being of the Navy Department. However, it was necessary to seize opportunities when and where officers were available and irrespective of logical sequence.
Therefor, in reviewing this testimony it will be advisable to depart from the order of the actual proceedings and the following sequence is recommended. However, some reviewers may find that for them the flow of thought will be better if Part III is read before Part II.
| Name | Duty in 1941 | Page No. [1] |
| (1) Theodore S. Wilkinson, Rear Admiral, USN | Director of Naval Intelligence | 279 |
| (2) Howard F. Kingman , Rear Admiral, USN | Chief, Domestic Intelligence Branch, O.N.I. | 335 |
| (3) Irving H. Mayfield, Captain, USN | D.I.O., 14th Naval District | 308 |
| (4) William B. Stephenson, Lieutenant, USNR | Attached to D.I.O., 14 N.D. | 323 |
| (5) Benjamin Katz, Commander, USN | O-in-C, Code Room, Naval Communications (1944) | 29, 54 |
| (6) L. F. Safford, Captain, USN | O-In-C, Communications Intelligence, Naval Communications. | 355 |
| (7) Joseph J. Rochefort, Commander, USN | O-in-C, Combat Intelligence Unit, 14 N.D. | 207 |
| (8) Wesley A. Wright, Commander, USN | Attached to Combat Intelligence Unit, 14 N.D. | 379 |
| (9) Edwin T. Layton, Captain, USN | Intelligence Officer, CinCPac | 214 |
Page 3
| Name | Duty in 1941 | Page No. [1] |
| (10) Claude C. Bloch, Admiral, USN (Ret.) | Commandant, 14 N.D. | 2, 86 |
| (11) J. B. Earle, Captain, USN | 368 | |
| (12) Granville C. Briant, Commander, USNR | Aviation Aide, Com 14 | 229 |
| (13) M. E. Curts, Captain, USN | Communications Officer, CinCPac | 105 |
| [2] (14) William E. G. Taylor, Commander, USNR | Attached to Army as radar advisor | 338, 348 |
| (15) W. W. Smith, Rear Admiral, USN | Chief of Staff, CinCPac | 32, 54, 55 |
| (16) Charles H. McMorris, Rear Admiral, USN | War Plans Officer, CinCPac | 233 |
| (17) L. D. McCormick, Rear Admiral, USN | Assistant War Plans Officer, CinCPac | 66 |
| (18) Vincent R. Murphy, Captain, USN | Assistant War Plans Officer, CinCPac | 195 |
| (19) Walter S. DeLany, Rear Admiral, USN | Operations Officer, CinCPac | 74 |
| (20) Willard A. Kitts, III, Rear Admiral, USN | Gunnery Officer, CinCPac | 185 |
| (21) Arthur C. Davis, Rear Admiral | Aviation Officer, CinCPac | 96 |
| (22) P. N. L. Bellinger, Vice Admiral, USN | Commander, Patrol Wing Two | 115 |
| (23) Aubrey W. Fitch, Vice Admiral, USN | Commander, Patrol Wing Two (1940) | 288 |
| (24) George VanDeurs, Captain, USN | Attached to PatWingTwo | 290 |
| (25) Wilson Brown, Rear Admiral, USN | Commander, Scouting Force, PacFlt, and Commander, Task Force Three | 135 |
| (26) William F. Halsey, Jr., Admiral, USN | Commander, Aircraft Battle Force, PacFlt, and Commander, Task Force 2. | 293 |
| (27) John Henry Newton, Vice Admiral, USN | Commander, Cruisers Scouting Force, PacFlt | 314 |
| (28) Paul C. Crosley, Commander, USN | Flag Secretary, CinCPac | 179 |
| (29) William S. Pye, Rear Admiral, USN | Commander, Battle Force, PacFlt, and Commander, Task Force One. | 147 |
| (30) Herbert F. Leary, Vice Admiral, USN | Commander, Cruisers Battle Force, PacFlt | 363 |
| (31) Walter S. Anderson, Rear Admiral, USN | Commander, Battleships Battle Force, PacFlt | 391 |
| (32) Joel W. Bunkley, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.) | Commanding Officer, U.S.S. CALIFORNIA | 413 |
| (33)W. L. Calhoun, Vice Admiral, USN | Commander, Base Force, PacFlt | 225 |
| (34) R. E. Schuirmann, Rear Admiral, USN | Director, Central Division, OpNav | 404 |
| (35) Royal E. Ingersoll, Admiral, USN | Assistant Assistant CNO | 415 |
| (36) Richmond K. Turner, Vice Admiral, USN | Director of War Plans, OpNav | 250, 262 |
| (37) Robert O. Glover, Captain, USN | Attached Plans Division OpNav | 170 |
| (38) John L. McCrea, Captain, USN | Aide to CNO | 273 |
| (39) Charles Wellborn, Jr., Captain, USN | Administrative Aide to CNO | 383 |
| (40) Roland M. Brainard, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.) | Director of Ship Movements Division, OpNav | 399 |
[1] Pages referred to are indicated by italic figures enclosed by brackets and represent pages of original exhibit.
In reply address
Secretary of the Navy
and refer to No.
[A(1)] [Copy]
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, 12 February 1944.
JAG:D-1:LLP
From: The Secretary of the Navy.
To: Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, Navy Department,
Washington, D. C.
Subj: Examination of witnesses for purpose of recording and preserving testimony pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941.
Whereas, on 7 December 1941, Japanese armed forces made an attack against Army and Navy installations and ships of the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, which attack was a complete surprise to the commanders of the said installations and ships, and
Page 4
Whereas, regrettable loss of life and extensive damage resulted from the said attack, and
Whereas, certain members of the naval forces, who have knowledge pertinent to the foregoing matters, are now or soon may be on dangerous assignments at great distances from the United States, and
Whereas, it is now deemed necessary, in order to prevent evidence being lost by death or unavoidable absence of those certain members of the naval forces, that their testimony, pertinent to the aforesaid Japanese attack be recorded and preserved,
I hereby detail you to examine such members of the naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the said surprise attack and fully record the testimony given thereby. Under the authority of Title 5, Section 93, of the U. S. Code, you are authorized and directed to administer an oath to any witness called by you to testify or depose in the course of this examination into the subject-named matter.
In view of the fact that Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel; U. S. Navy, Retired, was, on 7 December 1941, serving on active duty as the commander-in-chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, with the rank of Admiral, U. S. Navy, and [A(2)] therefore, has an interest in the matter into which this examination is being made, you will notify him of the times and places of the meetings to be had and that he has the right to be present, to have counsel, to introduce, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, to introduce matter pertinent to the examination and to testify or declare in his own behalf at his own request.
Upon completion of the examination you will submit a complete record of all the testimony taken, including any documents introduced therein, to the Secretary of the Navy. The provisions of Sections 733 and 734, Naval Courts and Boards, will govern the proceedings of this examination, in so far as such provisions are applicable thereto. The necessary clerical assistance to aid you in recording the testimony will be furnished you upon your request by the appropriate command in the area in which meetings are held. (SGD) FRANK KNOX.
[B] Office of the Secretary.
JAG:D-1:ps.
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Washington 25, D. C., 16 Feb 1944.
To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy.
Via: The Judge Advocate General.
Subj: Orders as counsel to assist examining officer.
1. You are hereby directed to report to Admiral Thomas C. Hart. U. S. Navy, Retired, as counsel to assist him in the examination of such members of the U. S. naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941, which examination was directed by my precept of 12 February 1944.
/s/ FRANK KNOX,
Secretary of the Navy.
Page 5
[C] Office of the Secretary.
JAG:D-1:ps
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY,
Washington 25, D. C., 16 Feb. 1944.
1. You are hereby directed to report to Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, as assistant counsel to assist him in the examination of such members of the U. S. naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941, which examination was directed by my precept of 12 February 1944.
/s/ FRANK KNOX,
Secretary of the Navy.
/s/ T. L. Gatch,
T. L. GATCH,
The Judge Advocate General.
Page 6
17 FEB 1944.
To: Lieutenant William M. Whittington Jr., U. S. N. R.
1. Reported this date.
/s/ Thos. C. Hart,
THOMAS C. HART,
Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired.
[D] Office of the Secretary
JAG:I:ps
(SC)/P16-4/00
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Washington 25, D. C., 27 April 1944.
To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy.
Via: The Judge Advocate General.
Subj: Orders as counsel to assist examining officer
Ref: (a) SecNav. ltr., JAG:D-1:ps (SC) P16-4/00, dated 16 February 1944, with endorsement thereon.
1. When directed by Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, you will consider yourself relieved of the duties assigned by reference (a) and will then report to the Judge Advocate General and resume your regular duties.
/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL,
Acting Secretary of the Navy.
JAG:AJ:RLD
From: The Judge Advocate General.
To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. N.
1. Delivered.
/s/ F. L. Lowe,
F. L. LOWE,
Assistant Judge Advocate General.
From: Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy (Ret.)
To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy.
1. Relieved as counsel to assist the examining officer. You will carry out the basic orders.
/s/ Thos. C. Hart.
THOS. C. HART.
A true copy. Attest:
THOMAS C. HART,
Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired,
Examining Officer.
Page 7
[E] Office of the Secretary
JAG:I:ps
(SC) P16-4/QR3
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY,
Washington 25, D. C., 28 April 1944
To: Lieutenant William M. Whittington, Jr., U. S. N. R.
Via. The Judge Advocate General.
Subj: Orders as assistant counsel to assist examining officer.
Ref: (a) SecNav ltr., JAG:D-1:ps (SC)P16-4/QR3, dated 16 February 1944, with endorsement thereon.
1. Reference (a) is hereby modified to the extent that when directed by Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, you will assume the duties of counsel to assist him in the examination of such members of the U. S. naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941, which examination was directed by my precept of 12 February 1944.
/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL,
Acting Secretary of the Navy.
From: The Judge Advocate General.
To: Lieutenant William M. Whittington, Jr., USNR.
1. Delivered.
/s/ F. L. Lowe,
F. L. LOWE,
Assistant Judge Advocate General.