Logan Reid
On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, marking a significant escalation of hostilities between the two nations. The surprise attack caused extensive damage, sinking and capsizing multiple ships, including the USS Arizona, and resulting in numerous casualties. While the Japanese targeted military assets, the question arises as to whether hospitals were also among the targets. This inquiry delves into the specific actions taken by the Japanese during the assault and explores the impact on medical facilities and personnel at Pearl Harbor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of attack | 7 December 1941 |
| Attackers | Japanese forces |
| Target | American bases at Pearl Harbor |
| Aim | Destroy important American fleet units, prevent interference with Japanese conquest of Dutch East Indies and Malaya |
| Reconnaissance | Floatplanes launched from cruisers Chikuma and Tone |
| Hospitals attacked | Hickam Field, Tripler Hospital, Schofield Barracks Hospital |
| Notable individuals | Lt. Grace Lally, Lt. Annie G. Fox, Ann Danyo Willgrube, Myrtle Watson |
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What You'll Learn
Japanese pilots avoided bombing hospitals
The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, was a pivotal moment in World War II. The Japanese military had been planning the attack for several months, training pilots, adapting equipment, and collecting intelligence. Despite this extensive preparation, it is notable that Japanese pilots avoided bombing hospitals during the attack.
One theory for this decision is that the Japanese wished to minimise civilian casualties and limit the attack to military targets. By sparing hospitals, the Japanese pilots may have recognised that these facilities would be needed to treat the wounded from both sides. Additionally, the Japanese may have wanted to avoid causing unnecessary damage to non-military infrastructure, as hospitals were vital for the well-being of the local population.
Another factor could be the potential international backlash and negative publicity that would likely arise from attacking hospitals. The Japanese may have calculated that bombing hospitals would garner significant criticism and erode any remaining support they had from neutral countries or allies. Preserving their public image and international relations may have been a strategic consideration.
Moreover, Japanese pilots may have refrained from bombing hospitals out of respect for the Geneva Conventions, which establish the protection of medical personnel and facilities during times of war. Although Japan had not ratified the Conventions at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, they may still have recognised and abided by these international laws and customs of war.
The decision of Japanese pilots to avoid bombing hospitals stands in stark contrast to the extensive damage and loss of life caused by the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack destroyed important American fleet units and left countless servicemen wounded. Despite the Japanese military's extensive planning and execution, their decision to spare hospitals showcases a level of restraint and potential adherence to international norms, even in the midst of a devastating surprise attack.
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Hickam Field hospital was a focal point of activity
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a significant event in the history of World War II. While the attack primarily targeted military installations and ships, hospitals also played a crucial role in responding to the casualties and treating the wounded. Hickam Field hospital, in particular, became a focal point of activity during and after the attack.
Hickam Field hospital, a small, newly opened facility with 30 beds, was led by First Lieutenant Annie G. Fox of the Army Nurse Corps. Lt. Fox, who had joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1918, demonstrated exceptional courage and received the Bronze Star for her actions during the attack. The hospital's staff, including six nurses, faced supply shortages but remained dedicated to aiding the wounded servicemen.
The hospital became a hive of activity as casualties poured in. Many of the enlisted men at Hickam Field were sleeping in their barracks during the attack and suffered tragic fates, with many burning to death in their bunks. The hospital had to prioritize treating burn victims and those requiring urgent surgery.
The proximity of the hospital to the attack site placed it in a precarious situation. A nurse recalled seeing black smoke streaming up from Pearl Harbor and a Japanese pilot flying low over the hospital, waving at them. Fortunately, the hospital was not bombed, which was a relief as they felt vulnerable being so close to the action.
The experiences of the Hickam Field hospital staff, particularly Lt. Fox, exemplify the heroism and dedication of the medical personnel who responded to the Pearl Harbor attack. Their efforts to save lives and treat the wounded amidst supply shortages and the ongoing threat of further attacks demonstrate their resilience and selflessness in the face of adversity.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was meticulously planned by the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff, with full-scale planning commencing in early spring 1941. The aim was to destroy important American fleet units and prevent interference with Japan's conquests in the Pacific. The attack was kept secret, and press coverage in wartime Japan was heavily censored.
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USS Solace, a hospital ship, was not attacked
The USS Solace played a critical role in providing medical assistance during and after the attack. Navy Nurse Corps Lt. Grace Lally, known as "Tugboat Annie," was the chief nurse aboard the USS Solace during the attack. Lally and her team, including Willgrube, set up emergency wards for the wounded, many of whom were burn victims. According to the Pearl Harbor Museum, the crew treated approximately 300 injured servicemen.
On December 7, 1941, at 0755, a group of physicians eating breakfast in the wardroom of the USS Solace felt the ship vibrate as explosions were heard. The USS Solace immediately sprang into action, sending motor launches with stretcher parties to the burning battleship USS Arizona to evacuate the injured and rescue men from the water, which was covered in burning oil.
After providing aid to the USS Arizona, the USS Solace continued her humanitarian efforts by assisting the West Virginia and Oklahoma ships. In the following months, the USS Solace shuttled between various locations, including New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, and the Fiji Islands, tirelessly caring for fleet casualties and servicemen wounded in the island campaigns.
The USS Solace's service extended beyond Pearl Harbor. In March 1942, she was ordered to the South Pacific, visiting Samoa, the Tonga Islands, and New Zealand. Later, she sailed to the Marshall Islands, the Admiralty Islands, and Australia, offering medical support wherever she was needed. The USS Solace was decommissioned at Norfolk on March 27, 1946, and subsequently sold to the Turkish Maritime Lines in 1948.
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Tripler Hospital continued to operate despite the attacks
On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked American bases at Pearl Harbor. The attack was the culmination of months of planning by Rear Admiral Ryūnosuke Kusaka, Commander Minoru Genda, and Captain Kameto Kuroshima, Yamamoto's deputy chief of staff. The Japanese aimed to destroy important American fleet units and prevent the Pacific Fleet from interfering with their conquest of the Dutch East Indies and Malaya. Despite the intense bombings, Tripler Hospital, located in Pearl Harbor, continued to operate and treat patients.
Tripler Hospital, also known as Tripler General, was at the forefront of providing medical care during the Pearl Harbor attacks. The hospital took in a significant number of burn victims and those requiring surgery. The staff at Tripler faced supply shortages, yet they persevered and provided essential treatment to those in need. The dedication of the medical personnel at Tripler exemplifies the resilience and determination of the healthcare workers who risked their lives to aid the wounded servicemen.
One account from a nurse at Tripler Hospital describes the terrifying moments during the attack. Marguerite Oberson, a nurse at the hospital, recalled being woken up just after 7:55 a.m. and informed that the base was under attack. She witnessed black smoke billowing over the hills from Pearl Harbor and saw a Japanese pilot flying low over the hospital, waving at them. Oberson and her colleagues sprang into action, tending to the influx of injured servicemen.
The experiences of the medical personnel at Tripler Hospital during the Pearl Harbor attacks showcase their resilience and dedication to their duties. Despite the dangers and challenges they faced, they persevered in providing critical care to those injured in the attack. Their efforts exemplify the heroism and selflessness of healthcare workers in the face of adversity. The legacy of their service continues to inspire and remind us of the importance of medical personnel in military conflicts.
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Heroic nurses at Schofield Barracks Hospital
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked American bases at Pearl Harbor. In the midst of the chaos, there were countless stories of heroism, including that of the nurses at Schofield Barracks Hospital.
One of these heroic nurses was 28-year-old Army nurse Myrtle Watson, who was assigned to the orthopedic ward of Schofield Barracks Hospital. That Sunday morning, her assignment was to push patients' beds out onto the hospital's wrap-around porch so they could watch the inter-regimental football game. Little did she know that the peaceful scene would soon be shattered by the sound of bombs and gunfire.
As the Japanese planes flew overhead, the nurses at Schofield Barracks Hospital sprang into action. They faced supply shortages, but that did not stop them from doing their utmost to care for the wounded. Many of the enlisted men at Hickam Field, where one of the hospitals was located, burned to death in their bunks, and the hospital was inundated with burn victims.
Another nurse, First Lieutenant Annie G. Fox of the Army Nurse Corps, received a Bronze Star for her courageous actions during the attack. She was the Head Nurse at Hickam Field, and her leadership and dedication to her duties undoubtedly saved countless lives.
Navy Nurse Corps Lt. Grace Lally, known as "Tugboat Annie," was also a hero of the Pearl Harbor attack. She was the chief nurse aboard the Solace, a hospital ship that did not come under fire. She and her staff helped set up emergency wards for the wounded, most of whom were burn victims. Their quick thinking and medical expertise undoubtedly saved countless lives.
The nurses at Schofield Barracks Hospital, and all the medical professionals who responded to the attack on Pearl Harbor, displayed extraordinary courage and dedication in the face of adversity. Their selflessness and bravery should never be forgotten, and they stand as a testament to the power of human resilience and compassion in even the darkest of times.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no explicit evidence that Japan attacked hospitals during the raid on Pearl Harbor, Hickam Field, a military base with a hospital, was a target.
Yes, there were several nurses at Pearl Harbor who helped the wounded servicemen, including First Lieutenant Annie G. Fox, who received a Bronze Star for her bravery.
Navy Nurse Corps Lt. Grace Lally, also known as "Tugboat Annie", was the chief nurse aboard the USS Solace, a hospital ship that did not come under fire during the attack. She and her staff helped set up emergency wards for the wounded, many of whom were burn victims.
Although there was no explicit warning, a Gallup poll taken before the attack showed that 52% of Americans expected war with Japan. Additionally, there were reports of Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa providing information about the American fleet composition and location at Pearl Harbor.
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