Crat wristwatches at $1.98, Yellow Bowl pipes and tobacco pouches at $1.00, and
Evans pocket lighters at 98 cents. Better-heeled givers could have their choice of
Agfa Pioneer cameras at $3.65. Who would be able to resist Braeburn miniature
chocolates at $1.19 for a four-pound box, or for the thrift-minded four pounds of
Woodridge chocolates for $1.00? At a price that soared far above People’s mod-
est offerings was a Remington electric shaver at $17.50, “The Gift He’s Proud to
Show His Buddies. ” 35
High spirits could be sustained at low prices. Clark’s Monogram five-year-old
rye or bourbon was selling at $5.50 for three full quarts. For an elegant touch,
Friday, December 12, 1941 217
there was 1928 extra dry French champagne at $3.79 a fifth. Other elegancies on
offer included Cinzano vermouth at $1.49 for a large bottle, Duff Gordon sherry,
$1.29 a fifth and, for the connoisseur, Peter Dawson Old Curio Scotch whiskey at
$4.09 a fifth. Rationing lay in the future but prudent buyers were taking advantage
of favorable prices and availability. 36
Books advertised in The New York Times continued to feature the wars of the
world in all of their protean dimensions. The Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang
published A Leaf in the Storm, a Novel of War-Swept China. Buyers could learn from Lt. Colonel Woodburne E. Remington in Cross Winds of Empire why Japan was
attacking the Philippines. Sven Hedin’s Chiang Kai Shek would enable the reader to know the man leading China; and in Total Espionage Kurt Reiss warned that
German and Japanese spies were everywhere. For literary relief from the stresses
and strains of world war, Louise Andrews Hunt’s Mrs. Appleyard’s Year was advertised as warm, humorous, hilarious, nostalgic, and tender. 37
Life in These United States: As the World Turns
In the world of 1941 there was society and there was Society. However small
a segment of the population they were, the news of the doings of Society was
carefully noted and lovingly recorded, if not in the tabloids, then in the major
metropolitan dailies. And society was deeply interested in the doings of Society,
whether out of envy, curiosity or ambition. Perhaps Society occupied a place
similar to that of movie stars and athletes—it was interesting if not particularly
useful to be in the know. Whether in the august New York Times or across the
nation in rural weeklies, the urge was similar. People liked to know what other
people were doing, an interest that did not require personal acquaintance. There
was no older mantra in the newspaper business than “Names Make News.”
There was undoubtedly a widespread interest in news of the prospective wed-
ding of Pamela Tower, the great-granddaughter of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt and
of former Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney, and niece of Cornelius
Vanderbilt Whitney, to Jay Ketcham Secor, a graduate of Hotchkiss and Yale and
captain of Yale’s polo team. 38
Another athlete in the news was Marjorie Manners, a member of the 1936
Canadian Olympic Ski Team, who was married to Oscar S. Straus II, grandson
of former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Oscar Straus, and of Daniel Guggenheim,
philanthropist, and industrialist. 39
These were established names. Eyebrows were undoubtedly raised at reports of
the prospective wedding of Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt to Pat DeCicco. Vanderbilts
did not often wed spouses whose name ended in vowels.
Denver had its own “Smart Younger Set” who would join together in a holiday
portrait fete hosted by Mary Jane Metcalfe, seen gazing soulfully at the newspaper
reader in her formal portrait. 40
The news of Society was not always cheerful, and Society was not all of one
mind about the stressful issue of divorce. In this case it was the divorce sought
by Mrs. Anthony Bliss, who was the daughter of Marshall Field, on grounds of
218 First Week at War: December 8–13, 1941
cruelty. Mr. Field, heir to a department store fortune, was the former owner of the
liberal New York newspaper PM and of the newly hatched Chicago Sun . 41
*
Among notable deaths on the international scene was that of the fifth Duke of
Wellington, great-grandson of the Iron Duke. It was his custom annually to
celebrate the anniversary of Waterloo by presenting to the King of Spain a min-
iature Napoleonic standard. Among his perquisites was the right to remain in the
presence of the King of Spain while wearing a hat.
*
The early weeks of December saw the conclusion of the college football season
and the naming of the All-American team. Wide readership was assured for the
Los Angeles Times ’s full display of 1941’s leather-helmeted All-Americans. 42
And to kindle the spirit of a nation at war there were the songs of war. Civil
War Union troops had marched to the refrain of “John Brown’s Body.” There
was a lighter touch in the Spanish-American War to which memories were sum-
moned by the tune of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” George M.
Cohan had furnished the mood music for America’s World War with “Over
There” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.”
In a new war, audiences would flock to see the musical This Is the Army , where
a wispy Irving Berlin, outfitted in a First World War campaign hat, high-collared
tunic and wraparound puttees, reprised in a quavering voice his 1917 classic “Oh
How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning.” It told the tale of the sleepy recruit who,
when awakened by the insistent bugler, dreams of the day when:
I’ll put my uniform away
And move to Philadelph-i-a
And spend the rest of my life in bed.
This time Tin Pan Alley snapped to attention and went to work with a will.
The outpouring of songs in the first weeks of the war included “The Sun Will
Soon Be Setting For the Land of the Rising Sun,” “You’re a Sap, Mr. Jap,” “The
Japs Won’t Have a Chinaman’s Chance,” “Taps for the Japs” and “We’re the Guys
to Do It.” None of these songs has registered in the historical consciousness, but
“Goodbye, Mama, We’ll See You in Yokohama” may faithfully have recorded the
spirit of the long lines that curled around the recruiting offices.
Notes
1.
Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 1
2.
New York Times , December 12, 1941, 1
3.
Atlanta Constitution , December 12, 1941, 2
4.
Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 1
5.
Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 1
6.
Washington Post , December 12, 1941, 3
Friday, December 12, 1941 219
7.
Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 16
8.
Atlanta Constitution , December 12, 1941, 1
9.
New York Times , December 12, 1941, 1
10. Chicago Tribune , December 12, 1941, 1
11. Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 16A
12. Denver Post , December 12, 1941, 4
13. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 6
14. Atlanta Constitution , December 12, 1941, 1
15. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 10
16. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 16
&n
bsp; 17. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 1
18. Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 17A
19. Denver Post , December 12, 1941, 6
20. Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 17A
21. Oregonian , December 12, 1941, 1
22. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 21
23. Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 12A
24. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 52
25. Washington Post , December 12, 1941, 12
26. Chicago Tribune , December 12, 1941, 18
27. Chicago Tribune , December 12, 1941, 16
28. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 26
29. Chicago Tribune , December 12, 1941, 18
30. Atlanta Constitution , December 12, 1941, 21
31. Denver Post , December 12, 1941, 2/14
32. Houston Chronicle , December 12, 1941, 2B
33. Chicago Tribune , December 12, 1941, 18
34. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 24
35. Washington Post , December 12, 1941, 11
36. Washington Post , December 12, 1941, 17
37. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 31
38. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 32
39. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 32
40. Denver Post , December 12, 1941, 25
41. New York Times , December 12, 1941, 52
42. Los Angeles Times , December 12, 1941, 1/19
20
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1941
FIGURE 20.1 See color plate section.
Courtesy of National Archives, 51388,6 NWDNS-44-PA-427, Office of Government Reports.
Saturday, December 13, 1941 221
America at War: Optimism Over Asia
The Navy had been close-mouthed about its own losses in the attack on Pearl
Harbor. It had admitted the sinking of the battleship Arizona and unspecified
damage to other vessels. The Japanese had claimed, in addition to the Arizona ,
damage to two other U.S. battleships. The truth was that the U.S. battle line
had suffered even more serious damage, which it would take many months
to repair. The Navy was evidently following the President’s advice not to
disclose information that would lend aid and comfort to the enemy; but that
the United States had suffered a severe defeat, including up to 3,000 deaths,
was clear to all.
The public had rallied in near unanimity to the nation’s cause. In the face of
an initial defeat there was a hunger for more positive news that would sustain
the country’s self-image as a perennial winner. This the armed forces supplied in
quantity. Thus, The Oregonian headlined:
FOE FLEET
IN FLIGHT
FROM NAVY
It offered the subheadline: “Nipponese Decline To Fight. ” 1 This report was confirmed by Admiral Thomas Hart, commanding the U.S. Asiatic Fleet. A Japanese battle fleet, he said, had fled to avoid contact with an American fleet off
Manila. This was not all. Admiral Hart announced that the Japanese had yet to
face one of the most powerful American arms, its submarines. In a sunny forecast
he added: “When the news comes, it should be big news. When a torpedo hits
anything it stays hit. But a submarine is like a big game hunter with an elephant
gun who sits hour after hour, day after day, awaiting his prey. Sometimes it takes a
long time to get results.” 2 , 3 , 4
In addition to reports of Japanese fleets turning and running from American
warships, the Army reported a continuing string of successes. It told of rebuffing
attempted Japanese landings on the Luzon west coast, wiping out the invaders.
General Douglas MacArthur’s communiqué said that mopping-up operations in
the Lingayen area had been completed and that there had been no Japanese gains
or other landings reported. This was a second Japanese attempt to gain a foothold
in Luzon that had been smashed in intense defensive battles.
Buoyed by such reports, Admiral Hart was in excellent spirits at his press
conference. He was a generous foe. He commended the Japanese pilots for
their formation flying and accuracy. With pardonable pride he claimed that
no Japanese battleship had been seen within sight of the Philippine coast and
he wisely cautioned against rumors claiming each Japanese ship hit was a
battleship. 5
Reports were encouraging on other fronts. The gallant Marine garrison of
Wake Island continued its vigorous defense. British and Empire troops were
reported as turning back Japanese attacks on Hong Kong and in the northern
222 First Week at War: December 8–13, 1941
reaches of Malaya. A Dutch destroyer claimed 4,000 enemy troops killed as it sank
four Japanese transports. 6
America at War: First Heroes of the New War
America cherishes its heroes. From these combats America found and eagerly
embraced its first heroes of this new war. It was General MacArthur who sor-
rowfully announced the death of Army Air Force Captain Colin P. Kelly, Jr.,
who had scored three direct hits on the Japanese battleship Haruna , leaving that vessel consumed by f lames. A 1937 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Captain Kelly left behind his widow and his eighteen-month-old son Colin
P. Kelly III. “He was a marvelous officer,” Captain Kelly’s widow said. “I know
he would have wanted to die in action.”
The captain had all of the attributes of an American hero. He was a combina-
tion of Irish blood and Southern sunshine, who enjoyed the best qualities of both
heritages. At West Point he had played football, run cross-country, and boxed.
Versatile, he sang in the Cadet Choir. He was the advertising manager of The
Howitzer , a student publication. An expert at the pistol, he was also a member of the Cadet Players, producers of an annual show. His father, an electrician in a local
coal mine, was modestly brief: “I am proud that he did his part for his country.” 7
There was a solemn tribute paid to Captain Kelly at the annual dinner of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians at New York’s Hotel Commodore; the hero was
honored with a two-minute silence followed by the sounding of “Taps.”
Admiral Hart was pleased once more to be the bearer of glad tidings when he
announced that Navy pilot Lieutenant Clarence A. Keller, Jr., had sighted the
Japanese battleship Kongo , or a battleship of her class, off the northwest Luzon coast. He had maintained contact in the face of fierce antiaircraft fire. Other
planes arrived and, joined by Lieutenant Commander J. V. Petersen, they pressed
home the assault under heavy fire, scoring at least one hit and a probable two. The
ship, they reported, was definitely out of control and seriously crippled.
Keller had been appointed to the Naval Academy after studying at Wichita
University. He was married with one child, a daughter. This was not the first
occasion in which Keller had maintained his focus in a difficult situation. Flying
his plane close to the water, he had driven sharks away from a group of ship-
wrecked Greek sailors off the Virginia capes until they could be rescued. 8
Boyd D. Wagner of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, was typical of American boys
fascinated by aviation. He read voluminously on the subject and built model air-
planes, one of which won a contest sponsored by the Junior Birdmen of America.
His reward was a flight from Johnstown to Philadelphia to meet his idol, Charles
A. Lindbergh.
> It was in the air over Aparri that he distinguished himself when attacked by
five Japanese pursuit planes. According to his citation, he shot down two of the
planes and destroyed five more aircraft left burning on the ground. The press, as
usual, was interested in domestic details, which his family was glad to supply. His
mother said she was doubly happy that her son was both honored and safe. “I just
Saturday, December 13, 1941 223
feel happy,” said his grandmother. “I was sad that Boyd was in the war, but I am
glad he did something.” According to press reports, he indeed did. 9
A World in Flames: Other Fronts
There was action this day in other theaters of operations. In the Mediterranean,
British and Dutch destroyers sank one Italian cruiser and left a second burning
from stem to stern. Taking into account another Italian cruiser that was believed
to have been sunk the day before by a British submarine, that would mean
that an entire f lotilla of three Italian cruisers had been sent to the bottom. 10
The Soviets announced a decisive victory before Moscow where they recaptured
more than 400 towns and villages, defeating German armies north and south of
the capital. 11 And in Libya, the British continued to advance westward beyond Gazala, which was still held by the enemy. 12
The position of France in a world at war continued to be ambiguous. The
country was now divided into two zones, one occupied and the other unoccupied
but certainly not free. The United States continued to maintain diplomatic rela-
tions with the Vichy government, which it regarded the legitimate government
of France. The ambiguity was heightened by the American seizure of fourteen
French ships in American ports. These included the luxury liner Normandie , the
most recent French contestant for the Blue Ribbon of the Atlantic. No reason was
given and no comment was made. 13
The War of Nerves
Of all of the great American cities, San Francisco was the most apprehensive about
aerial attacks. For the third night, air-raid signals sounded, this time at 7:24 p.m.,
blacking out the city for two hours and thirty-four minutes until the all clear at
9:58 p.m. “Unidentified airplanes” were the cause. The press called the blackout
weird. It reported that dogs had howled, and “people were running around like
Crucible of a Generation Page 35
