December 1941

by Craig Shirley

  CHAPTER 13: THE THIRTEENTH OF DECEMBER

  1. Associated Press, “Californians ‘Lose Pants’ in Jap Cleaning Shop,” Birmingham (AL) News, December 12, 1941, 1.

  2. Los Angeles Times, “Census Bureau Tells Reason for Crowded Clothes Closets,” December 12, 1941, 13.

  3. Associated Press, “Sees Open Season on ‘Japs’,” New York Times, December 12, 1941, 21.

  4. Washington Evening Star, “Ship, Japan Mail, Has Name Changed to China Mail,” December 13, 1941, A12.

  5. Boston Globe, “Axis Nationals Being Taken Off American Ships,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  6. Associated Press Wire Photo, “Alien Detention Camp in Canal Zone,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A12.

  7. Associated Press Wire Photo, “Alien Detention Camp in Canal Zone,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A12.

  8. Associated Press, “Total of 2,541 Enemy Aliens Are Arrested,” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 5.

  9. New York Times, “Central America Now Fully in War,” December 13, 1941, 7.

  10. Associated Press, “Housewife’s ‘Doorstop’ Proves to Be 50-Pound Aerial Bomb,” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 2.

  11. Los Angeles Times, “Gloria Vanderbilt Will Be Married to Di Cicco,” December 12, 1941, 1-Part II.

  12. Atlanta Constitution, “To Amuse Us Today,” December 12, 1941, 19.

  13. Atlanta Constitution, “War Takes Play in Newsreels Showing at Movie Houses Here,” December 12, 1941, 19.

  14. Associated Press, “A Tokyo Claim—It’s Suspect,” San Francisco Chronicle, December 13, 1941, 1.

  15. Associated Press, “Japanese Claim U.S. Battleship Arizona Is Sunk,” Birmingham (AL) News, December 13, 1941, 1.

  16. Constantine Brown, “This Changing World,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A9.

  17. Associated Press, “Knox Returns From Hawaii; Hurries Here,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, 1.

  18. Washington Post, “Rain and Sleet Slow Washington Traffic; Many Late to Work,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  19. John C. Henry, “High Naval Officials Called to White House for Consultation,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A3.

  20. Associated Press, “Capital Moves to Tap Vast War Reserves,” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 1.

  21. Associated Press, “Bombers and More Bombers Likely to Be Cry in War of Pacific,” Birmingham (AL) News, December 13, 1941, 2.

  22. International News Service, “The President’s Day,” Washington Post, December 13, 1941, 2.

  23. International News Service, “The President’s Day,” Washington Post, December 13, 1941, 2.

  24. Washington Evening Star, “Encircled Axis Troops Attacked by British West of Tobruk,” December 13, 1941, A2.

  25. Associated Press, “Army Cancels Coast Blackout to Avoid Hysteria,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 31.

  26. Associated Press, “Warnings Wear Out Fire Engine Sirens,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A9.

  27. Los Angeles Times, “Man Glows in Blackout,” December 13, 1941, 5.

  28. Los Angeles Times, “Black-out Hint on Calling Doctor,” December 12, 1941, D.

  29. Los Angeles Times, “Windows Dim at Plane Plants,” December 12, 1941, 5.

  30. Los Angeles Times, “Alien Rules Tightened,” December 12, 1941, 2-Part II.

  31. Associated Press, “Blackout Extended 100 Miles Eastward from San Francisco,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A12.

  32. Los Angeles Times, “Blue Car Lights Under Ban; Autos Must Halt in Blackouts,” December 13, 1941, 1.

  33. San Francisco Chronicle, “FDR Slaps a ‘Keep Out’ Order on S.F. Harbor; Navy’s in Charge,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  34. San Francisco Chronicle, “FDR Slaps a ‘Keep Out’ Order on S.F. Harbor; Navy’s in Charge,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  35. Baltimore Sun, “Blackout of Baltimore Within 10 Days Planned; Westminster Has Drill,” December 13, 1941, 24.

  36. Associated Press, “3d Blackout in San Diego; ‘Something’ Off the Coast,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 22.

  37. Associated Press, “Brief Alert Is Sounded on New England Coast,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A2.

  38. New York Times, “Veteran Briton Gives Us Raid Pointers; Says Police and Fire Autos Should Use Bells,” December 12, 1941, 20.

  39. New York Times, “Veteran Briton Gives Us Raid Pointers; Says Police and Fire Autos Should Use Bells,” December 12, 1941, 20.

  40. Los Angeles Times, “Weather Bureau Halts Forecasts,” December 13, 1941, 1.

  41. Associated Press, “New Orleans Won’t Have Mardi Gras,” Los Angeles Times, December 13, 1941, D.

  42. New York Times, “Churches Prepare for Raids on City,” December 12, 1941, 21.

  43. New York Times, “Theatres to Test Blackout Tonight; Lights in 45th Street Are to Go Out,” December 13, 1941, 12.

  44. Paul Mallon, “Huge Increase in Army Now Is Imperative,” Birmingham (AL) News, December 12, 1941, 1.

  45. Eugene Burns, “Six Vicious Raids by Japs Leave Oahu’s Defenders Fighting Mad,” Washington Evening Star, December 12, 1941, A8.

  46. Associated Press, “Japanese Populace Told New York Was Bombed Twice,” Los Angeles Times, December 13, 1941, A.

  47. Washington Evening Star, “Day Parking Banned For Christmas Season,” December 13, 1941, A7.

  48. Washington Evening Star, “War Won’t Stop D.C. Christmas Tree Program,” December 13, 1941, A16.

  49. Christine Sadler, “Guns Mounted, D.C. Wardens on 24-Hr. Shift,” Washington Post, December 13, 1941, 8.

  50. Eleanor Roosevelt, “My Day,” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 14.

  51. New York Times, “City Calm As The War Widens,” December 12, 1941, 1.

  52. Boston Globe, “Says Jap Attack Brings Unanimity of Action to U.S.,” December 12, 1941, 4.

  53. Boston Globe, “National Peace Group Disbands, Votes Funds for Defense Bonds,” December 12, 1941, 31.

  54. Los Angeles Times, “America First to Be Dissolved,” December 12, 1941, 8.

  55. Boston Globe, “Hemisphere Solidarity,” December 12, 1941, 26.

  56. New York Times, “City Calm as the War Widens,” December 12, 1941, 1.

  57. New York Times, “14 Convicted Here as German Spies,” December 13, 1941, 1.

  58. New York Times, “14 Convicted Here as German Spies,” December 13, 1941, 1

  59. Associated Press, “‘Loyalty’ Probe Before Civil Pilots Can Fly Again,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 5.

  60. New York Times, “Ban Lifted By CAA on Private Airplanes,” December 12, 1941, 12.

  61. Boston Globe, “Manual Cautions Against Pollution of Water Supply,” December 12, 1941, 31.

  62. Gene R. Casey, “Crack Army Crews Are Constantly Alert at Guns, Searchlights,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 31.

  63. Gene R. Casey, “Key Cities Armed Camps in Greater Boston Now,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 14.

  64. Boston Globe, “State Bans Cameras at Boston’s Airport Following Complaint,” December 12, 1941, 33.

  65. Gene R. Casey, “Key Cities Armed Camps in Greater Boston Now,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 14.

  66. Boston Globe, “Good for You, Food for You, Guinness,” December 12, 1941, 31.

  67. Boston Globe, “Norman Thomas Tells His Stand on War at Harvard University,” December 12, 1941, 33.

  68. Boston Globe, “Museum Closes to Public Its Jap Art Treasures,” December 12, 1941, 23.

  69. Boston Globe, “Pilgrim Monument Beacon Blacked Out at Provincetown,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  70. Associated Press, “Lloyd’s Discontinues War Risk Insurance on Property in U.S.,” Boston Globe, December 12, 1941, 22.

  71. Associated Press, “Price-Fixing Fines Levied,” Los Angeles Times, December 12, 1941, 12.

  72. Associated Press, “Price Ceilings Are Placed on Fats and Oils,
” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 4.

  73. New York Times, “Japanese Farmers Exempt,” December 12, 1941, 3.

  74. New York Times, “City Votes $25,000 for Raid Sirens,” December 12, 1941, 20.

  75. United Press, “Japanese Pounded in Luzon, Warships Chased; Russians Rout Nazi Armies on Moscow Front; House Gets Bill to Register All Men 18 to 64,” New York Times, December 13, 1941, 1.

  76. Saturday Evening Post, “Smoker’s Hack!” December 13, 1941, 60.

  77. Saturday Evening Post, “Greetings from Philip Morris,” December 13, 1941, 64.

  78. Saturday Evening Post, “Something New has been added!,” December 13, 1941, 67.

  79. Saturday Evening Post, “Merry Crispness,” December 13, 1941, 94.

  80. Saturday Evening Post, “Thirst Asks Nothing More,” December 13, 1941, 126.

  81. Associated Press, “Guam Probably Taken By Japs, Navy Says, Conferees O.K. 10 Billion For Defense,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, 1.

  82. Associated Press, “Enemy Is Wiped Out North of Manila by Stubborn Defenders,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, 1.

  83. Associated Press, “Army Concludes Mopping Up in Lingayen Sector,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, 1.

  84. Associated Press, “Japs Claim Sinking of Battleship Arizona at Hawaii Sunday,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A2.

  85. Associated Press, “4000 Japs Drown,” Boston Globe, December 13, 1941, 1.

  86. David M. Nichol, “‘Human Torpedoes’ Story Denied by Jap Naval Attache at Vichy,” Boston Globe, December 13, 1941, 17.

  87. Associated Press, “Tokyo Admits Using ‘Human Torpedoes’,” Washington Post, December 13, 1941, 6.

  88. Associated Press, “Pearl Harbor War Widows to Get More,” Pittsburg Post-Gazette, December 18, 1941, 2.

  89. Associated Press, “‘I Know He’s Happy,’ Mrs. Kelly Says on Death of Hero Husband,” Washington Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A3.

  90. United Press, “First Gold Star of 1942 Awarded,” Los Angeles Times, December 14, 1941, 9.

  CHAPTER 14: THE FOURTEENTH OF DECEMBER

  1. Associated Press, “Line-Up of Countries Now at War,” Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A6.

  2. Associated Press, “Line-Up of Countries Now at War,” Evening Star, December 13, 1941, A6.

  3. Washington Post, “Eire’s Stand Unchanged,” December 1, 1941, 11.

  4. David Brinkley, Washington Goes to War (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988), 93.

  5. Baltimore Sun, “Transit Visas Restricted By Portugal,” December 13, 1941, 4.

  6. Associated Press, “German Army in Headlong Retreat From Moscow After Utter Defeat,” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 1.

  7. Hanson W. Baldwin, “Philippines Delaying Foe,” New York Times, December 13, 1941, 4.

  8. Associated Press, “Nazis Shoot 4 in Paris,” New York Times, December 13, 1941, 4.

  9. By Telephone, “100 Hostages Shot By Nazis in France,” New York Times, December 14, 1941, 1.

  10. New York Times, “Reich to Register Americans Over 50,” December 13, 1941, 7.

  11. W. H. Shippen, “Wherein He Found ‘Sanctity of Space,’ ” Evening Star, December 13, 1941, 17.

  12. Washington Evening Star, “Bolles Urges Dimming Lights to Guard City,” December 13, 1941, A16.

  13. Associated Press, “U.S. Flyers Battle Japs in Manila Raid,” Sunday Star, December 14, 1941, 1.

  14. Associated Press, “War Insurance Firm Created By Government,” Atlanta Constitution, December 14, 1941, 9B.

  15. David Brinkley, Washington Goes to War (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988), xiv.

  16. David Brinkley, Washington Goes to War (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988), 20.

  17. Private Walter Weisbecker, “War and Washington: Soldiers Made to Feel They Belong,” San Francisco Chronicle, December 14, 1941, 8.

  18. Sunday Star, “Where to Go What to Do,” December 14, 1941, B6.

  19. Atlanta Constitution, “Attack on Flag Stirred Troops, Atlantan Says,” December 13, 1941, 11.

  20. Lethbridge Herald, “Censor Puts Ban on Kisses in a Row,” December 15, 1941, 2.

  21. Associated Press, “Plan No Censorship of Domestic Mail,” Boston Sunday Globe, December 14, 1941, 10.

  22. Los Angeles Times, “Less Talk Urged on Navy Actions,” December 13, 1941, 5.

  23. San Francisco Chronicle, “U.S. Worried About Gas Protection, Says Mrs. FDR,” December 14, 1941, 7.

  24. Thomas R. Henry, “Civilian Gas Mask Bill Action Scheduled in Congress Tomorrow,” Sunday Star, December 14, 1941, A3.

  25. Los Angeles Times, “Report of Labor Exodus Denied,” December 14, 1941, 24.

  26. George Gallup, “Air Raid Sentiments Sounded in Gallup Poll,” New York Times, December 13, 1941, 4.

  27. Washington Post, “Do’s and Don’ts for Handling Fire Bombs,” December 13, 1941, 8.

  28. Atlanta Constitution, “Skull Practice Held Here on Handling Incendiary Bombs,” December 14, 1941, 12A.

  29. Sunday Star, “The Volunteer Overlax of Army Here,” December 14, 1941, A4.

  30. Los Angeles Times, “Draft Objector Ready to Serve,” December 13, 1941, 1D.

  31. Atlanta Constitution, “Georgian Killed in Hawaii Attack,” December 13, 1941, 2A.

  32. Birmingham News, “Lauderdale Negro Killed In Naval Engagement,” December 14, 1941, 1.

  33. Boston Sunday Globe, “Military Honors for Lynn Private Killed in Hawaii,” December 14, 1941, 7.

  34. Boston Sunday Globe, “Schools Asked to Make Stretchers and First Aid Chests,” December 14, 1941, 7.

  35. Associated Press, “Blind Man Offers Self and Seeing-Eye Dog as Blackout Guides,” The Sunday Star, December 14, 1941, A3.

  36. Birmingham News, “Boy Scouts to Help,” December 14, 1941, 16.

  37. Birmingham News, “Class at Millport Will Call Off Tour, Buy Defense Bond.”

  38. The Atlanta Constitution, “War Writes New Corus to Song,” December 14, 1941, 1A.

  39. The Atlanta Constitution, “Auto Clubs Helping Defense,” December 14, 1941, 6B.

  40. The Sunday Star, “Gen. Wood Volunteers Services During War,” December 14, 1941, A5.

  41. New York Times, “America First Unit Quits,” December 13, 1941, 10.

  42. Sunday Star, “Gen. Wood Volunteers Services During War,” December 14, 1941, A4.

  43. Associated Press, “Provisions of Draft Bill,” December 13, 1941, 14.

  44. Los Angeles Times, “Worker Surplus Now Wiped Out,” December 13, 1941, 1 Part I.

  45. Associated Press, “Studies No Reason For Not Serving,” Evening Star, December 14, 1941, C1.

  46. Associated Press, “Army Officer Urges Rose Bowl Football Game Be Cancelled,” Atlanta Constitution, December 13, 1941, 1A.

  47. Walter McCallum, “Ban on Big-Time Competitive Golf by U.S.G.A. for Duration of War Expected,” The Sunday Star, December 14, 1941, C2.

  48. Sunday Star, “Riggs, Sarah Cooke Get Top Rankings In U.S. Tennis,” December 14, 1941, C2.

  49. Associated Press, “Frank Capra Quits Films to Join the Signal Corps,” New York Times, December 13, 1941, 24; Joseph McBride. Frank Capra: The Catastrophe of Success (New York: St. Martins Griffin, 2000), 448-460.

  50. Los Angeles Times, “Frank Capra Awaiting Summons from Army,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  51. Hedda Hopper, “What Will Public Say?” Washington Post, November 2, 1942, B6.

  52. Los Angeles Times, “Fox West Coast Theaters,” December 15, 1941, A15.

  53. Associated Press, “Defense Plant Where Explosion Killed Nine,” New York Times, December 13, 1941, 10.

  54. Lost Angeles Times, “Drowned Man’s Body Found, Probable Victim of Blackout,” December 14, 1941, A2.

  55. Christian Science Monitor, “Oregon Sinking Described at Federal Probe,” December 12, 1941, 5.

  56. New York Times, “Canada to Ration Gasoline April 1,” December 1
2, 1941, 12.

  57. Henry E. Rose, “Public to Get Lower Quality Fuel, Means Higher Motorists’ Bills,” Wall Street Journal, December 13, 1941, 1.

  58. Wall Street Journal, “Heavy Food Buying in Some Areas Forces Grocers to Impose Informal Curbs,” December 13, 1941, 2.

  59. Associated Press, “O.P.M. Act Bars Sugar Hoarding or Speculation,” Boston Daily Globe, December 13, 1941, C3.

  60. San Francisco Chronicle, “OPM Order: Deliveries of Sugar to Big Users Curbed,” December 14, 1941, 9.

  61. J.S. Armstrong, “Major Shift Seen In War Financing,” Baltimore Sun, December 13, 1941, 17.

  62. George Gallup, “Price, Wage Control Favored,” Atlanta Constitution, December 14, 1941, 2.

  63. Drew Pearson, “President’s Bodyguard Strips Jap Newsmen of Their White House Passes; Living Costs Continue Upward Trend,” Birmingham News, December 14, 1941, 1.

  64. San Francisco Chronicle, “New York Wrecks Symbol of Goodwill,” December 14, 1941, 13.

  65. Baltimore Sun, “Baltimore Army Nurse ‘Well, Safe’ in Hawaii,” December 13, 1941, 6.

  66. Baltimore Sun, “Baltimore Army Nurse ‘Well, Safe’ in Hawaii,” December 13, 1941, 6.

  67. Sunday Star, “Six U.S. Flyers Cited by Army for ‘Spectacular Heroism’ in Battle to Save Honolulu,” December 14, 1941, A1.

  68. Celestine Sibley, “54 Women Learning Meaning of Dot-Dash in Classes Here,” Atlanta Constitution, December 14, 1941, 4B.

  69. San Francisco Chronicle, “This World” Cover, Col. 5, No. 38, December 14, 1941.

  70. Richard H. Minear, Dr. Seuss Goes to War (New York: The New Press, 2001).

  71. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, “Report By The Secretary of the Navy to the President,” December 14, 1941, Hyde Park, NY.

  72. Glen Babb, “There Is No ‘One Man’ in Japan But Adml. Yamamoto New Hero,” Birmingham News, December 14, 1941, 8.

  73. United Press, “Rear Admiral Kimmel’s Death, Reported by Japan, Doubted,” Los Angeles Times, December 14, 1941, 1.

  74. Clarke Beach, “America’s Strategic Islands Are Keys to Victory in Pacific,” Sunday Star, December 14, 1941, B5.

  75. Owen L. Scott, “U.S. Facing Long Hard-Fought War,” Boston Sunday Globe, December 14, 1941, 7.