AMERICA’S FIRST SHOT

AMERICA’S FIRST SHOT –  On Dec. 7, 1941 just before daybreak, a minesweeper in Pearl Harbor signaled the destroyer USS Ward that it had sighted an unidentified submarine.  Four hours later, lookouts on the Ward spotted the conning tower of a green, two man midget sub trailing a supply ship.  Captain William Outerbridge called for battle stations and ordered “commence firing”.  The sub was fifty yards away when the destroyer hit its conning tower.  It spun crazily, erupted, and sank.  The time was 6:45 –  one hour and ten minutes before Japanese aircraft would arrive.  Nobody in command felt it was necessary to alert the battleships or air fields.  maroon 73 (Significa 3)