Diary+Entry+-+Dec.+7th+1941


 * Dec. 7th 1941.**

Dear Diary, You would not believe what is happening. Today, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, a place in Hawaii where the American navy's main force was located, and the attack sank more than five battleships. The war between Japan and the U.S is here, finally. I will write more about it... I am getting relocated to Southern California.


 * Dec. 11th 1941.**

Dairy, so this is how the whole thing started. We were waiting for the war for so long. We were standing by for about two years. Usually, we were there as garrisons, watching out for potential Japanese invasion. Meanwhile numerous news about more Japanese expansion in the Pacific Ocean were brought to us. No one really spoke up, but we were kind of aware that the Japanese fleet was moving towards Hawaii. Then on Dec. 7th, BAM! Torpedos, and suicide attack (a.k.a Kamikaze) sank ships after ships, and my battalion was suddenly put to war status. Finally we were put to action! Few companies, including mine, were to go down to the coast of southern California, and were to defend the Japanese invasion to the American mainland. When I got there, I could see that people were panicking and the city was busy. Some bought up goods and went under to their underground bunkers, while others moved out to rural areas and other states. California was totally out of control for few days, and everyone was expecting an invasion. My buddies looked nervous and intimidated, swept by the packing atmosphere, and so was I. I was, even though I was never trained to, put in charge of an anti-aircraft gun. We were on standby 24 hours, night and day, but the Japanese force never was never seen. I am on duty now, and I am in a bunker with an anti-aircraft gun, near an empty beach. Now nobody is swimming or sunbathing here.


 * Dec. 27th 1941**

they ended the 24 hour watch, and we are now more free. We are getting to be dispatched to actually enter the offensive war. I forgot to write about this earlier on, but Japanese army invaded Philippines, which was under American control. As a result, the US got another reason to enter an open war with Japan. The families who have sons going on this war are very much worried. They have already learned from the case of World War II that coming back from war is very unlikely. Also, the American families have already lost their beloved sons on the second world war, so they are really reluctant to send more to the Pacific War. However, we can't let this opportunity of glory and honor just pass by us. Everyday people are cheering for us, encouraging us. I am feeling more proud than ever to be an American and an American soldier. Other soldiers are feeling the same way as I do.