The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Wilmington, NC's Ties to Pearl Harbor-- Part 1

From the December 7, 2011, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Wilmington historian explores ties during anniversary" by Wilbur D. Jones Jr.

At least 21 men and 5 women from the Wilmington area were there that day when the Japanese attacked.  Three died: one each on the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma and USS Shaw.  These were the first of over 400,000 Americans to die in the war.

Only one of the three who died did so instantly.  Radioman 2nd Class Clyde Carson Moore was on the destroyer  USS Shaw which was in the US Naval Shipyard's floating dry dock No. 2.  Three bombs set off the forward magazine, demolishing the ship's bow and killing 23.  This is probably the famous photo of the Shaw exploding.

Wilbur Jones' wife, Carroll Robbins Jones was seven at the time and at Pearl Harbor.  Her father, Lt. Berton A. Robbins Jr was the Shaw's Executive Officer and had departed from his residence ashore and was just starting to board his ship when the explosion occurred., but suffered no injury.  He eventually was able to retrieve the ship's ensign and turned it over to the US Naval Academy Museum.

A Close Call for Lt. Robbins.  --GreGen

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