Synopses & Reviews
On December 7, 1941, about twenty minutes into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an armor-piercing bomb struck the USS Arizona, penetrating four decks before exploding. An immense fire, fed by ammunition and fuel oil, swept through the ship, instantly killing hundreds of men. The Arizona quickly settled to the bottom of the harbor, taking most of her crew of 1,514 with her. Of the 88 Marines assigned to the battleship, only 15 survived. This account of the Arizona’s Marines on that fateful day, the first to tell their little-known story, also covers the broader history of shipboard Marines as well as the Arizona from her launch in World War I to the dawn of America’s entry into World War II. With more than 100 historic photographs, many never before published, the book is a fitting tribute to Marine detachment Arizona and to all of America's ship-borne Marines. Includes 5 appendices: a copy of the original Muster Roll from December 1, 1941; a copy of the posthumously-awarded letter of commendation to the family of 2nd Lt. C.E. Simensen; a copy of the original affidavit and casualty roster from December 7; an unknowingly heartbreaking letter from Capt. F.V. Valkenburgh to his girlfriend confirming their date to see the movies on the quarterdeck of the Arizona on the evening of December 7; and an appendix listing updated profiles of the Marines detailed in the story.
Review
Leatherneck Magazine, December 2006
"Colonel Dick Camp, USMC (Ret) has truly graced us with a magnificent volume, “Battleship Arizona’s Marines at War.” A fitting memorial to the grand old battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) and her fighting Marines, the book, studded with many never-before-published photographs, proves a gripping read. These unique photos are supported by text that enthusiastically flows with old Corps charisma and charm...Col. Camp skillfully presents a nostalgic glimpse of the glory days of our old battleship Navy and the men-of-steel who manned those ships."
Review
Bill Duncan (The News-Review), December 7, 2006
"[Battleship Arizona's Marines at War] is a fascinating story, and one that touched my heart."
Review
U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, February 2007
“Battleship Arizona’s Marines at War is well-written and thoroughly researched. Retired Marine Colonel Dick Camp has done first-class work in putting together what is, indeed, a fitting tribute to the USS Arizona and her Marines.”
World War II Chronicles, Autumn 2006
"...a fitting tribute to Marine detachment Arizona and to all of America's ship-borne Marines."
Synopsis
On the morning of December 7, 1941, within the first minute of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a torpedo slammed into the port bow of the USS Arizona. Major Alan Shapley, the senior Marine officer aboard, was thrown from the foremast into the water; he flew at least one hundred feet, but managed to swim clear to Ford Island-and to rescue two shipmates along the way. Most of his men were not so "lucky." Among the more than fifteen hundred men assigned to the Arizona on December 7, eight-eight were Marines. And of the Marines who scrambled to their battle stations that infamous Sunday morning, including to one of the ship's five-inch gun mounts and many of the small-caliber anti-aircraft positions, eighty lost their lives. This book is the first to tell the little-known story of the Arizona's Marines. Rich in the traditions of the Corps and its years of service to our country and navy, the history of this detachment on that fateful day also involves a broader history of shipboard Marines. Even as it captures the harrowing moments of December 7, Battleship Arizona’s Marines At War conveys the story of America’s battleship Marines between the world wars, richly evoking a way of life now past. With more than a hundred historic photographs, many never-before published, the book is a fitting tribute to Marine Detachment Arizona and to all of America’s ship-borne Marines.
Synopsis
The first book to tell the story of the 88 Marines on the USS Arizona, 80 of whom died on the morning of December 7, 1941.
Synopsis
On December 7, 1941, about twenty minutes into the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an armor-piercing bomb struck the USS Arizona, penetrating four decks before exploding. An immense fire, fed by ammunition and fuel oil, swept through the ship, instantly killing hundreds of men. The Arizona quickly settled to the bottom of the harbor, taking most of her crew of 1,514 with her. Of the 88 Marines assigned to the battleship, only 15 survived. This account of the Arizona’s Marines on that fateful day, the first to tell their little-known story, also covers the broader history of shipboard Marines as well as the Arizona from her launch in World War I to the dawn of America’s entry into World War II. With more than 100 historic photographs, many never before published, the book is a fitting tribute to Marine detachment Arizona and to all of America's ship-borne Marines. Includes 5 appendices: a copy of the original Muster Roll from December 1, 1941; a copy of the posthumously-awarded letter of commendation to the family of 2nd Lt. C.E. Simensen; a copy of the original affidavit and casualty roster from December 7; an unknowingly heartbreaking letter from Capt. F.V. Valkenburgh to his girlfriend confirming their date to see the movies on the quarterdeck of the Arizona on the evening of December 7; and an appendix listing updated profiles of the Marines detailed in the story.
About the Author
Dick Camp is a retired Marine Corps colonel and the author of Lima-6, his memoir as a Marine infantry company commander at Khe Sanh. He has written several combat histories of the U.S. Marines, including The Devil Dogs at Belleau Wood, Battleship Arizona’s Marines at War, Iwo Jima Recon, and Last Man Standing: The 1st Marine Regiment on Peleliu. He is also the author of Leatherneck Legends: Conversations with the Marine Corps’ Old Breed and has published over sixty articles in various military-oriented magazines, including Vietnam, World War II, Marine Corps Gazette, and Leatherneck. Camp is currently the vice president for museum operations at the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, overseeing the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia.
Table of Contents
Contents
Prologue—And the Band Played On
Chapter 1—Marine Detachment Arizona
Chapter 2—From Revolution to Pearl Harbor
Chapter 3—The Hawaiian Operation
Chapter 4—Sunday Morning Infamy
Chapter 5—Fire on the Water
Epilogue—The Aftermath
Appendices—
A. Muster Roll of Marine Detachment Arizona, December 1941
B. Lieutenant General T. Holcomb, CMC, Letter to Simensen Family
C. Lamar Crawford Affidavit and Casualty Roster
D. Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh Letter to Diane Gillette
E. Profiles
Notes
Bibliography
Index