012 - The Damage Control Officer

Lieutenant Commander John S. Harper  [USS West Virginia]

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Amidst the chaos of that December morning, nobody is exactly sure of the order of events at Pearl Harbor. A single photograph from a Japanese Bomber pilot shows the first torpedo explosions against the West Virginia. As a total of seven torpedoes struck the West Virginia, her midshipmen mustered and took their stations. Some manned the anti-aircraft guns while others tended to the firefighting. All around, the action was constant: bombs exploding, sailors shouting, and planes buzzing. The shouts of sailors trapped beneath the half-sunken Oklahoma were nearly drowned in the chaos of it all.

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Within minutes, the torpedo bomber squadrons headed for their aircraft carriers and the squadrons of Aichi D3A “Val” dive-bombers would go to work.  As all battleships but the Nevada sat in the Harbor, the dive-bombers fell to the earth and dropped their 550 pound bombs. Almost all dive-bombing runs resulted in perfect hits.

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During these attacks, the West Virginia’s Captain was killed in action and the second in charge, Executive Officer Roscoe Hillenkoetter decided to abandon ship by jumping overboard. Meanwhile, as explosions rattled the ships and even some of the crew, Lieutenant Commander John S. Harper took action. One of the West Virginia’s mid-shipman advised him of his new Command. Now, the third-in-charge had become the acting commander. 
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As the ship began to list to port (lean to its left side), Harper commanded his teams to counter-flood, filling the compartments on the starboard side. This would help the West Virginia avoid the fate of the Oklahoma. Unfortunately, as they counter-flooded the ship, all firefighting tools, including hoses and pumps, became submerged and were lost. .
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As repair teams cleared debris and oil from around the ship, other teams evacuated the wounded. Those who were already dead were simply moved out of the way or left behind as Commander Harper gave orders to abandon ship.

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