VOL. V, NO. 6
DECEMBER 13, 1963
Custodian Remembers 1941
By John Carley
Pearl Harbor Attacked!
These were the terrible words printed at the top of every paper in the United States on December 7th and 8th, 1941.
Last week on December 7th, the U. S. recognized the service men and civilians who died in the Pearl Harbor surprise attack. Among the many teachers and employees of Maine West who entered the service to help fight this war, was Mr. Steve Fortuna, custodian. Some first‑hand information was learned from Mr. Fortuna about the worst blow the U. S. has ever suffered.
Mr. Fortuna was a marine with the 1st Battalion, stationed on Wake Island, December 8th, 1941. "The time was 12 noon. The Japanese forces had sent 27 bombers in under the low flying clouds at about 2,000 feet.
The planes headed right for the air field and in 10 minutes the raid was over. The results of this short but well planned attack were 34 marines killed, eight planes destroyed, the Pan American air station put out of use along with the machine and radio shops, and 25,000 gallons of gas blown up.
"On December 11 at 3 a.m., Japanese ships were sighted off the horizon. The whole island went into position and played possum for three hours to allow the enemy to get in close enough so they would be good targets. At a given signal, the American forces opened up and gave them everything on the island that would do damage. This cost the Japs two transports, one cruiser, and six other ships.
Pearl Harbor Attacked!
These were the terrible words printed at the top of every paper in the United States on December 7th and 8th, 1941.
Last week on December 7th, the U. S. recognized the service men and civilians who died in the Pearl Harbor surprise attack. Among the many teachers and employees of Maine West who entered the service to help fight this war, was Mr. Steve Fortuna, custodian. Some first‑hand information was learned from Mr. Fortuna about the worst blow the U. S. has ever suffered.
Mr. Fortuna was a marine with the 1st Battalion, stationed on Wake Island, December 8th, 1941. "The time was 12 noon. The Japanese forces had sent 27 bombers in under the low flying clouds at about 2,000 feet.
The planes headed right for the air field and in 10 minutes the raid was over. The results of this short but well planned attack were 34 marines killed, eight planes destroyed, the Pan American air station put out of use along with the machine and radio shops, and 25,000 gallons of gas blown up.
"On December 11 at 3 a.m., Japanese ships were sighted off the horizon. The whole island went into position and played possum for three hours to allow the enemy to get in close enough so they would be good targets. At a given signal, the American forces opened up and gave them everything on the island that would do damage. This cost the Japs two transports, one cruiser, and six other ships.
"As the positions were being overrun by the Japanese, the word was sent out that we were surrendering! Destroy all guns and weapons.
"On December 24th, all prisoners except 98 civilians and a doctor were loaded aboard a Japanese ship, the Nitta Maru, and taken to Yokohama, Japan."
Mr. Fortuna was among these prisoners. He spent four years in Japanese prison camps and was released in October, 1945. During this time he worked on labor gangs and in coal mines for 12 hours a day. It was two years before he and the other prisoners were allowed to receive anything from the Red Cross. Mail was distributed only once a year around Christmas time.
"On December 24th, all prisoners except 98 civilians and a doctor were loaded aboard a Japanese ship, the Nitta Maru, and taken to Yokohama, Japan."
Mr. Fortuna was among these prisoners. He spent four years in Japanese prison camps and was released in October, 1945. During this time he worked on labor gangs and in coal mines for 12 hours a day. It was two years before he and the other prisoners were allowed to receive anything from the Red Cross. Mail was distributed only once a year around Christmas time.
