First Off at Pearl Harbor - a story of bravery, a Navy Cross for Ensign Wes Ruth on December 7, 1941

[@peteranninos2506]

Hi Thomas. Interesting video and a story I had never heard before. Thanks for this. We had a family friend who had a bit of notoriety because he was in the barracks that were shot up and was known as the only person who managed to sleep through the entire attack! His last name was Bridges. A friend of mine (now gone as well) was taking command of a yard oiler on that day and was thinking it would be the shortest command in Naval history. He spent the next several weeks recovering bodies and getting fuel off the damaged ships. He didn't like to talk about that. (Tiny bit of history, he went to sea as a cabin boy at age 9 and was the last surviving member of the Chinese River gunboat crews from before WW-II. I even found film of his ship being attacked and sunk by the Japanese and he was sure he saw himself running to his battle station! )

[@HistoricWings]

I cannot imagine how anyone could have slept through the attack -- I wonder how loud the explosion of USS Arizona must have been. Great story and thanks for sharing it!!

[@mikelambosolitairebookgames]

Such an interesting story. Worth telling and well-told.

[@HistoricWings]

Thank you, sir!

[@virginiajim]

You know flying boats had a major strategic impact on operations in the Pacific before and during WWII. In fact a flying boat saved a Marine from Wake Island who later helped save the Marines at Guadalcanal through his work on the Cactus Air Force. Maybe do a video on that. What do think?

[@HistoricWings]

That is a perfect story for a video here, thank you. He was the last person off of Wake Island before it fell to the Japanese, leaving by seaplane (flying boat).

[@virginiajim]

I heard you are doing a Solitaire Air War Game on the Cactus Air Force. If so, when is it coming out?

[@HistoricWings]

Thanks for asking -- work on the game is proceeding well and I am hoping to have it published this month!

[@TheBestThingscom]

The 1903A3 rifle was not a single shot rifle. The last single shot US issue rifle was the Trap Door Springfield used in the 19th Century. Also, the 1903A3 was technically not a first world war rifle. It was certainly based on the 1903 Springfield rifle used in the First World War, but the 1903A3 was an updated version. Details matter in a documentary.

[@HistoricWings]

Thank you for this important correction; while I am an aviation historian, I am not a firearms expert -- this kind of informed correction is very important always welcome! A note will be added to the video description right away. Thank you again!

[@HardCorps88]

Its ok we all knew what he meant. A bolt action is "One" shot at a time.