USS Ward and the First Shots of Pearl Harbor

Outdated and crewed by naval reservists, USS Ward played a unique role at Pearl Harbor and beyond. Her brave service represents the spirit of the United States Navy and the determination of the nation through two wars. It is history that deserves to be remembered.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
This episode deals with a period of conflict. All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
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[@hurlburt808]

I was based at Pearl Harbor in the Navy and my first year there of 1977 I had stood watch on the morning of December 7th. My ship was in dry dock at the time. It was a clear still morning and I could over look the complete east side of the harbor and all of Ford island .I knew that I was standing at a battle field and felt a huge rush of emotion knowing that 36 years before men fought and died right where I was. I felt there presents with me that morning and will never forget it.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you for your service

[@frogface9142]

Felt the same way when my ship passed by the Arizona in 1980

[@LuvBorderCollies]

Watching the little globs of oil come to the surface from the AZ can be somber. Those globs of oil were there, trapped inside like the 1100 or so men.

[@kennethcaine3402]

Wonderful story, it would no doubt have such effect on me, thanks for your service and sharing such a great experience.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

@President of the Virgin Islands We have not yet, but it is certainly on our list.

[@ncplantdoctor]

The irony of who sunk the Ward and on what day simply amazes me. Just another one of those coincidences which make history worth remembering.

[@valeriemontanez5005]

Yeah, it's a strange set of coincidences. Outerbridge had been on the Ward during the Pearl Harbor attack, but was in a different ship when he scuttled the Ward. The Ward was scuttled 3 years to the day from the attack on Pearl Harbor. My grandfather was aboard the Ward for both events. After the scuttling of the Ward, he was placed on another ship in the Pacific and their ship was tasked with launching weather balloons. He says that at the time, the entire crew was baffled as to why they were doing this. It wasn't until later they learned it was in preparation for the bombs dropped on Japan. Its almost like he saw the whole situation come full circle.

[@markawbolton]

What is your take on the theory that FDR had advance knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbour.

[@paulredinger420]

Of course FDR knew. We were reading the Japanese naval and diplomatic codes for a while. It was the first time in many years that there were no aircraft carriers in the harbour. All the information that came in was "delayed". With the embargo ect that we did to the Japanese they had no choice but to attack the US. They Japanese would of run out of steel and oil in 6 to 12 months. Because the Japanese invaded China and we were protesting and trying to stop the Japanese aggression in China. But when you think of Hiroshima and Nagasaki just remember we might of steered them into war, but it was JAPANESE AIRCRAFT, and WARSHIPS with JAPANESE PERSONAL MANNING THE WEAPONS!!

[@thomasb1889]

My understanding is they knew an attack was imminent but not where and actually were thinking it was the Philippines. It wasn't until Midway that they made real progress on breaking the IJN codes. We did push them into war, one they couldn't win in the long run as Yamamoto prophesied but the war was going to happen sooner or later anyway and allowing the Japanese to build up more would have made the war that much worse. @The History Guy, I would like to see something on the 1st Minnesota, one of the few units to leave the field in good order at 1st Bull run and even in lost battles never wavered. And course their actions at Gettysburg were epic.

[@Fireblogging]

As a Coast Guard officer in Honolulu in the 90s, I helped coordinate the Pearl Harbor commemoration several times. Of course, this was before UH discovered the sub. Yours is the best history I have seen of the USS Ward. Incredible story.

[@sarjim4381]

Thanks for remembering this important date. That fact the USS Ward didn't make it through the war deprived us of one of the most historic ships of WWII, the ship that fired the first shot before the war had even officially started.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Sadly they probably would have scrapped the USS Ward after the War. The USS Enterprise should be a memorial/museum ship, she was scrapped.

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

The war had been waged long before the attack on Pearl harbour. Agreed though that the loss of the Ward was a shame. The Japanese pilot who's aircraft was crippled probably crashed into USS Ward deliberately. He will have known he wouldn't make it back so tried to take the ship out.

[@sarjim4381]

@@crazybrit-nasafan The war against the Japanese by the US had not been in progress before the Ward fired those shots. We had been participating in neutrality patrols and lost the USS Reuben James, another 4 piper, to a German sub, but we weren't in the war. Given that the Ward sank an enemy combatant in US waters a few hours before the aerial attack began, it qualifies as the first shots for the US. Hard to tell if the damage inflicted on the Betty by the Ward's gunners caused the plane to waver off course and hit the ship or if was a deliberate move on the part of the pilot. According to the after action report filed later, the Betty was shedding part of her starboard wing before crashing into the vessel.

[@sarjim4381]

@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer Possibly, but I suspect there would have been a sufficient outcry from the American people to cause the Ward to be set aside from scrapping, at least for a bit. If that would have led to preservation is another matter. She was a post WWI member of her class and had been lightly used in the interwar period. She had never been damaged in battle until that fatal day in 1944. Going against her was her APD conversion, so she looked completely different than the Ward of December 7, 1941. Unfortunately, we will never know what might have happened to her.

[@davidmarquardt2445]

@@crazybrit-nasafan The History ch covered this a couple of years ago. The university of Hawaii found the sub and sure enough their was a hole right at the base of the conning tower. They showed a Japanese drawing of the sub, which was filled with battery's. The captain and helmsman were located at the base of the conning tower. By sheer luck they had hit this part of the sub, killing the crew instantly!

[@billpostscratcher2025]

That was excellent! Paul Harvey would be proud of this "Rest of the Story".

[@pohldriver]

Exactly who he reminded me of when I discovered his channel 2 days ago.

[@korbell1089]

Ha! Thats exactly what I was thinking, I have known about the Ward and Pearl Harbor for years but then heard the rest of the story.

[@andrewinbody4301]

"Fellow Americans. You know what the news is. In a moment you're going to hear the rest of the story." Always an anticipated part of the day.

[@billpostscratcher2025]

@@pohldriver So, have you binge watched yourself silly, yet?

[@pohldriver]

@@billpostscratcher2025 lol! Every time I know I have some free time I'm watching. I haven't gotten 4 hours of sleep since finding the channel. I keep thinking I'm going to catch up, but it's like trying to drink a river. It just keeps coming.

[@SlipFitGarage]

I have visited that gun many times in St Paul. Not only does St. Paul have the gun that fired the first shot for the US in World War II, but we have the anchor from the ship that fired the last shot of WW II sitting on Harriet Island, also in St Paul..... bookends of WWII in a way.

[@amyw7731]

My grandpa Lash was the sight Setter on gun 3 of the USS Ward. He and his crew fired the first shot. I remember hearing all the stories of that fateful morning, told to me through my mom, aunt, and uncles. He passed away at 52 from heart failure when I was still really young. But, for the short time I got to know him, he was my idol, and still is. I will forever be proud of him and the rest of the crew. I have tons of books and newspapers, that I will forever cherish in his honor. In the picture they show in this video a couple time, my grandpa is the guy on the right side closest to the gun. I just thought I'd share my story with you. We take our family photo at the gun on the Capitol grounds every yr. It makes me feel closer to him.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

@@amyw7731 Cool.

[@pffear]

Not only the 1st shot, but now we know she scored the 1st kill of a Japanese war ship as well...... Way to go USS Ward.

[@jackiesdeerluresbml]

Great job, I am retired Navy who was stationed in Pearl. You did an excellent job of bringing this little known piece of history to light.

[@valeriemontanez5005]

Thank you for your service, sir!

[@michaelpfister1283]

Thank you! The story of the USS Ward is a great one. It was good to hear that she went out with a warrior's death, not just scrapped and turned into razor blades. And bitter-sweet that her former commander was also her executioner. Of such pathos wars are full.

[@tinamclaughlin1991]

My stepfather, who was in the Army in Korea, was a great influence to me and this beautiful world! As he developed a skin cancer as a postal worker, that developed into more cancer throughout his body, he passed on December 7th. He is in good company and will always be what he never got to physically be, a great father, and grandfather! Rest with those brave souls who barely had an idea they were under attack until too late.

[@WilliamBugeater64Simpson]

Outstanding story. It was so sad that the Ship Commander died prior to the 2002 proof of the great work he and his crew had done. Thank you for the Story of the Ward.

[@nautifella]

He didn't need proof... he KNEW when he fired the shot.

[@jgambe78]

Will Lehner a sailor aboard the USS Ward that day got to visit the wreck in a submersible after the midget sub was discovered 1200 feet down. pearlharbor.org/will-lehner-uss-ward-pearl-harbor-survivor-honored/

[@jonathanbair523]

@@nautifella Right in 91 I got to talk to one of the Ward's main gunners. When he told me how they fired and sunk that ship. He had a clear pride of his voice as he knew his ships actions saved American lives..... There was no doubt in his voice as he told me a story the history books failed to tell, and the truth about that day in December. I can't remember (I was 6 at the time) what of the 3 guns he was on, but it was one of the 3 guns, and 2 of them fired the first and second shots of the war....

[@nobodyspecial6881]

Your videos on history are great. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@jimervin387]

I loved the line in Tora Tora Tora when the soldier who had reported the initial submarine attack and was asked for confirmation by his superior officers, came in to his commander's office while the bombs were dropping and said "You want your confirmation. There's your confirmation."

[@stevek8829]

Don't you know a soldier from a sailor? Where does KZbin find you people?

[@indy_go_blue6048]

It's okay, settle down. At least the man watched T!x3 and remembers the scene. If he'd watched "Pearl Harbor" instead he wouldn't know anything about it.

[@bullwinklejmoos]

@@indy_go_blue6048 Ah yes, Pearl Harbor, a love story in search of relevance. I was so excited to see PH when it came out. Was hoping it would be close to Torax3. Well my wife loved it. Of course the romance part is what she liked about it. I, on the other hand, was deeply disappointed. What a waste of time.

[@hankhicks1108]

@@bullwinklejmoos -- But . . . but . . . Kate Beckinsale! !!!

[@bullwinklejmoos]

@@hankhicks1108 well in Kate’s case we can always make an exception. Although I prefer her in the Underworld films. Especially her wearing those tight leather outfits.

[@raydunakin]

Wow, what a fantastic story, and what an amazing history that ship had!

[@hshs5756]

Only someone who has served on a naval vessel can know the mixture of pride and reverence sailors feel for their ship. It would be hard to order the sinking of a ship you had served on, but military necessity comes first.

[@jammer3618]

Well said. The bond between crew and ship is almost spiritual.

[@hshs5756]

@@mikejensen4238, Sailors of the "Lady Lex" wept as she went down. Fortunately the Saratoga's crew didn't have to watch. I served on two vessels, both with keels laid down during WWII, both now gone, but both with active websites dedicated to their memory: www.usscoralsea.net/index.php and www.ussdenebola.org/home.html There must be hundreds more websites now for other ships, both commissioned and decommissioned.

[@nautifella]

@@mikejensen4238 "pencil-necked, nearsighted Pentagon bureaucrat" The most accurate description to ever be penned of such creatures. Praise be to the REAL soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that also traverse those halls and limit the damage the bureaucrats can inflict.

[@ajg617]

@@jammer3618 Sometimes - my father-in-law was manning a 5" on BB55 when she took the torpedo supporting Guadalcanal. He decided he'd rather be on the sending end then the receiving end and finished with 5 war patrols in SS392.

[@randelbrooks]

at least WE sank her and NOT. an enemy.

[@dannyflies7197]

Thank you!!! History guy!!! We Minnesotans are proud to have that gun from the USS WARD on our Capitol grounds. Did you know also that we Minnesotans ALSO still have the battle flag of the Virginia 27th division from the battle of Gettysburg? And they want it back too!!! THAT'S history that deserves to be told,and rememberd!!!

[@THE-HammerMan]

A captured battle flag does NOT need to be returned! Its an honorable trophy that brave & valiant men fought and died for. It honors the Virginia regiment very well right where it is!

[@unclestone8406]

I've grown up in Virginia the majority of my life, so I can definitely say do not EVER let the Democrat revisionists in Virginia try to retake that flag. Thanks to the current bunch of knee-bending cowards, Marxists and traitors we have in Richmond, Monument Avenue is unrecognizable. Mayor Stoney and Governor Northam would likely wind up indirectly "disposing" of that battle flag, instead of putting it in a memorial with proper context of its time and use. Never yield an inch, Minnesota.

[@jonathanbair523]

Yes I agree in the pride of the states history. Minnesotans have always been quick to take up arms to defend the country, we feilded 2 or 3 volunteer army's for the civil war, before we where even a state, and Fort Snelling has a even longer history then that.....

[@georgepaulfarris1465]

My God what an awesome history lesson that should be remembered, anchors away History Guy! And a salute to the USN.

[@johnnydeville5701]

That's awesome that the USS Ward is finally having her story shared more often. What a great video on some amazing history! Well done The History Guy!

[@wallacegrommet9343]

These vignettes featuring a single vessel and its noteworthy activities are extremely engrossing and relatable

[@andrewscolari5724]

That was fascinating. A story of a gallant ship, a brave crew, and a steady captain should be always be remembered throughout time.

[@ronhilliard8863]

Words can't describe how awesome your stories are. If I had a history teacher like you in school. I would be there all day. Thank you and your wife for all that you do.

[@condorboss3339]

The irony that the Ward sank on December 7 and that the commander faced with the task of administering the _coup de grâce_ was the same man who commanded her on the day she defended Pearl Harbor is sad.

[@MrEvanfriend]

I say it's fitting. That she succumbed to American guns and not the guns of the enemy. That she was sunk by a man who cared about her, and not those who wanted her and her crew dead.

[@sophiepaterson7444]

It is sad, but I think if I had been the captain, I'd be grateful that I'd been the one to pay proper honour and respect to the ship.

[@DamianMaisano]

For those not familiar with artillery terms: “calibre”, in terms of naval guns is the length of the barrel in terms of bore size. The 4” 50 calibre guns thus had a 200” barrel.

[@Thereal111t]

Damian Maisano thanks I was really wondering!

[@Ugnaught82]

My 14 year old Mother was sitting at the kitchen table that Sunday, when her father burst into the house. "The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor" he yelled. He passed through the house at a near run and out the back door, headed to the neighbor's farm to spread the word. My Grandmother, who was standing at the stove, barely looked up. My Mother asked her, "Momma, where's Pearl Harbor?" "I don't know, and he doesn't either, but that will not stop him from telling everyone in the county!"

[@andrewinbody4301]

Wonderful story. That's the kind that get told for generations.

[@daviddixon9458]

I live in Western Australia. It was evening in Perth when the attacks on the Twin Towers happened on 9/11. We were all in bed when the phone rang. I answered it and found it was a friend of my elderest daughter who said, "Someone is attacking America!" I said, "Don't be stupid, no one would attack America. Who are the Yanks attacking?" He said, "It's on TV, check it out." So I hung up and turned on the TV just in time to see the second plane hit the Twin Towers. The next day everyone in Perth was in shock. I think this must have been the reaction in the US after the attack on Pearl Harbour. Something most Americans don't know is that Australian and British troops were already fighting the Japanese in Malaya as they had landed several hours before the Pearl Harbour attack. I believe the American Government had been informed of this so the alarm bells should have been ringing in Washington. Just another of the missed indications of an upcoming attack on America. I recommend John Toland's marvellous book, "But Not in Shame" about the first 6 months of the Pacific War in which he goes into details about the missed opportunities the US had to possiblily prevent the attack on Pearl Harbour.

[@LuvBorderCollies]

Good story! Out in farm country only a few people had radios. Those with radios telephoned neighbors with the news. My dad's parents didn't have either device at the time so a neighbor drove over. Perfect day to spread news the quickest back then was Sunday in farmland. Almost every one would've been around the house or church or some gathering.

[@bradenglettkd8zm69]

I thought they would say, "who's Pearl Harbor?"

[@maddyg3208]

I've always wondered, before the attack on Pearl Harbor how many people knew what/where Pearl Harbor was. Definitely not many outside the US would have known.

[@robotslug]

Oh wow, as always, your consistency with these videos amazes me. My favorite channel on KZbin to look forward to.

[@noneyourb2526]

Hell yeah

[@tommiller5113]

This is a great story. Thank you. As a small boy, I remember playing on the deck gun on the capitol grounds. It is, or was, pointed straight at the Cathedral of St Paul. My late father in law served on the O'Brien in the Korean war. Crew members of the O'Brien held (and likely still do) annual reunions around the county. When the reunion was held in Minnesota, I attended the main dinner as a guest. The speaker was aboard the Ward when it fired the first shot, and told us the story that you've related here. Turns out his son was in high school with me. Small world, but infinitely fascinating.

[@bigblue6917]

Everyone thinks of the big ships but it is always the small ships which see the most action. The attack on the submarine by USS Ward is depicted in the film Tora, Tora, Tora. It was not realised until recently that a photograph taken by a Japanese aircrewman taken during the attack actually shows a torpedo track from a submarine which got into the harbour.

[@shawnr771]

They found the sub in the wreckage of the ammunition ships of the West Loch disaster. The Navy divers at the time took it and the other wreckage out to sea where it was dumped. Just recently it was found and brought to the surface. The torpedoes had been fired. In honor of the crew the remains were returned to Japan and put in a memorial to the midget submarine crews.

[@bigblue6917]

@@shawnr771 Thanks for that, Shawn. Just shows that it does not matter how long ago something happened there is always the possibility of new evidence adding to what we know.

[@shawnr771]

@@bigblue6917 l try to incorporate new evidence into my thought processes. If you make up your mind and choose not to view new evidence you will become close minded and never learn anything. Anyone and anything can be wrong including me. I try to go into a discussion believing my point of view to be wrong. I search for information that proves me wrong. Not evidence that proves me right.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@shawnr771 To clarify things.... there were at least 5 mini subs. The Ward sank one. Another was beached. At least one did reach inside the harbor and fire weapons.

[@dougmc666]

@@WALTERBROADDUS - Torpedoes were fired at USS Curtiss, USS Monaghan and two at USS St. Louis, they all missed.

[@jamesbarca7229]

I should have known better. It took a day for me to finally watch this one, since I _thought_ I already knew the story of USS Ward...As it turns out, I only knew what she did on 7 Dec 41. Thanks for filling in the rest of her amazing history. Outstanding work as usual.

[@Tmrfe0962]

I’m officially a Patron channel....I’m proud to support such fine programming,thank you sir.

[@em1osmurf]

Auxiliary, Personnel, Dock (a ship that carries boats). incredible and in-depth history of a ship and its history. well done!

[@exJacktar]

Oh dear, to have to put down his first command like that would have been gut wrenching. At least it was a friend who dispatched her. I'm a retired sailor, we love our girls. Excellent tale, yet again HG. You're worth every penny each month.

[@lowerthomas]

The Skipper of the Ward as it became APD-16 was Captain Richard E Farwell, my grandfather. He served under Outerbridge as a Lt JG on the Ward on Dec 7, 1941.

[@dalethelander3781]

Once again, I come to be impressed and to learn. Once again, I'm not disappointed.

[@Gearheadgotajob]

One of the reasons that I love this channel....Just when you think that you know the whole story, THG unloads a massive amount of even more amazing information on the subject. Thank You again for more history that deserves to be remembered.

[@warrenjones744]

Two thumbs up for that one, what a story! 👍👍 Back in the 70's when I was a grade school student, i read everything I could find on the pacific war. This story however is a new one on me. Thank you so much for sharing it with us appropriately on Dec 7.

[@deadfreightwest5956]

Fantastic story. An example of the truth being stranger than fiction. Whoulda thunkit?

[@mercator79]

Right? The timing of and orders given by are just stunning coincidences on their own, but together... Made me a little uneasy and of course mournful of the loss of such a significant and as THG said, "gallant" warrior.

[@trainmaster383]

Am a proud Minnesotan because of the Ward. Have been to see the gun. Knew the Ward sank in the war, but did not know how. Sunk by it's former commander 3 years to the day, Only God does that kind of stuff especially considering the chaos of war. LOVE YOUR STORIES. Please keep it up.

[@jameskolan9195]

Great and timely story. My uncle was serving in the Army on that day and was credited with shooting down a Japanese Zero with his rifle. I only learned this at his funeral when his daughter-in-law quipped, "Apparently it was a lucky shot." He was awarded a Bronze Star and later served in the European Theater where he was shot and captured at the Battle of the Bulge. He survived as a POW but unfortunately the war had lasting physical and psychological effects.

[@1hillbilly]

Wow . You did it again . Great story and well told. It brings me to tears , all that those men did for our country. I am so greatful.

[@valkyriegilman299]

Out of 21 people today around half didn't know it was the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Of that half I was surprised to find a fella who did know about the USS Ward sinking a Japanese submarine making Japan the first to lose life at Pearl. No one remembered the Ward was sunk exactly three years later in 1945. Happy to report 21 more remember now. Thanks History Guy. Happy Pearl Harbor Day.

[@knutdergroe9757]

A story that needed to be told, On this very special day....

[@DennisSheaPRM]

That is such a great story! My stepfather was in his first hitch of a 22 year Navy career, stationed at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7 1941. I lived in Honolulu for over 20 years myself and the Memorials of the Attack were always special to me. I was there when the USS Missouri was towed into port and berthed at Ford Island. Been on it many times. I had never heard the complete story of the USS Ward. Very fitting on this day. Thank you.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Man the work you do Thanks......I had an uncle on my moms side that was the Radar operator and saw the planes dots on the set on that very day at Pearl !

[@seanlehmann4235]

Another excellent episode! Your videos always evoke memories of listening to Paul Harvey’s “Rest of the Story” which I so much enjoyed as a youngster. Very well done. Thank you.

[@LostInThe0zone]

Another great story of a largely forgotten episode of our history. Thanks.

[@daleeasternbrat816]

Amazing exactly how much dangerous, important and significant things that these "obsolete" four stack , flush deck destroyers were involved in. They performed well above their weight. And handled every job they were given.

[@kodiakcopilot]

An excellent topic for the anniversary of Pearl Harbor & something I had not known before your video.

[@britwokay8577]

Your videos and history are always great and this is one of your best yet. I especially like how you rotate an appropriate hat to prominence in the background for the topic. One day I hope you'll tell us all about your collection of hats. Most of them I can recognize and I bet there's a lot of great stories in them.

[@orangelion03]

Terrific work as per usuall! I did not know the subsequent history of the USS Ward and the coincidental details of her final moments. Thank you!

[@jonathanbair523]

Yes what a grate job he dose with ships history... I knew up till the Ward fired the opening shots, but did not know why or when it sank..... WOW 3 years to the day by its former skipper... Mind blowing....May this little bit of history always be saved and remembered....

[@ryanandangelamccullough5671]

“ONE INJURED WARD CREWMAN”: My grandfather, Seaman William (Bill) E. Betsch was the “one injured crewman” from the 12-7-44 Kamikaze attack in Ormoc Bay. He told me the story many times and each time I remembered more detail. He was knocked out by a piece of teak decking that flew from the impact and hit him squarely in the head. His crew was in the water after the command to abandon ship. He was left unconscious. Once he regained his consciousness he woke up seeing black smoke all around him and hearing shouting. He looked over the rail and heard people yelling from the water: “Betsch!! What the $&@? you doing up there?? Jump, man!” They were adrift at sea for about an hour until they were picked up by a minesweeper. All survived. The amazing part of this story is that his mother was awakened in the night in his hometown of Granger, WA and saw a vision of him standing in his underwear! What a strange thing, she thought to herself, but took it as a sign that he was vulnerable and in trouble. She was right. After the event, it was confirmed that she was awakened at the exact moment of the attack. Her prayers persisted until the moment that every mean was rescued. She fell asleep in peace, not knowing the events, but trusting that the burden to pray was a sign from God. My grandfather rehabbed in San Francisco and Yosemite NP following surgery to repair damage to his coccyx. He undoubtedly shattered it from the impact in addition to his concussion. He returned to serve on the Missouri in Pearl Harbor until a second deployment on another ship. I regret that I have forgotten its name. He remembers hanging below the deck painting breakup camouflage for days. Sounds like him- if there was a miserable job to do, he never minded doing it. He recalled intense air battles, being shot at by aircraft, shot at from land, seas so high they couldn’t eat, and seeing marines on the deck all with their shoes off trying to air out their black, jungle-rotted feet. He said that was one of the worst smells. He said because of that he could never complain about his duties. He also was one of the crewman who helped with navigation. I asked him what he did. He said he “steered the boat a lot”. He also isn’t too fond of navy beans, but said from time to time they got decent seafood. That “scrappy little ship” took out more than its fair share of aircraft. Six in one battle, I understand. Unbelievable. It’s incredible, really that no one was killed. People like my grandpa did more living than most of us ever will in spite of the fact that he was brave enough to enlist and cheat death for our country.

[@samaikens4816]

I've can't understand why anybody would not like this piece of history....I heard this before on the history channel

[@HockeyFan1972]

My Great uncle was on the Ward on December 7th and his son was with his mother at Pearl the day it was attacked. in late 1942, after refitting to an APD, my Great uncle was joined by my grandfather. Both brothers were members of the Minnesota Naval Reserve, St. Paul, MN. I still have my grandfather's "First Shot" club card from the USS Ward Club that would meet yearly for a reunion. My grandfather was an Aircraft Supply Specialist and was transferred off of the Ward two weeks before being hit by the Kamakazi. He lived until 1993 and is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetary, St. Paul MN. I am named after him.

[@robertporterfield9578]

On joining the Navy in 1960 I attended boot camp at the Naval Training Center San Diego. The commander of the Recruit Training Command at the time was Captain O. Wiiliam Goepner who had served as Ward's OOD on 7 December, 1941.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you for your service!

[@whyRyallSoRude]

Great story, thank you. My Grandfather was in the Navy in WWII. Uss Vega.

[@alexhenry4434]

I can't thank you enough for your keeping of fascinating history...there's no way you can make enough vids for my taste....

[@bob_._.]

I think the most fascinating stories of history are those filled with so much synchronicity.

[@dscary1837]

Not sycophancy... Irony

[@dscary1837]

Damn auto spell.... Not synchronicity... Irony.

[@stephens7107]

The Ward and it’s officers and men were awake and alert on the morning of the Pearl Harbor attack and performed their duties well. Not so with the admirals and their staffs. Great story! Thank you History Guy.

[@robertpotthast9540]

Amazing account of events, History Guy. Thanks so much!

[@darrellcook8253]

The coincidence factor is off the charts, I'm stunned by this. I first heard about this when I was in the Navy in bpdsms school at Mare Island in 1972. We saw a few interesting films.

[@daniellucas1494]

Nice shot Ward. A true hero of history!

[@amyw7731]

My grandpa Karl C.J. Lasch was the Sight Setter on gun 3 of the USS Ward. He's the guy right next to the gun on the right side of the picture. I remember hearing all the stories from my family. Unfortunately, My grandpa Lasch passed away at 52 from heart failure. I have always been very proud of him. We even do our family pictures there. My mom always sits right where her dad sat on that day.

[@garfieldsmith332]

A very interesting story and most enjoyable. We often her of the "big name" ships and little is mentioned of those others who often played a big role in the wars. Thanks for posting this.

[@philgiglio7922]

See Hoel, Johnston, and Samuel B Roberts at Samar.

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@philgiglio7922 Thank you for the suggestion. A very interesting subject. I knew Halsey fell for the decoy and that there was a sea battle fought by another commander. The "Where is Halsey world wonders" message. I knew nothing of the battle of Samar that occurred. A great read on Wiki about it. Enev with the losses it was an American victory over the Japanese fleet. Once again thanks for the information.

[@samstewart4807]

A great tribute.

[@morg52]

I've seen the deck gun on the capitol grounds here in MN. Very interesting to hear the rest of the story. Thank you!

[@cjd1701]

Seconded! Here it is, on the 74th anniversary of its historic firing: www.flickr.com/photos/cjdaniel/32350629958/in/dateposted/

[@jonathanbair523]

@@cjd1701 3rd here.. Back in 91, I had the honor of meeting one of the gunners from the Ward who manned one of the 3 main guns. With me being 6 at the time, I don't remember what gun he was on of the 3. He should me what everything dose and how the gun worked.... The pride in his voice on the 50 year mark still sticks with me after all the years.. He had said they sunk that mini sub long before it was found as proof.... I am glad Mn has so much history that is being saved. From the family farm that is a working museum want to say Gibbs farm, for sure the Ingalls farm that is made famous from the tv show " Little House On The Prairie" to Fort Snelling and the things like the Wards gun... So much of history's little gems.

[@dakotanelson5722]

Dear History Guy Thank you. Not many people see the events that happened on Dec 7. 1941 worth remembering. You and I think differently and for that I thank you.

[@geoben1810]

Kudos HG. Well done. You never fail to deliver a piece of history that deserves to be remembered. As a proud U.S. NAVY veteran I especially like the stories about military naval ships. ✌🇺🇸

[@MechanicalTrader]

Awesome recap of history and way to connect the "dots". Brave, intelligent men trained fought and died defending America. Let us never forget!

[@johngrant5388]

Thanks History Guy. I knew of the Wards heroic service and actions at Pearl Harbor. But thanks to you, I now know as Paul Harvey would say "The Rest of The Story" Thanks again.

[@robertwilson3914]

I love the history you present. History should never be forgotten..Have you looked at the siege of AN LOC VIETNAM near the end of the war and the participation and support provided by U.S. NAVY aircraft carriers and the sacrifices we made in that engagement? I was onboard the USS HANCOCK, CVA-19....We operated without food and clean fresh water for 14 days and flew 24/7 in support assisting in the defense of AN LOC....after the battle, an army general flew out to our ship and congratulated us for killing 5000 of the enemy....by naval air operations....I lost 27 lbs....it was mind-numbing....there were other carriers concentrated there, AMERICA, CONSTELLATION, RANGER, perhaps, I forget, but, we all flew ALPHA STRIKES in support of our ground troops at AN LOC.....my squadron flew EKA-3B type aircraft, we refueled attack aircraft inflight and jammed SAM missiles electronically ....hairy stuff , if you ever went there...

[@sofjanmustopoh7232]

Thank you for telling the "Rest" of the story. I knew the USS ward shelling and sinking of the Midget submarine . but not who is "Ward" , the history and the rest of the history. Great job

[@htos1av]

What a great snippet! And I SO miss my WWII veteran grandparents, miss them SO much! My great uncle Willie stormed onto Normandy and my granddad served in the Pacific until 08/45.

[@ThePzrLdr]

I remember reading "A Day in Infamy" in the 5th grade. I read that book twice more and I realized in High School the Ward had sunk a midget sub that day. I argued the point with friends but back then there was no proof and my argument was dismissed. When a search for the sub and she was found with a hole in the conn tower I knew I was vindicated. The story is simply amazing.

[@jefftaylor8321]

This was a very good episode. Thank you.

[@valeriemontanez5005]

Very nice video! I showed this to my grandfather who was on the USS Ward at the attack of Pearl Harbor until she was scuttled 3 years to the day from the attack. Thanks for doing this video.

[@railroad9000]

I look forward to each of your presentations! Thank you.

[@ddd3240]

One of the best that you have done to date. Thanks.

[@BeachsideHank]

A destroyer was also referred to by her crew as a 'Tin Can", because she had no armor to speak of. When you saw a sailor strolling down a street, his Dixie Cup hat planted on the rear quarter of his skull in a rakish manner, you were looking at a guy who considered himself a better mariner than the rest of his contemporaries of the fleet. Tin Cans were Blue Water vessels, Tin Cans were Brown Water vessels, Tin Cans could fight in littoral waters, Tin Cans could fight in estuary waters, Tin Cans could plane guard carriers and rescue pilots, and sometimes the occasional hapless crewmen who fell overboard. He could ride out 26 foot seas and still do his job, even if it meant walking on the bulkhead of a passageway as she rolled with the sea, feeling her throb and shimmy as she settled back into the waters after her screws breached an impossibly deep trough. And then there were the nights; a calm sea, looking over the side, only a few feet above the waterline, seeing the warm glow of bioluminescence as the ship peacefully steamed ahead on a 1/3 bell, the whine of forced draft blowers sounded reassuring while feeding the boilers combustion air as you walked by an engineering hatch , you couldn't help but fall in love with a life like that, and no matter how old you get, it's always just a memory away.

[@harleyarrants4993]

Outstanding issue...The freakish coincidences surrounding the Ward almost suggest some “other-worldly” hand was involved in placing the players in position of achieve their destiny. Excellent presentation!

[@brady5915]

My Father was in Pearl on Dec 5th, 1941. He was stationed on the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis, which was FDR's flagship. He said that morning, they received urgent orders to immediately leave. They haphazardly loaded supplies on the deck as fast as they could and rounded up crew members on shore leave. They left the harbor and steamed south at full speed and no one knew why. On the morning of the 7th, they received word that Pearl was under attack and we were at war. Everything in FDR's stateroom, bed, dresser, furnishings went over board along with anything else that would burn easily. He was never of the opinion that the attack was a total surprise. The history of the USS Indianapolis later in the war would be a great subject for you to cover.

[@4speed3pedals]

Thank you. History is amazing and you present it well.

[@whitedomerobert]

So many who serve and served so well. My vocabulary fails to praise enough. Thanks History Guy, GO NAVY ⚓️

[@johnflanagan2684]

Your videos are always on point. History that deserves to be remembered for sure! Thank you.

[@danward48]

As a kid I had a model of the USS Ward and remember reading on the box that it had fired the first shots of WWII. I was always fascinated by it because my last name is Ward and it's nice to finally hear the rest of its history. It's sad that it was sunk but amazing that the entire crew was saved. Very cool story.

[@cigibso]

That was great. As a resident of Minnesota I have seen the 5" gun and read the plaque but have never learned the special history of the USS Ward the way you have related it to us Thanks History Guy

[@dasboot305]

Great story!! I really appreciate your telling this story. My grandfather was on the Ward's sister ship USS Kilty (DD-137, later APD -15) and seeing the footage, while not the exact ship, gives me a better idea of what my grandfather went through... Thanks!!

[@sid2112]

Another great episode. Keep em coming!

[@davedoyle6835]

Thanks again

[@tisFrancesfault]

The "small" stories that this channel tell are truly fascinating.

[@macuser48]

Another excellent and extremely interesting presentation. I have learned of the five midget subs which were part of the Japanese attack on December 7th only in the past year. It's a mostly unknown aspect of the attack. And, only one of the ten submariners who participated in that attack survived. That man was Kazuo Sakamaki who became Prisoner of War #1 in WWII. After spending the rest of the war in various American prison camps, he was returned to Japan. He got a job at a small auto manufacturing plant then called Toyoda in Nagoya. He worked for Toyota for the rest of his life finally becoming vice-president in charge of Brazilian operations. In 1991, he participated in a symposium of Pearl Harbor in Austin, Texas and took an excursion to Fredricksburg where he saw his midget submarine that was on display there. That sub, designated HA-19, is still on display at the War in the Pacific Museum. The museum is a "must see" for any WWII enthusiast.

[@icebob8555]

The Great USS WARD !!!

[@rayrichards4839]

As always I found your presentation to be informative, interesting and well worth every moment. Sincerely, RP

[@georgemartin1436]

Well told. Amazing coincidences I never heard before! Bravo!

[@trackydog]

Amazing in your details as always ... it is history worth remembering made possible by details somehow ferreted out from the realm of the forgotten.

[@frogface9142]

Thank you for putting this together and remembering Dec 7th day! (Former USNR resrevist)

[@zoltonthemagnificent88]

I visited the gun and got my picture taken on it. I felt privileged and grateful. Thanks for the video and your good work!

[@Zgrov]

The History Guy, You are a national treasure. Thank you!

[@SpearFisher85]

One of my favorite stories of the war since going to Pearl Harbor as a child.

[@lunaburnt-toast718]

This was definitely one of your best videos. Thank you for telling such an amazing story!

[@kevinnobody3052]

Thanks History Guy. As usual lots of information, very interesting. Keep up the good work. Look forward to every one of your videos.

[@LadyCinnamonGirl]

I absolutely love your offerings. Always so wonderful to learn new things and love how you find the so much lesser known bits of history. Thank you.