On December 7, 1941, "a day that will live in infamy," Japan launched an attack on Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States. The damage was extensive and many lives were lost, but it was not as bad as it could have been. After the assault ships were re-floated and repaired, facilities were brought back online and the offices of the Navy and Marines saw record recruitment levels as the US geared up for the war. In the blaze of battle that day, one ship escaped with only minor damage.
The USS Aylwin (DD-355) was moored with her squadron, only a small boiler operating to provide power for auxiliary services. About half of her crew was on leave that Sunday morning when, at 7:55 a.m., the sound of airplane engines caught everyone's attention. Three minutes later the skeleton crew of the Aylwin returned fire. Five minutes later the "black gang" lit the main two boilers, bringing them fully online in 15 minutes. At 8:29 a.m. the commander of the fleet ordered all able ships to get underway. At 8:50 a.m. a Japanese bomb went off 75 yards from the Aylwin's bow. Eight minutes later the Aylwin, leaving her stern wire and anchor chain behind, left for the open sea.
The 50% skeleton crew performed admirably in taking the vessel out to sea. The only officers on board were four ensigns. The senior most was Ensign Stanley B. Caplan, who had only served at sea for eight months. They guided the ship out while maintaining continuous fire. As they left Pearl Harbor the men topside were able to see a small motor launch 1,000 yards off the entrance buoys. In that launch they saw their captain, Lt. Commander Robert H. Rodgers, and other officers of the Aylwin in a small WWI destroyer following them. Orders were to make way for the open sea so they could not slow down. The officers were left behind on the their small vessel. In the battle one of the screws was damaged. For 36 hours the ship patrolled and worked chasing down a potential submarine before heading back to dock for repairs on December 12. Lt. Commander Rodgers spoke highly of his men who continued without him:
The conduct of the personnel was magnificent.... Every man more than did his job and was eager to fight."
Then went on to speak of Ensign Caplan:
"The conduct (of this man) ... in superbly taking command for 36 hours during war operations of the severest type is a most amazing and outstanding achievement."
Their actions and quick thinking saved the ship and the Aylwin continued to serve throughout the war in the Pacific theater. As the war ended, the need for the large naval fleet diminished and the Aylwin sailed through the Panama Canal to the New York Naval Yard. On October 16, 1945, the vessel was struck from the Navy list and the following year was sold and cut up for scrap by 1948.
-Professor Walter
Comments