DECEMBER 7, 1941

A DAY WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY

It was going to be a merry Christmas. On the afternoon of December 1, 1941, 2100 soldiers of the U.S. Army set up camp on the Lassiter Airfield along the northern edge of Dublin. The troops were on their way to Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The field was located between North Jefferson Street and Country Club Road. Another 1000 soldiers on their way to Louisiana came through the next morning. In all, about 600 trucks passed through Dublin. The merchants were beside themselves. The soldiers were paid the day they arrived. The men spent their money on soft drinks, beer, eats, and cigarettes. The quartermasters picked up some necessary supplies for the remainder of the trip.

Electricians were set to start wiring the courthouse Christmas Tree on Monday morning. Santa Claus was making toys for the little ones. The Dublin Hurricanes had just celebrated a successful football season. The Cadwell Bulldogs also celebrated their victory over the Cedar Grove team in the Laurens County Six Man Football Championship. The Chamber of Commerce was set to select officers for the coming year. The John Laurens Chapter of the D.A.R. was preparing to entertain state officers. The news came in over the radio on that fateful Sunday afternoon. The country was at war. Immediately, Laurens Countians turned their thoughts to those serving in the Pacific. Among those serving in Hawaii were Major Robert Wilson, Bascom Ashley, George Dewey Senn, William Drew, Jr., Walter Camp, Joel Wood, Harold Wright, Charles Durden, Hardy Blankenship, Rowland Ellis, Wade Jackson, Nathan Graham, Obie Cauley, and Claxton Mullis. Lts. William C. Thompson, Jr. and Everett Hicks were serving in the Philippines and Woody Dominy was stationed on Wake Island.

December 7, 1941, "A day which will live in infamy," changed all of our lives. For those of us who were alive, it will be a day that they will always remember. For those of us who came along later, it may have been the most important day of our lives. So much of our world's political situations and our scientific and technological advances were direct results of the events which began on that fateful day.

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The following is a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hobbs of Dublin from their daughter Margie Hobbs Wilson, wife of Major Robert Wilson, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in December, 1941.

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December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Dear Mamma and Daddy;

I know that you are frantic with all the news you are getting over the radio today. Although I have no idea when this letter will get out of here now, I'll write all along and just hope for the best.

We were taken so by surprise this morning that some ships were bombed and reservations were upset. Bob got up first today but I was awake when it all started. He didn't hear the air raid alarm, but he came running upstairs and said I was missing a good mock war. Then he went over and looked out of the window and saw it was the real thing. The Jap planes were flying so low over our house the wheels were almost rolling on the roofs. I knew it was the real thing when I saw a bomb make a direct hit. Bob started putting on his uniform to report for duty and turned on the radio. They were announcing that Japanese planes were attacking the Island of Oahu (that's this one) and for all men to report for duty at once.

The whole Island was organized in nothing flat and they won't let us out of the house. However, when it first started I went over and got Margaret De Sadler and we went on to Harriett Hemmingway's place. Several girls had gathered there and we were there when the worst part was going on. There were about seven kids there and all scared stiff. Harriett was almost out of her head. She has two little boys, one three and one five. I haven't been scared so far. I don't guess I've got enough sense to be.

We had to lie on the floor when most of the raid was going on, because the shrapnel was flying outside and we were afraid it would come through the window. I have a piece for a souvenir. While we were on the floor I had all the children drawing pictures. Gee, we drew so many that I almost learned to draw myself!

Later Margaret and I came over to the house and put some clothes in a suitcase just in case we were to evacuate to the hills, and a sentry caught us and wouldn't let us go back to Harriett's, so we are together at my house. Bob has been in once to get one of the radios for the yard. All the station programs are off the air and we are advised to keep all radios on for special announcements. The army has taken everything over. If anybody had ever told me I'd be right in the middle of an air raid, I would have though he or she was crazy.

Unless we are evacuated before dark Margaret and I are going to bring a mattress downstairs tonight and sleep on the floor. There's no use to tell you not to worry about us because, I know how I'd feel if I were in your place. But try not to worry too much and I'll let you know how we are just as often as I can. As soon as I can, I'll send you a wire, but I don't know now when that will be possible.

We spent a pretty quiet night. Of course Margaret and I both slept with one eye and one ear open. There was a sentry right in front of our house all night so that made us feel better about the situation. Bob came in for a minute at sundown yesterday to see if we were OK, but I haven't seen him since.

Alfred Sturgis rang the door bell at one o'clock this morning and said he wanted to stay with us if it was all right. He had worked all day at the Navy yard and couldn't drive his car after sundown last night. We are certainly glad he came. He is going to see that our letters are mailed for us. Try not to worry too much.
Love, Margie