Hart Investigation - Intro

JOINT COMMITTEE EXHIBIT NO. 144

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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF AN EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES CONVENED BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

TO RECORD THE TESTIMONY PERTINENT TO THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII, ON 7 DECEMBER 1941

February 12, 1944-June 15, 1944

[i]

INDEX

                                                                Page [1]

Organization of examination ................................. 1
Introduction of counsel ..................................... 1
Modification of counsel ..................................... 391
Reporter sworn ........................ 2, 29, 32, 225, 288, 308, 363
Adjournments .............. 1, 31, 53, 73, 85, 96, 104, 114, 134, 146,

      169, 178, 194, 204, 205, 206, 214, 228, 249, 262, 272, 278, 292,

      307, 323, 337, 347, 354, 362, 367, 378, 382, 390, 398, 403, 412,

      425, 430.

Notifications of meetings to Rear Admiral H. E. Kimmel 1, 2, 206, 338
Closing entry ............................................... 432

[ii]

TESTIMONY

Name of Witness	Examined by examining officer [1]	Verified [1]
Claude C. Bloch, Admiral, USN (Ret.)	2, 86	147
Benjamin Katz, Commander, USN	29, 54	184
W. W. Smith, Rear Admiral, USN	32, 54, 55	184
L. D. McCormick, Rear Admiral, USN	66	184
Walter S. DeLany, Rear Admiral, USN	74	205
Arthur C. Davis, Rear Admiral, USN	96	141
M. E. Curtis, Captain, USN	105	147
P. N. L. Bellinger, Vice Admiral, USN	115	194
Wilson Brown, Rear Admiral, USN	135	170
William S. Pye, Rear Admiral, USN	147	195
Robert O. Glover, Captain, USN	170	205
Paul C. Crosley, Commander, USN	179	205
Willard A. Kitts, Rear Admiral, USN	185	205
Vincent R. Murphy, Captain, USN	195	204
Joseph J. Rochefort, Commander, USN	207	338
Edwin T. Layton, Captain, USN	214	272
W. L. Calhoun, Vice Admiral, USN	225	262
Granville C. Briant, Commander, USNR	229	262
Charles H. McMorris, Rear Admiral, USN	233	335
Richmond K. Turner, Vice Admiral, USN	250, 262	338
John L. McCrea, Captain, USN	273	338
Theodore S. Wilkinson, Rear Admiral, USN 279	292
Aubrey W. Fitch, Vice Admiral, USN	288	292
George VanDeurs, Captain, USN	290	292
William F. Halsey, Jr., Admiral, USN	293	322
Irving H. Mayfield, Captain, USN	308	322
John Henry Newton, Vice Admiral, USN	314	322
William B. Stephenson, Lieutenant, USNR 323	335
Howard F. Kingman, Rear Admiral, USN	335	391
William E. G. Taylor, Commander, USNR	338, 348	354
L. F. Safford, Captain, USN	355	383
Herbert F. Leary, Vice Admiral, USN	363	391
J. B. Earle, Captain, USN	368	378
Wesley A. Wright, Commander, USN	379	404
Charles Wellborn, Jr., Captain, USN	383	404
Walter S. Anderson, Rear Admiral, USN	391	402
Roland Munroe Brainerd, Vice Admiral, USN 399	404
R. E. Shuirmann, Rear Admiral, USN	404	431
Joel W. Bunkley, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.) 413	431
Royal E. Ingersoll, USN	415	431

[1] Pages referred to are indicated by italic figures enclosed by brackets and represent pages of original exhibit.

Page 2

[iii]

EXHIBITS

Exhibit	Character of-	Admitted in evidence [1]
1	Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel of 2/17/44	1
2	Letter from Adm. Kimmel to Adm. Hart of 2/19/44	1
3	Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel of 3/4/44	2
4	Pacific Fleet Confidential Letter 2CL-41 (Revised)	4
5	Joint Coastal Frontier Defense Plan (JCD-42)	6
6	Dispatch: CNO to CINCPAC; 16 Oct. 41; Ref: 162203	30
7	Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 24 Nov. 41; Ref: 242005	30
8	Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 27 Nov. 41; Ref: 272337	30
9	Disp: CNO to com pnncf; 28 Nov, 41; Ref: 290110	30
10	Disp: OpNav to CINCAF; 30 Nov. 41; Ref: 300419	30
11	Disp: OpNav to CINCPAC; 3 Dec. 41; Ref: 031850	31
12	Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 26 Nov. 41; Ref: 270038	54
13	Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 26 Nov. 41; Ref: 270040	55
14	Disp: CNO to CINCPAC: 29 Nov. 41; Ref: 282054	55
15	Disp: CNO to OpNav: 28 Nov. 41; Ref: 280627	55
16	U. S. Pacific Fleet Operating Plan (Rainbow 5)	58
17	Ltr from CNO to CinCPAC; 15 Feb. 41; re: anti-torpedo baffles, Pearl Harbor	61
18	Ltr from CinCPAC to CNO; 12 March 41; RE; anti-torpedo baffles, Pearl Harbor	61
19	Ltr from CNO to Com 14; 13 June 41; re: anti-torpedo baffles	61
20	Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel of 3/10/44	74
21	14CL-41 (Revised); re: organization of PacFlt into task forces	75
22	Ltr fm Com 14 to CNO with enclosure of Joint Estimate of 3/31/41, dated 1 May 41	86
23	Ltr from Com 14 to CNO; 30 Dec. 40; re: security of Fleet and ability of local defenses to meet surprise attacks	87
24	Ltr from ComPatWingTwo to CNO; 16 Jan 41; re: readiness of ComPatWingTwo	128
25	Ltr from CominCPacFlt; 13 Aug. 41; re: employment schedules, 2nd Quarter 1942	179
26	Employment Schedules 3rd Quarter 1942	180
27	Employment Schedule-Task Force One	181
28	Employment Schedule-Task Force Two	181
29	Employment Schedule-Task Force Three	181
30	Verification letter-V.Ad. Bellinger	194
31	Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel; 3/22/44	206
32	Letter from Dist. Atty. to Atty. Gen; Hawaii; 6/4/41	325
33	Verification letter-Comdr. Rochefort	338
34	Verification letter-V.Ad. Turner	338
35	Verification letter-Captain McCrea	338
36	Letter from Adm. Hart to Adm. Kimmel; 4/24/44	338
37	Verification letter-R.Ad. Kingman	391
38	Verification letter-V.Ad. Leary	391
39	State Dept. publication: PEACE AND WAR, 1931-41	406
40	Ltr fm SecNav to SecWar, 24 Jan. 41; and reply fm SecWar to SecNav, 7 Feb. 41; re: security Pearl Harbor against attack	407
41	Verification letter-R.Ad. Bunkley	431
42	Verification letter-Admiral Ingersoll	431

[1] RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE FOR READING THE TESTIMONY CONTAINED HEREIN

Insofar as there was a plan for the sequence of witnesses, it consisted of examining officers who were in Hawaii, 7 December 1941, and then following what they brought out by examining officers who were elsewhere, most of such being of the Navy Department. However, it was necessary to seize opportunities when and where officers were available and irrespective of logical sequence.

Therefor, in reviewing this testimony it will be advisable to depart from the order of the actual proceedings and the following sequence is recommended. However, some reviewers may find that for them the flow of thought will be better if Part III is read before Part II.

PART I - INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE

Name	Duty in 1941	Page No. [1]
(1) Theodore S. Wilkinson, Rear Admiral, USN	Director of Naval Intelligence	279
(2) Howard F. Kingman , Rear Admiral, USN	Chief, Domestic Intelligence Branch, O.N.I.	335
(3) Irving H. Mayfield, Captain, USN	D.I.O., 14th Naval District	308
(4) William B. Stephenson, Lieutenant, USNR	Attached to D.I.O., 14 N.D.	323
(5) Benjamin Katz, Commander, USN	O-in-C, Code Room, Naval Communications (1944)	29, 54
(6) L. F. Safford, Captain, USN	O-In-C, Communications Intelligence, Naval Communications.	355
(7) Joseph J. Rochefort, Commander, USN	O-in-C, Combat Intelligence Unit, 14 N.D.	207
(8) Wesley A. Wright, Commander, USN	Attached to Combat Intelligence Unit, 14 N.D.	379
(9) Edwin T. Layton, Captain, USN	Intelligence Officer, CinCPac	214

[1] Pages referred to are indicated by italic figures enclosed by brackets and represent pages of original exhibit.

Page 3

PART II - OFFICERS OF THE PACIFIC FLEET, INCLUDING 14TH NAVAL DISTRICT

Name	Duty in 1941	Page No. [1]
(10) Claude C. Bloch, Admiral, USN (Ret.)	Commandant, 14 N.D.	2, 86
(11) J. B. Earle, Captain, USN		368
(12) Granville C. Briant, Commander, USNR	Aviation Aide, Com 14	229
(13) M. E. Curtis, Captain, USN	Communications Officer, CinCPac	105
[2] (14) William E. G. Taylor, Commander, USNR	Attached to Army as radar advisor	338, 348
(15) W. W. Smith, Rear Admiral, USN	Chief of Staff, CinCPac	32, 54, 55
(16) Charles H. McMorris, Rear Admiral, USN	War Plans Officer, CinCPac	233
(17) L. D. McCormick, Rear Admiral, USN	Assistant War Plans Officer, CinCPac	66
(18) Vincent R. Murphy, Captain, USN	Assistant War Plans Officer, CinCPac	195
(19) Walter S. DeLany, Rear Admiral, USN	Operations Officer, CinCPac	74
(20) Willard A. Kitts, III, Rear Admiral, USN	Gunnery Officer, CinCPac	185
(21) Arthur C. Davis, Rear Admiral	Aviation Officer, CinCPac	96
(22) P. N. L. Bellinger, Vice Admiral, USN	Commander, Patrol Wing Two	115
(23) Aubrey W. Fitch, Vice Admiral, USN	Commander, Patrol Wing Two (1940)	288
(24) George VanDuers, Captain, USN	Attached to PatWingTwo	290
(25) Wilson Brown, Rear Admiral, USN	Commander, Scouting Force, PacFlt, and Commander, Task Force Three	135
(26) William F. Halsey, Jr., Admiral, USN	Commander, Aircraft Battle Force, PacFlt, and Commander, Task Force 2.	293
(27) John Henry Newton, Vice Admiral, USN	Commander, Cruisers Scouting Force, PacFlt	314
(28) Paul C. Crosley, Commander, USN	Flag Secretary, CinCPac	179
(29) William S. Pye, Rear Admiral, USN	Commander, Battle Force, PacFlt, and Commander, Task Force One. 147
(30) Herbert F. Leary, Vice Admiral, USN	Commander, Cruisers Battle Force, PacFlt	363
(31) Walter S. Anderson, Rear Admiral, USN	Commander, Battleships Battle Force, PacFlt	391
(32) Joel W. Bunkley, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.)	Commanding Officer, U.S.S. CALIFORNIA	413
(33)W. L. Calhoun, Vice Admiral, USN	Commander, Base Force, PacFlt	225

[3]

PART III - OFFICERS OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT

(34) R. E. Schuirmann, Rear Admiral, USN	Director, Central Division, OpNav	404
(35) Royal E. Ingersoll, Admiral, USN	Assistant Assistant CNO	415
(36) Richmond K. Turner, Vice Admiral, USN	Director of War Plans, OpNav	250, 262
(37) Robert O. Glover, Captain, USN	Attached Plans Division OpNav	170
(38) John L. McCrea, Captain, USN	Aide to CNO	273
(39) Charles Wellborn, Jr., Captain, USN Administrative Aide to CNO	383
(40) Roland M. Brainard, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret.)	Director of Ship Movements Division, OpNav	399

[1] Pages referred to are indicated by italic figures enclosed by brackets and represent pages of original exhibit.

In reply address
Secretary of the Navy
and refer to No.

[A(1)] [Copy]

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, 12 February 1944.

JAG:D-1:LLP

PRECEPT FOR AN EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES AND THE TAKING OF TESTIMONY PERTINENT TO THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, TERRITORY OF HAWAII

From:	The Secretary of the Navy.		To:	Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
Subj:	Examination of witnesses for purpose of recording and preserving testimony pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941.

Whereas, on 7 December 1941, Japanese armed forces made an attack against Army and Navy installations and ships of the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, which attack was a complete surprise to the commanders of the said installations and ships, and

Page 4

Whereas, regrettable loss of life and extensive damage resulted from the said attack, and

Whereas, certain members of the naval forces, who have knowledge pertinent to the foregoing matters, are now or soon may be on dangerous assignments at great distances from the United States, and

Whereas, it is now deemed necessary, in order to prevent evidence being lost by death or unavoidable absence of those certain members of the naval forces, that their testimony, pertinent to the aforesaid Japanese attack be recorded and preserved,

I hereby detail you to examine such members of the naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the said surprise attack and fully record the testimony given thereby. Under the authority of Title 5, Section 93, of the U. S. Code, you are authorized and directed to administer an oath to any witness called by you to testify or depose in the course of this examination into the subject-named matter.

In view of the fact that Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel; U. S. Navy, Retired, was, on 7 December 1941, serving on active duty as the commander-in-chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, with the rank of Admiral, U. S. Navy, and [A(2)] therefore, has an interest in the matter into which this examination is being made, you will notify him of the times and places of the meetings to be had and that he has the right to be present, to have counsel, to introduce, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, to introduce matter pertinent to the examination and to testify or declare in his own behalf at his own request.

Upon completion of the examination you will submit a complete record of all the testimony taken, including any documents introduced therein, to the Secretary of the Navy.

The provisions of Sections 733 and 734, Naval Courts and Boards, will govern the proceedings of this examination, in so far as such provisions are applicable thereto.

The necessary clerical assistance to aid you in recording the testimony will be furnished you upon your request by the appropriate command in the area in which meetings are held.

(SGD) FRANK KNOX.

[B] Office of the Secretary.
JAG:D-1:ps.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Washington 25, D. C., 16 Feb 1944.

To:	Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy. Via: The Judge Advocate General.
Subj:	Orders as counsel to assist examining officer.

1. You are hereby directed to report to Admiral Thomas C. Hart. U. S. Navy, Retired, as counsel to assist him in the examination of such members of the U. S. naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941, which examination was directed by my precept of 12 February 1944.

/s/ FRANK KNOX,
Secretary of the Navy.

Page 5

1-End.

17 FEBRUARY 1944.

To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy. 1. Delivered.

/s/ T. L. Gatch,
T. L. GATCH,
The Judge Advocate General.

Confidential

2-End.

17 FEBRUARY 1944.

To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy. 1. Reported this date.

/s/ Thos. H. Hart,
THOMAS H. HART,
Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired.

[C] Office of the Secretary.
JAG:D-1:ps

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY,
Washington 25, D. C., 16 Feb. 1944.

To:	Lieutenant William M. Whittington, Jr., U. S. N. R. Via: The Judge Advocate General.
Subj:	Orders as assistant counsel to assist examining officer.

1. You are hereby directed to report to Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, as assistant counsel to assist him in the examination of such members of the U. S. naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941, which examination was directed by my precept of 12 February 1944.

/s/ FRANK KNOX,
Secretary of the Navy.

1-End.

17 FEBRUARY 1944.

To: Lieutenant William M. Whittington Jr., U. S. N. R. 1. Delivered.

/s/ T. L. Gatch,
T. L. GATCH,
The Judge Advocate General.

Confidential

Page 6

17 FEB 1944.

To: Lieutenant William M. Whittington Jr., U. S. N. R. 1. Reported this date.

/s/ Thos. C. Hart,
THOMAS C. HART,
Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired.

[D] Office of the Secretary
JAG:I:ps
(SC)/P16-4/00

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Washington 25, D. C., 27 April 1944.

To:	Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy. Via: The Judge Advocate General.
Subj:	Orders as counsel to assist examining officer Ref: (a) SecNav. ltr., JAG:D-1:ps (SC) P16-4/00, dated 16 February 1944, with endorsement thereon.

1. When directed by Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, you will consider yourself relieved of the duties assigned by reference (a) and will then report to the Judge Advocate General and resume your regular duties.

/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL,
Acting Secretary of the Navy.

JAG:AJ:RLD

End-1

OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL,
Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
28 April 1944.

From:	The Judge Advocate General.
To:	Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. N. 1. Delivered.

/s/ F. L. Lowe,
F. L. LOWE,
Assistant Judge Advocate General.

Confidential

2nd Endorsement
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C. 9 May 1944.

From: Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy (Ret.) To: Captain Jesse R. Wallace, U. S. Navy.

1. Relieved as counsel to assist the examining officer. You will carry out the basic orders.

/s/ Thos. C. Hart.
THOS. C. HART.
A true copy. Attest:
THOMAS C. HART,
Admiral, U. S. Navy, Retired,
Examining Officer.

Page 7

[E] Office of the Secretary
JAG:I:ps
(SC) P16-4/QR3

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY,
Washington 25, D. C., 28 April 1944

To:	Lieutenant William M. Whittington, Jr., U. S. N. R. Via. The Judge Advocate General.
Subj:	Orders as assistant counsel to assist examining officer.

Ref: (a) SecNav ltr., JAG:D-1:ps (SC)P16-4/QR3, dated 16 February 1944, with endorsement thereon.

1. Reference (a) is hereby modified to the extent that when directed by Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U. S. Navy, Retired, you will assume the duties of counsel to assist him in the examination of such members of the U. S. naval forces thought to have knowledge of facts pertinent to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, T. H., on 7 December 1941, which examination was directed by my precept of 12 February 1944.

/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL,
Acting Secretary of the Navy.

OFFICE OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL,
JAG:AJ:RLD Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 28 April 1944.

End-1

From:	The Judge Advocate General.
To:	Lieutenant William M. Whittington, Jr., USNR. 1. Delivered.

/s/ F. L. Lowe,
F. L. LOWE,
Assistant Judge Advocate General.

Confidential

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