AViosk - United States Coast Guard - BERING SEA PATROL/ALASKA BSP-AV

United States Coast Guard - 200th Anniversary

TANEY AT PEARL HARBOR

The United States Coast Guard cutter Thttey fires at Japanese aircraft at Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. At 7:55 on the morning of December 7, 1941, the United States fleet, based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked without warning by the Japanese. Aircraft launched from a carrier task force caught the Americans completely by surprise. The United States Navy battleships Arizoita, Califoritia, and Uta~t were sunk, Okialtonta capsized and four others were heavily damaged. Altogether nineteen ships were sunk or damaged along with 120 planes. Nearly 2,500 were killed and over 1,000 were wounded in the attack. This act precipitated a vote in Congress on the following day for a declaration of war and the United States entered World War II.

This painting depicts the Coast Guard cutter Taney tied up at pier six in Honolulu harbor. During the spring of 1941, Tattey, and six other 327 foot class ships, had been transferred to the Navy Department due to their value as escort vessels. The remainder of the Coast Guard was placed under naval authority just five weeks before the attack. When the first Japanese aircraft appeared over the island, Taneys crew observed the anti-aircraft fire over Pearl Harbor, went to general quarters and prepared to get underway if necessary. Just after 9:00 a.m. the second wave of Japanese planes appeared and Tattay fired on three formations of scattering enemy aircraft. The main action was about ten miles distant and Taney's 3-inch guns and 50 caliber machine guns concentrated against the high altitude Kate bombers and Zero fighters. The last formation of five enemy planes ventured the closest. The cutter opened fire with its guns when the planes came in range. There were no direct hits, but the Japanese fighters were forced to avoid the fire.

During World War II, Taney provided a valuable service by escorting convoys in the Pacific and Mediterranean. In 1945, the cutter operated in the Facific and served as an Amphibious Force Flagship during the Okinawa Campaign. During this campaign, Tnttey was assigned duty as combat information center, maintaining complete radar coverage and receiving and evaluating information on every activity. Due to its exposed position in the fleet, Thtiey actually experienced a disproportionate share of the fighting. Tattey defended the fleet from kamikaze attacks and shot down several of the suicide planes.

The Coast Guard served with the United States Navy dunng World War II. During the war, the Coast Guard grew to over 240,000 personnel and fought in all theaters of the war.

Artist: Keith Ferris

Keith Ferris is Government Services Chairman for the Society of Illustrators.

He is responsible for the Air Force Art Program and the Coast Guard's Illustration frogram and Bicentennial Art Program. He has exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. and Europe.

His mural Fortresses Under Fire covers the entire back wall of the World War II gallery of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Mr Ferris is a founding member of The American Society of Aviation Artists. He is an author and an inventor holding five U.S. and four foreign patents.