The following pages were written by a 17 year old High School Senior who was living at
Hickam Field, Hawaii, at the time of the Japanese bombing on December 7, 1941.
Any references to last names have been deleted, except for those well known names of persons
noted in historical documents. First names are those actually used by the individuals mentioned.
Other than the above mentioned editing, all content is exactly as written in the diary.
Although the author had been keeping a diary for years, I have chosen to begin this document
on November 28, 1941 just to give an indication of the total change that occurred in everyone's
lives on that fateful Sunday morning.
Ginger's Diary
Friday, November 28, 1941
Boy, the atmosphere is getting tense! We're on alert again, only this time they say it is
the real thing instead of just practice. I don't know just what that implies, but it sounds nice
and drastic. Bill's birthday today. I gave him the pretty little tie pin and a real 'charming'
poem. He also got about ten dollars from the various relatives. Had Dick and Lowyd over for
dinner. Lowyd of course is spending the week-end. Showed the boys our movies. Read "funny"
books. Bed
Saturday, November 29, 1941
Got up planning to wash my hair, but it was so cold I talked myself out of it. Listened to the
Army-Navy game while I printed Christmas cards. The navy won 14 - 6, darn it. We were leading
6 - 0 at the end of the first half, too. I finished forty-eight Christmas cards and I still
have about thirty-six to go. Spent all afternoon doing nothing very exciting. Read the funnies
when they came. Also read a few comic books and a little more of the "Berlin Diary". I wish I
could finish that. It's very interesting, but Mom wants to give it back to Col. L. Went to show
"Blondie In Society". Very funny!
Sunday, November 30, 1941
Boy, is it cold !! Went to Weaver Beach. We were all wearing sweat shirts. Played volley ball,
but didn't even get warm enough to perspire. I feel swell!! Dad's been running around the house
with a sweatshirt on and a towel wrapped around his neck. I've been drinking coffee, tea, and
soup all day. More Fun!
This alert is sure queer. There are guards all over the place, and
everyone is running around with guns on. The sirens keep blowing on all sides of us. Wonder
why we haven't had a black out? Did the dishes, listened to the radio (music and of course, The
Shadow) and then got around to doing my homework. Took a bath and went to bed.
Memo page between months
Wonder if we'll be at war by this time next month.....I certainly do hope not. Especially not
with the Japs!
Monday, December 1, 1941
Ah joy to the cold weather. I hope it keeps up until Christmas. Wish it would snow or something.
Everyone at school was, or course, freezing, but I felt wonderful. First chance I've had to
wear the jacket I got for my birthday. Kay was absent and Gaye has an infected hand. That sure
must have been a wild picnic their homeroom gave on Friday. Had to write another dumb theme - this
time on "How Football promotes Unity". I swear! It took me a whole study hall and from 6:30 'till ten,
AND record period tomorrow to finish it. (I hope I finish it tomorrow!!) It's the worst I've done so far.
Tuesday, December 2, 1941
Finished my theme in record period. Added a last paragraph and brought the sum total of words up to 196.
It's supposed to be less than 200 and more than 190. I guess it came out perfect, except that most of it
is just that--words!!
Sorority meeting night. It was my turn to take us, but Mom and Dad were
going out, so..... Kay got her car after a battle with her family. Voted on new members. Certainly
came out odd. The people I expected to get in didn't. Ann did, however, and I'm the one who put her
name in so that's something. Talked about Christmas basket. Next meeting is next Tuesday. It's
really going to be a battle then. So close !!
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