PEARL HARBOR U.S.S.CALIFORNIA - IMPORTANT CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT ABOUT THE ATTACK

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This rare important confidential report belonged to Rear Admiral Bunkley who was the Commanding officer of the U.S.S. California when it was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This is an original World War Two letter sent by Admiral Earl Stone to Admiral Bunkley. I recently acquired a large collection of original documents, photographs and other WWI & WWII items that belonged to Rear Admiral Bunkley. This three page typed letter signed "Earl E.Stone" is marked "CONFIDENTIAL" on all three pages. Stone was serving as the executive officer aboard the U.S.S. California when it was sunk at Pearl Harbor. This letter is a reply by Admiral Stone to a letter sent by Admiral Bunkley. Apparently Bunkley was asking Stone about certain details that happaned the day of the attack and the days just prior to the attack. Bunkley was concerned about the ships readiness for battle and the ships condition just prior to the attack. This is a very interesting letter in the second paragraph Stone writes: "While at Pearl Harbor in the CALIFORNIA I realized that war with Japan might break out at any time. You may have felt the same way. Of course, the information on the Japanese sitiation which I had was very limited. I recall that from the time of our visit at Long Beach in October, 1941, until the attack on December 7, 1941 the possibility of war breaking out seemed greater than before - to such an extent that I questioned the wisdom of having Mrs. Stone return to Honolulu from Long Beach, where she had gone in October 1941." The first paragraph on the second page is also very interesting where Admiral Stone recalls detecting an unidentified submarine on December 1st and it was reported to Pearl harbor but no action was taken! Stone writes: "I was especially apprehensive during our last exercise at sea with the fleet (about 1 December 1941). You will remember that one night about that time when we were at sea there was information of an unidentified submarine having been detected. However, after a day or two we returned to Pearl Harbor and I cannot recall that any additional security measures were ordered. Looking back now I feel that the submarine incident was a warning that might well have provoked action at Pearl Harbor to prepare for a possible outbreak of war with Japan. But that was a matter for those higher up to decide as undoubtedly they had the best information upon which to base any required action." This is an extremely interesting, rare and important letter that gives important insight to how many people at Pearl Harbor were very nervous and worried about an outbreak of war with Japan. This is an orignal letter it is NOT a copy. Each page measures 8 x 10 1/2 inches and has the Navy watermark of an eagle (see last picture!). As with all my rare items I am starting this auction at $9.99 with NO RESERVE! Joel William Bunkley (1887-1967) Born on July 3, in Macon, Georgia. Graduated from Annapolis in 1909 and commissined in 1911. Served with the Naval Railway Battalion in France in World War I. Aide to the Commander of the Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet 1919-1920. Aide to the Commander in Chief Asiatic Fleet 1923-1924. Commanding Officer of the Pruitt, Childs and Banner 1924-1926, then the Wood and Greer 1928-1930. Member of the U.S. Naval Mission to Argentina 1934-1937. Commander of Destroyer Squadron Ten 1838-1939. Commanding Officer of ther California 1940-1942, sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Retired as Rear Admiral in July 1942 and immediately recalled to active duty as supervisor of New York Harbor until retirement again in January 1946. Decorations include the Navy Cross and Legion of Merit. Earl Everett Stone (December 2, 1895 - September 24, 1989) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy . He is most noted for being the first director of Armed Forces Security Agency, the predecessor to the National Security Agency . Earl Everett Stone was born on December 2, 1895 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . Stone attended the United States Naval A... read more

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