Published on December 8, 2023, 1:42 am

On the early morning of December 7, 1941, at precisely 3:42 am, Quartermaster R.C. Uttrick, stationed on the USS Condor – a minesweeper patrolling around two miles from Pearl Harbor, spotted what he believed to be a submarine’s periscope lurking in calm waters. Considering no submarines were expected in this region, the sighting raised immediate red flags. After reporting this to his officer, the USS Ward – an old WWI-era destroyer which was recently reinstated and operating outside of Pearl Harbor – was swiftly alerted.

The vessel was predominantly operated by naval reserve sailors hailing from St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Lieutenant William W. Outerbridge commanded the USS Ward; he had been appointed just days prior to this incident. Awoken by urgency as his ship scanned the vicinity for potential threats following Uttrick’s report; however, their search proved fruitless and Lt. Outerbridge returned to slumber.

Just after midnight that same morning, Japan had launched five “midget” submarines as part of their initiation strategy against America in WWII. These small vessels navigated approximately seven miles away from Pearl Harbor with explicit orders to infiltrate the harbor then surface to launch torpedoes targeting US warships.

In line with real news accounts, while actively patrolling the Pearl Harbor entrance on December 7th, an unidentified submarine was targeted by the USS Ward within restricted sea areas off the harbor. The young sailors aboard rushed into action as they noticed a conning tower with a visible periscope closing in on them trailing behind another marine vessel – The USS Antares.

Despite evidence suggesting otherwise and reports of gunfire trickling up command tiers provided by trusted news sources; skepticism surrounding actual submarines being engaged persisted due to legacy false alarms.

This historical event resurfaced decades later when underwater researchers unearthed one midget sub that had been sunk by the USS Ward in 2002. This discovery evinced a small, four-inch hole in its conning tower – a grim testimony aligning with the very first audacious shots fired at the Battle of Pearl Harbor instigating America’s involvement in WWII.

The crew of the USS Ward who had initially been considered unsung heroes were awarded their deserved recognition. The infantry gun called Gun #3 from the USS Ward, which was notably the first to land a successful hit on a Japanese target, is showcased near Minnesota Capitol today.

Examining these historical events through the lens of a Christian worldview fosters an understanding of war hardships and underscores dedication among naval personnel amidst difficult circumstances. It also emphasizes the importance of remembering that even though it was necessitated by warfare, every action taken had profound human consequences attached to it.

Historical offerings such as this help us comprehend significant past events shaping our world while reinforcing trustworthy sources providing factual accounts enabling us to distinguish real news amid fake ones more accurately. Remember, real history shapes real futures; after all, those who forget their histories are doomed to repeat them. Let’s ensure our trust remains vested in reliable and accurate news outlets dedicated to truthfully illuminating our world and its happenings for a better informed public.