On that fateful morning, Ford Island found itself in the direct path of the Japanese attack.

The skies over Pearl Harbor darkened with waves of aircraft, unleashing devastation upon the battleships moored nearby and the airstrips on the island itself.

The chaos that ensued highlighted both the vulnerability of the base and the heroism of those who defended it.

This article will explore the strategic importance of Ford Island leading up to the attack, the harrowing events of the 7th December, and the aftermath that left a lasting impact on the naval base.

By examining these elements, we can better understand how Ford Island’s experiences during the Pearl Harbor attack not only shaped the course of the Second World War Ibut also became a symbol of sacrifice and resilience in American history.

In 1916, the U.S. Navy purchased the island from Dr. Seth Porter Ford’s estate, after whom the island was renamed. This acquisition marked the beginning of its transformation into a naval aviation base.

By the early 1920s, Ford Island had developed into a vital component of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s operations. It became a key site for seaplane operations, airfield development, and battleship mooring.

The island’s flat terrain and central location within Pearl Harbor made it an ideal hub for aviation training and experimentation.

The construction of Hangars 6 and 7 in the mid-1930s provided vital maintenance and storage facilities for the growing fleet of naval aircraft.

These hangars were designed to support a wide variety of aircraft, enabling more efficient repairs and upkeep.

Ford Island also saw the development of a seaplane ramp, which facilitated the launch and recovery of seaplanes directly from the harbor waters, enhancing the base's operational flexibility.

Further infrastructure improvements included the addition of new barracks to house the increasing number of personnel stationed on the island and the installation of an advanced communications network to support command and control functions.

A fuel depot was also constructed, ensuring that the island could support extended flight operations without relying on external resources.

These enhancements made Ford Island a crucial component of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific operations by 1940.

The Pacific Fleet's battleships and cruisers, such as the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS California, were strategically moored around Ford Island in an area known as Battleship Row.

This lineup represented a significant portion of the U.S. Navy's Pacific power at the time. These vessels formed a protective circle around Ford Island, which served as their logistical and operational hub.

Ford Island provided essential support services, including fuel, ammunition, and maintenance, making it a vital base for fleet operations.

The close proximity of these battleships to the island demonstrated the U.S. Navy’s reliance on Ford Island as a central point for coordinating Pacific defenses and naval activities in the region.

This concentration of naval assets made Battleship Row a primary target during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to catastrophic losses and significant damage to the Pacific Fleet’s power.

Due to the unfinished upper tower, the areological tower atop Building S84 was temporarily used as a control tower to direct aircraft operations.

Despite being strafed during the attack, personnel in the Operations Building S84 continued to guide U.S. aircraft in and out of the Ford Island airstrip.

Surrounding construction scaffolding around the tall water tank forced low-flying Japanese planes to veer away, as some attackers flew as low as 40 feet.

However, he found the communication systems on Ford Island inadequate for reaching the Enterprise, which he believed contributed to the friendly fire incidents.

Despite these challenges, he made efforts to alert as many ships and anti-aircraft batteries as possible.

Within hours, aircraft from both Enterprise and Ford Island were airborne again, conducting searches for the enemy attackers.

Unfortunately, some of these planes were again targeted by friendly fire upon their return, as the island's defenses remained on high alert.

The USS Arizona suffered the most catastrophic loss when a bomb penetrated its forward magazine, causing a massive explosion that killed over 1,100 sailors. The destruction of these ships further compounded the damage to Ford Island, as the area was engulfed in flames and smoke.

Despite the surprise and chaos, defenders on Ford Island attempted to fight back. Some personnel manned anti-aircraft guns and fired on Japanese planes as they swooped in for bombing runs and strafing attacks.

“It was the loudest noise I have ever heard. Windows shattered, and china dishware fell out of the cabinets,” remembered Tom Davey, a nine-year-old Nob Hill resident at the time.

The blast from the Arizona created chaos, with homes on the island being showered with shrapnel and debris, and smoke filling the air.

Residents of the Nob Hill and Chief Petty Officers (CPO) quarters quickly offered refuge to Navy personnel who managed to escape the burning ships.

Many of these sailors were severely burned, covered in oil, and injured.

They joined the families in the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters (BOQ) and the “dungeon” of Quarters K. “This was my first exposure to men covered with oil, burned, wounded, and crying out in pain,” Davey recalled.

Fires raged throughout the area, fueled by the oil leaking from damaged ships on Battleship Row, including the USS Arizona, whose catastrophic explosion caused widespread fire and debris.

The waters surrounding Ford Island were also on fire due to fuel spilling from the ships, further complicating rescue efforts.

Following the attack, medical evacuations were prioritized. Those who were wounded on Ford Island were moved to nearby hospitals and medical facilities on the main island of Oahu.

The U.S. Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor was one of the key locations where injured personnel were treated, and in extreme cases, personnel were transferred to other military and civilian hospitals across the island.

Evacuations were also necessary for some non-essential personnel to ensure that resources could be concentrated on recovery efforts and military operations.

However, Ford Island itself, being a central naval air station, did not see a complete evacuation of its personnel, as it remained operational in the days following the attack, despite the devastation.