Elbert Arakawa
1399th Engineer Construction Battalion

December 7, 1941

Elbert Arakawa

Elbert is at his parents’ home on Sunday when he sees fire and smoke from a plane. Radio reports confirm it is a real attack.

He and a friend dash back to Schofield and, on the way, witness the destruction at Pearl Harbor.

At Schofield, Elbert is given the password, “ Shanghai.” That night, hyperalert guards cause bullets to fly “all over the place.”

Blackout is ordered. Breathing through a gas mask, Elbert cooks on a wood stove inside a light-sealed tent.