1937 - 1942 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A PRE WORLD WAR II AIRMAN DETAILING LIFE IN THE SERVICE AT WHEELER FIELD IN HAWAII UP TO AND SOON AFTER THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR

On offer is a super original 1937 - 1942 5-year diary handwritten by Private Harry E. Fitzgibbons of the Army Air Corps who stationed at Wheeler Field in Hawaii for most of this diary. He's assigned to the 26th Attack Squadron. He doesn't write every day of each year there are a total of almost 1100 days' worth of entries providing historians and researchers with concise look at this airman's life pre World War II and at the opening of the conflict. At the start he enlists around Chelan/Seattle Washington area and it's not long before he heads to the beautiful Islands of Hawaii. Here are snippets: 1937 "Left home for Chelan Washington with M. Workman…Arrived in Seattle. Signed up for enlistment in Army Air Corps. Went out to Fort Lawton….Was sworn in Army. Was issued uniform….Arrived at Fort McDowell. Had to wait from 8 o'clock to 1 o'clock to catch the boat…..Was put in hospital with case of acute pharyngitis….." 1938 "Grant" sailed. Sailing formation in morning. Physical inspection. Played blackjack in afternoon and night….Could see nothing but water. Some sick. Didn't do much. Was boxing in afternoon. Show at night. Water was real smooth….Docked in Honolulu at 10 o'clock. Was assigned to 26th Attack Squadron; Wheeler Field…..Fatigue in morning. Went on machine gun range in afternoon. 26th didn't furnish any ammunition so didn't get to shoot….Dr. cut open by boil. Almost passed out so painful. Went down to garage and cleaned up car….Still at Luke Field. Hank couldn't get a pass so couldn't go to town. Walked around. Was over to Fleet Air Base, came back in evening….Worked up at Officers Club getting ready for Senators. Lots of work. Played tennis in afternoon….Helped set compasses in 2 ships. Worked late till 12:15. Went to Honolulu in afternoon and couldn't locate Milford till late….Bombing this morning. Out looking for uploading duds in afternoon. Walked to Waimanalo in evening……" 1939 "Went out to Waikiki about 11 o'clock. Stayed in 2 ½ hours. Saw Dawn Patrol at Waikiki. Saw fireworks at night. 3 men hurt….Had exam for Hilo trip. Everything ok. Fatigue in afternoon. Worked out in gym with Tommy in evening. Went to fights….Left Schofield for Honolulu. Saw the Republic before I left. Left on Royal T. _____ for Hilo at noon. Didn't feel too grand…..Water rough. Felt a little nausea in evening. Arrived at Hilo at 8:30 A.M. Trip out to camp really cold…..Left in U.S.S. Tanager at 9 o'clock. Tommy got seasick. I didn't feel no good. Stayed at Maui for night. Stayed at Armory…..Played tournament match. Won from Major Harding 6-4, 11-9. Really tired. Might go flying tonight…." 1940 Worked on B-18. Went to Wahiawa in evening. I drank a few beers. Saw Mitchell and came back with him. Night flying….Had a date with Eleanor. Had a fair time but not good enough…..Went to Pearl Harbor and saw Benny on "Salt Lake City", heavy crews. Visited about here and people there….Got orders, making me a Staff Sergeant. Paly, Bears, Disney and I went to Honolulu to see show….Squadron had picture taken. Went on oxygen flights, 20,000. Played 2 sets tennis with Kennard. Played bingo…." 1941 "Played tennis in morning. I lost to Hawaiian's. Team won 3-2. Went swimming at Waikiki. Took group to see "No Time for E_____"…..Rock and I went to Kuala Club. Danced with Frances, Elyse and Grace…..Started moving stuff to Bellows. Went to club dance. Locklear's weren't there. Got peeved at Francis….Ship was missing a right magneto. Couldn't find the trouble. Rode over to Kailua…..Slept late and fooled around. Got some movie camera film. Saw Disney. He was sure drunk….Went to Kula Sanatorium in morning. Had date with Vivian in afternoon. Saw show in evening, "Road to Zanzibar"….." 1942 "Had 2 hr. pass. Eleanor came out with Allie and her sister. Went to Kailua. I asked her to marry me. She didn't give me an answer….Flight chief on B-18's. Worked quite awhile…… Japs raided Alaska and attacked Midway…..Started on a 48 hr pass. Stayed at John's place. Mae was there. Paid off car. Had lunch with Gladys's. Saw Disney……Went to Kailua in evening. Stayed at Hartman's. Had a few drinks. Good visit…..Was at dispensary. Dr. almost killed me. Feel like hell. Sam Shackley came to see me……The Japanese planes attacked us by M. B. (?) fire this morning. 1st one and then 8 more. One pilot was killed…..We were digging fox holes and expecting more trouble….41+ hours. Went to Hickam and Wheeler Field. They were a mess. Joe Good was killed….Had 2 hr pass. Went to Gorman's. Had several drinks of whiskey. Got caught speeding on post….Worked on ship. 50 hr inspection. Slept in parachute department. Spent New Year's Eve there." The cover has pulled away from the binding and there are glued paper spots on the front of the cover but the binding is still good as are the pages. The diary measures about 3 ½" x 5". 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