1922-1941
Fireman, Second Class, U.S.S. Arizona
On Thanksgiving day, 1941,
John George Dine wrote his last letter home while aboard
the U.S.S. Arizona. The letter is addressed to his brother
Phil Dine and dated November 20, 1941. He died in the
subsequent Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, on
December 7th, 1941. He was nineteen years old. The letter
reached home one week after his death.
Click on a photo to see a larger image. A complete
transcript of the letter appears at the bottom of this
page.
Personal photo taken while in the Navy.
U.S.S. Arizona at sea
Second photo taken while in the Navy.
Aerial view of attack on Pearl Harbor
Envelope
Overhead view of Battleship Row during attack
Front side of letter,
written on U.S.S. Arizona stationary
Direct hit on U.S.S. Arizona
Back side of letter
U.S.S. Arizona burning
U.S. Flag Poster
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
Shrine Room at the Memorial
Transcript of letter, complete with misspellings and
punctuation as it was originally written.
Nov. 20, 1941
Dear Phil,
Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope
this letter find you all the same. As a sailor says
who has got the wrong news Bum dope. Here is the
latest dope we are suppoes to go back the 28 of
this month but that is just dope you cant depend on
that. I tell you what when we get it straight from
the captain, I will write you a letter by clipper,
so you can tell the flocks for sure that I am
coming. Here is one more thing that has me worried,
you cant get leave unless you can get back to the
ship within 12 hours. So if they call me do you
think you might be able to get the old mans car and
take me back to the ship in 12 hours time.
Well today is Thanksgiving so to all of you home I
whish you the best thanksgiving you ever had, that
comes from the bottom of my heart, I am awful sorry
that I cant be there with you, but it cant be done.
But if all goes right I will be home before Xmas
here is hoping. This time I am sending you a couple
of snap shots so take your pick, When I get home I
will see if I can't fix you up with a nurse, but
not mine. Say phil what did the floks say cause I
didnt send 20 dollars, this month, I really did
need the money, so tell mom I am sorry but you cant
do what your whant in here when they say you got to
have certain items well you are going to have them
thast all to it. When you wrote the last letter you
did not put my full address on it so this put on, A
Divlon,
I will have to close give my love to all, believe
me or not, but out here all the fellows call me
Johnny so here I am sineing off whit love
Johnny.
P.S. forgive the hand write but I smell the turkey
in the oven.
Notes: The concern over getting back to the ship within 12
hours is because his hometown of Fresno, CA was 350 miles
away from where the ship would dock. And this in the day
when car travel was significantly slower. Although his first
name was John, he was always called George at home.
This site is dedicated to the men and women of the United States Armed Services - to those who gave their lives and to those who continue to risk their lives in the name of defending freedom everywhere. I hope and pray that a nineteen year old kid writing home from Afghanistan today does not have their letter end up being a part of their family history such as this one did. Comments may be directed to emmydogcdx@yahoo.com
Site created by Phil O Dein (Original German spelling of
family name), son of Philip Dein, as noted in
letter.