Hobby Master Archive

On December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan SBD-2 White “2-B-6” like all other aircraft was lined up so they could easily be protected from sabotage. White “2-B-6” was one of two spare former USS Lexington SBD-2s assigned to VMSB-232 and still wearing its USN markings. When the Japanese aircraft arrived over the field and found the U.S. aircraft all bunched up it was shooting fish in a barrel. They bombed and strafed everything in sight. After the initial shock Master Technical Sergeant Emil S. Peters ran to SBD-2 White “2-B-6” that had been parked behind the squadron’s tent. Peters opened the rear cockpit and climbed in and released the .30 caliber Machine Gun. Private William G. Turner gathered some ammunition belts and came to assist MTS Peters by feeding him the belts. According to witnesses the two managed to shoot down at least two of the attacking aircraft and for a time held several others at bay. Eventually the Japanese grew tired of this and two Japanese aircraft concentrated their fire on the SBD. The aircraft was riddled with 7.7 mm bullets wounding both men. MTS Peters suffered non-life threatening wounds but Private Turner who had been standing on the wing fell mortally wounded to the ground. Both men were awarded the Bronze Star for their combat heroism. VMSB-232 was the former VMB-2 until July 1,1941 when the dark clouds of war began to become visible. Along with the new designation came the loss of the colorful pre-war schemes. The new paint scheme was simple and less colorful, all grey. The unit name of “The Red Devils” was transferred as well but the bright red insignia didn’t appear on the aircraft.