Remembering Pearl Harbor

NOTE: This story first published Dec. 7, 2020. It has been updated with additional photos.

by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman
California National Guard Public Affairs

Dec. 7, 2022

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three California Army National Guard Soldiers from the Los Angeles area are believed to be the first Americans killed Dec. 7, 1941, during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Sgt. Warren D. Rasmussen, 19, of Compton, Sgt. Henry C. Blackwell, also 19, of South Gate, and Cpl. Clyde C. Brown, of Long Beach, were members of the Cal Guard's F Battery, 251s Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft).

The unit deployed from Southern California to Hawaii in November 1940 to provide anti-aircraft defense to Pearl Harbor and Schofield Barracks in conjunction with other Army and Navy personnel.

After days on alert, the Soldiers were called in from the field Saturday, Dec. 6, and returned to their base at Camp Malakole, 27 miles west of Honolulu. They were given the rest of the weekend off.

On the morning of Sunday, Dec. 7, Blackwell and Brown, who learned to fly during the deployment through the military's Civilian Pilot Training Program, rented Piper Cubs from K-T Flying Service at John Rodgers Field to work on their flying skills and offer Rasmussen a sightseeing trip.

The trio took off from Rodgers Field for a morning flight along the coast. While aloft, the pair of aircraft crossed paths with incoming Japanese Zeroes about to begin their planned attack on Pearl Harbor.

People on the ground reported seeing a pair of yellow airplanes shot down by the Japanese fighters and parts of a Piper Cub washed ashore a few weeks after the attack.

Rasmussen, Blackwell and Brown are believed to be the first American service members killed during the attack.

The Los Angeles Times reported the Soldiers' deaths on March 30, 1942.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Research conducted by the California Military Department's California State Military History and Museums Program contributed to this report.