Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing James J. Doyle Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: USS Lexington (CV 2); Squadron 2
- Location of Service: Pacific Theater; Pearl Harbor
- Highest Rank: Photographer's Mate First Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/73565
Taught to fly at the age of 14 by a barn-storming friend, James Doyle spent his time in the Navy as an aerial photographer. On December 7th, he grabbed his camera to document the first wave of the attack. After the second wave, he flew reconnaissance over the surrounding area, only to confront friendly fire on his return to Pearl Harbor. Over the next two years, he would survive the Battle of Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, and being shot down by the Japanese while taking photos over Florida Island.
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayEnlistment; got to skip flight school; had to be taught to fly "the Navy way." 00:00:58.2 - 00:01:59.8
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PlayDetails of attack; soldiers bleeding, dying, hollering for help; smell of burnt bodies and tar; hiding under scrap metal; Japanese pilots flying 10 feet off the ground; Japanese spared Naval hospital ship. 00:03:49.6 - 00:07:18.1
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PlayChaos after attack; everyone spooked; retrieving bodies; wounded servicemen were soaked in tar and oil. 00:10:19.4 - 00:11:18.4
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PlayBattle of Coral Sea; returned to USS Lexington from photo mission; found the Lexington on fire; landed on burning deck; bailing out; picked up by another ship; watching the Lexington sink. 00:14:34.7 - 00:19:06.9
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PlayFlying photographic mission over the island of Florida; shot down; woke up 22 days later in hospital in Brisbane, missing the top of his head; sent back to States. 00:25:24.7 - 00:29:47.9
About this Item
Title
- James J. Doyle Collection
Names
- Doyle, James J.
- Elliott, Catherine
Home State
- Colorado
Headings
- - Doyle, James J.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Form
- DVD
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: USS Lexington (CV 2); Squadron 2
- Location of Service: Pacific Theater; Pearl Harbor
- Highest Rank: Photographer's Mate First Class
- Dates of Service: 1939-1943
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served in utility aviation and as a pilot doing photo reconnaissance.
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2008-10-29; 2008)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/73565
Cite as
- James J. Doyle Collection (AFC/2001/001/73565), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video