SALEM, Ore. – Following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Americans living along the West Coast of the United States lived in guarded fear of further Japanese attacks and panic over a potential invasion. Within hours, scout aircraft and lookout posts were staffed along the entire western coastline from the Canadian border to California as the nation was propelled into high alert.

Ramping up for a possible attack, military members were quickly put into action. The Oregon National Guard’s 123rd Observation Squadron began flying anti-submarine patrols by the following day on December 8. Historical records indicate that 123rd combat crews (28 members) received credit for anti-submarine missions flown from December 8, 1941, through November 10, 1942.

Three B-25B’s assigned to the 17th Bomb Group at McChord Field were conducting a slated coastal patrol mission on December 24, 1941. The aircraft was flown by the federalized 123rd Observation Squadron members when they reported spotting a Japanese submarine off the mouth of the Columbia River. Lt. Everett W. Holstrom promptly engaged the enemy submarine.

“There never was confirmation of a lost submarine by either the U.S. or later accounts from the Japanese,” said Lt. Col. (ret.) Terrence G. Popravak, 142nd Wing Historian, who has researched multiple prominent stories and…