The United States Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program is honored to announce the December 2024 story of the month has been selected to recognize the service of Pearl Harbor Survivor, United States Navy Veteran, Lieutenant Patrick McIntyre.

Patrick McIntyre joined the United States Navy to see the world and reported to boot camp in January of 1941. He shared, “there was some feeling that we were going to war, I don’t think they expected the Japanese to attack Pearl Harbor.” Following basic training, he attended Radio School and became an Aviation Radioman. On Thanksgiving Day, McIntyre arrived in Pearl Harbor, traveled to Kaneohe Naval Air Station, and was assigned to a PBY beaching crew.

On the morning of December 7th, 1941, McIntyre was working in the mess hall at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. He recalled, “I heard shots like a machine gun…I went out on the lanai… and this Japanese fighter plane came passing by…shooting and strafing…” As the attack progressed, McIntyre shared that Japanese airplanes targeted the seaplane hangers, parked aircraft and continued strafing the field. This led to three PBY squadrons suffering heavy losses. The sailors and marines worked tirelessly, attempting to repel the attack with small arms fire. McIntyre recalled the actions of Chief John Finn, who was awarded Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant McIntyre shared memories of the salvage and repair efforts following December the 7th. Soon after he would was ordered back to the mainland to receive additional training to be a radioman aboard PBY Catalina aircraft. Once his training was complete, he was ordered back to the Pacific and reported to the USS Curtiss AV-4, which was recognized as the first seaplane tender built for the Navy. McIntyre joined one of the PBY crews and worked as a radio operator. The mission of the PBY’s operating from the USS Curtiss was to scout and identify the position of Japanese air and naval resources.

On one mission, his PBY intercepted a Japanese flying boat and a dogfight broke out. After scoring hits against the Japanese flying boat, he shared, “we came side by side with the airplane, there was shooting from one side to the other. The bow machine gunner killed their machine gunner and my plane captain on the port side was shot in the chest and killed instantly at my feet.” After more passes, both aircraft ended the engagement and flew off.

Due to the air battle which took place, McIntyre’s PBY was running low of fuel and crashed into the sea before reaching the USS Curtiss. Fortunately, the crew was later rescued as an all out search was organized by the USS Curtiss and her PBY air crews.

McIntyre opted to return to the states but his return home was short-lived. With the war still raging against the Empire of Japan, he was ordered back to the Pacific, and was assigned to Bombing Squadron 106. Bombing Squadron 106 was operating out of Eniwetok and McIntyre’s role was supporting the PB4Y-1 Liberator’s. After completing the tasks assigned to him, he was ordered back to the states.

Upon returning home, McIntyre attended Radio School where he met a fellow sailor named Harry Patch. Patch would introduce McIntyre to his future wife, was present at his wedding, would become a lifelong friend.

In an interesting connection, the Navy Memorial Stories of Service Program interviewed the same Harry Patch in Virginia in 2012. In 2014, Lieutenant Harry Patch was named the December story of the month. To read the story of Lieutenant Patch, click here.

Lawrence McIntyre, son of World War Two Veteran, Lieutenant Patrick McIntyre, contacted the Navy Memorial requesting to enter his Father’s story into the Navy Memorial Interview Archive. After receiving a copy of the interview which was conducted by Lawrence, the Navy Memorial Stories of Service team published the video segments below.

The United States Navy Memorial honors Pearl Harbor Survivor, United States Navy Veteran, Lieutenant Patrick McIntyre featured within this series titled, Tales from the Navy Log, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial. To learn more about this story and to explore the Navy Memorial archive, visit the Navy Memorial Stories of Service site at https://www.navymemorial.org/stories-of-service