"It was worse than you can imagine." (Video interview, 4:14)

James J. Doyle

James Doyle [detail from video] War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Navy Unit: USS Lexington (CV 2); Squadron 2 Service Location: South Pacific; Pearl Harbor Rank: Photographer's Mate First Class Place of Birth: Meeker, CO

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.