84 Years Ago Today: The Heroes of Pearl Harbor – Lt. Kenneth Taylor and Lt. George Welch’s Distinguished Service Cross Ceremony
January 9, 1942, was a day that would forever mark the valor of two American pilots—Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and Lieutenant George Welch—both of whom were honored with the Distinguished Service Cross for their extraordinary actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The ceremony, held at Wheeler Army Airfield on Oahu, Hawaii, was a moment of recognition for two men who, despite being caught off-guard and unprepared, proved the true measure of heroism in the face of an unprecedented attack.
Their bravery would forever be etched in the history of World War II and the defense of the United States. On that fateful morning, these two pilots rose to the occasion, making split-second decisions that would not only save lives but also serve as one of the first and most memorable chapters of American resistance during the war. Despite the chaos and confusion that defined the day, their actions in the air provided a spark of defiance that would ignite the American resolve to enter the war fully.
In this article, we’ll revisit the remarkable story of Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and Lieutenant George Welch, detailing their heroism during the Japanese attack, their lives leading up to that defining moment, and the legacy they left behind. Through their bravery, they became symbols of courage and resourcefulness during one of America’s darkest hours, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary heroes emerge in the most unexpected ways.
The Night Before: A Christmas Dinner That Would Lead to a Heroic Morning
December 6, 1941, was like any other night in Honolulu—at least for the two young pilots stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield. Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and Lieutenant George Welch had been busy in their roles as pilots, training, and preparing for what they knew could be an imminent war. However, that night was different. Instead of focusing solely on duty, the two men decided to relax and enjoy a Christmas dinner and dance at a rooftop hotel in Waikiki. The night was filled with festive cheer, laughter, and music. As military officers, both Taylor and Welch knew that there was a war brewing in Europe and Asia, but nothing could have prepared them for the chaos that would unfold just hours after the clock struck midnight.
After the dinner and dance, Taylor and Welch decided to engage in an all-night poker game. They didn’t go to bed until around 06:30 AM on December 7, 1941—just hours before the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor would change the course of history.
For the two pilots, sleep was fleeting. As the morning light started to break through the windows, both men were abruptly awakened by the sound of explosions, low-flying planes, and the rapid, thunderous bursts of machine-gun fire. At first, they may have thought it was part of a drill—after all, airstrikes were not uncommon in wartime exercises. But as the noise grew louder and closer, the realization of the attack set in: Pearl Harbor, America’s Pacific Fleet, and the island of Oahu were under attack.
The Quick Thinking of Welch and Taylor: From Pajamas to Planes
The initial shock of the attack didn’t paralyze Taylor and Welch—it fueled their instincts to protect, to defend, and to act quickly. Still dressed in their tuxedos from the previous evening’s celebration, the two pilots immediately understood that the situation required more than a routine response. In a display of resourcefulness and courage, Welch picked up the phone and contacted the auxiliary Haleiwa Fighter Strip on Oahu’s North Shore, ordering that two Curtiss P-40B Tomahawk fighters be prepared for takeoff. The urgency in his voice left no room for hesitation—the Japanese were attacking, and they needed to be stopped.
Without waiting for orders, Welch’s instinct was to get into the air and join the fight. Taylor, ever the loyal wingman, hopped into his car, and the two sped toward the airfield in his Buick, racing against time to reach the waiting planes before it was too late.
At the Haleiwa Fighter Strip, the crew chiefs, shocked and caught off-guard like everyone else, informed Taylor and Welch that their planes needed to be parked and dispersed for safety. “To hell with that,” Welch famously responded, and it’s a line that has since become immortalized in the history of military defiance. He wasn’t interested in hiding or waiting for orders. He and Taylor were going to engage the enemy, no matter the cost.
The two men scrambled to their planes, disregarding conventional protocol, and took off as quickly as they could, determined to meet the Japanese fighters head-on. The sight of two American pilots flying out in their P-40s in the midst of an enemy assault would be the beginning of an extraordinary chapter of resistance that has since defined their legacies.
The Battle in the Skies: Welch and Taylor Fight Back
When Welch and Taylor finally took to the skies, the scene was nothing short of chaotic. The Japanese forces, who had struck with incredible precision, had already begun their assault on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. Explosions, gunfire, and the piercing sound of planes cutting through the sky filled the air. Despite being caught off guard and lacking the preparation they were accustomed to, both Welch and Taylor immediately began engaging the enemy.
In the midst of the air raid, Welch was credited with shooting down several Japanese planes. He exhibited unmatched agility and daring as he navigated through the dogfights, using his skills to outmaneuver the attacking forces. Taylor, equally skilled, wasn’t far behind. Both pilots made an impact on the battlefield, quickly shifting the tide of the air war, even if it was just a small victory in the face of a much larger assault.
Though their actions didn’t immediately change the course of the battle, Welch and Taylor’s heroism became a rallying cry for other American forces and pilots who were scrambling to defend their country. Their bravery provided an early example of the courage that would characterize the U.S. military response to the Japanese attack.
The Distinguished Service Cross Ceremony: A Moment of Recognition
For their extraordinary actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, both Taylor and Welch were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross—the second-highest military honor for bravery and courage. On January 9, 1942, less than a month after the attack, the two men were formally presented with the awards in a ceremony at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. The ceremony was a somber acknowledgment of their courage, and it underscored the resilience of the American forces, who had faced a devastating surprise attack but had responded with unwavering resolve.
The presentation of the Distinguished Service Cross to both men was more than just an official ceremony—it was a recognition of the bravery that had been displayed in the face of overwhelming odds. The war was far from over, and the road ahead would be long and arduous. But the actions of Welch and Taylor became a symbol of the courage and resilience that would define the Allied forces as they fought to turn the tide of the war.
Legacy of Taylor and Welch: Heroes of the Pacific
The actions of Lieutenant George Welch and Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor left an indelible mark on the history of World War II. Their quick thinking, bravery, and sheer determination to fight back despite being caught off-guard cemented their legacies as heroes in the Pacific theater.
For decades, their story has inspired generations of military personnel, civilians, and enthusiasts alike. The image of two young American pilots, dressed in tuxedos just hours before, scrambling into their planes and fighting back against a much larger and more prepared enemy, symbolizes the American spirit: resilient, relentless, and unwilling to surrender in the face of adversity.
The legacy of Welch and Taylor is not just in the Distinguished Service Crosses they received; it’s in the stories of bravery and perseverance that continue to echo in the halls of history. They proved that heroes are often made in the most unlikely of moments, and that courage can emerge when it’s needed most.
The Heroic Actions of Welch and Taylor in the Face of the Impossible
The story of Lt. George Welch and Lt. Kenneth Taylor during the Pearl Harbor attack is one of raw bravery, defiance, and unwavering patriotism. These two men, with their quick thinking and courage under fire, showed the world what true heroism looks like. Their actions—unprepared, unrelenting, and driven by a sense of duty—have left a permanent mark on American military history. Their refusal to back down in the face of the Japanese assault is a testament to the resilience of the American spirit and the determination to fight for what’s right, no matter the odds.
On January 9, 1942, when they received their Distinguished Service Crosses, it was more than a ceremony—it was the official recognition of the valor that had already been written in the hearts of those who witnessed their bravery. Welch and Taylor’s heroism at Pearl Harbor continues to inspire, a reminder of the extraordinary courage that can emerge even in the most unexpected moments of history.
