DIY History | Transcribe | Nile Kinnick Collection | Nile Kinnick diary of service in the U.S. Naval Reserve Air Corps, December 3, 1941-February 25, 1942

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Nile Kinnick diary of service in the U.S. Naval Reserve Air Corps, December 3, 1941-February 25, 1942

Page 010

he would report for active duty, preferably with colored troops; that no sacrifice was too great in the present emergency. It was the most thoughtless & impolitie remark I have ever heard!! Heard over the radio tonight that 500 unidentified planes were over San Francisco. Seems incredible that the Japanese would come so far. Really don't believe the report can be authentic.
As for my own feelings now that the U.S. & Japan are at war I shall say this. I expected it but not quite so soon. I expected to be faced with the prospect of serious combat action when I joined up. I am ready for whatever it may be my duty to do. I feel much as I used to when the football season started & I knew Minnesota was on the schedule. That is, I realize what is coming up but probably won't be appreciably keyed up until actually moving onto the firing line.

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he would report for active duty, preferably with colored troops; that no sacrifice was too great in the present emergency. It was the most thoughtless & impolitie remark I have ever heard!! Heard over the radio tonight that 500 unidentified planes were over San Francisco. Seems incredible that the Japanese would come so far. Really don't believe the report can be authentic. As for my own feelings now that the U.S. & Japan are at war I shall say this. I expected it but not quite so soon. I expected to be faced with the prospect of serious combat action when I joined up. I am ready for whatever it may be my duty to do. I feel much as I used to when the football season started & I knew Minnesota was on the schedule. That is, I realize what is coming up but probably won't be appreciably keyed up until actually moving onto the firing line.