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Born and raised in Hawai`i, Dr. West, shown here at his Straub Clinic desk before his retirement, was stationed at the Ford Island Medical Dispensary in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Although not an official USS Arizona Memorial Survivor Volunteer, Dr. West greeted visitors and signed his book, Honolulu Prepares for Japan's Attack every Wednesday at the park before passing away this past February. Dr. West will be greatly missed by everyone at the USS Arizona Memorial.

USS Arizona Memorial
Dr. Rodney West

Born and raised in Hawai`i, Dr. West joined the United States Naval Reserve in January of 1940 after spending 18 months in private practice. He was called to active duty on September 5, 1941 and assigned to the Ford Island Medical Dispensary at Pearl Harbor. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Dr. West rushed to the dispensary to help with the wounded. In the middle of the quandrangle of the dispensary, Dr. West distinctly remembers a huge bomber crater, made by a bomb meant for the nearby USS California. Dr. West remained at the dispensary until December 11, caring for the wounded, most of whom were sailors from the damaged battleships who had swum through the burning oil on the waters of Pearl Harbor.

The 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Pearl Harbor Attack in 1991 inspired Dr. West to write a book about the many Honolulu civilians who, prior to the attack, had volunteered their talents to insure that Honolulu was prepared for a major disaster. Honolulu Prepares for Japan's Attack tells the story of a group of concerned citizens from the Hawai`i Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Honolulu County Medical Society and many other local organizations that set up blood banks, first aid stations, emergency ambulance routes and other critical services that saved many lives when the December 7, 1941 occurred. History consistently asserts that the Japanese attack was a complete surprise, yet the quick civilian response on that Sunday morning proved that the island was indeed prepared in at least one essential area.

For more information about volunteerism and the Take Pride in America visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, visit www.takepride.gov.