The first class of pilots trained at Corpus Christi NAS graduated on Nov. 1. The Navy opened three auxiliary fields - Rodd, Cabaniss and Cuddihy. Sunday morning, Dec. 7, began as a cool day. The afternoon was clear and sunny as people began to hear on their radios that Japanese planes had attacked the American navy base at Pearl Harbor. At Corpus Christi NAS, leaves were cancelled and additional guards posted.
Phones rang continuously as people tried to find out what was happening.
Shop at the naval base to hear President Roosevelt's address asking for a declaration of war. Both had attended Corpus Christi High School. The war brought new rules from new agencies created to control prices and ration supplies. Household language expanded to take in terms like red tokens, shoe stamps, and sugar stamps. Rents were frozen.