National Archives Recovers & Preserves Rare Pearl Harbor Navy Logbook
Press Release · Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Washington, DC

Thanks to an historically-conscious couple in California, the Pearl Harbor Navy (PHNY) Logbook from March 1941-June 1942 -which records and documents the December 7, 1941 attack as it occurred- was recovered by the U.S. government, resides in the National Archives and is now available to the American people.

Read About The Recovery Efforts In The Washington Post

Jim Byron, Senior Advisor to the Acting Archivist, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said: "This special item is one of the few surviving records that helps tell the story of the 'date which will live in infamy.' Thanks to the efforts of an historically-conscious California couple, it is now available to the American people, allowing everyone to better appreciate their history --- and especially the sacrifice and heroism of December 7, 1941."

The Logbook contains regular, handwritten entries from March 1941 -when war in Europe was raging but prior to the entry of the United States- to June 1942 at the Battle of Midway. It shows the daily happenings at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, including vessel movements and which ships were under repair.

The devastating attack of December 7, 1941 by Japan brought the United States into World War II; a lesser-known, second attack on Pearl Harbor on March 4, 1942, known as Operation K is also recorded in this logbook, as is the repair of the USS Yorktown (CV 5) following the Battle of Coral Sea.