Two Hungover Pilots Defended Pearl Harbor, Denied Medal for Unauthorized Attack

On the morning of December 7, 1941, two young American pilots stationed in Hawaii faced a sudden and brutal Japanese air attack on Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and Lieutenant George Welch, both in their early twenties, had spent the night before partying. Still in their tuxedo trousers, the two men sprang into action when the first bombs fell. Despite being sleep-deprived and underprepared, they would become some of the first American pilots to engage the enemy in the Battle of Pearl Harbor. This story, however, ended with them being denied the highest military honor for defying orders.

An Unforgettable Wake-up Call

Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and Lieutenant George Welch had no idea what awaited them as they lay asleep after a long night of celebrating in Honolulu. When the sound of explosions and gunfire shook them awake, they realized this was no drill. The Japanese had launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. They quickly understood that their base, Wheeler Field, was also being targeted.

Without waiting for official orders, Taylor and Welch jumped into action. They called the nearest airfield at Haleiwa, about 10 miles away, to ready their Curtiss P-40B Warhawk fighter planes. Still dressed in their tuxedo pants, they raced to Haleiwa in their Buick. Enemy planes strafed their speeding car, but Welch, driving, kept his foot on the gas, determined to reach their planes before it was too late.

Taking to the Skies

Upon arriving at Haleiwa, the two pilots found the airstrip untouched, a rare bit of luck in the chaos unfolding around them. They climbed into their P-40s without hesitation, despite only having .30 caliber ammunition loaded. The ground crew warned them to disperse their planes to avoid enemy fire, but Welch famously responded, “To hell with that.” With little time to think, they took off, determined to fight back against the overwhelming Japanese attack.

As they climbed into the sky, Taylor and Welch soon spotted a formation of Japanese dive bombers attacking U.S. installations. Outnumbered six to one, they fearlessly engaged the enemy. Their element of surprise paid off, as they managed to shoot down several bombers. Taylor and Welch separated to chase different targets, with Welch coming under fire from a bomber’s tail gunner. Taylor, low on ammunition, had to retreat to Wheeler Field for resupply, where the devastation of the attack became clear.

Defying Orders

At Wheeler Field, Taylor and Welch’s planes were reloaded and repaired by the brave ground crew working amid the ruins. However, as they prepared to take off again, they were stopped by officers who scolded them for attacking without official orders. The officers were not just concerned about the unauthorized attack—they were also trying to prevent further casualties, as another wave of bombers was seen approaching the airfield.

Ignoring the orders to stand down, Taylor and Welch jumped back into their cockpits as bombs exploded nearby. They managed to take off just in time, dodging enemy fire as they sped into the sky once again. Taylor, already injured from earlier gunfire, chased after a formation of bombers. At one point, his plane was hit by another volley of gunfire, leaving him wounded in the leg and arm. Despite the injuries, he remained focused on the battle.

A Lifesaving Moment

While Taylor struggled to shake a Japanese bomber on his tail, Welch, noticing his friend’s trouble, dove to his aid. Welch’s intervention was timely, as he managed to shoot down the bomber pursuing Taylor, saving his life. Despite his injuries, Taylor continued to fight, targeting another bomber before spotting a new threat. A formation of Japanese fighters, known as Zeros, was heading straight for Welch, who was chasing a lone enemy plane. Taylor, worried for his friend’s safety, broke off his attack and headed towards the incoming formation.

Fortunately, the Zeros turned away before any further combat occurred. Welch succeeded in shooting down the plane he was pursuing. Both pilots returned to Haleiwa airfield, their planes heavily damaged but still operational. They had managed to survive the chaos, having fought against incredible odds. Welch ended the battle with four confirmed kills, while Taylor had two confirmed and two probable.

Controversy and Heroism

After the attack, the bravery of Taylor and Welch did not go unnoticed. Their actions helped prevent further destruction of critical infrastructure and personnel at Haleiwa airfield. In interviews with Japanese pilots after the war, it was revealed that the two men’s actions likely spared Haleiwa from the worst of the assault.

However, their disobedience in taking off without orders came at a price. While both pilots were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for their heroism, Welch was denied the Medal of Honor for his unauthorized actions. Taylor, who sustained injuries during the battle, was also awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery.

Legacy of the Pilots

Taylor went on to have a distinguished military career, serving until his retirement in 1971. He lived a quiet life after his service and passed away in 2006. Welch, known for his boldness, continued to demonstrate his skill and bravery in future conflicts. He served as a test pilot after World War II and flew combat missions during the Korean War, where he reportedly shot down enemy planes, despite being ordered not to engage. Tragically, Welch died in 1954 during a high-speed test flight.