December 7, 1941 started out as a calm Sunday morning. Within hours, the United States would never be the same again. While many Latter-day Saints were in their Sunday meetings, the United States' naval base in Oahu, Hawaii was being bombed by Japan. As a result of this surprise attack, 2,403 Americans were dead and the United States was now fully a part of World War II. Across the Pacific Ocean in the little town of Farmington, Utah, a ten-year old girl named Barbara Hatch had just gotten home from church. Her family turned on the radio to hear the shocking news that America was under attack.
As the war set in, supplies became more scarce and so rationing coupons were implemented to control the types and quantities of food available. Metal was in demand, and as an elementary school student my grandma Barbara remembers collecting scrap metal and having competitions at school to see who got the most. My grandma also remembers rationing gas and sugar and receiving rationing coupons...She also remembers a German POW hollering at her as their truck drove by one day. He yelled, "I'm gonna bring you something tomorrow!" and the next day he threw her a little trophy.
Barbara's mother Edith Hatch many times in her life foresaw events relating to her family. In 1942, Barbara's older brother Spencer was preparing to join the Navy Air Corps and head overseas to fly in the Pacific Theater. His mother was concerned about him and told him, "Spencer, if you do (go over there), you'll find yourself floating in the Pacific Ocean." On January 2, 1945, Spencer was attempting to take off from the aircraft carrier when his plane developed engine trouble. He made a water landing about 100 yards in front of the carrier and before he knew it the whole plane was submerged. The area of the ocean he was in was highly dangerous - seven miles deep, the carrier was bearing down on him and sharks were in the area, but thankfully he was rescued and suffered no major injuries. Yet through that experience he directly fulfilled his mother's prophecy.
Barbara also recalls the emotional toll the war took on her brother Spencer. He came home on leave one winter and she could sense that he was sad to head back out again. As he walked away from their house, this torn, twenty year-old young man grabbed a fistful of snow and threw a defiant snowball.
"In 1945 Spencer saw aerial combat in the Pacific at the Philippine Islands, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He shot down three enemy planes...[and his own plane] was seriously shot up from ground fire but he was able to get his plane back to the aircraft carrier for a safe landing...He was recommended for the Silver Star, was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals 'for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in action against the enemy.'" source
One of the most poignant moments for Barbara was not long after Pearl Harbor. At ten years-old she came home from school one day rather upset. Her mother sensed something was wrong and in response to her mother's questioning Barbara broke into tears. "They're gonna bomb us and kill us all!" she cried. As a good mother does, Edith took her daughter and reassured her, telling her that as long as we keep the commandments our country will be blessed, protected, and will prosper (2 Nephi 1:9, 20, 31).
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Barbara around ten years old
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| Spencer shaking hands with Dwight D. Eisenhower. White-haired LDS Church President David O. McKay is off to the general's right. |
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| Spencer Fearnley Hatch |
