Was WAKE ISLAND Surrendered Prematurely?

Sea Classics, Dec 2005 by Cunningham, Gregory R

At 6:30, Maj. Devereux reported that his lines were being heavy pressed and he believed he could not hold out much longer. Cunningham informed Devereux that no friendly forces were in the vicinity. He asked Devereux if he believed it would be justified to surrender to prevent further loss of life. They had to think about the over-1000 unarmed civilians. Devereux said, "It is solely up to the commanding officer." Cunningham took a deep breath and authorized Devereux to surrender if he felt he could no longer hold out.

After the war, Maj. Devereux would claim that the above conversation did not take place and he was "shocked" about the decision to surrender. He said the possibility of surrendering on 23 December was "farthest from my mind," but later confirmed it was the right decision. The facts show a different story. The above discussion between Maj. Devereux and Cmdr. Cunningham was confirmed by a signed deposition by then second-in-command Cmdr. Campbell Keene. On 20 December 1946, Capt. Keene reported to the Secretary of the Navy that, "About one-hour after daylight on the morning of 23 December 1941, I picked up the telephone and found both Cmdr. Cunningham and Maj. Devereux on the wire. Major Devereux was at this time reporting that he was being hard-pressed at his command post by the Japanese, and that he did not believe he could hold out much longer. Commander Cunningham told him, if he did not feel he was able to continue fighting, to surrender. A discussion ensued as to the advisability of surrendering or continuing the battle. During the discussion, Maj. Devereux said, 'You know Wilkes (Island) has fallen.' Commander Cunningham answered in the affirmative. Major Devereux then stated he did not feel he should make the decision to surrender, that decision should be made only by the Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Cunningham himself. After a slight pause, Cmdr. Cunningham informed Maj. Devereux that he was authorized surrender of the island and for him to make the necessary steps to affect it. Major Devereux answered that he was not certain of his ability to contact the Japanese Commander and asked Cmdr. Cunningham also to attempt to make contact with the enemy. Commander Cunningham answered that he would see what he could do. I had heard reports of the fighting which had been going on during the night and knew the situation was serious, but no thought of surrender had entered my mind until I overheard the above conservation. It is obvious that there had been prior conversations between the two Commanders of which I had no knowledge."

Cunningham hung up the phone and sent a final dispatch to the Commander in Chief, reporting two destroyers grounded on the beach and the enemy fleet moving in. All codes, ciphers and secret orders were destroyed and the communications transmitter antenna taken down. At this point, the antenna was good only as a target for Japanese planes. No more messages were going to be sent out. Time was running out.

At 7:30, Devereux called back asking whether Cunningham had been able to reach the Japanese by radio. Cunningham had not been able. Devereux repeated that he could not hold out much longer. Cunningham thought they had already resolved the issue and repeated his order that he was authorized to surrender. Devereux asked Cunningham to try and contact the enemy, because he was not sure of his ability to contact them. Cunningham responded, "I'll see what I could do." Before Cunningham could do anything, it was all over. Devereux had rigged a white flag and moved south towards the enemy.