I would like to know where and any other information on the 12th and/or 4th interceptor command offices during World War II? I believe, the one I am most interested in was on Market Street near the old Woolworth Store. They were used for detecting enemy airplanes and submarines and protecting the bridges. The swing and night shift volunteers would get a ride home by the Army. Thanks D Jones

-- D Jones (djones113@juno.com), February 05, 2005

Answers

My Mother, Ruth Grant, worked at one of the Interceptor Command offices. My memory tells me that it was on Sansome Street, just a tad north of the financial district. On the afternoon of December 7,1941, now known as Pearl Harbor Day,she received a call to report for duty.I recall that day very well as a teen-ager. We drove her down to that facility, driving though the area we now call Japan Town. The Japanese were very, very, scarce, needless to say.

Can you imagine the stress one must feel at their post at that very critical part of our history. I believe it was on December 8th, the next night, when there were air raid sirens blaring, lights going out, and air-raid wardens running up and down the streets insisting that all lights be turned off. I remember our warden, on 20th Avenue going up and down the block calling out, "Turn out those lights,50 Jap bombers are over the Golden Gate!" He got immediate action with that request. It turned out that it was a drill more than an actual air raid, but it was a frightful time for those who lived through it.

-- Frank Grant (grantstombtwo@aol.com), February 06, 2005.

Back again. My brother Charles helped me find the clipping from the San Francisco Examiner of December 9, 1941 showing my mother, Ruth Grant, in the charting room of the Interceptor Command. The article reads:

ALERT-Here in S. F. plotting room of the Fourth Interceptor Command which embraces an area extending from Fresno to Redding, all information on planes in the air is co-ordinated. Reports of observers throughout the area are checked and the activities of each plane charted. In event of attack airfields and defense commands are notified of position of enemy planes.

It seems like the entire family was involved with Civil Defense at that time. My father, Frank H.Grant, and I signed on and trained as auxiliary firemen. My brother, Charles, signed on as a messenger and his duty was to ride his bicycle to keep authorities informed of damage because it was assumed the phone system would be out of commission.

At a later time I wound up in the Army Air Corps and my brother found himself in the Navy. Those were truly wild times and those who lived through those days will never forget them

-- Frank Grant (grantstombtwo@aol.com), February 12, 2005.

Thanks for the information. It is sure nice you have the article. Your information has been most helpful. So they did work under the Civil Defense? Maybe that is why I am having trouble finding information. In case I happen to find more information, would you like for me to pass it on to you? Thanks D. Jones

-- D Jones (djones113@juno.com), February 12, 2005.