Naval Station Pearl Harbor

The Navy's 14th Naval District, which encompassed the Hawaiian Islands and the outpost atolls, as well as Samoa, was responsible for building defenses and providing garrisons, both ground and air.

The Marine contingents were the responsibility of Colonel Harry K. Pickett, Marine officer of the 14th District and commanding officer, Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

Preliminary surveys of the atolls and Samoa were conducted by members of Pickett's staff in 1940 and early 1941.

Civilian contractors were selected to build the airfields and their supporting installations, but most of the work on the coast defense and anti-aircraft gun positions, the bunkers and beach defenses, fell to the lot of the Marines who were to man them.