On December 7, 1941, 70 years ago today, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Teritory, killing more than 2,300 Americans.
The U.S.S. Arizona was completely destroyed and the U.S.S. Oklahoma capsized. A total of twelve ships sank or were beached in the attack.
More than 160 aircraft were destroyed and more than 150 others were damaged.
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." ~President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
A hurried dispatch from the ranking United States naval officer in Pearl Harbor, Commander in Chief Pacific, provided to all major navy commands and fleet units the first official word of the attack. It said simply: AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL.
The day after, December 8th Congress declared war on Japan.
View of Pearl Harbor from a Japanese plane.
USS Arizona
The remaining surviviors of Pearl Harbor, gathered today in Hawaii for, possibly, the last time. There are not many left and soon there will be none. The conversations I have been blessed to have with WWII vets have been the most wonderful I have ever had.
Let us never forget to remember and honor those who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
~S
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