On 7 Decemeber 1941, Japanese forces attacked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
2,350 personnel, including 68 civilians, were killed during the attack. Half of the casualties came from the USS Arizona alone, which sunk almost immediately after it's forward ammunition compartment was struck with an armor piercing bomb, and exploded.
9 ships were sunk. 3 ships were damaged beyond repair and had to be scuttled. 18 more were severely damaged and required extensive repair.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave this speech the following day:
Yesterday, December 7th, 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.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Thank you for this post, Alyssa. I have several friends (much older) who lived through the attack. Their accounts of that day are surreal to me. December 7 is a date that evokes powerful feelings here in the Islands.
David C.Frost Webboard User Reg: 01-23-2002
Posts: 1204
Loc: Nashville, TN
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Often called the "Best Generation", they are leaving us in large numbers. My father, a WWII veteran of the Pacific campaign was on the Kwajaliens, Tarawa and wounded on Saipan. He's 88. He's spoken to me about the war more in the past year, than he did in my previous near 60 years. I also have a relative that was a Pearl Harbor Survivor. His ship was sunk, with him on it, while in the harbor. Those that forget the past are doomed to live it again.
DFrost
Any behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again.
This past summer my wife and I took our son to Hawaii as his high school graduation gift. We toured Pearl Harbor and went out to the Arizona Memorial. It did my heart good to see all the young people there, and to see the respect they showed.
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A Date Which Will Live in Infamy
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