PEARL HARBOR BOMBED: December 7, 1941

[TitanMedSupply]

PEARL HARBOR BOMBED:
December 7, 1941


At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II.

With diplomatic negotiations with Japan breaking down, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers knew that an imminent Japanese attack was probable, but nothing had been done to increase security at the important naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was Sunday morning, and many military personnel had been given passes to attend religious services off base. At 7:02 a.m., two radio operators spotted large groups of aircraft in flight toward the island from the north, but, with a flight of B-17s expected from the United States at the time, they were told to sound no alarm. Thus, the Japanese air assault came as a devastating surprise to the naval base.

Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many while valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan's losses were some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men. Fortunately for the United States, all three Pacific fleet carriers were out at sea on training maneuvers. These giant aircraft carriers would have their revenge against Japan six months later at the Battle of Midway, reversing the tide against the previously invincible Japanese navy in a spectacular victory.

The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress and declared, "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." After a brief and forceful speech, he asked Congress to approve a resolution recognizing the state of war between the United States and Japan. The Senate voted for war against Japan by 82 to 0, and the House of Representatives approved the resolution by a vote of 388 to 1. The sole dissenter was Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, a devout pacifist who had also cast a dissenting vote against the U.S. entrance into World War I. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S. government responded in kind.

The American contribution to the successful Allied war effort spanned four long years and cost more than 400,000 American lives.

[cb25]

Thanks for that man...my grandpa got a purple heart in Pearl Harbor. How many of us remembered that today was that day?

I forgot. It's too easy to do.

Thanks for all those that served. Then and now.

[HD1]

Thanks to all of our service men & women !!!!!!!!!! Semper Fi

[FrkyBgStok]

thanks for that reminder

[IBBAdmin]

I remembered,,,,,,,was just talking about it at dinner.. I was in Hawaii and seen the Arizona a few years ago

[APventas]

Hope you remember Irak the same

[IBBAdmin]

Originally Posted by APventas

Hope you remember Irak the same

I remember the GREAT TACO WAR also...

[daved150]

i remembered....it truly is a day that will live in infamy

[muscle_n_blood]

My dad went and joined the Navy shortly after. He fought in the South Pacific, Had one ship sunk he was on and he went on shore at Okinawa with the Marines. H eas pharmacist's mate, same thing as a medic,so he was shooting into the jungle at the enemy and trying to patch up the wounded at the same time. He was buried with full military honors recently.

[cb25]

Just got a note from my mom that my grandpa was in an article in the local newspaper back in Arizona. I did some digging and found it online --

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...07tveten.html#

Gave me chills reading it. Guess I really never thought about his experiences there. He never really talked about it to me - of course - don't think I ever asked.

Anyways...I just sent him a note to say hi (something I hardly ever do) and saying thanks for his service.

It's a pretty good article if you're interested.