Aerial view of the Pearl Harbor submarine base (right center) with the fuel farm at left, looking south on 13 October 1941. Among the 16 fuel tanks in the lower group and ten tanks in the upper group are two that have been painted to resemble buildings (topmost tank in upper group, and rightmost tank in lower group). Other tanks appear to be painted to look like terrain features. Alongside the wharf in right center are USS Niagara (PG-52) with seven or eight PT boats alongside (nearest to camera) and USS Holland (AS-3) with seven submarines alongside. About six more submarines are at the piers at the head of the submarine base peninsula. by U.S. Navy photo 80-G-182880; also U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.029.028
Good morning, beloved,
Yesterday found me at a doctor’s office waiting and a lovely grandma was sitting as well. She came over and asked me the date. I supplied and she paused, her countenance fell and she said quietly, “That means tomorrow is Pearl Harbor day. I remember everything about that day.” She left.
Today, let’s pause and remember. An article from the History Channel:
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
A burned B-17C aircraft rests near Hangar Number Five, Hickam Field, following the attack by Japanese aircraft. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. by Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center. (09/18/1947 – ?)
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 radar 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.
The burning wreckage of an U.S. Marine Corps Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber pictured at Ewa Mooring Mast Field (later Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Ewa, Hawaii) after the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941. by U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.488.029.040
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.
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Sept. 11, 2007) – The American flag flies at half-mast aboard the USS Arizona Memorial, foreground, in memory of those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In the background, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD 18) comes pier side at Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James E. Foehl (RELEASED)
So today my thankfuls:
24. I’m thankful for the men and women who have given all to defend our country.
25. I’m thankful for the families that let them go.
26. I’m so very thankful for the protection of the God of the Angel Armies.
Remember today, beloved. Pray on. Pray on.
Related articles
- Pearl Harbor bombed – History.com This Day in History – 12/7/1941 (worldhistoryreview.org)
- As number of survivors dwindles, will Pearl Harbor attack fade from memory? (amarillo.com)
- Pearl Harbor Day (nebraskaenergyobserver.wordpress.com)
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