Pearl Harbor ~ 70 Years Past

USS Arizona Memorial ~ Pearl Harbor

The 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack which brought the U.S. into World War Two will take place today - at the exact moment the bombing began.  70 years is a long time.  For those of us who are from the Boom Generation the day defined our childhood.  For our parents generation the day redefind the world as they knew it.  My Dad was listening to The Chicago Bears and Chicago Cardinals play in an NFL season ender that had great implications.  The date that would "live in infamy" was announced and had more significance on the lives of players and listeners than anyone could have imagined.  Dad signed up and served as a Naval Officer in the Marshall Islands at Kwajelin.

1941 Chicago Bears (Most of the team served in WWII after Pearl Harbor)

 
A large ceremony to remember the Americans killed in the devastating attack by Japan will take place at 8am Hawaii time (an hour after this post is being written).  70 years ago Pearl Harbor was hit by hundreds of Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes launched in two waves from aircraft carriers. Four of the eight U.S. Navy battleships at the base were sunk in the surprise assault, as well as several cruisers, destroyers and anti-aircraft ships. The attack was intended as a preventive action in order to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan was planning in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States.

The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk. All but two of the eight were raised, repaired and returned to service later in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. One hundred eighty-eight U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured. 

Few of the people who served at Pearl Harbor are alive today.  The Greatest Generation is almost gone and the survivor group that has gathered each year is disbanding after today.  This day has been called Rememberance Day.  Just as an aside...my Dad left the Navy for home on December 7, 1945.  Let us never forget the heroes of Pearl Harbor and World War II.  Thanks for your sacrifice.