Pearl Harbor Day

80-G-71198

Japanese naval aircraft prepare to take off from an aircraft carrier (reportedly Shokaku) to attack Pearl Harbor during the morning of 7 December 1941. Captured Japanese Photograph courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy on Flickr Commons, public domain

Seventy Five years ago 365 Japanese aircraft from six aircraft carriers attacked Pearl Harbor.

80-G-182252

A Japanese Navy “Zero” fighter (tail code A1-108) takes off from the aircraft carrier Akagi, on its way to attack Pearl Harbor. Courtesy of the National Archives on Flickr Commons

The Japanese damaged eight Battleships, sinking four, and sunk or damged numerous other ships, 188 landbased aircraft, and other facilties.

NH 50929

Photograph from a Japanese aircraft of the attack on Peal Harbor. Courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy on Flickr Commons

2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded

Naval photograph documenting the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which initiated US participation in World War II. Navy's caption: The battleship USS ARIZONA sinking after being hit by Japanese air attack on Dec. 7,1941., 12/07/1941

USS Arizona after attack on Pearl Harbor. Photo courtesy of the US National Archives on Flickr Commons

The Japanese attack, along with numerous other attacks at other American facilities the same day, was meant to keep America from interfering with Japanese plans to dominate Asia.

N_2004_6_20 Pearl Harbor -USS Shaw exploding

USS Shaw Exploding during the Pearl Harbor Attack. Courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina, on Flickr Commons

It didn’t work. All it did was make the United States to declare war on Japan.

NO_41_12_395 Front page of the Raleigh N and O-Japan Declares War

Courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina

Japan awoke the sleeping giant and made us mad. It took several years but we beat them.

Remember Pearl Harbor Day, 1941 - 1945

National Archives at College Park – Archives II (College Park, MD) on Flickr Commons

It is one of those events that wwe will never forget. We were caught unawares and paid the price. Nothing like it ever happened again until the radical Islamic cowards killed thousands of civilians in the US years later.

_DSC0879

So a couple years ago we got to visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

_DSC0880

Normally I take lots of photographs everywhere I go, but it didn’t seem right to do so when I was actually there. The place is so sacred and humbling. Time stands still.  It is actually a tomb for sailors whose bodies are still inside the ship.

_DSC0871

Across the way, is the USS Missouri. My brother Bob served on her during the 80’s when she re-entered service. I got to attend the rechristening in San Francisco. That was a highlight of my life.

I am linking with Skywatch Friday

21 thoughts on “Pearl Harbor Day”

  1. Driller's Place

    I saw a news article today that estimated there are approximately only 2500 Pearl Harbor survivors still alive. I imagine that nearly all are in their mid-90’s and will not be with us long. This nation and this world will never be able to give adequate honor and thanks to the “Greatest Generation” for their sacrifice and resolve to preserve freedom. They were a special group of people and we will not see their kind again.

  2. Hootin' Anni

    I agree with what Driller stated above!!
    I remember my Bud and our son, Erik, spent hours at the kitchen table working on a Pearl Harbor diorama for his classroom history subject….hours!!! And it was such a learning experience for us all!!

  4. carol mckenna

    Thought I left a comment so this may be a duplicate somewhat ~

    Magnificent tribute to our Military and wonderful photos ~ thanks,

    Wishing you a Happy Week ~ ^_^

  16. Sallie

    I saw the Memorial too a few years ago and felt as you did. Of course. My dad enlisted in the Navy just after this happened. As the parent of two, he had not yet been drafted (and might not have been) but like so many others felt called upon to serve his country. He stepped up. We were and are proud of his service and that of our Uncles and others of that generation. However, I did like what you said over on the Skywatchers linkup page about Japan now being our friend and ally. I suppose men over there felt the same way, that they were stepping up …. the way they were led to feel and act. It is something to think about anyway.

  17. Alana

    I have never been to Hawaii. If I did, Pearl Harbor would be the first thing I would want to see. I hope we never forget but I am also enough of an amateur student of history to know that, one day, we will. Thank you for publishing these photos.

  18. Linja

    It was a great tragedy. Recently historians have said that there were warning signs we should have heeded. My grandfather was in the Navy then but he was at a base in Florida.

Comments are closed.