One of my favorite little-known facts about Pearl Harbor involves CBS News legend Edward R Murrow. He had become a media sensation for his coverage of the London Blitz and had returned to the States a few weeks earlier. FDR invited him to the White House for dinner on the evening of December 7, 1941.
After learning of the attack, Murrow called the White House expecting the invitation to be cancelled. Instead, he was told to join FDR (and others) for drinks and a light supper. Murrow arrived at the appointed hour and was ushered into a meeting with the President, Wild Bill Donovan and others.
According to Murrow’s widow, Janet, the CBS legend returned his hotel suite late in the evening, extremely agitated. He spent the night pacing the floor and chain-smoking. He told his wife that FDR had provided information that he equated to the “story of the century.” But he didn’t know whether to report it or keep it to himself. Ultimately, Murrow (an FDR supporter) decided to keep it to himself and carried the secret to his grave.
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