=============================== Posted on 12/07/2004 6:10:50 AM PST by M. Espinola
December 7th, 1941 -Pearl Harbor Remembrance!
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Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto planned the Pearl Harbor attack. Two things inspired Yamamoto's Pearl Harbor idea: a prophetic book and a historic attack.
The book was The Great Pacific War, written in 1925 by Hector Bywater, a British naval authority. It was a realistic account of a clash between the United States and Japan that begins with the Japanese destruction of the U.S. fleet and proceeds to a Japanese attack on Guam and the Philippines. When Britain's Royal Air Force successfully attacked the Italian fleet at Taranto on November 11th, 1940, Yamamoto was convinced that Bywater's fiction could become reality.
On December 6th, 1941, the U.S. intercepted a Japanese message that inquired about ship movements and berthing positions in Pearl Harbor. The cryptologist gave the message to her superior who said he would get back to her on Monday, December 8th.
On December 7th, a radar operator in Oahu saw a large group of airplanes on his screen heading toward the island. He called his superior who told him it was probably a group of U.S. B-17 bombers and not to worry about it.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began at 7:55 A.M. on December 7th, 1941. The entire attack took one hour and 15 minutes. Captain Mitsuo Fuchida sent the message, "Tora, Tora, Tora," to the Japanese fleet after flying over Oahu to indicate the Americans had been caught by surprise.
Yesterday, December 7th, 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.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.
Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
Joe was officially credited with rescuing @ 300 sailors from the burning waters during the attack and the leading the efforts to cut 36 sailors from the burning hulk of the Oklahoma. (as we say in his hometown...you can look it up)
Joe was also a Fleet Boxing Team member (heavyweight) and a legitimate tough guy who beat the snot out of four punks who tried to rob his restaurant..when he was in his sixties.
Joe became a pilot and initiated the annual dropping of the roses over the Statue of Liberty on the anniversary. He continued this until his tragic death in a fueling accident. He was a family friend and a hero.
See my post 22 about Joe Hydrusko, a Corpsman from the USS Solace.
Absolutely excellent posting!
Most likely.
Last man to hire me before I went in the Air Force was a navy vet named Porter Ellis. Mr. Ellis was a plank owner on the Hornet, was on board when she launched the Doolittle Raid, and was on board when she was sunk. He was a great guy to work for.
May I add:
http://my.execpc.com/~dschaaf/mainmenu.html
My father was off Okinawa while on board ship fighting fires from incoming Zeros Kamikaze attacks. He also talks about being involved in the 150 mph typhoon on June 2nd and 3rd, 1945 east of Okinawa. This typhoon damaged 33 ships and destroyed 76 airplanesmostly on the flight or hanger decks of aircraft carriers after the airplanes broke free of the chains holding them down. The storm killed six men on U.S. ships. The tropical storm died at sea without ever hitting land.
I am thinking of doing a posting on that subject later on.
The more information we have the better. This is a great listing of links. Well done!
Looks like a recent cartoon to me...
Well done.
God bless you for an excellent thread.
Now, a moment of silent prayer in memory of that tragic day, December 7, 1941.
Amen.
Just excellent beyond belief. What were all the ships we lost again? I forget all the names?
The American left has become the America First crowd of 1941.
Just popped in my DVD of "Tora! Tora! Tora!". So far superior to that joke of a movie "Pearl Harbor".
So I fear.
They were still luckier than the pilots the Japanese caught. Stalin had good reason for not wanting to get the Japanese upset. The last thing he needed at that point was to fight on a second front.
"Pearl Harbor" was a terrible movie. It's a shame they had to have a war break out during that bizzare love triange.
When I saw that movie I had to watch "Tora, Tora, Tora" just to clense myself.
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