7 December 1941: 62 Years Ago Today at Pearl Harbor

The liberal left doesn't want to remind us of another horrible attack on this country because it will naturally remind people of 9/11, and we certainly wouldn't want people focused on that event.

Seeing this reminded me that there may be great movies on today, so I changed to Turner Classic Movies.

Adam's Rib is on.....heh.

I would suppose the history channel will run some program on it. Yet this is the day that was to be the "day of infamy" as FDR said. Yet it should not shock those of us who still show respect for the memory of those who went before us, that a nation who has nearly no respect would forget.

NEVER FORGET

Pearl! Dec. 7, 1941- what really happened?

I was at the site in the 50th anniversary year...knowing there were still men down there--men who woke up that Sunday morning not knowing it would be their last--moves me to resolve to never forget.

By the way, does anyone here remember Republican candidates for President in the ensuing years accusing the Democrat President FDR of knowing or being warned about the Pearl Harbor attack and ignoring those warnings for political benefit?

Fox is running stuff periodically. Yes, the Revisionist History Channel will show something, too.

Keep your eyes open...

Some articles in todays NYPost you may like : )

God guide me with safety....... ( I fly to Hawaii today )

Something I STILL don't understand about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor after years of seeing specials and reading about it

Why the hell did they attack us

We objected to their war in China and embargoed their steel oil supplies from the USA BUT we had NO PLANS to directly confront them with military force that I know of

SO that was no reason for the attack but that is what is always stated as the reason

The only thing I can think of was that they had plans to attack and occupy our possessions in the Phillipines from the get go and then we would have had to fight them

Ships Present at Pearl Harbor, 0800 7 December 1941

The commissioned U.S. Navy ships in the list below are sorted by type and hull number, for example New Orleans (CA-32) is found in hull number order under heavy cruisers. For the purposes of this list, yard craft assigned to the Fourteenth Naval District and other small non-commissioned craft are not included. In addition, Pearl Harbor is defined as the area inside the nets guarding the harbor entrance.

Ships marked with an asterisk (*) were within twelve miles of the island of Oahu but were not actually within Pearl Harbor as defined above. Locations of these ships are indicated. Ships marked with a number symbol (#) were sunk or destroyed during the Pearl Harbor attack. All of these were later raised and rebuilt except for Arizona, Oklahoma, and Utah. Oklahoma was raised but not rebuilt.

The U.S. carriers were not at Pearl Harbor. On 28 November, Admiral Kimmel sent USS Enterprise under Rear Admiral Willliam Halsey to deliver Marine Corps fighter planes to Wake Island. On 4 December Enterprise delivered the aircraft and on December 7 the task force was on its way back to Pearl Harbor. On 5 December, Admiral Kimmel sent the USS Lexington with a task force under Rear Admiral Newton to deliver 25 scout bombers to Midway Island. The last Pacific carrier, USS Saratoga, had left Pearl Harbor for upkeep and repairs on the West Coast.

Battleships (BB)    Pennsylvania  (BB-38) (in drydock)
                 #  Arizona       (BB-39)
                    Nevada        (BB-36)
                 #  Oklahoma      (BB-37)
                    Tennessee     (BB-43)
                 #  California    (BB-44)
                    Maryland      (BB-46)
                 #  West Virginia (BB-48)

Heavy Cruisers (CA) New Orleans   (CA-32)
                    San Francisco (CA-38)

Light Cruisers (CL) Raleigh       (CL-7)
                    Detroit       (CL-8)
                    Phoenix       (CL-46)
                    Honolulu      (CL-48)
                    St. Louis     (CL-49)
                    Helena        (CL-50

Destroyers (DD)     Allen         (DD-66)
                    Schley        (DD-103)
                    Chew          (DD-106)
                  * Ward          (DD-139) (patrolling Channel entrance to 
                                            Pearl Harbor)
                    Dewey         (DD-349)
                    Farragut      (DD-348)
                    Hull          (DD-350)
                    MacDonough    (DD-351)
                    Worden        (DD-352)
                    Dale          (DD-353)
                    Monaghan      (DD-354)
                    Aylwin        (DD-355)
                    Selfridge     (DD-357)
                    Phelps        (DD-360)
                    Cummings      (DD-365)
                    Reid          (DD-369)
                    Case          (DD-370)
                    Conyngham     (DD-371)
                    Cassin        (DD-372) (in drydock)
                    Shaw          (DD-373) (in floating drydock)
                    Tucker        (DD-374)
                    Downes        (DD-375) (in drydock)
                    Bagley        (DD-386)
                    Blue          (DD-387)
                    Helm          (DD-388)
                    Mugford       (DD-389)
                    Ralph Talbot  (DD-390)
                    Henley        (DD-391)
                    Patterson     (DD-392)
                    Jarvis        (DD-393)

Submarines (SS)     Narwhal       (SS-167)
                    Dolphin       (SS-169)
                    Cachalot      (SS-170)
                    Tautog        (SS-199)

Minelayer (CM)    # Oglala        (CM-4)
     
Minesweeper (AM)    Turkey        (AM-13)
                    Bobolink      (AM-20)
                    Rail          (AM-26)
                    Tern          (AM-31)
                    Grebe         (AM-43)
                    Vireo         (AM-52)

Coastal Minesweeper (Amc)
                    Cockatoo      (Amc-8)
                    Crossbill     (Amc-9)
                    Condor        (Amc-14)
                    Reedbird      (Amc-30)

Destroyer Minelayer (DM)
                    Gamble        (DM-15)
                    Ramsay        (DM-16)
                    Montgomery    (DM-17)
                    Breese        (DM-18)
                    Tracy         (DM-19)
                    Preble        (DM-20)
                    Sicard        (DM-21)
                    Pruitt        (DM-22)

Destroyer Minesweeper (DMS)
                    Zane          (DMS-14)
                    Wasmuth       (DMS-15)
                    Trever        (DMS-16)
                    Perry         (DMS-17)

Patrol Gunboat (PG) Sacramento    (PG-19)

Destroyer Tender (AD) Dobbin      (AD-3)
                      Whitney     (AD-4)

Seaplane Tender (AV)  Curtiss     (AV-4)
                      Tangier     (AV-8)

Small Seaplane Tender (AVP)
                      Avocet      (AVP-4)
                      Swan        (AVP-7) (on marine railway
                                   dock)

Seaplane Tender, Destroyer (AVD)
                      Hulbert     (AVD-6)
                      Thornton    (AVD-11)

Ammunition Ship (AE)  Pyro        (AE-1)

Oiler (AO)            Ramapo      (AO-12)
                      Neosho      (AO-23)

Repair Ship (AR)      Medusa      (AR-1)
                      Vestal      (AR-4)
                      Rigel       (AR-11)

Submarine Tender (AS) Pelias      (AS-14)

Submarine Rescue Ship (ASR) Widgeon (ASR-1)

Hospital Ship (AH)    Solace      (AH-5)

Cargo Ship (AK)     * Vega        (AK-17) (at Honolulu) 

Stores Issue Ship (AKS) Castor    (AKS-1)
                    * Antares     (AKS-3) (at Pearl Harbor entrance)

Ocean Tug (AT)        Ontario     (AT-13)
                      Sunnadin    (AT-28)
                    * Keosanqua   (AT-38) (at Pearl Harbor entrance)
                    * Navajo      (AT-64) (12 miles outside Pearl Harbor entrance)

Miscellaneous Auxiliary (AG)
                    # Utah        (AG-16)
                      Argonne     (AG-31)
                      Sumner      (AG-32)

The only thing I can think of was that they had plans to attack and occupy our possessions in the Phillipines from the get go and then we would have had to fight them

You hit the nail on the head.

If they formed a "Southern Empire" all of their shipping to and from Japan to Indonesia, etc. would have passed through narrow chokepoints near the Phillipines.

They reasoned they couldn't allow the US to be in the Phillipines, and therefore that they'd have to fight us eventually.

In hindsight they probably would have been better off simply attacking the British and Dutch and taking their chances, however.

Well, I only see one stupid Pearl Harbor Conspiracy article on FR today, so maybe the supply of those will be down this year.

One can hope...

Daniel Yergin author of ..*The Prize ,also forwarded in a 3 part documentary series gives solid coverage to the aspirations of the axis concerning oil.

Hitler went insane..and lost the wars momentum seeking the Caspian Oil,
Ground down by Russia's hammer in the Stalingrad salient.
Winter Tempest..the attempt to help the encircled German army breakout at Stalingrad failed just short of 30 miles...oil shortage being a key element.
Off Okinawa..the U.S Navy would lose nearly a ship a day in 1945.
The Kamikaze being Japans last attempt to turn the tide and obtain a negotiated settlement.
Exhausted for oil...Japans poulace would scower the hills to cut down pine tree's,whose roots were crushed to make turpentine,
enough for a one way Kamikaze sortie.
Both axis powers new they were doomed....some in both camps conceeded all was lost by 1942.

My father-in-law's father was killed in Pearl Harbor. My father-in-law could really use your prayers today.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1034794/posts?page=164

Thanks for the reminder about that fateful day.

Thought you might enjoy this chronological excerpt from A Portrait of the Stars and Strpes, Volume II.

September 24th 1941 - Japan directs its Consular General in Honolulu, Hawaii to give a detailed report on Vessels at Pearl Harbor, which it divides into five sectors, using the alphabet as a code: A, denotes the waters between Ford Island and the arsenal; B, the waters south and west of Ford Island; C, East Loch; D, Middle Loch; E, West Loch and the communication water routes. Other messages have been intercepted and decoded; however, Admiral Kimmel is totally unaware of the activity. Japanese Consul General Kito responds on September 29th, informing Japan that locations of Vessels would be coded; KS, repair dock; KT, Navy Dock at Navy Yard; FV, moorings near Ford Island, and FG would designate the Ships alongside Ford Island. This information is decoded and translated on October 10th, 1941; however, the information is not given to Admiral Kimmel.

November 5th 1941 - (Pacific-Japan) Tokyo sends a message to its Ambassador in Washington, D.C. giving him explicit instructions concerning the ongoing negotiations to con-summate an agreement between the U.S. and Japan, that: "IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT ALL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SIGNING OF THIS AGREEMENT BE COMPLETED BY THE 25TH OF THIS MONTH." Similar messages would be sent from Japan to Hawaii on the 11th and on the 15th, underscoring the importance of concluding an agreement by the 25th. Subsequent messages are sent and intercepted on the 16th, 22nd and 24th, which extend the deadline for consummation of an agreement with the U.S. until the 29th, while emphasizing that if no agreement is reached, the " JAPANESE PLAN WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO EFFECT." All messages are intercepted by Washington and decoded; however, the pattern remains the same; Pearl Harbor is not informed.

November 18th 1941 - (Japan) Tojo sends another message to the Japanese Consul General in Honolulu: “PLEASE REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS AS TO VESSELS ANCHORED THEREIN: AREA NORTH, PEARL HARBOR, MANILA BAY (HONOLULU) AND THE AREAS ADJACENT THERETO. (MAKE YOUR INVESTIGATION WITH GREAT SECRECY.)” The intercepted information is decoded and translated on December 5th, 1941; however, Admiral Kimmel is not informed. In Hawaii, Consul General Kito sends a message to Tojo, explaining deployment of Vessels and schedule of entrance and departure, including the patterns of Destroyers and the distances between the Warships. This information is decoded and translated in Washington on December 6th, 1941; however, again the vital information is not given to Admiral Kimmel. On the 20th, Tojo instructs the Jap Consul General to report as much information as possible on Fleet Bases in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Military reservation, and this dispatch is intercepted and translated in Washington on the 4th of December, but not forwarded to Pearl Harbor.

November 27th 1941 - The U.S.S. Madison and the U.S.S. Harrison, depart Shanghai, evacuating the 4th Marines. Authorization had been given previously to move these troops to the Philippines. All Naval Commanders in the Pacific receive notification of the imminence of war with Japan through both the War and Navy Departments. The message reads in part "AN AGGRESSIVE MOVE BY JAPAN IS EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS." "EXE-CUTE APPROPRIATE DEPLOYMENT." On the same day, General MacArthur receives similar notification from General Marshall: "HOSTILE ACTION POSSIBLE AT ANY MOMENT. IF HOSTILITIES CANNOT BE AVOIDED ... THE UNITED STATES DESIRES THAT JAPAN COMMIT THE FIRST OVERT ACT."

November 30th 1941 - (United States) The total strength of the Marine Corps reaches 65,881 men. The Americans attempt to fortify Samoa by initiating Anti-aircraft gun emplacements, to meet the threat. Although America expects an attack, it does not foresee that it will be against Pearl Harbor. The Japanese Fleet, by radio silence, has allegedly fooled U.S. intelligence to erroneously report that it is in home port. The Navy Department directs Admiral Hart, commanding Officer Asiatic Fleet, to search for information on Jap movements in the China Sea as an attack on the Kra Isthmus is imminent. On the following day, Kimmel receives a dispatch from the Navy Department (copy of dispatch to Admiral Hart) emphasizing attack against Malaya; there is no mention of attack or possibility of attack against Pearl Harbor.

December 1st 1941 - (United States) The "Current National Situations," a publication issued by the Chief of Naval Operations states on page one: "STRONG INDICATIONS POINT TO AN EARLY JAPANESE ADVANCE AGAINST THAILAND." Further back in the same publication, regarding a headline, "Japanese Naval Situation," it states: "MAJOR CAPITAL SHIP STRENGTH IN HOME WATERS AS WELL AS THE GREATEST PORTION OF THE CARRIERS." The U.S. Navy initiates another Patrol Wing (9), at Quonset Point, Rhode Is-land. As 1941 closes out, Japan still pays little attention to the U.S. Submarine Service and for that matter, the rest of the U.S. Navy too, but they'll soon learn the true grit of the American Sailor, who shall imminently uphold the traditions of men like Jones, Barry, Perry, Farragut and Dewey, heroes all, but most of all Americans, determined to keep the Stars and Stripes flying forever.

December 5th 1941 - (United States) The United States is informed by the Japanese that the recent troop movements into Indo China (With permission of the French) is to be a temporary and precautionary type movement. (Pacific-Pearl Harbor) Task Force 12, commanded by Admiral Newton, departs Pearl Harbor heading for Midway, inadvertently taking the Lexington, its three Heavy Cruisers and five Destroyers out of harms way. In addition, Task Force 3, commanded by Admiral Wilson Brown, embarks from Pearl, heading for Johnston Island to initiate landing exercises. At present, there are forty-nine operable Patrol Planes (PBY-5s) on Oahu; fifty-four had only recently arrived; however, some experience shakedown problems.

December 7th 1941 - (Pacific) BATTLE OF PEARL HARBOR - Japan secretly positions Vice Admiral Nagumo's Task Force of 33 Ships, including six Carriers, 200 miles north of Oahu, Hawaii. In Japan, there is a sense of anxiety concerning the secrecy of the mission. The hour in Tokyo is 0130 as the Planes are taking off. In Washington, at 1130 it is still just another quiet Sunday. President Roosevelt's plea to Emperor Hirohito is in transit and will be delivered by Tojo, at 0300, Tokyo time, less than a half hour before Japanese Commander Fuchida's Planes attack Pearl Harbor. During the mere moments of a few hours, history will be drastically changed for the remainder of time. As the clock ticks away in Washington, the Japanese stall for time, as Ambassador Nomura asks the State Department for a half hour deferment of the meeting to deliver Japan's final message to the U.S., concerning the situation in the Pacific. There is an edge of a warning concerning the possible presence of an enemy Submarine in the early morning hours near Pearl, but thoughts of a major attack are not yet evident to the Americans.

The U.S.S. Condor, a Minesweeper, Patrolling near the entrance to Pearl Harbor, observes what appears to be a Submarine. This information is transmitted to the U.S.S. Ward, a Destroyer, which is moving into Pearl, after just having completed a Patrol. About seven minutes pass, between the sighting, and the crew of the Ward receiving the message and taking action at a little before 04:00, but without results. The Ward, relaxes at about 0500, after a serious hour of General Quarters, without locating any unidentified Vessels and the Ward maintains a course which takes her toward the harbor.

At 0600, the Imperial Navy's Attack Force is commencing its assault, presumed to reach Pearl Harbor in an hour and a half. Within fifteen minutes, the Bombers and escort Fighters have been launched by the six Carriers and they are heading south toward the unsuspecting Yanks. In advance of the main body of Aircraft, are Reconnaissance Seaplanes, which move in undetected. In addition, Japanese Cruisers acting as a vanguard of the Fleet are not detected either.

As the Planes are closing on the Harbor, the U.S.S. Ward is just about to enter Pearl. Its about 0630, and the watch on the Ward is observing a Target Ship being towed into the harbor when they spot an uninvited periscope, trailing behind, attempting to shadow the American Target Vessel and move right through the defenses unnoticed, into the harbor. General Quarters are sounded and after making sure the intruder is foreign, the Ward closes, firing two shots from a distance of 100 yards, with the first shot missing and the second hitting the diminutive conning tower of the midget Submarine at exactly 0645. The Ward follows the deck gun action with the release of four depth charges that succinctly finish the enemy Submarine, then it dispatches the following message to Headquarters: "WE HAVE ATTACKED, FIRED UPON, AND DROPPED DEPTH CHARGES UPON SUBMARINE OPERATING IN DEFENSIVE SEA AREA!" Unfortunately, the dispatched message from the Destroyer to Headquarters, does not reach the Commanding Officers. There have been many reports of unidentified Submarines in waters near Pearl for about a year or so, but all had proved erroneous.

Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, leading the surprise attack against American installations at Pearl Harbor closes in. The Japanese send a total of 360 Aircraft, including Horizontal Bombers, Dive Bombers and Torpedo Bombers to strike the unsuspecting Yanks, many of whom are sleeping late or attending church this tranquil Sunday morning. A detachment of two men, Privates George Elliot and Joseph Lockhart, working the radar station high in the hills on Oahu, pick up the enemy Planes at 0702 and excitedly pass on the information of a large formation of Planes heading for Pearl Harbor. The person on duty at Headquarters accepts the formation of Planes as the expected B-17 Flying Fortresses, due from California and does not react, except to tell the two Privates not to worry. Japanese Planes begin flying over Kahuku Point, a little after 0730, maneuvering around the Kodakan Peaks swarming toward Oahu from the southwest to deliver the crushing blow against its Airfields. In accordance with the prediction of a local radio station, which is being heard on the Planes' radios, Fuchida's invaders break through the clouds, entering clear skies as they approach their targets. So leisurely is the approach, Fuchida actually peers through his binoculars, scanning the area before ordering his Force to attack.

The enemy Carriers are out of harms way and full of happy Japanese, cheering their Pilots that had ascended on one of the most cowardly sneak attacks in history against the United States of America. At the slumbering harbor there are about 90 American Vessels, including nine Cruisers, eight Battleships, 28 Destroyers and five of the 22 Submarines. Many other Warships, including all Carriers are out of the Harbor and there seems to be no great thought of an invasion against Pearl Harbor, situated 8,000 miles from Japan. Most Officers have considered this possible, but not probable. Admiral Halsey's Task Force is due at Pearl Harbor at 0800, but thanks to some inclement weather he is running behind schedule. Halsey, in an effort to give his Pilots extra practice and the ground batteries an opportunity to spot live targets, dispatches Planes from the Enterprise to arrive at Pearl before the Fleet. As the Admiral is having breakfast at 0755, a terse dispatch is handed to him: "JAPANESE AIR ATTACK PEARL. THIS IS NO DRILL." Halsey, at first glance, assumes that Pearl had been firing at his Planes, but soon realizes that his Pilots are flying right into it a war without warning.

The first wave of enemy Planes strikes just prior to 0800 hours. Bombs and bullets strafe the entire area, but the Colors are raised in disciplined fashion on the U.S.S. Nevada, as if it is an ordinary day. As soon as the brief ceremony ends, all hands race for battle stations. As the Colors are raised on the U.S.S. Utah, two torpedoes interrupt the ceremony and the mighty Battleship is sent to the bottom, taking with her 58 men who have been either riddled by Jap bullets or temporarily entombed when the Vessel rolls over. In short order, the neatly parked Planes at Hickam Field and the Ships at Ford Island are set ablaze by Bombers which also blast Battleship Row, where in some instances, PBYs at the ramps on Ford Island ejaculate in the air in pieces. The Stars and Stripes lay amidst row after row of burning Ships.

On Battleship Row, the Arizona, California, Maryland and the Tennessee, along with the Oklahoma, Nevada and the West Virginia are besieged, their valiant crews are caught in a sudden inferno. The Pennsylvania, another of the Battleships, is trapped in drydock, but her guns are operational and the Anti-aircraft crew joins with the other gunners, pouring fire into the attacking Planes. Close by, three American Destroyers are also captive in dry dock when they come under the sudden savage and relentless assault. The U.S.S. Shaw, isolated in a floating dry dock, is ravaged within the first 20 minutes of the assault, being struck by several bombs, one of which devastates the mess (kitchen). Fires spread and within a short time the magazine explodes. Instinctively, the dry dock is flooded to aid the fire fighters, but as the dock becomes submerged, so does the Shaw, and the waters around her are consumed by flaming fuel. The Destroyers Cassin and Downes, tucked near the Pennsylvania, are sitting ducks as their Guns lack parts. The Battleship Pennsylvania continues to fill the sky with Anti-aircraft fire, buffering the two Destroyers, while the Cassin's operational machine guns direct their guns in concert.

The crew of the Downes, reassembles its machine guns in record time to join the fight. During the process, the crew must break the locks to get to the ammunition. As more bombs strike the dry dock area, the fuel tank of the Downes, is ignited, causing a huge explosion that ravages, but doesn't disable the crew. An incendiary bomb then strikes the Downes and flames flow like lava across the deck from a vociferous volcano. Some crewmen are instantly transformed into ashes, while others are burned beyond recognition. The Cassin, stranded next to the Downes, becomes the recipient of the rapid moving fire. Both of these Destroyers soon resemble molten steel rubbish, but will ultimately be salvaged and join the dedicated fight in the Pacific against the Japanese. The majority, 14 out of the 17 Destroyers in port, are able to avoid major damage and eventually make it out of their moorings to engage in Antisubmarine activity and join in the search for the Japanese Fleet after the morning devastation ceases.

American Fighting men are coping as best as possible. Rescue operations get underway immediately to evacuate the wounded and salvage as much equipment as possible. Fortunately, many of the men are ashore when the attack occurs or the loss of life would be far worse. The Arizona, suffers a horrid fate as a bomb drops directly down one of her stacks, exploding the boiler room and killing all hands. The U.S.S. Arizona, which becomes a most hallowed shrine for these gallant American Servicemen, killed by an enemy which had not declared war until after the attack was underway. These valiant Sentinels of Freedom still sleep in the harbor as an indelible reminder of the Japanese treachery and a stirring testimony of the deeds of those Yanks at Pearl; 15 receive the Medal of Honor for their actions.

The Carriers at sea escape the ruthless assault. In addition, the Japanese curiously spare the Sub Base, although there are Five Submarines in port. The Subs manage to join in the action and also pick up survivors in the burning sea. The U.S.S. Tautog crewman man their deck guns when the Jap Planes come in rapidly over Battleship Row and as the Destroyers cease fire, the Tautog, picks up the tempo and blasts a Plane from the sky, giving her the first Submarine unassisted kill (Plane) of the war. In addition, the Curtiss, a Seaplane Tender, later damaged by a crashing enemy Plane, destroys a midget Submarine. It will receive the dubious honor of being raised and cemented into the foundation of the U.S. Submarine Pier.

The Americans add to their difficulties when the over-stressed ground crews, desperately engaged with the attackers, inadvertently fire upon U.S. Flying Fortresses attempting to reach Pearl Harbor. Additional Army and Naval Planes also come under attack by friendly fire. By the time the second wave of Planes appear, at just about 0840, most of the damage had been done. The second wave roars into action against the Americans, as eighty-six Dive Bombers, over fifty Horizontal Bombers and three dozen Fighters whack the already devastated defenders at Pearl. Much of the Planes' effort is concentrated on the U.S.S. Nevada, intentionally grounded at Waipo Point to prevent it being sunk where it might block the narrow harbor. When this attack ceases, the Navy has lost four Battleships, one Mine Layer, and a Target Ship. Three Cruisers, three Destroyers and two other Vessels are damaged. All but three, the Oklahoma, the Utah and the Arizona, come back to haunt the Japs in the future. In addition, 188 American Aircraft are destroyed, including eleven launched from the Enterprise.

By 1 P.M., the balance of the enemy Planes have returned to their Carriers. American Carriers, based at Pearl Harbor, are out of Port, saving them and giving the U.S. a sign of hope and the means to strike back. American Ships including Halsey's Fleet search for the enemy Fleet, but they disappear into the sunset, celebrating the deaths of the Yanks at Pearl. The entire West Coast could have been jeopardized if the Japanese Task Force had decided to move against it. Fortunately, the Japanese chose to return to the homeland. Only God knows the thoughts of those who perished for their country. One example of fidelity that exemplifies the actions of all Americans on this fateful day are the final words of Machinist Mate Robert R. Scott, who steadfastly refused to leave his trapped companions on the mangled Battleship, the U.S.S. California: "THIS IS MY STATION AND I WILL STAY AND GIVE THEM AIR AS LONG AS THE GUNS ARE GOING." The California had been staggered at 08:05 by torpedoes that cause explosions and fires: the damage was so severe, that an order to abandon is given-and ignored, until further actions prove in vain. Survivors plummet into the boiling water and swim through the burning sea, as the California goes down. Rescue workers battle the overturned Vessel without rest, in response to the desperate taps of life, being pounded against the hull from the inside. This manifest effort saves 32 men. An additional 415 men on the California are lost. In a last fling with arrogance, the Japanese Commanding Officer, Fushida, makes a solitary pass over the wreckage and carnage, taking photographs of his remarkable victory.

On the following day, Admiral Halsey moves his Fleet into the battered harbor. It is a profane sight that Halsey would never forget and one that made him anxious to take the war to Japan. It will be Admiral Halsey, who ferries Colonel Doolittle's Bomber Squadron on the famous Carrier raid against Japan. The United States loss at Pearl: 2,004 Sailors, 108 Marines and 222 Soldiers killed; wounded: Army, 360; Marines, 75; Navy, 912. The Japanese lose fewer than 100 men. In addition, the Japanese lose five Midget Submarines and 28 Aircraft. The Damage to the U.S. Fleet is as follows: Sunk Battleships Oklahoma (BB-37), Arizona (BB-39), California (BB-44), West Virginia (BB-48). In addition the Minelayer Oglala (CM-4) and the Target Ship Utah (AG-16) are sunk. Damaged: Battleships Nevada (BB-36), Pennsylvania (BB-38), Tennessee (BB-43), Maryland (BB-46). Light Cruisers: Helena (CL-50), Honolulu (CL-48), Raleigh (CL-7). Destroyers: Cassin (DD-372), Downes (DD-375), Shaw (DD-373). In addition, the Seaplane Tender Curtiss (AV-4) and the Repair Ship Vestal, (AR-4) are also damaged. THE JAPANESE DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON D.C. AFTER THE REPREHENSIBLE ATTACK AND MASSACRE AT PEARL HARBOR.

I too was disappointed in the lack of coverage on this anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and wrote another post not realizing this thread had been started.

I will never forget. Those who wish to rewrite history should do it on any other day but this one while there are survivors still living, and/or their loved ones.

Lest We Forget. I will never, as I promised by grandfather.

My father was an officer aboard the Phoenix. He did not talk much about the war, but he did say it took 30 damn minutes to get up enough steam before they could move and get out of the harbor.