[Jimmy Valentine]

Actually the Japanese attack was a reprise of a U.S. Navy tactical exercise from the 1920's.

A very good book on this is "Day of Deceit" which outlines this.

Interestingly, it also offers the fact that Kimmel had the Pacific Fleet out and in the correct position to intercept the Japanese attack(North and East of Hawaii) the week before Pearl Harbor, but was ordered back into port by Stark, CNO.

[jamaksin]

Recall the grade school tale of just who fired the first shot at Concord remains unknown?

The possibility of a similar circumstance off the Prokofiev Seamount would risk that "first overt act of war" so desired - and that could not be allowed.

[CaptRon]

You are correct. I was taught this in Naval Science as an NROTC midshipman.