Pear Harbor - A Grateful Nation Remembers

Department of the Navy ^ | 7 December 2001 | Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs Office

[Neets]

Naval Base Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark

Pearl Harbor was established as a U.S. naval base in 1908, and remains a vital part of the U.S. defense establishment today. Pearl Harbor is a national historic landmark because of its essential contribution to the rise of the U.S. as a major power in the Pacific and the crucial role it played in World War II, beginning with the December 7^th attack. Included in this virtual tour are structures and locations of architectural and historic interest that were important on the day of the attack and during the war years that followed.

Background

Between the middle of the 19^th century and the beginning of the 20^th, Japan transformed itself from a closed feudal society to a modern industrial and military power. In the 1930s, under the increasing influence of their military, Japan embarked on a series of conquests. With the start of World War II in Europe, resource-poor Japan saw an opportunity to seize European colonies in Southeast Asia with its resources of oil, coal, rubber, and tin.

Relations with the United States had been deteriorating since Japan took Peking in 1937. Because of rising tensions and continued Japanese aggression, the U.S. moved its Pacific Fleet to Hawaii in the spring of 1940. In July, the U.S. placed restrictions on shipments of oil and other war material to Japan. In July 1941, the U.S and other nations froze all Japanese assets. Rather than change its expansionist policies, Japan chose war with the United States to protect its territorial gains.

While diplomatic efforts were underway to resolve differences with Washington, naval planners in Japan were considering an attack on Hawaii as early as 1940. On November 25, 1941, as these negotiations were failing, a fleet of 32 warships, including six aircraft carriers and 432 planes, sailed for Hawaii on a course north of the usual shipping lanes. Approximately 30 submarines, five carrying midget subs, sortied a day later to approach from the southwest.

The Attack

At 6 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, Japan launched the initial strike force of 183 aircraft. At about 0645, an unidentified submarine was depth-charged at the Pearl Harbor entrance. Subsequently, approaching unidentified aircraft were detected by radar. Although U.S. forces were on war alert, these indicators of the impending attack were not communicated to those in command. The first wave of aircraft struck at 0755 in an attack that lasted half an hour. After a lull, the second wave of the attack began at 0845 and lasted another hour.

Oahu’s military airfields were attacked to prevent interdiction of the striking forces; several hundred U.S. aircraft were damaged or destroyed. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers and battleships would be the primary targets. Fortunately, all three Hawaii-based carriers were at sea. The eight battleships in port were attacked with bombs and torpedoes designed for the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor. Five battleships and three other ships were sunk or beached; three battleships and ten other ships were damaged. More than 2,000 Sailors lost their lives in the attack, along with several hundred other servicemembers and civilians.

 Aftermath

Although the Japanese attack was accomplished according to plan, it was, in retrospect a strategic failure. U.S. isolationist sentiment dissolved. Moreover, seven months later, fuel supplies spared in the attack contributed to the defeat of a Japanese carrier task force by U.S. Pacific Fleet carriers at Midway, in a battle that turned the tide of the war.

Source:

Information is taken from a brochure produced for the Pacific Division, Naval Facilities Command by Belt Collins & Associates and Spencer Mason Architects entitled "Naval Base Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark".

[Neets]

Correct link:

Link to the interactive Web site

[Dog]

Bump for a babe!

[Neets]

Thanks toots....

[VoodooEconomist]

I wonder if a grateful nation remembers the role FDR played in precipitating the Pearl Harbor attack in the first place.

Admiral Kimmel's Story by Husband E. Kimmel
http://www.rooseveltmyth.com/KimmelStory/index.html

Final Secret of Pearl Harbor by Rear Admiral Robert A. Theobald
http://www.rooseveltmyth.com/FinalSecret/index.html

Day of Deceit: The Truth about FDR and Pearl Harbor
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0684853396/

Roosevelt and democrat party bait the trap with the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet !
http://home.att.net/~dericker/Errors/how_democrats_roosevelt_.htm

Errors in the History of Our 20th Century
http://home.att.net/~dericker/Errors/

[Tinman]

Thanks for the links

[illstillbe]

*pings* to y'alls ...

Species ... will you be visiting the Memorial while you are there?!

oldcodger ... I enjoyed your Sherman quote. *grin*

[Neets]

And this business with coupling September 11th to Pearl Harbor nothing short of stinketh if you ask me.

Funny thing, I don't remember asking you. Nor do I remember myself coupling 9/11 to PH.

Have a nice day.

[illstillbe]

There just isn't a perfect topic, is there OneidaM?! *sigh*

[Neets]

You could always go start your OWN thread..

I posted this one as a tribute to the fallen warriors of this day, not to get into a pissing contest over who started what, and who is comparing apples to oranges.

Later.

[Species8472]

Have been there many times, but it will not be on the agenda this trip. Unfortunately, there were no wheelchair options the last time I was there ( you ride out to the memorial in a small boat). Plus, I am going to a different island this time.

Oneida - Thanks, great post!

[Neets]

I am kind of saddened by the lack of interest on FreeRepublic today with regards to this special day of rememberance.

[lysie]

Thanks for the post OM. I'm remembering and giving thanks for all our past and present brave men and women in the armed services.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Thanks for the post. I did get to watch the President Bush's speech at the USS Enterprise and it was terrific. My dad was 16 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Two years later, he enlisted in the Navy.

[Howlin]

Me, too! And I'm looking of TV for some good movies!

[kayak]

A bugler plays taps on the USS Arizona Memorial as Commanding Officer of the Naval Station Pearl Harbor, R. Douglas Hughes, salutes to close the 60th Commemorative Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks, Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Photo by Ronen Zilberman (AP)

Pearl Harbor survivor Arthur Kowalski takes a picture of the rainbow over Ford Island from the USS Arizona Memorial during the 60th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.Photo by Ronen Zilberman (AP)