Pearl Harbor was the scene of a surprise attack by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. Just before 8 a.m. on that Sunday morning, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descended on the base, where they managed to destroy or damage nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and over 300 airplanes. More than 2,400 Americans died in the attack, including civilians, and another 1,000 people were wounded. The day after the attack, FDR asked Congress to declare war on Japan. (Note: the President ASKED Congress, who had the power, to declare war.)
God bless all who served in WWII. How did we get from presidents like FDR to the travesty in office today?
I remember the horror my mother suffered. And the barrage balloons along the coast at Long Beach.
Obedience and trust in “leadership.” Then “the bomb” and the price history keeps paying.
My dad’s birthday.
My VA uncle was @ Pearl Harbor as a new 19 y/o recruit. He was near the barracks when the attack happened, was unharmed & spoke of the chaos that ensued. He was quickly drawn into the war & then became an Army “lifer”. Upon his death in old age as an Army officer he was given a full ceremonial burial @ Arlington National Cemetary with horse drawn carriage carrying his casket, his boots faced backward with a rifle placed in them & police escort to the church. Now as our Democracy is on the verge of collapse it’s clear how important who our leadership is.
My parents, who were courting at the time, were headed to Big Sur for a picnic date. They heard the news of the Pearl Harbor strike, and turned around — back to Monterey.
Kate,
Thanks for remembering that. I believe I read the other day that there are only 12 survivors remaining.
Richard