“Yesterday, December 7, 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,” began President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a joint address to Congress which was broadcast by radio across the nation on December 8, 1941. In concluding his remarks, the President stated, “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. . . . With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph--so help us God,” and asked that Congress declare a state of war between the United States and Japan. Following Roosevelt’s speech, the Senate voted unanimously in support of the war. There was only one dissenting vote in the House, pacifist representative Jeanette Rankin of Montana. It is rumored that Rankin’s colleague, then Representative, later Senator, Everett Dirksen of Illinois, asked her to change her vote to make it unanimous but she refused.
The Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii was one of the greatest military surprises in history. Pearl Harbor is approximately 2,000 miles from the U.S. mainland and 4,000 miles from Japan. At the time of the attack, Hawaii was a U.S. territory; it did not become the 50th state until August 1959.
December 7th began as a quiet Sunday morning on Oahu. Tensions were running high between the U.S. and Japan, but diplomatic negotiations had been on-going. Japan found itself mired in a war with China which began in 1937, and by 1940, Japan sought to bolster its cause by seizing control of European colonies in Southeast Asia and the resources they possessed. Hitler’s advances in Europe left these European colonies largely undefended, but the Japanese knew that an invasion would trigger a response from the U.S. In mid-1940, President Roosevelt relocated the U.S. Pacific Fleet from San Diego to Pearl Harbor.
The attack on Pearl Harbor, which was carried out by aircraft and submarines, started just before 8:00 a.m. and came in waves. In total, the attack lasted less than 2 hours. The Japanese Navy had, without detection, moved all 6 of its aircraft carriers across 3,000 miles of open ocean, arriving just a few hundred miles north of Hawaii. Approximately 360 Japanese planes were launched from the carriers. Only 6 U.S. planes got into the air to engage the enemy.
The U.S. ships in the harbor were relatively undefended and made easy targets. The Japanese damaged 19 U.S. warships and approximately 300 airplanes. Of the 8 battleships that were at Pearl Harbor, all were damaged and 4 were sunk. With the U.S. Navy temporarily crippled in the Pacific, Japan began to advance throughout Southeast Asia. Fortunately, all of the U.S. aircraft carriers and several other ships were spared because they were out of the harbor on missions. Additionally, the Japanese did not destroy important facilities on Oahu, including the island’s oil storage. The nation immediately mobilized and the Pacific Fleet rebounded fairly quickly. In fact, 6 of the damaged battleships were eventually repaired and returned to military service during World War II, including the USS California and the USS West Virginia which were raised from the bottom of the shallow harbor.
Loss of U.S. life was great. The attack left 2,403 dead, including soldiers, sailors, and civilians, and another 1,178 wounded. Nearly half of those who died were on the USS Arizona. The ship was struck by a number of Japanese bombs, which ignited ammunition on board, causing an explosion. At the time, the ship’s crew had 38 sets of brothers, including 3 sets of 3 brothers. Sixty-three of these siblings died in the attack. The USS Arizona still rests at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, a part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, and serves as a final resting place for many men who gave their lives in service to our country. Those who visit can still see leaking oil rising from the sunken ship to the surface.
The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the nation and propelled the U.S. into World War II. Americans responded to December 7th with patriotism and teamwork, as citizens joined together to fight back and protect our country. Facing immense challenges at young ages, the World War II generation has been called the “greatest generation.” We must continue to teach this important part of American history so that we never forget their sacrifices and their dedication to doing what needed to be done to win the war.