“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD Is My Banner,”
Exodus 17:15

DECEMBER 7, 1941
“. . .a date which will live in infamy. . .”

JAPANESE ATTACK PEARL HARBOR

https://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~prsjr/wars/wwii/pharbor/np_pg1.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3VqQAf74fsE#t=22

Text of FDR’s closing statements from this address appear below.
Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE

 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!
TIMELINE PHOTOS

In the aftermath of the sneak attack on December 7, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his radio address to the nation, reported 2086 United States Navy and Marine Officers and Men were killed and 749 wounded, and 194 Army Officers and Men killed and 360 wounded, at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese Navy attacked without warning – without a state of war existing between our nations – on December 7, 1941.

Following are a few photos and details on some of the ships that suffered major damage, and in the case of USS Arizona, the greatest loss of life.

USS Utah was the first ship hit and sunk.  Note the half-raised American Flag; the attack came at the raising of the Colors that Sunday morning.  A total loss, along with USS Arizona, she still lies in Pearl Harbor with 58 of her crew still “on-duty.”  For the text of the Oral History record of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Lee Soucy, of the Utah: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-3a.htm

Foreground, left to right: USS Nevada, USS Arizona with USS Vestal outboard, USS Tennessee with USS West Virginia outboard, USS Maryland with USS Oklahoma outboard, USS Neosho and USS California.
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm

[USS Nevada was among the ships sunk, but she was raised and repaired.  She returned to service in October, 1942.  My father, Seaman Second Class William Brooks Courtney, Jr., enlisted in February, 1942, at barely 18-years-old, and served on her through 7 major battles, from 1942, to February, 1945.]

 

Arizona State Flag
[Image: www.amazon.com/Arizona-US-Flag-Polyester/dp/B0013C5SKG ]

USS Arizona‘s forward magazine explodes after a bomb pierced  the deck, instantly igniting aviation fuel and black powder.  This was the worst destruction from the attack.  1177 men died, many of them instantaneously from the enormous explosion.  The fire burned two-and-a-half-days!  The ship was a total loss and remains buried in the Harbor, along with many of the dead who could never be recovered; they are officially buried at sea.  [For more, see below.]
https://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/npswapa/gallery/albums/album13/PH23colorflames.htm

Photo: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm

 

USS Arizona Memorial, built over the sunken hull of the battleship that remains the tomb of many of the 1177 members of her crew who died that day.  Those who survived have the right to choose interment inside the ship; rejoining their shipmates at the end of their lives.

“Crewmembers who were assigned to the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941, have the right to have their cremated remains interred inside the barbette of gun turret four by National Park Service divers. If you were a crewmember before that infamous day, you have the right to have your ashes scattered over the ship. In both cases, the common thread is that these men were at one time in their navy careers assigned to the USS Arizona. This policy is strictly enforced by the USS Arizona Reunion and Survivor Association. (In addition, any Pearl Harbor survivor can have their ashes scattered over the place in the harbor where their ship was located during the attack). On April 12, 1982, the ashes of retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Stanley M. Teslow were interred, becoming the first USS Arizona survivor to return to his ship. By mid 2006, 28 surviving crewmembers have rejoined their shipmates in simple and private ceremonies, complete with a two-bell ceremony from the Fleet Reserve Association; a rifle salute from the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps; and a benediction with the echo of Taps being played across the harbor. The services are conducted inside the memorial and consist of an invocation, funeral ceremony, and a flag presentation to the family. Following the ceremony, the urn is carried from the memorial to the dock area and presented to divers, who swim the urn into the open barbette of gun turret number four and proceed to a large open “slot” that measures approximately 6″ x 5′. The urn is placed into this slot and slides into the ship.”  http://www.nps.gov/valr/faqs.htm

For more details on the Arizona, and photos from the attack, see the National Park Service website: http://www.nps.gov/usar/index.htm

The USSARIZONA.ORG website is an excellent site for information on the Arizona and her crew.

~ ~ ~

USS West Virginia took two bombs and two torpedos, and was sunk, but returned to service in July, 1944.
Photo: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm

Although USS Shaw took three bombs, she returned to service in June, 1942.
Photo: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm

 

“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant…“
Japan’s Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Indeed you had, Admiral!!!

And, the American Flag still waves
over Hickam Field in the aftermath!!!

Photo: https://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/npswapa/gallery/albums/album13/PH17flagflies.htm

~ ~ ~

IN MEMORIAM:

With Gratitude for all who fought to defend our Fleet
at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, December 7, 1941.

I don’t know the history of this monument, nor who took the photo.

But, for me,
it symbolizes
All
who courageously step-up
to serve
Our Nation under God,
and say,

“Send me.”

[The monument insignia says, “Special Forces Airborne.”  The inscription is from Isaiah 6:8]

Source not known.  I received it in an Email message.

RE: Photos with this source link: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm.  You can also find more photos with details of each image, overview of the attack and links to other pages on this webpage.  This is a very large website; for a longer overview and links, including oral histories, also see the site’s page at:  http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-1.htm

For an excellent blogsite on Naval Warfare and Naval History, with detailed biographies of our warships: http://navalwarfare.blogspot.com/2013_06_01_archive.html

~ ~ ~

“…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.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph — so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”

Closing statements of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his “Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation,” December 8, 1941, to the Joint Session of Congress. http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/186485-pearl-harbor-address-to-the-nation-delivered-on-december-8

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