On December 7, 1941, Japanese bombers attacked American troops at Pearl Harbor, launching the US into World War II.
Imperial Japan had visions of controlling Southeast Asia. They needed the natural resources there to continue their war efforts, but the military presence of the United States prevented them from expanding their territory. So, they began planning a surprise attack, targeting battleships in an effort to eliminate America’s influence in the region.
The arriving Japanese fleet consisted of six aircraft carriers, 408 planes, and five submarines, each with its own midget submarine. The midget submarines were launched toward Pearl Harbor around 1:00 a.m. on December 7. An American minesweeper saw the periscope from one of these midget submarines and informed the destroyer Ward. The Ward sank one of the other midget submarines at 6:45 a.m., firing the first American shots in the Pacific War. Another midget submarine failed in its attacks on a seaplane tender and destroyer and was eventually sunk by the destroyer Monaghan.
Shortly after 6 a.m., the first Japanese planes departed their aircraft carriers for Pearl Harbor. About an hour later, as they approached Oahu, the planes were detected by US Army radars. The radar post was still in training mode and its staff new to the technology. Two operators informed their superior of the approaching aircraft, but as they were expecting 12 B-17 bombers to be delivered from California, he told them to ignore it.
Near Oahu, the Japanese shot down several US planes, one of which managed to radio out a warning, though it was hard to understand. Ships in the water also sent out warnings, but they were still being processed by the time the Japanese bombers arrived at Pearl Harbor.
The attack commenced at 7:53 a.m., with the first ship being struck five minutes later. Japanese torpedo bombers led the first wave, targeting battleships, while dive bombers went after the air bases, including Hickham and Wheeler Fields, as well as the US Army Air Force fighter base. Sailors aboard the battleships anchored in the harbor awoke to a message from the commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet: “Air raid on Pearl Harbor. This is no drill.” They quickly got to their positions to man the guns or otherwise protect their ships and crew. On land, men in the barracks had a similar startling awakening, and also rushed to take up arms. A few even managed to get in their planes and fight back in the sky.
Amidst the chaos and destruction, heroes like Doris “Dorie” Miller, a Mess Attendant on the USS West Virginia, emerged. Finding his battle station ruined, Miller helped carry wounded sailors to safety, including the captain of the West Virginia. With no other wounded in sight, Miller then manned a .50-caliber anti-aircraft gun, even though he’d never been trained in its use. That didn’t prevent him from shooting down two confirmed Japanese planes, with more unconfirmed. As torpedoes blew through the deck, the crew was ordered to abandon ship. Miller dove overboard as the West Virginia settled to the harbor floor. Miller was one of several American servicemen to risk his life in the aid of others that day.
About an hour after the attack began, the second wave of about 170 Japanese planes arrived over Pearl Harbor and unleashed more destruction on American ships, aircraft, and hangars. Just 90 minutes after it began, the attack on Pearl Harbor was over. Casualties were high – 2,403 American civilians, Navy, Army, and Marine personnel were killed and another 1,778 were wounded. There were 18 ships sunk or run aground, including five battleships. Though 13 of these ships were eventually repaired and returned to service to fight later in the war. Additionally, 188 of the 390 aircraft were destroyed with another 159 damaged. Japanese losses were much lower – 64 dead, one captured, and 29 planes lost. They considered launching a third wave of attacks but ultimately decided against it. The Japanese did however attack the Philippines hours later.
The Japanese military had hoped an attack of this size would discourage the United States from committing to war, but it had the opposite effect. As Admiral Hara Tadaichi said, “We won a great tactical victory at Pearl Harbor and thereby lost the war.”
The bombing galvanized support for America’s involvement in World War II. The following day, President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress for a Declaration of War against Japan, calling December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy.” It took Congress just 33 minutes to declare war on Japan, after which Germany and Italy quickly declared war on the United States.
Back in Pearl Harbor, rescue teams searched for survivors, then salvage operations began. Navy divers spent 20,000 hours under water patching holes, moving debris, and pumping water out of ships so they could be refloated. Within six months, they had five battleships and two cruisers afloat and ready to go back to the mainland for repairs. Not all ships were as easily salvaged.
All of America committed itself to the war effort. Young men enlisted by the thousands, housewives contributed by rationing, and young women manned factory assembly lines. Over the coming years, virtually every United States citizen contributed to the war effort, leading to Allied victory.
Among the ships destroyed at Pearl Harbor was the USS Arizona, which lost 1,177 of its crew – about half the lives lost that day. Some of the ship was salvaged for use on other boats, but the hull and two gun turrets sat submerged in 40 feet of water. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the site as a national memorial, and public and private donations were used to finance it. Among the fundraising efforts was a benefit concert by Elvis Presley that collected over $50,000. The memorial was dedicated in 1962.
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Nice!!
One must also consider that American intelligence failed to comprehend the Japanese threat in the Pacific. In the 1920s and 1930s there were those who sincerely believed that Japanese airmen could not fly combat missions because they all wore heavy glasses. I found this in the Mitchell Papers when I researched for my biography of Billy Mitchell. Japanese deception plans were first rate, and
we lost track of where the fleet was. Japanese training for the attack was conducted with no
leaks at all. We should never lose track of just how well this attack was planned and that US intelligence never expected such an assault, and we were caught flatfooted. James J. Cooke, Professor Emeritus of History, U. of Mississippi
You are so right. The U.S. was caught flatfooted. Intelligence was there if only
someone could have connected the dots. One example was the Japanese Consulate
in Honolulu was observed burning papers for better than 2 days. You would have
thought that this alone would have raised suspicions, especially with all the other
intel. It just was never put together. It was just lucky that our Carriers were out at
sea at that moment.
Mr. Snyder is quite right. It does appear that no one in authority saw fit to pass on a key indicator, the burning of documents etc. Also, General W. Short was fixed on sabotage by the Japanese population, and violated the simple methods of security. Short had a bad reputation dating back to WWI when he was on Pershing’s staff at Chaumont. Once he had an idea it became the way Short wanted it done. He would not listen to better informed subordinates. The placing of aircraft, by Short’s order, insured that the Japanese flyers had a field day. If Short was
so concerned why didn’t he make better use of vehicle mounted MPs to secure the aircraft.? There was no way that ground crews could get to all of the aircraft and get them ready to fly. Some aircraft could have been saved. Remember there was no Air Force as we know it. It was the Army Air Corps, and army general Short’s orders had the force of an eleventh commandment. One of the sadess person that day was Admiral Kimmel. I say that as an army combat veteran.
Don’t forget that the flight of Japanese planes was picked up on radar that early morning and ignored.
It was also thought that torpedoes could not be used in the shallow harbor.
On this day I wish I could give tis one 6 stars. God bless the people who served that day
and the rest of the war. If it happened today, I fear our resolve would not be the same and
the outlook a lot different.
I already served in the Navy,& in the event something like this ever happened,this Sailor would go back in a second. If they’d have me of course,I am coming up on 59.hahaha
Amen.
On this day in history a vicious mentality was exposed to the western world. That part of the world had a different view of life and death. They would attempt to integrate that mentality with western imperialism and it would take cataclysmic explosion to stop it. Our nation has fought for the principles of freedom since this nation was formed. That mentality is still out there.
Excellent reading.
Good read! Every red blooded American should read and digest!
That day the enemy awoke a sleeping giant. Never underestimate the abilities of those who seek to destroy us. Never forget the history that defines us as a Great Country of Freedoms; for if we do, we are doomed to repeat it. Great articles.
My Dad was at pearl after the bomming and I was stationed there in 1965 to 1967 . It is a wonderful sight. and the real hero,s are still aboard
Bill—they were indeed the “Greatest generation”!
YES THEY ARE !
A tragedy in American history… Looks like more to come if we are unable to learn from history.
GOD bless America!!! God bless those brave men and women who are serving and those who have served.
Always informative, however I take exception with the “one of several to risk his life”, it was one of many who answer the call to help save lives.
Good point!
To all those who lost their lives and to all of the families who suffered the loss of their loved ones at Pearl Harbor. RIP and God Bless. Thank you. Thanks Mystic, great reminder of a horrific day in the history of our country. Your message gives us pause for reflection on the true cost of our freedom.
A well-written piece. I do agree with Professor Cooke’s statements about the failure of intelligence, and I might add, the failure of those evaluating incoming information. We seem not to have learned from this lesson, and have been “caught flatfooted” time and again. Thank you, Mystic Stamp, for remembering the day.
Truly inspiring
What would our current President have done? Just wondering. Would he have
tries to negotiate with them vis a vis Iran.
Hard to believe it was 74 years ago. My Mom was just a young girl when we were attacked and she remembers it like it was yesterday.
I was 14 at the time and into the Navy before it was over. Every American should visit Ford Island and see the Arizona Memorial, the Battleship MO and the other things there. Makes you relive our history so we won’t forget.
Doris Miller had never been trained to fire an anti-aircraft gun because in the segregated navy, the only job open to a black man was as a messman. Dorie Miller was a Messman Third Class. Miller later died in action when in 1943 his ship, U.S.S. Liscome Bay, was sunk by a Japanese submarine.
Great It is a shame that we don’t study our history in detail today because we are sadly doomed to repeat it. Maybe not by Zero’s but by new more sinister methods.
My father who was born a little over a year after the attack was named for his uncle who had lost his life that morning.
A great article. I often wonder if North America will be similarly affected by lack of forward thinking of continental protection.
Spent much of my shipboard and submarine time in Pearl Harbour while in the Royal Canadian Navy.
As a student of history I am fearful the history repeats itself.
We need a combined US/Canada think tank to explore what is, what could be, and what should be done in view of current “wars”.
But, “on the street” nobody seems to worry.
I do!
Roosevelt had plenty of indication. It was Churchill’s last attempt to get America into the war, [ don’t forget he had been 1st Lord of the Admiralty, and they had broken the Japanese code earlier.]
That’s why our carriers were not in dock that day. The ships that were destroyed were old and pretty much useless. I think they thought a little attack would be cool. However, they vastly underestimated the Japanese abilities to pull this off; killing over a 1000 men! Surprise.
kinda like 9/11.
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor commenced at 07.45 hrs and lasted only 110 minutes till 09.35. The American losses ::: 8 U.S. Navy battle ships damaged, 18 battle ships sunk, three cruisers, three destroyers, one anti-aircraft ship, one mine layer, 188 U.S. air crafts destroyed, 2403 Americans killed, 1178 wounded, 153 planes damaged . JAPANESE LOSSES ::: 29 air crafts , five submarines, 55 airmen, 9 sailors, and ONLY ONE JAPANESE SAILOR named Kazuo Sakamaki was captured by Americans . December 7 is observed as Pearl Harbor Day but it is not a Federal Holiday. However, schools, educational institutes, many establishments fly the American Flag at half-mast, out of respect for those dead/wounded in Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 .Thank you MYSTIC for a write up on Pearl Harbor attack.
Read Day of Deceit.
Gene, if you happen to read this, can you clarify the difference or distinction you are making between “one of several” and “one of many?”