December 7, 1941

[Irish#1]

It's been 82 years since that horrific event. Even though FDR said it was "a date which will live in infamy", the memory becomes a little more distant each year as those who either fought in WWII or worked to support the war effort pass away. There's only a handful of heros left that were at Pearl Harbor.

Take a moment to say a prayer for those who fought to keep our freedom, thus allowing us to spend time complaining about the lack of play action.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t keep statistics for how many Pearl Harbor survivors are still living. But department data show that of the 16 million who served in World War II, only about 120,000 were alive as of October and an estimated 131 die each day.

Pearl Harbor survivors return to honor those who perished 82 years ago

The aging pool of Pearl Harbor survivors has been rapidly shrinking. Two years ago, survivors who attended the 80th anniversary ranged in age from 97 to 103.

www.wcnc.com

 

[irishnd31]

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, I strongly suggest it. What a somber yet inspiring site to behold. Just seeing the location and the surrounding areas around the attack site, it really puts into perspective how it all played out. Incredible place and Peace be with those who lost their lives and thank you for your resolve and bravery during one of America's darkest days.

 

[rikkitikki08]

Never forget

 

[Irish#1]

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, I strongly suggest it. What a somber yet inspiring site to behold. Just seeing the location and the surrounding areas around the attack site, it really puts into perspective how it all played out. Incredible place and Peace be with those who lost their lives and thank you for your resolve and bravery during one of America's darkest days.

On my bucket list.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, I strongly suggest it. What a somber yet inspiring site to behold. Just seeing the location and the surrounding areas around the attack site, it really puts into perspective how it all played out. Incredible place and Peace be with those who lost their lives and thank you for your resolve and bravery during one of America's darkest days.

It is AMAZING, I cried. As a grandchild of 2 WW2 vets, Grandpa was an Army Half Track commander, and my Grandma built flaps in a Supermarine Spitfire factory in England... these things, that war hold a special place in my heart. Because of that war, I am hear. My Grandpa was a slick GI who wheeled himself a nice little English girl and the rest is history.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, I strongly suggest it. What a somber yet inspiring site to behold. Just seeing the location and the surrounding areas around the attack site, it really puts into perspective how it all played out. Incredible place and Peace be with those who lost their lives and thank you for your resolve and bravery during one of America's darkest days.

It really is one of the most surreal places to visit. My wife and I stayed on base with a good friend of mine years ago. Late at night, he took me on a tour of the campus and showed me areas that are still damaged (left on purpose as a memorial). He talked about hauntings and all the weird stuff that those living on base experience. Paranormal stuff aside, seeing the ships in the water is a haunting image in and of itself. Hawaii is so beautiful. It's hard to image such devastation and destruction taking place there. Everyone should take a trip there.

 

[irishnd31]

It really is one of the most surreal places to visit. My wife and I stayed on base with a good friend of mine years ago. Late at night, he took me on a tour of the campus and showed me areas that are still damaged (left on purpose as a memorial). He talked about hauntings and all the weird stuff that those living on base experience. Paranormal stuff aside, seeing the ships in the water is a haunting image in and of itself. Hawaii is so beautiful. It's hard to image such devastation and destruction taking place there. Everyone should take a trip there.

Could not agree more my friend.

 

[Free Manera]

I got a subscription to newspapers.com which is an arm of ancestry.com a few weeks ago. It has basically every newspaper from every town ever.

I ended up looking at my local paper's edition for all these dates in history, and one was this one. I proceeded to do D Day and the day the concentration camps were discovered, etc.

I gotta say it really puts you there. Very cool stuff if you're a history dude.

This is not an affiliate post

 

[Greenore]

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, I strongly suggest it. What a somber yet inspiring site to behold. Just seeing the location and the surrounding areas around the attack site, it really puts into perspective how it all played out. Incredible place and Peace be with those who lost their lives and thank you for your resolve and bravery during one of America's darkest days.

I had the opportunity to visit for a full day a few years back. Somber is the right descriptor. My heart sank as I watched the oil release from the Arizona and that was such a contextualizing moment for me. I've always been fascinated by War history and to see such such sights and examples was truly an honor and a privilege. Let's not take the sacrifices so many have made for freedom for granted!

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[irishnd31]

I had the opportunity to visit for a full day a few years back. Somber is the right descriptor. My heart sank as I watched the oil release from the Arizona and that was such a contextualizing moment for me. I've always been fascinated by War history and to see such such sights and examples was truly an honor and a privilege. Let's not take the sacrifices so many have made for freedom for granted!

Cheers and Go Irish!!

Seeing the oil bubbling from the Arizona is so incredibly surreal and you are so correct with the "heart sank" feeling. To think that there are still soldiers in that ship is even more incredible to me. I have no idea how many men/ women are still present on the Arizona. Would actually like to know. Will have to Google it.

Beautiful post tho my man.

 

[ozzman]

My Facebook memory from last year.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Seeing the oil bubbling from the Arizona is so incredibly surreal and you are so correct with the "heart sank" feeling. To think that there are still soldiers in that ship is even more incredible to me. I have no idea how many men/ women are still present on the Arizona. Would actually like to know. Will have to Google it.

Beautiful post tho my man.

Multiple "survivors'' of Dec 7 have asked to be entombed in the Arizona after their death. Not sure how many have done this, but I know it's a thing. The Navy grants these requests, and a diver takes their remains down and puts them aboard.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, I strongly suggest it. What a somber yet inspiring site to behold. Just seeing the location and the surrounding areas around the attack site, it really puts into perspective how it all played out. Incredible place and Peace be with those who lost their lives and thank you for your resolve and bravery during one of America's darkest days.

I was able to visit back in 2004. I was still in high school, so I wasn't really mature enough to fully understand the overall meaning of what I was seeing. My wife and I are planning on going to Hawaii next August, so I am very excited to visit again.

The one thing I took away from it when I was there really through me off at the time. There was a number of Japanese family there and were almost celebrating the history of it. It bothered me at first until our tour guide explained what was going on. They were celebrating one the biggest military achievements in Japanese history. They were very respectful but also were very emotional about their success.

 

[laughingirish90]

sad thing is that a lot of the younger generation 20 something and younger would tell you that we deserved this because we are an awful racist nation.

 

[Greenore]

Seeing the oil bubbling from the Arizona is so incredibly surreal and you are so correct with the "heart sank" feeling. To think that there are still soldiers in that ship is even more incredible to me. I have no idea how many men/ women are still present on the Arizona. Would actually like to know. Will have to Google it.

Beautiful post tho my man.

We (my family) visited on an absolutely beautiful summer day. The juxtaposition of the beautiful rainbow from the oil sheen and the horrors below were not lost on me. To use ozzman's perfect word... powerful.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[irishnd31]

I was able to visit back in 2004. I was still in high school, so I wasn't really mature enough to fully understand the overall meaning of what I was seeing. My wife and I are planning on going to Hawaii next August, so I am very excited to visit again.

The one thing I took away from it when I was there really through me off at the time. There was a number of Japanese family there and were almost celebrating the history of it. It bothered me at first until our tour guide explained what was going on. They were celebrating one the biggest military achievements in Japanese history. They were very respectful but also were very emotional about their success.

Yes. Japanese tourists were also there and in large numbers. It was almost off putting how they acted on the actual Memorial. What should have been a quiet, emotional, peaceful time turned into groups of Japanese laughing and taking photos with their two fingers up. Seemed quite disrespectful and I admire those soldiers who stood on the Memorial for handling those that were not respectful of the site and its meaning to those Americans present. Would have been like us travelling to Hiroshima and having a tailgate. No I would never condone that but it almost felt like they were celebrating being up by 14 in the first quarter of a four quarter game.

 

[KMac151993]

Never Forget!

 

[Greenore]

Yes. Japanese tourists were also there and in large numbers. It was almost off putting how they acted on the actual Memorial. What should have been a quiet, emotional, peaceful time turned into groups of Japanese laughing and taking photos with their two fingers up. Seemed quite disrespectful and I admire those soldiers who stood on the Memorial for handling those that were not respectful of the site and its meaning to those Americans present. Would have been like us travelling to Hiroshima and having a tailgate. No I would never condone that but it almost felt like they were celebrating being up by 14 in the first quarter of a four quarter game.

I was hesitant to post but that was the EXACT same experience we had. Exactly! Actually, the soldiers/guides intervened.

It was unsettling because the Japanese are some of the nicest, kindest, most respectful people I have ever met.

Bad apples in every bunch I guess?

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[StPaul_Irish]

People don't realize how dominant of a force the Imperial Japanese Navy was until the end of 1943 into 44. Especially in surface action

I don't think we "won" a surface action until late 43. We had no clue the capabilities of their Long Lance torpedo's, their night optics were nearly as good as our radar and they were fearless.

If you are into that kind of stuff, one of my favorite books is "Neptune's Inferno" <---link.

Wonderful insight and read for us nerds

 

[irish4ever]

It was a must see for me as well ... and I agree that it was an AMAZING experience that I'll never forget! My dad served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during WWII, so that added a little more interest and emotion to the visit. I was there in summer of 2018 but was unable go onto the Arizona Memorial due to some structural cracks needing to be repaired. At that time, we were only able to ferry out to the memorial and get a closer view.

 

[Irish#1]

You guys are making me figure out how to get there sooner rather than later. I've read a number of books and articles with some first hand passages from those who were there that day. It's mindboggling that we were able to recover from that and win the war. A testimonial to the fortitude of servicemen and women of the United States as well as those who worked to build and supply everything needed to sustain the war effort.

 

[Greenore]

You guys are making me figure out how to get there sooner rather than later. I've read a number of books and articles with some first hand passages from those who were there that day. It's mindboggling that we were able to recover from that and win the war. A testimonial to the fortitude of servicemen and women of the United States as well as those who worked to build and supply everything needed to sustain the war effort.

Fortitude and (I mean no disrespect) a LOT of luck! The Pacific theater might have been drastically changed if the Japanese had been successful in eliminating fuel storage at Pearl. As well, the carrier fleet was at sea. The Battle of Midway was also lucky or through Divine Intervention in locating the Japanese fleet.

The evacuation from Dunkirk and Battle of Bastogne were also very fortunate for Allied troops. It really amazes me (YMMV) just how lucky things played out in the long run.

Just an incredible generation! RIP

If you have ever had any interest or inclination to visit Pearl Harbor please make the time. It is a powerful experience and very well set up.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

 

[Fbolt]

Badass generation of Americans. Those that took the fight to the enemy overseas as well as those left at home to kick off and continue the War Machine efforts. Always amazed at Veterans and their families; the sacrifice.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

If you guys like Podcasts on the subject, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. "The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War" with Seth Paridon and Bill Toti.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I was able to visit back in 2004. I was still in high school, so I wasn't really mature enough to fully understand the overall meaning of what I was seeing. My wife and I are planning on going to Hawaii next August, so I am very excited to visit again.

The one thing I took away from it when I was there really through me off at the time. There was a number of Japanese family there and were almost celebrating the history of it. It bothered me at first until our tour guide explained what was going on. They were celebrating one the biggest military achievements in Japanese history. They were very respectful but also were very emotional about their success.

I visited Pearl Harbor in 1993 when I was 18 years old. There were quite a few older folks (60s and 70s and they would’ve been in their teens and 20s when it happened) in our tour group and many of them were upset about the number of Japanese tourists. I don’t blame them but I also don’t recall the Japanese tourists behaving badly or being disrespectful.

 

[Irish#1]

Fortitude and (I mean no disrespect) a LOT of luck! The Pacific theater might have been drastically changed if the Japanese had been successful in eliminating fuel storage at Pearl. As well, the carrier fleet was at sea. The Battle of Midway was also lucky or through Divine Intervention in locating the Japanese fleet.

The evacuation from Dunkirk and Battle of Bastogne were also very fortunate for Allied troops. It really amazes me (YMMV) just how lucky things played out in the long run.

Just an incredible generation! RIP

If you have ever had any interest or inclination to visit Pearl Harbor please make the time. It is a powerful experience and very well set up.

Cheers and Go Irish!!

IIRC there was one more wave of planes the Japanese were to send, but decided to hold them because they thought they had destroyed everything.

 

[BilboBaggins]

My grandmother was going to Juilliard when she was invited to go on a blind double date with a friend and two Naval Academy guys. Meets my grandfather. They become a thing and he graduates from the academy in 1940, then stationed in Pearl Harbor as an officer on the USS Lexington.

As you may know, and this really worked out for me, the Lexington and other aircraft carriers were out to sea on December 7. Apparently some US planes would fly ahead of the carriers when they were heading back and the wives got used to running out to see what planes were flying in to see if their husbands were returning. So they were pretty early on the "something is fucked up..." that morning when they ran out at the sound of planes. Apparently when it all went down my grandmother and wives armed themselves with steak knives and grouped in the church for fear that invasion was imminent. I guess they weren't told the status of the carriers by the Navy and were left to draw their own conclusions until the carriers returned a few days later. They were all pretty sure they would have had to have been wiped out for the Japanese to have made it in the first place.

 

[Circa]

It changed the world as we know It.
Just imagine If Roosevelt and Churchill would have reacted to the information they knew.

"Did Churchill know the Japanese were going to attack Pearl Harbor?
Several authors have controversially claimed that Winston Churchill had significant advance knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor but intentionally chose not to share this information with the Americans in order to secure their participation in the war."

Americans at that time, were just as tired of war.. as they are today.

 

[BilboBaggins]

It changed the world as we know It.
Just imagine If Roosevelt and Churchill would have reacted to the information they knew.

"Did Churchill know the Japanese were going to attack Pearl Harbor?
Several authors have controversially claimed that Winston Churchill had significant advance knowledge of the attack on Pearl Harbor but intentionally chose not to share this information with the Americans in order to secure their participation in the war."

Americans at that time, were just as tired of war.. as they are today.

The thing that makes those conspiracies so attractive is that Peal Harbor just frankly should not have been that much of a surprise.

1) the US knew that the oil embargo would pretty much end Japan's ability to fight in China, and force a decision from Japanese leadership to quit... or not,
2) the Japanese military prized surprise attacks,
3) the Japanese fleet massed in Japan, and then went missing weeks before Pearl Harbor to... somewhere.

It is frankly a failure if military preparedness that US Pacific bases were not put on some sort of alert status.

Anyway, one of history's best "what ifs..." is if the Japanese had better intelligence on the US and calculated that the US was committed to their isolationism. The ONLY reason the Japanese attacked is because they though the US would declare war if they invaded Dutch Indonesia for their oil. The presence of the Philippines (and Americans) meant that the Japanese felt they needed to knock the US fleet out and hope and pray they could gather enough raw materials to resist until the Americans gave up. In reality, FDR would likely not have had the support to defend European colonies if Japan just skipped the Philippines and went right for the oil...

 

[StPaul_Irish]

IIRC there was one more wave of planes the Japanese were to send, but decided to hold them because they thought they had destroyed everything.

Fact