Posted on 12/07/2011 11:17:27 AM PST by US Navy Vet
At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time (12:55 p.m. EST) on December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, launching one of the deadliest attacks in American history. The assault, which lasted less than two hours, claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people, wounded 1,000 more and damaged or destroyed 18 American ships and nearly 300 airplanes. Almost half of the casualties at Pearl Harbor occurred on the naval battleship USS Arizona, which was hit four times by Japanese bombers. As we commemorate the 70th anniversary of this date which will live in infamy, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it on December 8, 1941, explore five little-known facts about the USS Arizona and the attack that plunged America into war.
(Excerpt) Read more at history.com ...
My Uncle Joe was 17 when he enlisted, and stationed in Hawaii Dec 5, 1941. His assignment was radio, he told us no one believed it when all the radio guys where broadcasting that we were under attack.
Very interesting, thanks for posting.
He was stationed on the USS Shaw.
Wow, there’s a famous picture of an explosion on the Shaw at Pearl. Glad he made it!
The Shaw has its own storied history from that day.
My niece is in the Navy stationed in Hawaii and she has the honor to escort a USS Shaw survivor to the events today. She looks stunning in her dress uniform, I am sure the Vet will be smiling as he walks with her.
Only 18 left.
Read this morning less than 8K Pearl Vets currently living.
As a flight surgeon (Army) I had the privilege of treating a survivor of the USS Arizona. To show you how PTSD can be hard wired, he still has the startle reflex causing him to jump when a sudden noise occurs. OIF vet
I will be smiling as well. Thank you for sharing.
We have our own Pearl Harbor survivors association here in the Norfolk, VA area. The news this morning told about them preparing to attend today’s service at Little Creek Naval Base’s Pearl Harbor memorial. Sadly, it was reported that the association plans to disband later this month. The guys are getting too old.
Remember, remember the seventh of December. Be vigilant never will we be caught in such a surprise again! With the death of the last of the survivors—we must keep alive the memory for the generations to come.
I have stood where that picture was taken. The blast was closer than it looks.
This was one of my bucket list items.
My wife & I visited this summer...first ones in the parking lot...arrived real early at the site...woke up the sleeping guard!
Toured and loved it all...do the plane exhibit also...really well done.
Only thing we didn’t do (just ran out of time) was the USS Bowfin.
Yes, there is still oil seeping up at the Arizona memorial...have pics to prove it.
My husband’s grandfather was killed aboard the Shaw on 7 Dec in Pearl Harbor.
Would you please ask your niece if she knows of any way to get in touch with the gentleman she escorted?
I will ask. She told me the ceremony was wonderful, very patriotic and moving.
Thank you.
I am sorry but my niece said it was a very busy day and she only made small talk with the Vet and didn’t have any information to share.
Oh rats.
What was his name?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.