The Superior Express -

December 7th, 1941, a date that “will live in infamy” happened 79 years ago. For many of us, the one year planned sneak attack by the Japanese on the United State Pacific Fleet base on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, probably was first learned about while seated in history class. For those who can remember that emergency, shocking radio report of the attack, it still will forever remain in their minds. I can remember my father telling me he and others were traveling in a car by Hardy when the news came on the car radio. They were all in disbelief. They just couldn’t understand or believe it all. How could this have happened? But father said he knew what it meant to this country and what was to happen.

The Japanese attack came in the early hours, 8 a.m., as a surprise, knowing they would catch the base unprepared. The attack occurred in two waves, lasting about two hours. At the end of the attacks, 2,403 U.S. service members were killed and 1,178 were wounded. Six U.S. ships were sunk or destroyed. One hundred, sixty-nine Navy and Air Corps planes were destroyed. This attack was a plan to eliminate any potential challenge from the U.S. to the Japanese conquest in Asia. The Japanese, thinking the surprise attack was such a success, decided not to make the third wave attack.

On December 8, President Franklin Roosevelt gave his famous 500 word speech before the 77th U.S. Congress. Within an hour the U.S. declared war on the Empire of Japan.“A giant had been awakened!” was a saying thought to have been made by a Japanese Admiral who had participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Immediately America rallied and went into action. In 1941, there were 1,801,101 service members. In 1942, there were 3,914,958. By 1943, there were 9,195,912 service members. Brave men and some women, most between the ages of 18 to 26 were ready to serve their country, the United States of America.

It is hoped that on December 7, we stop to think of this date which should “live in infamy.”