Pearl Harbor: The Day That Will Live in Infamy.
What?
At 7:55 a.m on December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter plaines attacked the U.S Base, Pearl Harbor. The attack lasted two hours and killed 2,500 Americans and wounded 1,000 more. 18 American ships and nearly 300 planes were destroyed as well. The USS Arizoina was bombed four times which is where over half the casualties occured. This day went on the be known as “the date which will live in infamy.”
Who?
Japan had started planning this attack when the United States embargoed them.
Where?
This attack took place on a naval base named Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii.
When?
December 7th, 1941, 7:55 a.m.
Why?
In 1940, the United States placed an embargo on Japan in response to their takeover of northern French Indochina. Japan and the United States were still in negotiation when Japan started planning the attack. Japanese planes were spotted by radar before the attack but they were believed to be American B-17s due in from the West Coast. The strike was unsolicted and on noncombatants.
Hero John William Finn
“For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy’s fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”- Citation from the Congressional Medal of Honor.
In Honor of all those who were killed in the Pearl Harbor attack and to those who dedicated their lives to America in World War II.
