OT- Dec. 7, 2008

[Rusty]

Pearl Harbor Day. Be sure to tell your kids what happened today 67 years ago.

[Hobie]

What a day... My mom used to tell us about her memories of it every year. More than the depression, WWII was an abject lesson in service, sacrifice, and adaptation.

We have a couple of WWII veterans on the forum. Thank you gentlemen. We are deeply appreciative of your service.

[Modoc ED]

My Dad (long passed now) was born on December 7, 1912. After Pearl Harbor, he never celebrated his birthday again. He always said there were more important events to observe on December 7 than his birthday.

As with Hobie, my thanks to all who served during that era.

[jnyork]

Posted in memory of Earl O. Osbon, EN1, United States Navy, WWII and Korea:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - December 8, 1941

_________________

[donw]

what amazes me is the fact that we have given back the territory we captured from japan in that war; okinawa, iwo jima etc...japan/germany hasn't tried to repatriate us for the damage done to us at all. we're still recovering our dead from the island of tarawa as an example.

pearl harbor and 9-11 should NEVER be forgotten.

[OJ]

A Japanese-American long time friend ( from the late 1940s) saw my book "Pearl Harbor" on my desk He asked me " Is it balanced?". Surprised me since he was in the Japanese Infantry Unit (442nd/100th - as I recall) that distinguished itself in Italy in WWII and was one of the most highly decorated units in the war.

His wife was one in the relocation camps whose inhabitants have been financially compensated at least 3 times while the survivors of the "Death March" - I have - or had - several friends in that - few are still alive today - have been largely ignored by both US and Japan governments. Dr Musselman - who assisted in the surgery on the battalion surgeon of the rescue group (described in the book "Ghost Soldiers" but totally ignored in the movie based on that rescue) and risked his life by staying with his patient in the trek out was only 25 years (+/-1) when he was on the Death March and, by reports of other friends who were fellow prisoners, cared for the sick ones in the incredibly cruel Cabanatuan camp - sharing his meager rations with his "patients" even though his vitamin deficiency required he sleep sitting up - otherwise his eyelids couldn't be opened before noon. He was my chief surgeon during my internship and was the main one who influenced me to become a surgeon. He was a life-long friend but now long gone.

I never understood what my Japanese American friend meant - but I didn't ask (I'm inclined to think his wife is "alpha" in their house). Dunno what's to balance but it's my impression that while the Japanese government commemorates Nagasaki and Hiroshima, they totally ignore Pearl Harbor and the incredibly cruel Japanese prison camps. The Japanese admiral who planned the attack however, immediately concluded the long term effect on the Americans to the Pearl Harbor attack would eventually lose the war for Japan - correctly.

Pearl Harbor and those events are still crystal clear in my mind and always will be.

[AJMD429]

pearl harbor and 9-11 should NEVER be forgotten.

Too many people in our nation can remember the names and scores from every 'bowl' game for the past thirty years, but not enumerate half the Bill of Rights. We have to remind them about reality. Makes me wish U.S. history was required every year from K through 12 vs. just one or two.

[Lastmohecken]

Dec 7 often reminds me of my uncle who was not at Pearl on the 7th, but fought in the Philipines, as Capt. of an anti-aircraft gunner crew. He survived the war, and remained in the reserves, and retired as a Leut. Col. He now rests in Arlington Cemetary.

He died in 1963. It seems that my memories of him were mostly of a very serious man, but he did live in some very serious times.

[GANJIRO]

Thank you Dad for your service, but especially for being the best dad a kid could ever have. Rest in Peace.

[66GTO]

Dec. 7th never goes unobserved around here. Northwest Florida is home to several large USAF and USN bases (Eglin, Tyndall, Hurlburt AFB and Pensacola NAS, Whiting Field NAS, and Corry Field {USN Training base}). This is a link to a story in the local paper about the declining number of Pearl Harbor survivors. They interviewed a local survivor who points out how the events of that day unified the country to fight the war.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20081207/NEW ... 006/NEWS01

How things have changed between 1941 and 2008. There were anti-war isolationists in the U.S. who were probably in the majority on Dec. 6th, 1941, but all that changed a day later. Ater 9-11 the unified outrage lasted about two weeks and then the liberals reverted to form and have continued to regress since. They want to set the terrorists free from Gitmo (and then will probably want to pay them restitution for having their "constitutional rights" violated). Our liberal (radical) president elect ran on a promise to bring home the troops from Iraq and cut the defense budget. And the majority of the voters of this country apparently agreed with him.

My apologies to the moderators for making a political comment. I couldn't help myself.

[jd45]

I can't help but wonder if history will repeat itself. As "Little Boy" & "Fat Man" ended the war started with the attack on Pearl Harbor, hopefully another nuclear event will wipe those rag-headed bastards off the face of the earth in the middle-east.....Iran, maybe? We can but hope......jd45

[jeepnik]

My grandfather's last ship before he retired was the Vestal. His retirement didn't last long as he was recalled when the war started. Unfortunately, he didn't see that war end. He died from natural causes in San Francisco in 1943. Pretty good way for an old China sailor to go.

[Ysabel Kid]

Always remembered in my house. I remember the stories of my grandfather taking everything in the house that was "made in Japan" and tossing it in the trash. Of course, in those days, it couldn't have been much. But he was a WWI vet, and knew what this would mean for his oldest son, who did indeed join and fought with the 29ID in the European theater.

I discussed this with both of my children today. We must never forget that there will always be those who wish to take away freedom from those who have it.

Thank you all who served, then, now, before and in between...