Attack at Pearl Harbor, 1941

[bonnie]

Attack at Pearl Harbor, 1941

 

December seventh, 1941: the surprise was complete. The attacking planes came in two waves; the first hit its target at 7:53 AM, the second at 8:55. By 9:55 it was all over. By 1:00 PM the carriers that launched the planes from 274 miles off the coast of Oahu were heading back to Japan.

 

Poster commemorating

the attack, 1942

Behind them they left chaos, 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes and a crippled Pacific Fleet that included 8 damaged or destroyed battleships. In one stroke the Japanese action silenced the debate that had divided Americans ever since the German defeat of France left England alone in the fight against the Nazi terror.

 

Approximately three hours later, Japanese planes began a day-long attack on American facilities in the Philippines. (Because the islands are located across the International Dateline, the local Philippine time was just after 5 AM on December 8.) Farther to the west, the Japanese struck at Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand in a coordinated attempt to use surprise in order inflict as much damage as quickly as possible to strategic targets.

Although stunned by the attack at Pearl Harbor, the Pacific Fleet's aircraft carriers, submarines and, most importantly, its fuel oil storage facilities emerged unscathed. These assets formed the foundation for the American response that led to victory at the Battle of Midway the following June and ultimately to the total destruction of the Japanese Empire four years later.

Aboard the USS Arizona

The battleships moored along "Battleship Row" are the primary target of the attack's first wave. Ten minutes after the beginning of the attack a bomb crashes through the Arizona's two armored decks igniting its magazine. The explosion rips the ship's sides open like a tin can starting a fire that engulfs the entire ship. Within minutes she sinks to the bottom taking 1,300 lives with her. The sunken ship remains as a memorial to those who sacrificed their lives during the attack. Marine Corporal E.C. Nightingale was aboard the Arizona that fateful Sunday morning:

 

"At approximately eight o'clock on the morning of December 7, 1941, I was leaving the breakfast table when the ship's siren for air defense sounded. Having no anti-aircraft battle station, I paid little attention to it. Suddenly I heard an explosion. I ran to the port door leading to the quarterdeck and saw a bomb strike a barge of some sort alongside the NEVADA, or in that vicinity. The marine color guard came in at this point saying we were being attacked. I could distinctly hear machine gun fire. I believe at this point our anti-aircraft battery opened up.

"We stood around awaiting orders of some kind. General Quarters sounded and I started for my battle station in secondary aft. As I passed through casement nine I noted the gun was manned and being trained out. The men seemed extremely calm and collected. I reached the boat deck and our anti-aircraft guns were in full action, firing very rapidly. I was about three quarters of the way to the first platform on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck our quarterdeck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past me. As 

A captured Japanese photo shows

Battleship Row under attack.

Hickam Field burns in the distance

soon as I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant Simonson lying on his back with blood on his shirt front. I bent over him and taking him by the shoulders asked if there was anything I could do. He was dead, or so nearly so that speech was impossible. Seeing there was nothing I could do for the Lieutenant, I continued to my battle station.

 

"When I arrived in secondary aft I reported to Major Shapley that Mr. Simonson had been hit and there was nothing to be done for him. There was a lot of talking going on and I shouted for silence which came immediately. I had only been there a short time when a terrible explosion caused the ship to shake violently. I looked at the boat deck and everything seemed aflame forward of the mainmast. I reported to the Major that the ship was aflame, which was rather needless, and after looking about, the Major ordered us to leave.

"I was the last man to leave secondary aft because I looked around and there was no one left. I followed the Major down the port side of the tripod mast. The railings, as we ascended, were very hot and as we reached the boat deck I noted that it was torn up and burned. The bodies of the dead were thick, and badly burned men were heading for the quarterdeck, only to fall apparently dead or badly wounded. The Major and I went between No. 3 and No. 4 turret to the starboard side and found Lieutenant Commander Fuqua ordering the men over the side and assisting the wounded. He seemed exceptionally calm and the Major stopped and they talked for a moment. Charred bodies were everywhere.

"I made my way to the quay and started to remove my shoes when I suddenly found myself in the water. I think the concussion of a bomb threw me in. I started swimming for the pipe line which was about one hundred and fifty feet away. I was about half way when my strength gave out entirely. My clothes and shocked

The USS Shaw explodes

condition sapped my strength, and I was about to go under when Major Shapley started to swim by, and seeing my distress, grasped my shirt and told me to hang to his shoulders while he swam in.

 

"We were perhaps twenty-five feet from the pipe line when the Major's strength gave out and I saw he was floundering, so I loosened my grip on him and told him to make it alone. He stopped and grabbed me by the shirt and refused to let go. I would have drowned but for the Major. We finally reached the beach where a marine directed us to a bomb shelter, where I was given dry clothes and a place to rest."

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

My dad's 3rd cousin, Martin Vitousek and Martin's father, Roy, were in the family's Aeronca plane flying over the Islands when they were attacked by the first wave of Japanese planes heading to bomb Pearl Harbor.  They have the distinction of the first American plane to be engaged in combat during WWII.

 

My cousin (Martin's son) told me that in 1991 a Pearl Harbor Reunion was held for the Japanese who had been on the 1941 bombing mission, as well as the Americans.  Martin and his family met one of the Japanese pilots who had shot at him and his father on that day.  The man told them that he had orders to shoot down any aircraft that he encountered.  So, seeing the Aeronca, he began to zero in on it.  As he got closer to the plane, he could see the pilot (Martin's father).  But when he saw young Martin, the pilot released the trigger for the guns and swooped away.  He said he knew he might face death if it was found that he'd disobeyed orders by not shooting down the plane, but he felt in his heart that it would be unworthy to kill a child.

 

http://archives.midweek.com/content/zones/east_news_article/family_plane_hit_by_zero_fighter/

 

Here's the plane

[LifeHiscost]

RUDYWOOFS

 

  that was  interesting   story

 

dgrimm60

My uncle was later captured by the Japanese and spent the following three years in a Japanese prison camp. Whatever happened there, he was never willing to talk about after he had been repatriated and sent home.

 

God is Love!  Jesus saves! 

[phkrause]

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - Dec. 7, 1941 Everyone here at VetFriends.com would like to take a moment to reflect and express our deepest respect and gratitude to the Courage, Bravery and Patriotism of all of our WWII Veterans, both living and deceased, along with all of our U.S. Veterans, active & reserve Military. We Salute You. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day It is important for all of us to take a moment and remember the December 7th, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor - a defining moment in history. The Pearl Harbor "surprise" helped shape a generation of National defense policy and was not forgotten by those who had lived through the war. Monuments were created on the battle sites and around the country Veteran reunion groups met regularly to keep the memory alive. Brief History - "Day that shall live in Infamy" -Under the greatest secrecy, Japanese Vice Admiral Nagumo took his ships to sea on the 26th of November 1941, as a result of Japan's pressing need for secure flanks during their planned offensive into Southeast Asia and the East Indies. -Before dawn on the 7th of December, a carefully planned attack wave of over 180 aircraft, including torpedo planes, high-level bombers, dive bombers and fighters, was launched in the darkness and flew off to the south. When the first group had taken off, a second attack wave of similar size, but with more dive bombers and no torpedo planes, was brought up from the carriers' hangar decks and sent off into the emerging morning light. -Dive bombers attacked airfields at about 7:55 AM, destroying many aircraft. This attack prompted the dispatch of the famous message "Air raid, Pearl Harbor -- this is no drill", the outside World's first indication that war had come to the Pacific. -Within a few moments, torpedo planes attacked from east and west, with one of the latter torpedoing the USS Helena at 1010 dock. Others, from the same direction, hit USS Utah and USS Raleigh, off the western side of Ford Island.   -Within a short time, five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, with the rest damaged. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out and over 2,400 Americans were dead. -The United States Navy's battleship force was removed as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. As a result, America was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant. VetFriends.com salutes and supports all of you, our U.S. Veterans, active & reserve military. We thank you for your service to our country. VetFriends would also like to take a moment to reflect and honor the many brave men and women who have sacrificed the ultimate for our country. The memory of the "sneak attack" on Pearl Harbor fueled a determination for Americans to fight on against all opposed to World peace.   VetFriends.com is honored to support and assist all U.S. Veterans and military personnel. Join us today and everyday in keeping the memory of Pearl Harbor alive. Pearl Harbor Tribute Photos: 1941 - PFC Jensen A picture of my father on the USS Pennsylvania late November 1944. My father was on board in dry dock Pearl Harbor 12-7-41. Marines 1942 - Navy USS Wasp - My father who was on the Nevada at Pearl Harbor is returning to the Wasp after meeting my Mom in San Francisco. His nickname was Slim. 1944 - Dec 25, 1944 Nancy, France This is only picture I have of my Dad in WWII, 3514 ORD M.A.M. 1944 - B17 Crew, 15th AF, 97th Bomb Group, 340th Squadron Air Force 1981 - Pearl Harbor - C co. 1st. BN. 3rd Marines 2011 - Hand on Pearl Harbor This is all what I was in the Navy for.

Thanks again & may your day be filled with Pride, Honor, Remembrance & Tradition. Cpl. Andrews & Your Friends at VetFriends.com Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Connecting People, Reuniting Thousands...

[phkrause]

🇺🇸 History's witnesses: 16 Pearl Harbor survivors

This week, Navy veteran Bob Fernandez held a photo of the USS Curtiss, where he was serving during the Pearl Harbor attack. Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP It's National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two survivors of the bombing, now centenarians, will return to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, today to mark the 83rd anniversary of the attack by Japan in 1941 that thrust the U.S. into World War II, AP reports. At least 16 survivors are known to be alive, according to the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. Military historian J. Michael Wenger has estimated some 87,000 military personnel were on Oahu on the day of the attack. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. service members. ⚓ One hero: Bob Fernandez thought he'd go dancing and see the world when he joined the Navy as a 17-year-old high school student in August 1941. Four months later, he found himself shaking from explosions, and passing ammunition to artillery crews so his ship's guns could return fire on Japanese planes. "When those things go off like that, we didn't know what's what," Fernandez, 100, who now lives in Lodi, Calif., tells AP. "We didn't even know we were in a war." Fernandez was working as a mess cook on his ship, the USS Curtiss, the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, and planned to go dancing that night at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. He brought sailors coffee and food as he waited tables during breakfast. Then they heard an alarm. Through a porthole, Fernandez saw a plane with the red ball insignia painted on Japanese aircraft fly by. Fernandez rushed down three decks to a magazine room. He and other sailors waited for someone to unlock a door storing 5-inch., 38-caliber shells so they could begin passing the ammo. Voices from Pearl Harbor.

[phkrause]

🇺🇸 Great lives: Oldest Pearl Harbor survivor

Warren Upton with his daughter, Barbara Upton, at his home in San Jose, Calif., in 2021. Photo: Shae Hammond/The Mercury News via AP Warren Upton — the oldest living survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and the last remaining survivor of the USS Utah — died at 105 in Los Gatos, Calif., after suffering a bout of pneumonia, AP reports. An estimated 87,000 U.S. military personnel were on Oahu on the day of the attack, according to military historian J. Michael Wenger. After Upton's death, only 15 are still alive. ⚓ The backstory: The battleship Utah was moored at Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes began bombing the Hawaii naval base in the early hours of Dec. 7, 1941. The attack propelled the U.S. into World War II. Upton told AP in 2020 that he was getting ready to shave when he felt the first torpedo hit the Utah. No one on board knew what made the ship shake. Then the second torpedo hit. The ship began to list and capsize. The 22-year-old Upton swam ashore to Ford Island, where he jumped in a trench to avoid Japanese planes strafing the area. He stayed for about half an hour, until a truck came and took him to safety. Upton said he didn't mind talking about the attack. What upset him was losing shipmates over the years. By 2020, only three crew members of the Utah were still alive, including Upton.