Pearl Harbor

[JB]

Seventy one years ago today, on a Sunday evening, I sat in the living room of our Carolina Beach, NC home with my family listening to The Jack Benny Show on the big Philco console radio.

The show was interrupted to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor that drew us into the greatest war ever.

I have visited Pearl Harbor a few times since then. It is a heart wrenching experience.

Please remember the thousands who died that day and the tens of thousands that died in the following conflict.:sorrow:

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Met a Pearl Harbor survivor last year at a wreath laying ceremony. God rest our fallen, and bless them for their sacrifices.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Please remember the thousands who died that day and the tens of thousands that died in the following conflict.:sorrow:

Hi JB, that was just before my time, but I do remember the frustration expressed by my parents that it took such a dramatic and tragic event to bring the U.S. from its neutral position into the conflict that for its allies had started years earlier. Not to minimize the U.S. tragedy by any means, but for much of the rest of the world, the conflict didn't start that day. So let's also remember the many thousands throughout the world who died in the conflict before this attack. - Grandad :behindsofa:

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Pearl Harbor

it took such a dramatic and tragic event to bring the U.S. from its neutral position into the conflict that for its allies

The U.S. was by no means in a "neutral position" before thousands of sailors were bushwhacked on this day, 71 years ago. We supported our allies.

 

[beardeddone]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Hi JB, that was just before my time, but I do remember the frustration expressed by my parents that it took such a dramatic and tragic event to bring the U.S. from its neutral position into the conflict that for its allies had started years earlier. Not to minimize the U.S. tragedy by any means, but for much of the rest of the world, the conflict didn't start that day. So let's also remember the many thousands throughout the world who died in the conflict before this attack. - Grandad :behindsofa:

This was such a tragic event for sure, but can you reflect on what happened to cause this attack or from what your parents might have said, I can't seem to find in any searches as to why Japan attacked Pear Harbor, did the US provoke or do something to **** the Japanese off and Not to minimize the U.S. tragedy by any means, but it seems the US has always "helped" interfered in policing other countries we were not welcomed or wanted in, good examples are Iran, Afghanistan, ect.. and even Vietnam and no one wanted the US there except our Government, now we are a world wide invader of other countries in the name of terrorism..
I have also seen many films on this event of Pearl Harbor, but don't recollect what happened prior to cause Japan to do this..

So what happened before Pearl Harbor?

 

[Grandad]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Sorry guys, my comments above were intended to be more historic than political inasmuch as I was recalling childhood events just as JB was. If I could edit my post to remove it, I would, but since it's been copied into another post, I can only apologize to anyone who was offended by it. Sincerely, Grandad
Timeline of World War II (1939) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[briangcc]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Japan, as an island nation, is resource limited. The war effort was consuming alot of those resources. As losses mounted they needed more resources to sustain the war effort. So, why not bomb/invade Hawaii to get those resources? Afterall, the US up to that point had simply sat on the sidelines and watched the war...well, other than shipping supplies to Britain, France, etc.

Call it Hubris (excessive pride) if you want but the Japanese thinking was that they could do this without drawing the US into the war. I forget who said it on the Japanese side but after the attack it was said that they had awoken the sleeping giant (or something very similar).


The other thinking that has been surfacing in recent years is that the US was wanting to get into the war but couldn't sway public opinion into actually doing something about the growing attrocities across the pond. What the US needed was something that would push the country into the war. Reports I've heard say that the US cracked the Japanese code well before Pearl Harbor and knew that Hawaii was being targetted. By not saying anything to Hawaii, the US code breakers didn't let on that they had broken the Japanese code and also provide the country with the necessary push to enter the war.

**I'm not saying this is right or wrong or trying to debate the moral implications that go along with this theory. Rather, just saying what's come out in recent years as another reason we've entered the war after this event.

Rest is history that hopefully we remember and don't repeat.


Of course this shouldn't diminish from the day that a number of lives were lost on both sides. A moment should be given to all that served that day and for those who continue serving as we are deeply indebted to the work that they do on a daily basis.

 

[JB]

Re: Pearl Harbor

The US had embargoed essential supplies like oil and steel to Japan in attempt to coerce them into withdrawing from their invasions of SE Asian countries and China. They had two choices; withdraw or fight. They didn't plan for Pearl Harbor to be a sneak attack, they just screwed up the timing.

The US was a signer of the SEATO treaty in which we guaranteed S. Viet Nam protection from aggression. The so-called rebellion by the Viet Cong was planned, organized, financed and supplied by N. Viet Nam.

If no one except our Government wanted us in Iraq and Afghanistan who are all those soldiers from our allies?

A lot of the problem is that history is mostly written by the winners.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Pearl Harbor

The word's "I fear all we have done today is to awaken a great, sleeping giant." were reported to be said by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, once he learned about the mis-timing of the communique breaking diplomatic relations with the United States earlier that day(12/6/41). But it has never been officially confirmed. Yamamoto planned the Pearl Harbor attacks.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Pearl Harbor

At the time, Japan had no idea what they were getting into.....

A side note, my grandmother passed away 20 years ago today. Needless to say, it's easy to remember the date......

 

[JB]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Let us please not get into politics any more, friends. I intended this thread to remind us of the tragic event and its consequences.

 

[beardeddone]

Re: Pearl Harbor

I am sorry I brought my question up, war is hell no matter which side of the fence your on and also I salute the fallen as a Vietnam Veteran and not meant to offend anyone, but it will happen, but the history is important and the reasons why, if possible is also important ..

Too bad Pearl Harbor couldn't have been prevented by a simple warning readiness alert if in fact the Government knew in advance.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Real people solving real problem's. We live in a better world today to those men and women.. chin high.

 

[ob]

Re: Pearl Harbor

The ship I served aboard was home ported at Pearl Harbor. Of course this was 30 years after that fateful day. We conducted a retirement ceremony for a Master Chief HT of 35 years service that was retiring whose last duty station was aboard the ship I served on. He recounted the events of that day as all eyes and ears watched and listened. It was quite memorable and inspiring moment for many of us sailors that weren't aware of his Naval history and numerous commendations. He never talked about it until that day.There were many in attendance besides the ship's crew members to include some high ranking brass.

Nearly two years ago the wife and I bought our 4th dog. He was born on Dec.7th and today is his birthday.He is a Basenji and his name is Chester. As in Chester Nimitz.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Pearl Harbor

My uncle was stationed at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked. His ship, the Helena, was sunk. He spent many many hours in the oil-soaked water before finally making it to land. He was a survivor and lived into his 70's. As a result of the U.S. getting into the war, his two brothers (including my father) were drafted into the army. All three of them came home alive. I didn't realize until I was much older how unusual that was, and how fortunate our family was to have all three of them survive and come home, and live long, productive lives.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Pearl Harbor

My uncle was stationed at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked. His ship, the Helena, was sunk. He spent many many hours in the oil-soaked water before finally making it to land. He was a survivor and lived into his 70's. As a result of the U.S. getting into the war, his two brothers (including my father) were drafted into the army. All three of them came home alive. I didn't realize until I was much older how unusual that was, and how fortunate our family was to have all three of them survive and come home, and live long, productive lives.

What a story, thanks for sharing.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Pearl Harbor

Not a day goes by that I don't think about our past and present hero's.

Especially the families and friends of those who gave their lives.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Pearl Harbor

For those who may not be aware survivors who have recently passed on are still being entombed on the Arizona.

Eternal Peace - YouTube

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Pearl Harbor

The real tragity was on Bataan later in the war. They marched men to death, or shot them helping their fallen comrades. RIP Richard Kupp.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Pearl Harbor

What a story, thanks for sharing.

You're welcome.

After reading a little more history, and untangling family stories in my mind, I have to add an edit in the interest of historical accuracy....

The Helena was at Pearl Harbor and was hit, but not sunk there. Despite being crippled, her guns were firing within 4 minutes. The Helena was actually sunk on July 5, 1943, in the Coral Sea.

My uncle did tell a story of when that happened and he and some buddies finally got to shore. He was kind of angry at some of them because while they were waiting to be picked up, they built a fire on the beach. He knew they were making themselves obvious targets, so he spent the night away from the group in the shadows clutching his knife. Some scary stuff.

I don't usually reference wikipedia, but this is an overall summary of the ship and the rescue of the survivors:

USS Helena (CL-50) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia