Dec 7, 1941
- Thread starter wturkey01
- Start date
ecufan
Eight Pointer
I had the pleasure to visit Pearl Harbor a few years ago. One of the most humbling experiences of my life. It's sad that most kids have no idea what today is.
davidson county
Eight Pointer
always remember.
Belews Boy
Six Pointer
I sure remember. My grandpa was on the USS West Virginia when it went down and survived. Cant imagine bailing into ocean full of fire while bombs coming in. Would like to seat one more time with him and hear those story's. Sure do miss him.
They started it, we finished it.
Certainly a humbling place to visit.
I was watching a special on the event last night. Apparently FDR had frequent problems with his sinus's. He met with his physician prior to hearing of the attack. Come to find out the most likely cure for sinus issue at the time was to swab them with cocaine. Before addressing the nation and writing his famous response to the event, it is highly likely he was under the influence of cocaine. He went against his staff and kept the response short and to the point. Random history.......
I was watching a special on the event last night. Apparently FDR had frequent problems with his sinus's. He met with his physician prior to hearing of the attack. Come to find out the most likely cure for sinus issue at the time was to swab them with cocaine. Before addressing the nation and writing his famous response to the event, it is highly likely he was under the influence of cocaine. He went against his staff and kept the response short and to the point. Random history.......
apexhunter
Ten Pointer
My Dad wrote a short paper a few years ago about being an 11 year old south Georgia farm boy and learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor. I finally located it and wanted to share (sorry for the long read)
December 7, 1941
At eleven years and 12 days old I did not comprehend the news I received on that Sunday afternoon when I learned that the Jap’s had bombed Pearl Harbor.
I did not know what Pearl Harbor was, where it was, or what it would mean to me or anyone else. And like millions of others we all went on an accelerated learning curve to learn just what it all meant. And we also learned about things most of us had never dreamt of.
I clearly remember learning about Army Men, and Sailors, and Marines, and Aviators, and Sea Bees, and Merchant Marines, and Rosie the Riveter, and Kamikaze Pilots, and Savings Stamps, and War Bonds, and collecting Scrap Metal, and Victory Gardens, and Rationing of Gasoline and Sugar and other grocery items.
I also learned about Military Funerals, and Gold Star Mothers, and a Bugler Playing Taps over a Flag Draped Casket. And while we were all eager to learn more about what was happening in the world we all learned to recognize names of places like The Philippines, North Africa, the Argon Forest, Normandy, Iwo Jima, The Black Forrest, Wake Island, Sicily, and Tokyo.
And we learned about B 17’s, and Spitfires, and Flame Throwers, and Hand Grenades, and Bayonets, and Jeeps, and Machine Guns, and Bomb Sights, and Blockbuster Bombs, Sea Rations, and U Boats with Torpedoes, and Aircraft Carriers, and Destroyers, and Radar, and PT Boats.
My Generation earned a Masters Degree in Technology in a few short years as our world changed at a very rapid pace and we all ran hard to not get left behind the changes that were going on all around us. Technology was exploding, and new, and exciting things were built to help us overcome the challenge of continuing to live in our world which we knew would never be the same again. Our hope was that we would continue to be a free people and that we could somehow bring our boys home safely and return to a peaceful way of life.
For me my greatest learning took place well after the event was completed. It took me some time to finally realize and comprehend the enormity of the task that our fellow American Service Men had undertaken and completed. Their sacrifice in pain and suffering and death had been borne from deep inside their souls as they dedicated their lives to Preserving American Freedom. A sacrifice that can never be repaid as it is impossible to repay that which is Priceless.
On this occasion of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor these same thoughts have come flooding back to my Mind and Heart, both the initial event, and my later comprehension of what it all meant.
Would that the end of the Pearl Harbor story had been the end of Wars it would have been a truly Historic Event. And yet today a new generation of our Men and Women are once again giving their lives on our behalf in far off places that we are once again becoming familiar with in a painful way. Our service people are paying our debts once again and we should remember them daily in our prayers.
I have no mastery of world events, nor, am I a historian and therefore I am not able to place grand schemes in perspective as others might. However in over three quarters of this last century I have gleaned a few truths that I believe will stand the test of time.
As long as the world is divided over Religion and people believe theirs is the only true religion, and they are willing to kill others who do not believe as they do because they are considered to be Infidels and deserve to die for lack of agreeing with their religious beliefs the world will continue to be at War.
The one element that makes America such a great place to be a part of more than anything else is Freedom of Religion. There never has been a State Religion in America nor will there ever be. Nations that are founded in a Religion and ruled by Religious Leaders have always been undesirable places to live in and will continue to be so for as long as they cling to their Religious Leaders for guidance and rule.
I feel certain that I will not live long enough to see a worldwide freedom of religion movement and I also feel certain that we will continue to see wars spread over many more parts of the world until the religions of the world somehow through some miracle wake up to the realization that the people no longer will tolerate religious dictatorship. It is my sincere hope that the people of the world will gain the initiative and stop supporting fanatic religious leaders and demand a Civil Government.
Our country’s founders found the will to break away from an oppressive King and a strong Church Leader in establishing America as a Civil Government free from Religious Oversight. I fully believe that lesson can be learned again by others all over the world. Should this be so and come to pass the world will wake up and find that wars are no longer needed and that prosperity is available to all people.
Please before you go to bed tonight and every night say a prayer for our fellow Americans who wear our uniforms.
December 7, 1941
At eleven years and 12 days old I did not comprehend the news I received on that Sunday afternoon when I learned that the Jap’s had bombed Pearl Harbor.
I did not know what Pearl Harbor was, where it was, or what it would mean to me or anyone else. And like millions of others we all went on an accelerated learning curve to learn just what it all meant. And we also learned about things most of us had never dreamt of.
I clearly remember learning about Army Men, and Sailors, and Marines, and Aviators, and Sea Bees, and Merchant Marines, and Rosie the Riveter, and Kamikaze Pilots, and Savings Stamps, and War Bonds, and collecting Scrap Metal, and Victory Gardens, and Rationing of Gasoline and Sugar and other grocery items.
I also learned about Military Funerals, and Gold Star Mothers, and a Bugler Playing Taps over a Flag Draped Casket. And while we were all eager to learn more about what was happening in the world we all learned to recognize names of places like The Philippines, North Africa, the Argon Forest, Normandy, Iwo Jima, The Black Forrest, Wake Island, Sicily, and Tokyo.
And we learned about B 17’s, and Spitfires, and Flame Throwers, and Hand Grenades, and Bayonets, and Jeeps, and Machine Guns, and Bomb Sights, and Blockbuster Bombs, Sea Rations, and U Boats with Torpedoes, and Aircraft Carriers, and Destroyers, and Radar, and PT Boats.
My Generation earned a Masters Degree in Technology in a few short years as our world changed at a very rapid pace and we all ran hard to not get left behind the changes that were going on all around us. Technology was exploding, and new, and exciting things were built to help us overcome the challenge of continuing to live in our world which we knew would never be the same again. Our hope was that we would continue to be a free people and that we could somehow bring our boys home safely and return to a peaceful way of life.
For me my greatest learning took place well after the event was completed. It took me some time to finally realize and comprehend the enormity of the task that our fellow American Service Men had undertaken and completed. Their sacrifice in pain and suffering and death had been borne from deep inside their souls as they dedicated their lives to Preserving American Freedom. A sacrifice that can never be repaid as it is impossible to repay that which is Priceless.
On this occasion of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor these same thoughts have come flooding back to my Mind and Heart, both the initial event, and my later comprehension of what it all meant.
Would that the end of the Pearl Harbor story had been the end of Wars it would have been a truly Historic Event. And yet today a new generation of our Men and Women are once again giving their lives on our behalf in far off places that we are once again becoming familiar with in a painful way. Our service people are paying our debts once again and we should remember them daily in our prayers.
I have no mastery of world events, nor, am I a historian and therefore I am not able to place grand schemes in perspective as others might. However in over three quarters of this last century I have gleaned a few truths that I believe will stand the test of time.
As long as the world is divided over Religion and people believe theirs is the only true religion, and they are willing to kill others who do not believe as they do because they are considered to be Infidels and deserve to die for lack of agreeing with their religious beliefs the world will continue to be at War.
The one element that makes America such a great place to be a part of more than anything else is Freedom of Religion. There never has been a State Religion in America nor will there ever be. Nations that are founded in a Religion and ruled by Religious Leaders have always been undesirable places to live in and will continue to be so for as long as they cling to their Religious Leaders for guidance and rule.
I feel certain that I will not live long enough to see a worldwide freedom of religion movement and I also feel certain that we will continue to see wars spread over many more parts of the world until the religions of the world somehow through some miracle wake up to the realization that the people no longer will tolerate religious dictatorship. It is my sincere hope that the people of the world will gain the initiative and stop supporting fanatic religious leaders and demand a Civil Government.
Our country’s founders found the will to break away from an oppressive King and a strong Church Leader in establishing America as a Civil Government free from Religious Oversight. I fully believe that lesson can be learned again by others all over the world. Should this be so and come to pass the world will wake up and find that wars are no longer needed and that prosperity is available to all people.
Please before you go to bed tonight and every night say a prayer for our fellow Americans who wear our uniforms.
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johnnyk2000
Eight Pointer
When I was stationed on Oahu in the Army, I would have to escort several Soldiers over to the Arizona for a reenlistment. They always took us over before the tourist, normally right at sunrise. Such a great experience to reenlist a Soldier for 4-6 years in the Army on such an honorable, historical site.
cloningerba
Old Mossy Horns
As an American i will never forget this day. I have a friend in the navy and my grandfather served in the navy. Because of their service and the many great men and women of that generation we are all still free to this day...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
stilker
Old Mossy Horns
That was a bad day,the way it all went down on a Sunday and all...and there are very few Pearl Harbor survivors left...
cloningerba
Old Mossy Horns
They were the greatest generation. I've had the honor to speak with a few of them...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
apexhunter, would you mind if I shared that? More Americans need to hear those words....
gpduxbak
Six Pointer
Only five survivors left.
wncdeerhunter
Old Mossy Horns
My grandfather was one.
apexhunter
Ten Pointer
That would be no problem at all.
bellabarrie
Eight Pointer
Apexhunter, thank you so much for sharing this. Your dad is very wise and I appreciate his words to my very core. These words should be required reading for every American. Wow. Thanks again.
bellabarrie
Eight Pointer
I was thinking I'd like to share it too, if you don't mind.
apexhunter
Ten Pointer
Anybody that wants to share Dad's story is more than welcome to do so. He would have been proud for his rendition of what the beginnings of WWII meant to him to be shared for all to read...that is the main reason for leaving his signature off as anonymity can be good in some instances.
alt1001
Old Mossy Horns
There's more than 5 left.
bellabarrie
Eight Pointer
Thanks, Apexhunter.
alt1001
Old Mossy Horns
What a great read. They truly are the greatest generation.
I have a good friend here in town, me and him go out to eat often and he likes to come over and spend time with me and my family. His name is Bill Horner. At 91 he is quite extraordinary. He can drive by himself, walk with no cane, read with no glasses. His mind is as sharp as a tack. Bill was 16 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He tells me he remembers being on the football field in rural Tennessee when a boy came running yelling the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. He said he didn't know who the Japanese were or where Pearl Harbor even was. Little did he know that a year later, he would be in a recruiting station at the age of 17. He joined the Navy in 1942 and was stationed aboard the USS Farquhar. He was a gunner on a 40mm mount helping to fight off German U-Boats in the Atlantic. He made 4 trips to Europe, escorting troops. Late in 1944 he was transported to the USS Henry Wiley and was sent to the Pacific. He said he recalls swimming on Waikiki Beach in Decmber as they pulled in to take on supplies. Little did he know he was heading to Iwo Jima. The USS Wiley by many accounts, was the closest ship to Mt. Suribachi just a few hundred yards off of it's coast. They were there hammering Japanese gun emplacements on the mountain. He says he still remembers to this day, seeing the flag waiving high atop the mountain. After Iwo, they took off to Okinawa. Okinawa ended up being the bloodiest battle of the Pacific war and the largest naval armada ever assembled. 1,300 ships in all. It also turned out to be the bloodiest battle in U.S. Navy history. Navy ships were bombarded by nearly 1,500 Japanese Kamikazes. Over 30 ships sunk, nearly 400 damaged and nearly 5,000 Sailor deaths, the highest of any branch. The Wiley and it's gunners like Mr. Horner, were credited with shooting down 15 Kamikazes and 2 Japanese Baka Bombs. Every ship in his unit was either hit or sunk. He said he remembers trying to pull guys out of the water that were so burned, that as he grabbed their hands to pull them up, their skin just came off. For his actions in WW2, Mr. Horner holds a medal for service in both the European and Pacific theater's. His ship earned a Presidential Unit Citation, and his CO earned the Navy Cross and Legion of Merit for his crews actions during both Iwo and Okinawa.
I know that may be more than what most would like to hear, but these men need have their story told, especially those that are still alive. The fact that he has befriended me and my family, is such an honor. Last week he gave my 6 year old son his Dog Tag that he wore throughout WW2. You should have seen the joy on his face. It brought a tear to mine. I owe his generation so much.
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gpduxbak
Six Pointer
My sister and nephew are there and sent a picture with one of five survivors but that may have been from the Arizona. My bad!
alt1001
Old Mossy Horns
Yes, I think there are only a handful of Arizona survivors left. I remember reading back in 2014 they estimated there were 2,500 Pearl Harbor survivors still alive. I haven't seen an estimate for this year. I did see where the WSJ said there were only 7 that still lived in Hawaii. We're losing that generation much too quickly.
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apexhunter
Ten Pointer
We ALL owe that generation so much! From teenagers being shipped off from their family farms to fight against the German and Japanese onslaught to the people at home sacrificing so much to keep the War Machine running smoothly. Just thinking about the enormity of the task so keep everything from guns, ammunition, vehicles, tanks, planes, bombs and even uniforms, supplies and meals constantly flowing across the ocean brings forth an enormous sense of pride and respect.
There are many stories like Rosy the Riveter and others where people's family worked in industry to support the war effort. One of my aunts' first job out of college was to move to Ohio and work for DuPont as a chemist making explosives for bombs. I even had the pleasure to meet one of the last WASP ladies (Women Airforce Service Pilots that transported bomber and fighter planes from the factories to airfields) at the Wright Brothers reenactment at KDH back in '03...what a super neat lady to talk to. Hopefully we will never again be thrown into such straits as a Nation and with modern warfare it is unlikely, but knowing that our predecessors came together as a fledgling nation and defeated some of the most seasoned fighters on earth gives me great pride to be an American.
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alt1001
Old Mossy Horns
That is what it is all about! From those in uniform to those stateside, they all sacrificed so much. I only wish American's today had half the backbone!
FITZH2O
Old Mossy Horns
A little late, but funny I thought...
NCST8GUY
Frozen H20 Guy
I think my grandfather said he knew the next day, he was going to fight in a war.
He was sent to Europe though.
We took our honeymoon in Hawaii and without thinking about it, booked that island on Dec 6th. They were setting up for the 7th while we were there. It was very heavily visited by Japanese tourists. I believe they are still proud of their country's attack imho. NONE of them went onto the USS Missouri however
. (I've stated that here before).
As stated, it was very humbling. You know the story of the Arizona, you've seen the video hundreds of times, you kind of understand the # of casualties, but when you step into that memorial, and see ALL OF THOSE NAMES on that wall, it emotionally crushes you, or at least it did me.
I disagree that kids today don't know Pearl Harbor. Other than creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, I can not think of a more influential single event happening to this country. I know it is still covered.
One thing I never did fully understand, was, what was Japan's intentions from the attack? I know they expected to take the phillipines as well, but did they "expect" a USA retaliation? A Full Blown War with USA (which they HAD to know they could not win)? Or just some skirmishes and then a lift on the ban on oil?
He was sent to Europe though.
We took our honeymoon in Hawaii and without thinking about it, booked that island on Dec 6th. They were setting up for the 7th while we were there. It was very heavily visited by Japanese tourists. I believe they are still proud of their country's attack imho. NONE of them went onto the USS Missouri however
. (I've stated that here before). As stated, it was very humbling. You know the story of the Arizona, you've seen the video hundreds of times, you kind of understand the # of casualties, but when you step into that memorial, and see ALL OF THOSE NAMES on that wall, it emotionally crushes you, or at least it did me.
I disagree that kids today don't know Pearl Harbor. Other than creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, I can not think of a more influential single event happening to this country. I know it is still covered.
One thing I never did fully understand, was, what was Japan's intentions from the attack? I know they expected to take the phillipines as well, but did they "expect" a USA retaliation? A Full Blown War with USA (which they HAD to know they could not win)? Or just some skirmishes and then a lift on the ban on oil?
stilker
Old Mossy Horns
Ive seen it written that the pilots were expecting to be met with anti aircraft fire and didn't think it was going to catch our military off guard like it did and realized soon after that it may have been a rally cry for the USA.I think my grandfather said he knew the next day, he was going to fight in a war.
He was sent to Europe though.
We took our honeymoon in Hawaii and without thinking about it, booked that island on Dec 6th. They were setting up for the 7th while we were there. It was very heavily visited by Japanese tourists. I believe they are still proud of their country's attack imho. NONE of them went onto the USS Missouri however
As stated, it was very humbling. You know the story of the Arizona, you've seen the video hundreds of times, you kind of understand the # of casualties, but when you step into that memorial, and see ALL OF THOSE NAMES on that wall, it emotionally crushes you, or at least it did me.
I disagree that kids today don't know Pearl Harbor. Other than creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, I can not think of a more influential single event happening to this country. I know it is still covered.
One thing I never did fully understand, was, what was Japan's intentions from the attack? I know they expected to take the phillipines as well, but did they "expect" a USA retaliation? A Full Blown War with USA (which they HAD to know they could not win)? Or just some skirmishes and then a lift on the ban on oil?
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I think my grandfather said he knew the next day, he was going to fight in a war.
He was sent to Europe though.
We took our honeymoon in Hawaii and without thinking about it, booked that island on Dec 6th. They were setting up for the 7th while we were there. It was very heavily visited by Japanese tourists. I believe they are still proud of their country's attack imho. NONE of them went onto the USS Missouri however
As stated, it was very humbling. You know the story of the Arizona, you've seen the video hundreds of times, you kind of understand the # of casualties, but when you step into that memorial, and see ALL OF THOSE NAMES on that wall, it emotionally crushes you, or at least it did me.
I disagree that kids today don't know Pearl Harbor. Other than creating and signing the Declaration of Independence, I can not think of a more influential single event happening to this country. I know it is still covered.
One thing I never did fully understand, was, what was Japan's intentions from the attack? I know they expected to take the phillipines as well, but did they "expect" a USA retaliation? A Full Blown War with USA (which they HAD to know they could not win)? Or just some skirmishes and then a lift on the ban on oil?
Japan (and Hitler in Germany), felt that the USA didn't have the will to fight a protracted war and that its people were soft and weak-willed. The Japanese leadership hoped to "shock & awe" America with a quick and sudden attack, hitting so hard at the onset that we could never recover and would sue for peace. It was never supposed to be a "sneak" attack, but coordinated to occur almost within minutes of the Japanese ambassador delivering a declaration of war to the State Department (which didn't happen until after the attack happened).
There were some in Japan's leadership who knew that going to war with America was a big mistake. When asked how he expected the war to unfold, Admiral of the Fleet Yamamoto (who studied in the US and knew it well), stated: "I will run wild in the Pacific for the first six months. After that, I have no expectation of success." he also commented after the Pearl Harbor attack, "I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.....".
Both predictions were proven correct.
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