Sunday, December 7, 1941. It’s been 75 years since that sunny Hawaii morning when the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan’s naval and air forces, ushering America into the most devastating world conflict in history. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was audacious in its objective: Knock out the U.S. Pacific Fleet so that Japan can continue empire expansion without interference. (That’s the short version.)
Tactically the plan was brilliant, though the fuel tank farms and dry dock facilities were missed by the marauders. Both blunders cost Japan in the long run. The American aircraft carriers, which were at sea, also went unscathed. Strategically the plan was a disaster as it brought the United States into the war fully committed to defeating Japan, which it did in 1945 after dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
World War II fascinated me from a young age. The air raid on Pearl Harbor was the gateway to my interest in the conflict. I grew up wanting badly to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. I finally got there in 2004 and returned a couple times that decade. It is hallowed ground and a moving experience. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be the first Japanese leader to visit the site when he accompanies President Barack Obama later this month.
The Pearl Harbor attack killed 2,335 military personnel, plus 68 civilians. Most of the deaths were on the USS Arizona. The ship took a bomb early in the raid that ignited about one million pounds of powder in its forward magazines, killing 1,177 men. Nearby along Battleship Row, the USS Oklahoma lost 429 men after taking several torpedo hits and capsizing.
The 75th anniversary event schedule got underway last month and continues through this weekend. Ceremonies taking place on Wednesday include the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration at Kilo Pier, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in the morning and an observance at the USS Oklahoma Memorial on Ford Island in the afternoon.
Of special note, there is a private interment service on the USS Arizona Memorial late Wednesday. John Anderson, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class and Clarendon Hetrick, Seaman 1st Class will have their urns placed in the barbette of gun turret number four by National Park Service and Navy divers. There were 335 surviving crew members of the USS Arizona. This special service is performed for those who wish to join their shipmates’ final resting place. Anderson died at age 98. Hetrick, who died at 92, was the youngest remaining survivor. Only five surviving crew members are left.
Pause for a moment today to remember those who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack and the millions who died in the greater conflict of World War II. Perhaps regular reflection will keep us from repeating the mistakes that led to widespread colossal bloodshed by otherwise civilized nations.