Remembering Pearl Harbor

I am bummed I wasn't able to finish this yesterday December 7, 2024 but please take some time and read this, it would make me so happy along with everyone else, Pearl Harbor marked and end of a old era and a start of a new one, there are things that changed as soon this happen, said by President Franklin D Roosevelt

Supplication for Pearl Harbor Memorial Day

O God, Creator of all nations and races,

We come before you in remembrance of December 7, 1941, a day of loss and great pain.

We pray for those who suffered loss because of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

We pay homage to the many brave soldiers who defended their fatherland, some giving their lives in the line of duty.

We also remember those who stood on the other side, who perhaps were loyal soldiers but had their country to fight for.

Dear God, let what is in them disappear, let what was once broken become whole again, take them away from the ghosts of history. May this day motivate us to strive for peace around the world.

Rest in peace, disguise the wishes of all who died, and may their contributions never be futile. As we do in all that we are liberated, let us embrace armistice in the place of war.

We offer this prayer in your mercy.

Amen.
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This is optional but if you'd like to hear some incredible stories of brave men  from sides, please read! 

Stories from America!
1. Doris "Dorie" Miller: A Heroic Cook
Doris Miller was an African American Navy cook assigned to the USS West Virginia. The untrained, yet instinctual, use of an anti-aircraft gun by this mess attendant during the attack earned him a Navy Cross. He relentlessly shot at the Japanese aircraft until his ammunition ran out and then aided in moving the wounded shipmates to safer grounds, which included his captain. He became one of the first African American war heroes.

2. USS Arizona Band: Last Performance
The band of the USS Arizona had been engaged in raising the morning colors when the attack struck. The members then ran to their assigned battle stations, where they provided essential help in delivering ammunition. The ship blew up with no survivors on board. Thus, this incident remains the first and last time an entire Navy band went down in battle.

3. Lieutenant Kenneth Taylor and George Welch: Heroic Fighter Pilots
These two Army Air Force pilots ran to their planes through machine gun fire. Without time to prepare, they took off into the air and in their P-40 Warhawks engaged the Japanese and downed several enemy planes. Their bravery led others to defend against the bedlam.

4. USS Nevada: The Ship That Refused to Sink
The battleship USS Nevada tried to get underway during the attack; it became a symbol of resistance. Heavily bombed and torpedoed, the crew deliberately ran the ship aground to prevent it from blocking the harbor entrance. The ship was subsequently repaired and rejoined the war effort.

5. Chief Petty Officer John Finn: A Medal of Honor Story
Aviation Ordnanceman John Finn established a machine gun in an exposed location on the runway and began firing at the oncoming Japanese planes. Despite multiple wounds, he fought for more than two hours in continuous fighting. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his outstanding bravery. 6. The Submarine USS Dolphin: Counterattack Amid Chaos
The USS Dolphin was one of the submarines stationed at Pearl Harbor, which counterattacked during the bombing. Its crew was a good example that even in destruction, some U.S. forces could put up a defense.

7. Father Aloysius Schmitt: Giving His Life for Others
Father Schmitt, a Catholic chaplain serving on the USS Oklahoma, saved other crew members' lives as the vessel was going down. He took his last breath pushing other people through a small porthole to safety. He posthumously received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.

8. The Nurses at Pearl Harbor
The Navy nurses stationed at Pearl Harbor worked untiringly to save lives both during and after the attack, with limited resources and amidst constant danger, treating hundreds of wounded personnel. It showed extraordinary resilience.

9. George Walters: Crane Operator's Defense
One such hero was George Walters, a civilian crane operator who, during the attack, positioned his crane to protect the dry-docked USS Pennsylvania by swinging the crane's boom to interfere with the strafing runs of oncoming Japanese planes. His quick thinking saved lives and reduced damage to the ship.

10. The USS Utah: A Sunken Mystery
The USS Utah was an older battleship that had been converted into a target ship; it was struck and sank during the attack. Miraculously, some crewmen were able to make their way out by climbing through a hole in the hull, while others were trapped inside. Today, the ship remains submerged as a memorial.

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Stories from the Japanese!

1. Commander Mitsuo Fuchida: Leader of the Attack
The commander of the first wave of Japanese aircraft, Commander Mitsuo Fuchida is famous for radioing the now-legendary signal "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!), which indicated complete surprise had been achieved. Much of the success of this attack was due to the in-depth planning by Fuchida. After the war, he reflected deeply upon it and later became a Christian evangelist, dedicating his life to peace.

2. Saburō Sakai: A Pilot's Perspective
The famous Japanese fighter ace Saburō Sakai did not take part in the attack but later spoke in awed tones of the Japanese pilots who flew into such a dangerous mission. He spoke of the courage and devotion of the pilots, many of whom were young and flying under the most intense pressure. His post-war writings reflect a mix of pride in their skill and regret for the war's destruction.

3. Takeo Yoshikawa: The Spy Behind the Attack
Takeo Yoshikawa, a Japanese naval intelligence officer, was assigned to Hawaii with diplomatic cover. He spent months observing U.S. naval movements and sent numerous reports back to Japan, helping planners to zero in on Pearl Harbor as a target. His detailed reconnaissance greatly aided the success of the attack. After the war, Yoshikawa lived in obscurity, often reflecting on the ethical implications of his role.

4. Petty Officer First Class Tadayoshi Koga: A Downed Pilot
Tadayoshi Koga's plane was shot down in the attack, trying to struggle back to his carrier, until he had no choice but to crash-land on a remote island in Hawaii. He died, but his plane, subsequently recovered by the U.S. military, was invaluable in providing intelligence concerning the Japanese Zero fighters. The story of Koga would henceforth be symbolic of the risk undertaken by Japanese pilots.

5. The Kamikaze-Like Spirit of Pearl Harbor Pilots
Many Japanese pilots were deeply committed to their mission, knowing the risks of flying into a heavily fortified base. Though not suicidal, they displayed a willingness to die for their country if necessary. This mindset foreshadowed the later kamikaze tactics of the war. Surviving accounts from pilots like Shigenori Nishikaichi reveal the intense training and patriotic fervor driving them.

6. Reflection by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Admiral Yamamoto, the architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, reportedly voiced his misgivings after the success of the operation. Though the attack succeeded in its aim, Yamamoto is famously quoted to have said, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." His strategic acumen predicted the long-term consequences of provoking the United States.

7. Shigenori Nishikaichi: A Stranded Pilot
Nishikaichi, a pilot whose plane crashed on the Hawaiian island of Niihau, became part of the “Niihau Incident.” Local residents initially assisted him, unaware of the attack. When they discovered his role, a struggle ensued, resulting in his death. The incident highlighted the challenges of isolated Japanese operatives after the attack.

8. The Carrier Crews' Dedication
The crews aboard the six Japanese carriers (Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, Hiryu, Shokaku, and Zuikaku) worked tirelessly to prepare for the attack. They operated under strict secrecy and discipline, knowing the mission’s critical importance. Their work ensured the smooth deployment of over 350 planes, showcasing the efficiency and precision of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

9. Kakuichi Takahashi: Leading Dive Bombers
Commander Takahashi led the dive-bomber squadrons targeting battleships like the USS Arizona. His tactical decisions and leadership during the attack were instrumental in the devastating damage inflicted on U.S. ships. Takahashi’s story highlights the training and discipline of Japanese naval aviators.

10. Cultural Reflections of Japanese Civilians
While the attack is remembered for its military precision, its full implications were not realized by many Japanese civilians. News of the attack was celebrated in Japan, but as the war progressed, the growing devastation on both sides led to reflection on its necessity and the long-term suffering it caused.

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if you have made it here I want to say thank you, truly from the bottom of my heart, this day means a lot to me and I’m sure some people out there respect it just as much I do, I appreciate everything y’all have done for me, and giving me a community to do stuff like this! Truly, thanks you, everyone one of you has a place in my heart, even if I we don’t talk much :>

Very well done. Thank you.

erm, wut?

Wdym what? 😭🙏

Nice investigation

May they rest in peace. Soldiers died in their sleep. Unfortunately they were killed. 

Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, that was the scene of a devastating surprise attack by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. It was a tragic time for the United States. That what it got us into World War II.