It was a quiet Sunday morning when the Japanese attack planes — known as “Zeros” because their wings were marked with the same solitary red circle that appears on the Japanese flag — appeared over the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor.
The attack targeted the battleships that were in the harbor — but missed the opportunity to take out any of the three aircraft carriers assigned to Pearl, as they were out in the Pacific on maneuvers at the time.
The ships on Battleship Row. Every ship except the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma returned to service to fight again. #PearlHarbor82 pic.twitter.com/JmOT0gYofU
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2023
Japanese fighters also targeted nearby Wheeler Field, strafing the planes that were parked wing to wing and taking out 188 U.S. military aircraft and damaging another 159 planes.
Wheeler Field has received multiple bomb hits and aircraft parked wing tip to wing tip are set ablaze by strafing Japanese aircraft. #PearlHarbor82 pic.twitter.com/yhUMnxbbjO
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2023
Within minutes, the surprise attack was over — and the planes disappeared as quickly as they had come — but the air over Pearl Harbor was thick with smoke that billowed from crippled and sinking ships. All told, 19 U.S. Navy ships — 8 of them battleships — were damaged, disabled, or completely destroyed. The wreckage of the crippled USS Arizona burned for two days.
Perhaps the most iconic photo showing the destruction of USS Arizona is further brought to life when just a little bit of color is added. One can only imagine the devastating horror aboard her as she burned for two days. #PearlHarbor82 #RememberUSSArizona pic.twitter.com/5IT3ghkup5
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2023
In less than one hour, 2,403 U.S. military personnel had been killed, along with 68 civilians. Among the dead, 2,008 were Navy personnel, 218 were Army personnel, and 109 were U.S. Marines. Another 1,143 military personnel — and 35 civilians — were wounded in the attack as well.
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The staggering losses on December 7th 1941.
US Navy 2,008 killed 710 wounded
US Army 218 killed 364 wounded
US Marines 109 killed 69 wounded
Civilians 68 killed 35 woundedAboard USS Arizona 1,177 alone were killed. #PearlHarborRemembranceDay #PearlHarbor82 pic.twitter.com/TOWajOK7zG
— USS Arizona (@USSArizona) December 7, 2023
Within 24 hours, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had called on Congress to declare war on the Empire of Japan. Congress obliged, with almost a unanimous vote, on December 8, 1941. Three days later, the United States was also at war with Nazi Germany.
Eighty-two years after Pearl Harbor, Americans still remember the day that, as Roosevelt said, would forever “live in infamy.”
“Today, we pause to remember ‘a day that will live in infamy’ following a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Join us in saluting the bravery demonstrated 82 years ago today that has continued to inspire future generations,” the U.S. Army’s official X account shared a video.
Today, we pause to remember "a day that will live in infamy" following a surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Join us in saluting the bravery demonstrated 82 years ago today that has continued to inspire future generations. pic.twitter.com/WUlgDkjSlx
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) December 7, 2023
“On the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember all those who died on that day of infamy—and honor the courage and sacrifice of all those who have answered the call to serve in the days since,” Vice President Kamala Harris posted.
On the 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember all those who died on that day of infamy—and honor the courage and sacrifice of all those who have answered the call to serve in the days since. pic.twitter.com/nrcfIIsCzM
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) December 7, 2023
“Today marks the 82nd anniversary of the tragic attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec 7, 1941. We will never forget the 2,403 service members & civilians who perished that day or America’s Greatest Generation who rose in response. Today, and every day, we remember,” the Gary Sinise Foundation posted a tribute as well.
Today marks the 82nd anniversary of the tragic attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec 7, 1941. We will never forget the 2,403 service members & civilians who perished that day or America's Greatest Generation who rose in response. Today, and every day, we remember. pic.twitter.com/XOIISsTUl0
— GarySiniseFoundation (@GarySiniseFound) December 7, 2023