“A DAY OF INFAMY”
by Capt. Joseph R. John (Ret), ©2016
(Dec. 7, 2016) — The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Forces of Japan, executed by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s strike plan “Z,” commenced at 7:48 AM Hawaiian Time. The base was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese fighters, bomber and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk. All but the USS Arizona (BB-39) were later raised, and six were returned to service and went on to fight the Imperial Forces of Japan in World War II. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. In addition, 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. However, important base installations such as the power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked. Japanese losses were light; 29 aircraft and five midget submarines were lost, and 64 servicemen killed. One Japanese sailor, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured.
In the wake of the attack, 15 Medal Of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Stars, 4 Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Star Medals were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor. Additionally, a special military award, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative medal, was later authorized for all military veterans of the attack.
Japan’s Prime Minister’s Will Visit Pearl Harbor Today
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced he would travel to Pearl Harbor today to recognize the 75th Anniversary of Japan’s attack on the home port of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Prime Minister Abe is the first Japanese leader to visit Pearl Harbor to “pay tribute [and] comfort the souls” of those who died from both countries during World War II. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto said that Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor “awoke a sleeping giant.” The attack was labeled “A Day of Infamy” by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In the next 3 years, 7 months, and 25 days, the US Armed Forces and their Allies in the Pacific Theatre defeated the Imperial Forces of Japan. On September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur, USMA ’03, USA, representing the Combined Allied Forces, accepted the “Unconditional Surrender” of the Imperial Forces of Japan aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay.
Pearl Harbor – 75 years on
In the below-listed Op-Ed by Admiral James A. Lyons, Jr. USNA ’52, USN (Ret), who was the Commander–in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet and the Senior US Military Representative to the United Nations, exposes the US military personnel who were responsible for failing to alert Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, the Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Fleet, and Lt. General Walter Short, who was responsible for the defense of Hawaii, of the impending attack by Japan and were accused of dereliction of duty following the attack. Admiral Kimmel was reduced in rank to Rear Admiral and retired from the US Navy. Lt. General Short was reduced in rank to Major General and retired from the US Army. Admiral Lyons recommends in his article that Rear Admiral Kimmel and Major General Short have their honor, reputations, and ranks restored by Congress.
Joseph R. John, USNA ‘62
Capt USN(Ret)/Former FBI
Chairman, Combat Veterans For Congress PAC
2307 Fenton Parkway, Suite 107-184
San Diego, CA 92108
http://www.CombatVeteransForCongress.org
https://www.facebook.com/combatveteransforcongress?ref=hl
Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Isaiah 6:8
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/4/pearl-harbor-75-years-on/
Both Kimmel and Short held temporary ranks so they were not “forceably” reduced in rank when they were relieved from their posts. They were, like Adm. Richardson and others, returned to their permanent ranks. However, the Military Act of 1947 noted that all who served from 1941 to 1945 were to receive their highest rank as a memorial in retirement. For some reason Kimmel and Short were not included on that list, which finally passed in 1954. All efforts afterwards have failed, the last being in 2000.