A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

This Day in History: December 7, 1941

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

USS Arizona Memorial

The Date of Infamy that launched an epic conflict with Japan took place here in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941. The tranquil waters of Pearl Harbor were forever disrupted by the tides of war. The USS Arizona and 1,177 of her crew were among the first casualties of the Pacific War; the USS Arizona Memorial stands above the sunken vessel and her fallen sailors, serving as a reminder of their sacrifice and commitment.

Awakening the Sleeping Giant: WWII

In hopes of crippling the United States Pacific Fleet,

the Combined Japanese Fleet received orders to attack

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and surrounding military targets.

We never saw it coming nor did they in America’s retaliation.

  Across the sea…

The element of surprise

That was the enemy’s plan

While watches were changing

Destiny played its hand

Photo Credit: Naval History & Heritage Command

How could this be possible?

We were center stage

Our ships were mighty forceful

Our men—strong and brave

But there was no warning…

An infamous airborne assault

Secretly designed to destroy on sight

Left a peaceful but great nation

Awakened amidst a horrible plight

Photograph from a Japanese plane at the beginning of the attack.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Ships sank in their moorings

Capsized or were beached

Hundreds helped to save lives

Thousands were never reached

But there was no warning…

USS Arizona (BB-39) during the attack

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

~Pearl Harbor, 1941

Incredibly four years later

A decision was made

Retaliation was certain

Time to lift our façade

We called for surrender
Hoping peace could be made
Threat of destruction
Was the first hand played

Ignoring the ultimatum
Commanded air raid
Two acute nuclear bombings
Lifted our façade

We gave no warning…

Photo Credit: National Archives
and Records Administration

~Hiroshima, 1945

©Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults

"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."

—Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (1884–1943)

USS Missouri

The USS Missouri, also known by her nickname 'Mighty Mo', was the last battleship ever constructed by the United States. It is also the only ship in the naval fleet to have fired her guns in both World War II and Persian Gulf Wars. Most significantly, however, was her role in bringing the Second World War to its conclusion; the Empire of Japan formally surrendered to the United States on her decks on September 2, 1945.

ALWAYS REMEMBER, NEVER FORGET. . .

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE -

IT CARRIES WITH IT THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE! 

Related Photos on Pinterest: Some History