Pear Harbor Remembrance

Posted: Thursday, December 07, 2006 by Travis Cody in
11

It's December 7 and my Thursday 13 is in remembrance of:

1. My grandfather, who lied about his age so he could join the Merchant Marine.

2. The 1,177 men who went down with the USS Arizona.

3. The additional 1,158 service personnel killed during the attack.

4. The 68 civilians killed during the attack.

5. The 1,178 military personnel and civilians wounded during the attack.

6. Rescue and medical personnel who braved oil slicks and searing heat to pull victims to safety and render first aid and comfort.

7. The numerous and varied acts of heroism above and beyond the call, such as Ship's Cook Third Class Dorie Miller USN, who carried many of his wounded shipmates to safety and attempted to rescue his mortally wounded Captain. Then he manned a 50 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun for which he had never been trained.

8. The crew of the USS Nevada, who managed to get their battleship underway during the attack and tried to steam out of harm's way, ultimately running aground in order to avoid being sunk in the middle of the harbor.

9. The pilots and service crews who were able to get a few P-40's and P-36's off the ground from Haleiwa airfield. These planes engaged enemy aircraft and shot down as many as 11, losing 4 of their own.

10. Navy and civilian salvage crews, who worked for more than 20,000 hours on over 5,000 dives. Their efforts helped put 11 ships back into service from 1942 through 1944. They were also able to re-float 4 sunken battleships, which were ultimately returned to service and saw action against Japan later in the war.

11. All veterans of the Pearl Harbor attacks. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16081690/

12. To all who performed above and beyond the call in the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, and in the subseqent days leading to August 15, 1945 when Japan surrendered and World War II came to an end, I offer my deepest respect and gratitude.

13. "Yesteray, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Congress, Dec 8 1941.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:

    Once again Travis, my friend...you have wonderfully put into words the thought so many of us have.

    Thank you

  1. Anonymous says:

    How wrapped up in my own little world, have I been? I completely didn't realize that the days have flown by so fast.

    Thank you for reminding us that we have so much to think about today.

    Hugs!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Thank you so much for reminding us that today is Pearl Harbor Day. I agree with Bond and Diana...

    HUGS!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Chipping away at that mean old writers block..

    Yes Trav.. lest we forget..

  1. Anonymous says:

    Wow! That was quite a list, Trav! Thanks for the reminder!

  1. Anonymous says:

    V: Thank you Sir.

    Di: Your thoughts have been understandably elsewhere.

    Dixie: You are welcome.

    Ann & Meri: It is a fundamental duty of citizenship to commemorate this sacrifice. I appreciate the thoughts of our Canadian friends.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Very nice list Trav! Thank you for reminding us:)

  1. Julie says:

    Good job with this Travis....lots of thoughts that have been forgotten. Thanks for bringing them to mind again.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Trav...dang, I forget today was Pearl Harbor Day. Thanks for reminding me.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Am, Julie, Dana: Please to be of service.

  1. tiggerprr says:

    What an educational and informative list! I was so terrible at history in school so I hardly know anything about anything about this day, other than what day it occurred.