On this day 73 years ago, our nation was attacked. In the first major use of aircraft carriers in history, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched hundreds of fighters and bombers on the naval and air bases around Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. We lost 2,403 soldiers and sailors and 68 civilians. Another 1,178 soldiers and 35 civilians were wounded. Our entire Pacific Fleet was severely damaged, with two battleships lost completely, and a further six requiring months of repairs before returning to active service. We were launched into a war against one of the deadliest enemies in history. While the Japanese managed to destroy the mighty battleships that would normally form the backbone of our navy, they failed to destroy two things: the fighting spirit of the American people, and three aircraft carriers: The USS Lexington, Saratoga, and Enterprise. In attacking us, they provoked an unstoppable force that eventually won the war and changed the course of history. If youve ever had a chance to meet a World War Two vet, I hope you thanked them. If it werent for them, this country would be very different today than it is now.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 15:12:52 +0000
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