Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Sunday, December 7, 1941

Index


Overview
  The Imperial Japanese Navy made its attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Forces and Marine air forces. The U.S. public saw the attack as a treacherous act and rallied against the Imperial Japan, causing the United States to enter World War II.
  The attack damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians. However, the Pacific Fleet's three aircraft carriers were not in port and so were undamaged, as were the base's vital oil tank farms, submarine pens, and machine shops. Using these resources the United States was able to rebound within a year.
  Because of the International Date Line, the Japanese records state the attack took place on December 8, 1941.
  Also note that Hawaii wasn't a state on December 7, 1941.  In 1898, Hawaii was annexed to the United States of America and had territorial status.  Hawaii didn't become the 50th state of the United States until August 21, 1959.



United States Imperial Japan
Country Leaders
 President Franklin D. Roosevelt Emperor Hirohito
Commanders Husband Kimmel (USN), Walter Short (USA) Chuichi Nagumo (IJN)
Strength 8 battleships, 8 cruisers, 29 destroyers,
9 submarines, 50 other ships, 390 planes		 6 aircraft carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers,
9 destroyers, 8 tankers, 23 fleet submarines,
5 midget submarines, 441 planes
Casualties 2,335 military, and 68 civilians killed, 1,143 military, and 35 civilians wounded; 4 battleships sunk; 4 battleships damaged; 3 cruisers damaged; 3 destroyers sunk; 2 other ships sunk, 188 planes destroyed, 155 planes damaged 29 planes destroyed, 55 airmen killed, 5 midget submarines sunk, 9 submariners killed, 1 captured



click on image for larger view
The Japanese fleet steamed towards Pearl Harbor undetected until the last moment.

On November 26, 1941, a fleet including six aircraft carriers commanded by Japanese Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo left Hitokappu Bay in the Kuril Islands under orders for strict radio silence bound for Hawaii. The aircraft carriers involved in the attack were: Akagi, Hiryu, Kaga, Shokaku, Soryu, and Zuikaku. Two fast battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 9 destroyers, and 3 fleet submarines provided escort for the task force. The carriers had a total of 423 planes, including Mitsubishi Type 0 "Zero" fighters, Nakajima Type 97 "Kate" torpedo bombers, and Aichi Type 99 "Val" dive bombers. The Japanese task force and its air group were larger than any previous aerial strike force. Accompanying the fleet were 8 tankers for refueling. In addition, the Advanced Expeditionary Force included 20 fleet submarines and 5 2-man Ko-hyoteki-class midget submarines; they were to gather intelligence and sink any U.S. vessels that might try to flee Pearl Harbor during the air attack.


click on image for larger view

Battleship Row at Pearl Harbor presented an attractive concentration of targets.

The attack arrived at a Pearl Harbor that was in fact unprepared: anti-aircraft weapons were not manned, ammunition was locked down, anti-submarine measures were not implemented (no submarine nets, for instance), combat air patrols were not flying, scouting aircraft not in the air at first light, etc.




 Pearl Harbor Related Info on Other Genealogy Trails Sites
Letters written home by Leland Good, Seaman 2nd Class, died & entombed on USS Arizona



Pearl Harbor Links
  Pearl Harbor and Pictures
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  Medal of Honor Recipients



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