U.S. Common Sense

December 7th, 1941 - The U.S. Pacific Fleet was attacked early Sunday morning by the Imperial Japanese Navy. In a perfectly executed strike, the Japanese Navy flew in low during the early hours, striking as many U.S. vessels as possible with very low resistance. In addition, support stations and airfields across the island were disabled to ensure success of the strike.

After the skies cleared, five U.S. ships, 188 aircraft, and almost 2400 souls were lost, while another ten vessels were damaged (but later salvaged and recommissioned). On the other hand, Japan sailed away with only 29 aircraft, five submarines, and 65 souls lost. Statistically and psychologically, the attack was beyond successful.

Fortunately for us, the U.S. found the courage to recover and maximize their potential with their remaining forces, primarily being aircraft carriers and submarines - the core of the modern U.S. fleets 65 years later. Pulling together these untouched vessels and combining them with the recommissioned vessels salvaged from Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Pacific Fleet avenged the lives of those sailors and crewmen who died that tragic morning.

There are not many Veterans of Pearl Harbor remaining with us today. Let us take time to stop and reflect on their service to our country while remembering those that were lost. If you happen to know or come in contact with any Veterans, spend time with them and listen to their stories. They and their stories are national treasures. For example, I recommend visiting FamilyForest.com and reading the story of Donald Spangler (provided by one of the readers of this web site).