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N0KFQ > TODAY 07.12.15 16:46l 62 Lines 2895 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 76836_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Dec 7
Path: IW8PGT<IZ3LSV<IK6ZDE<I0OJJ<N6RME<N0KFQ
Sent: 151207/1545Z 76836@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65
1941
Pearl Harbor bombed
At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red
symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the
clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese
warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl
Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a
critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United
States irrevocably into World War II.
With diplomatic negotiations with Japan breaking down, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers knew that an imminent
Japanese attack was probable, but nothing had been done to
increase security at the important naval base at Pearl Harbor. It
was Sunday morning, and many military personnel had been given
passes to attend religious services off base. At 7:02 a.m., two
radar operators spotted large groups of aircraft in flight toward
the island from the north, but, with a flight of B-17s expected
from the United States at the time, they were told to sound no
alarm. Thus, the Japanese air assault came as a devastating
surprise to the naval base.
Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight
battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or
severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A
total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many
while valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan's losses
were some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100
men. Fortunately for the United States, all three Pacific fleet
carriers were out at sea on training maneuvers. These giant
aircraft carriers would have their revenge against Japan six
months later at the Battle of Midway, reversing the tide against
the previously invincible Japanese navy in a spectacular victory.
The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt
appeared before a joint session of Congress and declared,
"Yesterday, 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." After a brief
and forceful speech, he asked Congress to approve a resolution
recognizing the state of war between the United States and Japan.
The Senate voted for war against Japan by 82 to 0, and the House
of Representatives approved the resolution by a vote of 388 to 1.
The sole dissenter was Representative Jeannette Rankin of
Montana, a devout pacifist who had also cast a dissenting vote
against the U.S. entrance into World War I. Three days later,
Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the
U.S. government responded in kind.
The American contribution to the successful Allied war effort
spanned four long years and cost more than 400,000 American
lives.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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