Today marks 82-years since Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese forces, leaving more than 3,400 casualties – and pushing the U.S. to join the Allies in World War II. Japan launched the surprise attack – with airplanes and submarines – on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,000 wounded during the bombings. More than 300 aircraft and 19 Navy ships, including eight battleships, were damaged or destroyed.
The next day, the U.S. declared war against Japan.
When asking Congress for a Declaration of War the President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously called that attack “a date which will live in infamy.” On December the 11th, 1941 – both Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. The U.S. in turn declared war on the Axis Powers – and joined the Allies in World War II.
There is only one survivor left living from the U.S.S. Arizona – which was attacked by the Japanese in 1941. Lou Conter is 101 years-old; he was 20 years-old – and became the last surviving Navy veteran of the attack on Pearl Harbor – when Ken Potts passed away at the age of 102 earlier this year.
(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio in Georgia)
