On this day, let’s remember the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attacks by the Japanese military forces on Dec. 6, 1941.
Incidentally, both today and that “Day that will live in infamy” are both on Sundays. Believe it or not, the first wave of the attack was the sinking of a Japanese midget boat by the USS Ward, a destroyer at around 6:10 a.m. local time.
Then shortly before 8 a.m., the full aerial assault occurred which would sink big ships like The USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma. There were only two waves of attack. However, the Japanese’ intention to destroy massive fuel tanks was unsuccessful.
Admiral Chuiche Nagumo with the Japanese navy didn’t order a third strike as he knew the Americans were setting up a defense. The attack led to the U.S. involvement in what would later become known as World War II.
Oscar “Pat” Manasco, the father of my ex, was a young man still in his teens, when he had joined the U.S. Navy earlier that year. He was part of the auxiliary unit which had to be brought in to help clean up the mess. Despite being a very friendly and pleasant man, he admitted to have a life-long hatred of Japanese people.
War does bad things to people and I can understand why he and others felt this way. I can’t imagine to think what many people saw happen to their friends and fellow service members.
Peace and love be with all.
Zane Says 