"PEARL HARBOR" BY THE U.S. ARMY IS LICENSED UNDER CC BY 2.0 The attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941, led the U.S. to enter World War II.
Remembering Pearl Harbor: A special to the Century News
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, observed annually on December 7, is to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This day was designated by Congress in 1994 and is to be used as a day of remembrance each year. It is referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day.
On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, America’s Naval base at Pearl Harbor and surrounding U.S. Army, Army Air Corps, and U.S. Marine land and air bases in Hawaii came under an unprovoked attack by the forces of the Japanese Empire. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,100 wounded. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. It also damaged or sank three cruisers, three destroyers, one minelayer, and damaged or destroyed 188 aircraft.
The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt stated in a speech to Congress that the bombing of Pearl Harbor was “a date which will live in infamy.”
In recent years, we have lost many of our World War II veterans that lived in the Dripping Springs area—Bradley Davis, U.S. Army Air Corps (who lived to 104 years of age); Travis Garnett, U.S. Navy; Marvin Hass, U.S. Navy; Paul Kay, U.S. Navy; Presley Biel, U.S. Army Air Corps; Alva Haydon, U.S. Navy; Ray B. Wilson, USMC; Hershell Murray, U.S. Navy/Merchant Marine; and Earnest Banasau, Senior, U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force.
Thank God for brave men such as these and the millions more men and women who served our country in World War II. Our post asks that we always remember those brave Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country.