We must always remember what happened on this day at Pearl Harbor 68 years ago. The passing of time has not dulled the memories of those who endured the attack, which ushered the United States into World War II. For the United States, the war would last for three years and nine months more, until the Japanese surrendered in September of 1945.
In the wake of the attack, 16 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Crosses, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Stars were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor.
Remembering is an act of reverence, for learning from the past. Let’s always remember Pearl Harbor, its brave men and women and the sacrifices they made that day.
Thank you for those thoughts. My grandfather turned 17 the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, and a month later he lied about his age and joined the Navy. He served in the Pacific for the duration of the war. Had it not been for President Truman’s decision to use the atomic bomb, my grandfather would have been involved in the invasion of the Japanese home islands, which, it is estimated, could have resulted in nearly a million American casualties.
The brave sacrifices of our service men and women can never be underestimated or appreciated enough.
Nice blog. Brings a tear to my eye when PBS shows the names and faces we have lost recently in their nightly news. People my age. People half my age. Lives tragically cut short. The real heroes.