Remembering 90 minutes of horror

68 years ago, our nation suffered the most devastating military attack ever executed on American soil. Before 9-11, this was the most defining moment in our history that signaled an age where the United States was no longer safe from attack by its enemies over seas. Prior to that, we lived in the comfort of knowing that our superior military defenses would prevent attack or invasion from foreign lands. 90 minutes, one beautiful morning in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii changed it all. As our forces conducted normal peacetime routines of the day, a squadron of Japanese Zeros swooped in at 7:55am and opened the gates of hell. Over the period of an hour and a half, the once beautiful and serene naval base was transformed into a fiery abyss of death and decimation.

All tolled, our losses were massive...

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U.S. Personnel Casualties

Service Killed Wounded Total

Navy 2008 710 2718

Army 218 364 582

Marines 109 69 178

Civilians 68 35 103

Summary of U.S. Ship Damage

Battleships

Arizona sunk, total loss

California sunk, raised, repaired May 1944

Maryland damaged, repaired Feb. 1942

Nevada heavily damaged, repaired Dec. 1942

Oklahoma capsized, total loss

Tennessee damaged, repaired Mar. 1942

West Virginia sunk, raised, repaired July 1944

Pennsylvania slightly damaged, repaired Aug. 1942

Destroyers

Cassin heavily damaged, rebuilt Feb. 1944

Downes heavily damaged, rebuilt Nov. 1943

Helm damaged, repaired Jan. 1942

Cruisers

Helena heavily damaged, repaired June 1942

Honolulu damaged, repaired Jan. 1942

Raleigh heavily damaged, repaired July 1942

Minecraft

Oglala sunk, raised, repaired Feb. 1944

Auxiliaries

Curtis damaged, repaired Jan. 1942

Sotoyomo sunk, raised, repaired Aug.1942

Utah capsized, sunk

Vestal heavily damaged, repaired Feb. 1942

YFD-2 sunk, raised, repaired May 1942

U.S. Aircraft Damage Summary: Lost and Damaged Aircraft

Navy 92 31

Army Air Corps 77 128

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Those who lived through that frightening day remember the chaos and terror of being under attack and watching their brothers be slaughtered before their eyes. But, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, they strengthened their resolve, rallied their countrymen to arms and sent a devastating blow back to their attackers. These were men of honor. These were who defined the greatest generation of the 20th century. These are the heroes who fought to ensure we remained a free nation and as time passes by, their numbers are rapidly dwindling. It will not be long before there will be no one left who can recall living through that horrible day and the only stories we will hear will be those recalled from the pages of history.

As we pause to remember their sacrifice, we must also remember to never let their memory or their bravery be forgotten.