| 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1991, Honolulu, Hawaii |
The 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor represents the last major commemoration
of a watershed day in world history. A Day ay when the United States was plunged
into World War II, after having sat on the sidelines for too long, by virtue of Japan's
surprise attack on Hawaii and their drive to dominate the Pacific Region and Asia; A
day when the United States had to abandon Splendid Isolation and plunge into
international affairs with both feet; A Day when a sleeping giant was aroused as
never before to avenge an attack which killed almost 3,000 Americans and
destroyed much of the American military capability in the Pacific.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the most audacious and successful military
operations in history. Highly disciplined, totally committed and of immense skill, the
Japanese Imperial Navy in 1941 was the best equipped and most forward thinking
in the world.
In proving their worth, they moved undetected across the vast Pacific Ocean and
delivered a massive blow to United States material assets and, more importantly, to
their pride. Many Americans had no idea where Pearl Harbor was when the news
hit, but within weeks millions had enlisted to fight as the country geared up for
total war on a massive scale. This effort produced an industrial and manpower
mobilization unlike any in world history.
As part of the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial
Foundation arranged a 7-day symposium with authors, historians, Veterans from
both sides and a host of other participants in that Day of Infamy.
I went to the 50th Anniversary to honor my Uncle, Paul Harvey (see below) and all
the men from my family who sacrificed so much for my freedom during that difficult
time in history. Paul was on the U.S.S. Tangiers, moored next to Ford Island
opposite Battleship Row (map below right).
Not only did we get to tour all the military sites that were bombed that morning, but
all the participants were able to talk with and hear speeches from a host of great
historians, military and civilians who participated in that Day of Infamy, Japanese
pilots who flew bombing missions, an engineer who helped develop the low-running
torpedo and many others.
of a watershed day in world history. A Day ay when the United States was plunged
into World War II, after having sat on the sidelines for too long, by virtue of Japan's
surprise attack on Hawaii and their drive to dominate the Pacific Region and Asia; A
day when the United States had to abandon Splendid Isolation and plunge into
international affairs with both feet; A Day when a sleeping giant was aroused as
never before to avenge an attack which killed almost 3,000 Americans and
destroyed much of the American military capability in the Pacific.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was one of the most audacious and successful military
operations in history. Highly disciplined, totally committed and of immense skill, the
Japanese Imperial Navy in 1941 was the best equipped and most forward thinking
in the world.
In proving their worth, they moved undetected across the vast Pacific Ocean and
delivered a massive blow to United States material assets and, more importantly, to
their pride. Many Americans had no idea where Pearl Harbor was when the news
hit, but within weeks millions had enlisted to fight as the country geared up for
total war on a massive scale. This effort produced an industrial and manpower
mobilization unlike any in world history.
As part of the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial
Foundation arranged a 7-day symposium with authors, historians, Veterans from
both sides and a host of other participants in that Day of Infamy.
I went to the 50th Anniversary to honor my Uncle, Paul Harvey (see below) and all
the men from my family who sacrificed so much for my freedom during that difficult
time in history. Paul was on the U.S.S. Tangiers, moored next to Ford Island
opposite Battleship Row (map below right).
Not only did we get to tour all the military sites that were bombed that morning, but
all the participants were able to talk with and hear speeches from a host of great
historians, military and civilians who participated in that Day of Infamy, Japanese
pilots who flew bombing missions, an engineer who helped develop the low-running
torpedo and many others.
| The Arizona Memorial, with the American flag flying proudly, at the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor |
| The Submarine Memorial, where each stone represents a lost submarine during World War II |
| The names of those killed aboard the U.S.S. Arizona on December 7, 1941. A single bomb exploded in the powder magazine and destroyed the ship in a single blast |
| The Official 50th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Patch |
| The Arizona Memorial with the American flag waving proudly. |
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