More than seven decades have passed but the American memory of how Pearl Harbor was deliberately attacked by the Empire of Japan remains fresh among those who lost loved ones. More than 2,000 people died in Honolulu, Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. This year marks the 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack, the incident that kick started United States' involvement in World War II.
The Japanese managed to destroy and put down around 20 American naval vessels and nearly 200 airplanes. With thousands of casualties and more than 1,000 others wounded, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked the congress at that time to declare war against Japan.
In 1937, Japan declared war on China as it aims to expand and conquer its rich resources. With Germany and Italy as its allies, they formed the Axis powers. The United States was unhappy with Japan's increasingly aggressive attitude toward China and the only way to solve this conflict is to implement a battery of economic sanctions and trade restrictions. With increasing pressure over Japan, its officials speculated that the action was a silent declaration of war.
In Pearl Harbor's 74th anniversary, here are seven interesting facts about the attack that officially brought the United States into war.
The Pearl Harbor attack on the Pacific fleet was supposedly declared beforehand.
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan," President Roosevelt announced after the attack.
Apparently, the attack was supposed to be declared against the United States 30 minutes before Japan's planes bombed the U.S. Pacific fleet. However, series of errors committed by typists and translators hindered the Japanese from giving the message of war to Washington in time.
Up to date, 960 people are still missing
Even after seven decades have passed, there are still 960 people who were stationed in the Pearl Harbor missing. Around 2,343 men were killed, 1,272 were wounded.
In USS Arizona, 23 sets of brothers died during the attack
During the Dec. 7 attack, 23 sets of brothers died aboard USS Arizona. In the ship, there were confirmed 37 pairs or trios of brothers and from the 77 men, 62 were killed while more than 1,000 men were trapped inside when it went down. It suffered major damage during the attack and until now, fuel is still leaking from the sunken battleship.
Seven of the nine ships that sunk in Pearl Harbor were resurrected, repaired and used in World War II
Of the nine battleships that were attacked by Japanese aircrafts, six were repaired and returned to U.S. Navy's fleet. Since most of these ships were sunk in shallow waters, they were easily resurrected and repaired. These ships included ships of California, Nevada, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. However, two ships namely Arizona and Utah, which were severely damaged, were irreparable.
USS Arizona's entire band was killed during the attack
USS Arizona suffered the most damage during the attack where 1,177 people were killed. Out of these casualties were the 21 members of the Arizona's band called U.S. Navy Band Unit (NBU) 22. They were on deck preparing to play music for the morning flag raising ceremony.
U.S. Pacific Veterans of the historic attack may opt to be laid to rest in Pearl Harbor
Veterans of the attack have the choice of making Pearl Harbor their final resting place. Specifically in USS Arizona, which suffered the most damage during the attack, survivors may choose to have their ashes brought to the sunken Arizona ship by divers to join their comrades that died decades ago. Around 30 survivors were laid to rest in the sunken ship while 355 survivors are still living up to this date.
The original target of the Japanese were U.S. aircraft carriers
The main target of Japan during its attack was actually U.S. aircraft carriers but they were unaware that all three aircraft carriers were out to the sea. Left with no choice, they attacked battleships instead.
