"A Day That Will Live In Infamy"

“A Day That Will Live In Infamy”

Seventy years ago the United States Naval base and Ford Island in Hawaii was attacked in the early morning by the Japanese Imperial Navy, thus launching our nation into the Second World War.  Up until that disastrous day, our country was severely divided between those who supported helping England defend against German invasion and those who were staunch pacifists.  After December 7, very few pacifists were left.  We became a passionately patriotic society as millions joined up to defend against our enemies on two fronts.

I wonder how many people actually remember the significance of December 7, 1941.  I’ve notice over the past several years, the media gives it only a cursory mention.  Since the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the two disasters are sometimes mentioned together.  We remember 9/11 only because it is so recent in our history; but December 7, 1941 is 70 years in our past.  I wasn’t even born yet.  But I am a history major; it’s my job to know these things.



Seventy years ago the United States Naval base and Ford Island in Hawaii was attacked in the early morning by the Japanese Imperial Navy, thus launching our nation into the Second World War.  Up until that disastrous day, our country was severely divided between those who supported helping England defend against German invasion and those who were staunch pacifists.  After December 7, very few pacifists were left.  We became a passionately patriotic society as millions joined up to defend against our enemies on two fronts

At the time most people held to the concept that this war had to be won at all cost.  Hitler, Mussolini, and the Japanese military had to be pushed back and eliminated.  (Notice I did not mention Emperor Hirohito because the country at that time was actually ruled by their military).

A short time ago I participated in a conversation by a small group of young people that led to the statement that America had never been attacked.  I had to step up to the plate and shove in my two cents worth.  I am not JUST referring to the attack on Pearl Harbor.  As early as 1897 German military planners were obsessed with naval operations against the east coast of the United States. That idea continued to evolve, and when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he wanted to set it in motion and attack New York City.  Germany did in fact have long-range bombers that could do the job, but the idea of attacking the east coast of the U.S. didn’t really come to fruition until after Pearl Harbor.

Admiral Karl Donitz, the commander of all U-boats based in France, placed into action “Operation Drumbeat.”  In January of 1942, over forty American tankers and merchant ships fell victim to Nazi U-boats…most of which were still in port!  By September 1942, 204 American ships were attacked and/or sunk off the eastern coast of the United States.

On June 21, 1942, a Japanese submarine float plane, the brainstorm of Warrant Flying Officer Nobuo Fujita, bombed Fort Stevens, a coastal defense base in Northwest Oregon.  In September 1942,  a float plane armed with two 170-pound thermite incendiary bombs designed to ignite thousands of acres of forestland in Oregon was launched…headed for the Cape Blanco lighthouse on the Oregon coast.  The mission was only moderately successful due to recent rains that had left the forest floor wet.

From December 18 to 24, 1941, nine Japanese submarines patrolled strategic points along the U.S. west coast, attacking eight American merchant ships, sinking two and severely damaging two more.  Six seaman were killed.

On December 8, 1941, Congress officially recognized the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, to organize coastal watches.  The mission was primarily to observe and protect American coasts.  By the end of the war, CAP pilots had flown over 500,000 mission hours.  Over ninety aircraft were lost and over sixty CAP pilots were killed.  The Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking one Japanese submarine off the coast of California.  I am proud to say that I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for 7 ½ years.

So, as we are all getting ready for the Christmas season and festivities, please take the time on December 7 (actually, take the time every day) to pay tribute to the men and women who served during World War II…both on the field of battle, and those who were instrumental in protecting our coasts.  And the next time someone suggests that we reduce military spending or reduce the number of military personnel, remind them that without our military we most definitely would have not only been attacked more severely, but probably invaded during WWII.  The threat is even more prevalent today.