Remembering 7 Dec 1941
Dec 8, 2022 04:36:38 #
(second try, first was deleted for a bad link)
My memories of Pearl Harbor Day are pretty sparse. I was exactly 2 weeks shy of 4 years old. I remember that my parents listened to the rradio and seemed very worried. I can't be certain, but I think my family was in Detroit, Michigan at the time (the 1940 US Census has us there), but we went to California for a while soon after. My dad did not serve in the military, but he did "war work": building wings for B-24s in the Willow Run aircraft plant south of Detroit, and doing something in the Alameda, California Naval Yards (never discussed it with me).
I had several uncles who were in the military during WWII, and I did see them occasionally; however, they never discussed the war with me, or what they did. Most were in the Army, but my dad's youngest brother was Navy, and my mom's youngest brother was AAF. They've all been dead for many years. (I'll be 85 in 2 weeks.)
It was, indeed, a "Day of Infamy" and FDR's speech was classic. I've been to Oahu, Hawai'i several times, and I've visited the USS Arizona Memorial twice. My vision fogs up every time. My photos of the memorial in 1965 are here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157631716781757/
My photos of the 2008 visit are here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/albums/72157608718150099/with/3008997228/ (beginning of Album, some views of "Punchbowl" later on). And there are 3 photos of the USS Arizona firing her big rifles (16' guns) at the end of this Album.
My memories of Pearl Harbor Day are pretty sparse. I was exactly 2 weeks shy of 4 years old. I remember that my parents listened to the rradio and seemed very worried. I can't be certain, but I think my family was in Detroit, Michigan at the time (the 1940 US Census has us there), but we went to California for a while soon after. My dad did not serve in the military, but he did "war work": building wings for B-24s in the Willow Run aircraft plant south of Detroit, and doing something in the Alameda, California Naval Yards (never discussed it with me).
I had several uncles who were in the military during WWII, and I did see them occasionally; however, they never discussed the war with me, or what they did. Most were in the Army, but my dad's youngest brother was Navy, and my mom's youngest brother was AAF. They've all been dead for many years. (I'll be 85 in 2 weeks.)
It was, indeed, a "Day of Infamy" and FDR's speech was classic. I've been to Oahu, Hawai'i several times, and I've visited the USS Arizona Memorial twice. My vision fogs up every time. My photos of the memorial in 1965 are here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/sets/72157631716781757/
My photos of the 2008 visit are here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8712554@N02/albums/72157608718150099/with/3008997228/ (beginning of Album, some views of "Punchbowl" later on). And there are 3 photos of the USS Arizona firing her big rifles (16' guns) at the end of this Album.
Dec 8, 2022 05:47:31 #
Dec 8, 2022 05:48:11 #
I visited the memorial in the early 80"s. I remember a gentleman by the name of Joe Morgan that was the guide of the group. He was, if I remember right, about 18 when the attack took place. I was 5 years old and living in Cuba but our parents did not talk about it, perhaps not well informed of what happened.
As you know, the mastermind of the attack was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto who studied law in Harvard and was killed in 1943 over the Solomon islands. He authored the phrase ""We have awaken a sleeping giant" since he was well aware of the industrial power of this USA.
During my visit I spent the day there. I remember many Japanese visitors paying their respect. It was a most interesting day fill with history.
As you know, the mastermind of the attack was Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto who studied law in Harvard and was killed in 1943 over the Solomon islands. He authored the phrase ""We have awaken a sleeping giant" since he was well aware of the industrial power of this USA.
During my visit I spent the day there. I remember many Japanese visitors paying their respect. It was a most interesting day fill with history.
Dec 8, 2022 06:19:30 #
Oops, I forgot... good to be reminded... history not remembered repeats its self
Dec 8, 2022 07:22:42 #
Dec 8, 2022 08:07:07 #
Dec 8, 2022 08:45:56 #
I visited Pearl Harbor and the memorials there a number of years ago--a very moving experience.
Dec 8, 2022 15:40:49 #
I'm pleased that my post excited some memories. Thanks to those who commented.
Dec 8, 2022 15:52:49 #
Dec 12, 2022 16:16:43 #
Dec 27, 2022 22:05:56 #
Well, this post got moved from "Photo Gallery" section
to "Links and Resources" section. Not exactly sure why, but not an issue. Responses seem to have occurred prior to the move, though.
to "Links and Resources" section. Not exactly sure why, but not an issue. Responses seem to have occurred prior to the move, though.
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