PEARL HARBOR ATTACK--"A DAY WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY"

PEARL HARBOR--

is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu.  Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base.  It is also the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet.  The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Empire of Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, brought the United States into World War II.

Dad was so excited to visit Pearl Harbor and its historic sites, especially the new Pacific Aviation Museum.  He woke up early and hurried all of us girls along.  The memorial can only accommodate 200 visitors at a time (4,500 tickets available each day), so we had to arrive early to receive our reserved time.  

Model of USS Arizona--the paint scheme served as camouflage making it hard to identify the ship from a distance.  

After we watched a 23-minute movie, we were shuttled to the memorial on a boat to the USS Arizona Memorial.  My sister Laura on the ride over. 

The memorial spans--but does not touch--the USS Arizona battleship, which is the final resting place for 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed in the December 7th Attack.

The architecture of the memorial "sags in the center but stands strong and vigorous at the ends, expressing initial defeat and ultimate victory."

This dedicatory plaque states, "May God make His face to shine upon them and grant them peace."

To this day, oil can still be seen rising from the wreckage to the surface of the water.  The seeping oil is sometimes referred to as "the tears of the Arizona" or "black tears."

What is left of gun towers visible from the memorial platform

The shrine room contains a marble wall with the names of all of the men killed on the ship.

This wreath in the shape of a bell honors Elvis Presley and his 1961 benefit show that raised a total of $62,000 for the half-million dollar Pacific War Memorial.  The wreath is made with exactly 1,177 carnations, in honor of each man and officer lost on the Arizona.

The cutout in the Shrine Room is "The Tree of Life"--a universal symbol of the interconnectedness of all life on earth.

Outside the shrine room is an opening in the floor overlooking the sunken decks of the Arizona.  Dad is looking down into the opening.

Sunken deck visible just below water surface

This memorial is visited by over one million people yearly!

The overall effect is one of serenity!  My father lived through this day in history and enlisted in the Army Air Force when our nation declared war.  He was all trained and ready to fly in the Pacific, but the war ended 10 days before that became a reality (which was bitter-sweet for my father because he had worked so hard)!

One of the three 19,585 pound anchors of the Arizona

This bell was recovered from the ship after the attack.

The bell guided the crew back to the ship through thick fog--like a homing beacon.

My sisters, Natalie and Beverly

In the 1940s, a neon "Crossroads of the Pacific" sign at the Kau Kau Korner drive-in restaurant pointed the way to cities around the globe and was a favorite photo stop for GIs.  The old sign has been replicated.

"Tree of Life" again with five tourists!

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BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL--

The Missouri is one of the most storied American warships ever constructed.  Few ships can lay claim to having fought in three of the major American engagements of the 20th Century--taking part in World War II (Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Guam), the Korean War and the Gulf War before she was retired.

The Missouri is perhaps best known for her participation in the surrender ceremony of the Empire of Japan at Tokyo Bay to conclude World War II in 1945.

By the time we reached the Missouri, the weather was down-pouring rain.  Luckily, we had purchased rain ponchos earlier in the day.  We still went on the tour of the entire ship.

On Aug. 28, 1945, officials from the Japanese government signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on board the deck of the USS Missouri on this spot.

Picture of Japanese officials ready to sign the treaty

Copies of the U.S. "Instrument of Surrender"

Mementos from surrender

One of the three large turrets of three guns (I guess that's why they call the Missouri a battleship!)

Huge anchor chain

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PACIFIC AVIATION MUSEUM--

The museum is actually in the original Hangar 37 that survived the Dec. 7, 1941 attack.

After walking all over the Missouri decks inside and out, we had worked up an appetite.  So, when we arrived at the Pacific Aviation Museum, we ate in their appropriately decorated restaurant, the Laniakea Cafe.  The food was really good!

While entering a theater to view a movie covering the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor (with historic footage), Dad met this WWII Veteran donating his time to the museum.  

[You can see how much it rained by looking at Dad's jacket!]

Pictures of the "calm before the storm"

Sailors thought they had "died and gone to heaven" being stationed in Hawaii!

Pictures of some of the airplanes:

Japanese extremely organized line of attack on the Island of Oahu

American fighter plane used to fight Japanese Zero planes at Pearl Harbor

This was the U.S. insignia under the wings of their fighter planes before the Pearl Harbor attack.  They changed it shortly afterward because the red dot looked too much like a Japanese Zero plane.

Plane similar to one used in the Doolittle Raid on Japan in April 1942

Our excellent guide--he donates his time because he loves planes and thoroughly enjoys sharing that love.

This is the actual Stearman N2S-3 in which former Pres. George H. W. Bush soloed. 

Hangar 79--

Another original hangar that survived the attack.  During the war it was a maintenance and engine repair facility.

The towering door's blue glass windows are still riddled with bullet holes left by the Japanese attack.

Now the hangar is used as an aircraft restoration and exhibit construction facility.

Kittyhawk Fighter

Laura, Dad and Beverly with historic Ford Island Control Tower in background

Luckily, this tower survived the attack also.  

Fun photo opportunity--reenactment of the famous iconic Victory Kiss photograph that was snapped on Aug. 14, 1945, in New York City's Times Square, as Pres. Harry S. Truman announced the end of the war with Japan.

 Another picture for Doug--Antique "Shake with Uncle Sam"--which states, "He will tell you the strength of your personality."

The sun finally came out--yeah!!

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USS BOWFIN SUBMARINE--

Launched one year to the day after the events of Dec. 7, 1941, the submarine USS Bowfin, dubbed the "pearl Harbor Avenger," completed nine successful patrols before eventually arriving at her final, peacetime berth in the waters of Pearl Harbor.

Walking down into the submarine

Looking up to the periscope

Kitchen

Mess hall (dining room)

Torpedoes and tubes

This picture shows the U.S. flag waving proudly (and peacefully) over the sub that played a big part in winning the war!!

We all had to see what it was like to sit in the rotating gunner

...and ring the bell!

The submarine sank 40 ships and 4 airplanes

On shore, you could look through a periscope, so we all had to try it!

Beverly in front of authentic Japanese manned torpedo.

This was a wonderful, historical day!   We all enjoyed it, especially Dad.  This was the whole purpose in us bringing him to Hawaii, and we weren't disappointed!!!