“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a day 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… but always will our full nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory… with confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.”

– President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Excerpts of his address to Congress December 8, 1941.

President Roosevelt delivered that speech 83 years ago requesting Congress to approve a Declaration of War against the Empire of Japan. The vote was 82-0 in the Senate and 388-1 in the House of Representatives, with the only opposing vote by House Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana.

The attack on Pearl, as they called Pearl Harbor, was devastating. U.S. casualties numbered 3,581 – with personnel and civilians killed numbering 2,403 and wounded 1,178.

The Navy lost 92 aircraft, two battleships and one auxiliary ship. Damaged in the attack were 31 Navy aircraft, six battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers and four auxiliary ships. In addition, the U.S. Army Air Corps lost 77 planes with damages to another 128 planes.

The Japanese planned three waves of attack, but since they were unable to locate our Navy’s aircraft carriers, Vice Admiral Nagumo, having also lost some planes, canceled the third wave for fear of loss of additional planes should the U.S. carriers launch an attack on his fleet.

Imagine the terror filled chaos of those 75 minutes under attack. Minutes that must have seemed like hours never ending, as if you were suddenly thrown into the fiery depths of hell. The sight of the heavy, dark smoke of burning fuel and oil, choking your breath away; men thrashing in the water fighting to stay afloat. The smell of flesh burning. The screams of pain from those on fire, the frantic cries for help from those trapped below deck.

In the aftermath of Pearl, President Roosevelt named Admiral Chester Nimetz as commander of the Pacific Fleet. He was just the ticket America needed. As my mother always said, “You have to find the bright side in every unpleasant situation.” Admiral Nimetz did just that. While everyone around him saw only the destruction as they assessed the damages at Pearl, Nimetz saw the positives, the bright side. With the attack being early Sunday morning, the ships’ crewmen were still ashore on leave. Had they been out to sea or lured there, the loss of personnel would have been much greater.

The Japanese focused on the destruction of all the battleships lined up in a row and never bombed the drydocks across from them, which saved the Navy from towing every damaged ship to America’s mainland for repair. The Japanese also failed to destroy the ground storage fuel supply. The Navy’s three aircraft carriers were out to sea on maneuvers, so their carrier fleet was still intact.

President Roosevelt’s words rang true. The Greatest Generation came together and showed the entire world exactly what they were made of, and America triumphed!

On December 6, 2024, just one day before the 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the remains of Fireman 2nd Class William Kubinec of Garrettsville, Ohio, were buried at the California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, California. Kubinec was 21 years old and was one of 105 casualties aboard the USS West Virginia.

Today, take a few minutes to remember William Kubinec and all those who perished at Pearl. Reflect upon the many freedoms we enjoy every day and quite possibly take for granted. Freedom is NOT free!