Combat· World War II
Attack on Pearl Harbor
On a quiet Sunday morning, Japanese carrier aircraft launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, along with nearby airfields. The strike sank or damaged many battleships, destroyed aircraft on the ground, and brought the United States into World War II. The attack came without warning, and the defenders had little time to react. Marines were in the middle of the fight from the first minutes. Marine detachments served aboard the battleships and cruisers in the harbor, and they rushed to man the antiaircraft guns on their ships and fire back at the attacking planes. Other Marines were stationed at the air station at Ewa and at shore posts around the island, where they fought the strafing aircraft and worked to save men and equipment. Marines were among the killed and wounded that day, sharing in the heavy losses of the fleet.
Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 561