What Makes Pearl Harbor A Defining Moment In American History

[Miriam]

Theeasy answer is that we honor the bravery and courage of those who were there and died on December 7, 1941. Even so, there are many other battles in which Americans bravely fought and made the ultimate sacrifice. Why Pearl Harbor? On its surface, it seems an odd choice.

First, Pearl Harbor was not a decisive battle. The Pacific Fleet, though temporarily crippled, would quickly rise again thanks to a heroic salvage effort. American carriers, submarines, and the fuel storage facilities at Pearl Harbor escaped damage or destruction. There would be many more battles to come, in both the Pacific and in Europe, that would decide the fate of the war.

Finally, and perhaps most interesting, the battle was not an American victory. Though it was not the strategic defeat Japan hoped it would be, it was certainly a tactical defeat for the Americans. Most countries celebrate the glory of decisive victory. Yet, of all the battlefields where Americans have fought and died, we choose to yearly commemorate an indecisive defeat. Why?

We remember Pearl Harbor because the question was put to America. It is the most significant question ever put to our nation, and indeed that can be put to any nation. Abraham Lincoln captured it in the Gettysburg address.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

We remember Pearl Harbor because it was a pivotal moment in the modern history of America and the world. How America responded to Pearl Harbor would determine the outcome of the Second World War. But more than that, it would determine the fate of a dream that freedom and liberty could endure in this world. It was a collision, not of two navies or two countries, but of two ideas. On one side, a nation in the midst of an era of repression and nationalist aggression. On the other, an idea, not even two centuries old, that people should be free and able to govern themselves. Could democracy win over totalitarianism?

The answer to the question depended on how America would reply to the Japanese challenge. What would we do? Would we retreat into isolationism and pretend that the enemies of freedom were not marching across Europe and Asia? Or, would America stand up for her ideals and oppose these forces across the world?

On December 7, 1941, at 7:53 a.m., a calm Hawaiian morning was shattered as bombs from the first wave of Japanese raiders hit their targets. The second wave came an hour later, and the third an hour after that. Chaos and confusion reigned. Fire and death were everywhere. Over 2,400 American casualties. Nearly two hundred aircraft destroyed. The Pacific Fleet in flames.

Not long after the first bombs fell, the USS Oklahoma took three torpedoes and began to capsize. Two more torpedoes tore into her hull. In less than fifteen minutes, she had rolled so far that her masts touched the bottom of the shallow harbor. In one of her gun turrets, Ensign Francis Flaherty grabbed a flashlight and calmly lit the way for the crew to escape. He remained in the dark turret, even after the order was given to abandon ship.

Aboard the USS Vestal, Cmdr. Cassin Young sprinted to the bridge. As he directed the actions of an antiaircraft gun, he was blown overboard by the exploding ammunition magazine of the Arizona. He proceeded to swim back to the Vestal, which was afire, listing, and under heavy strafing attack from enemy aircraft. Cmdr. Young calmly moved the Vestal away from the Arizona, and then beached her in order to save her from sinking.

And the Greatest Generation did rise up in their righteous might. They answered the question at Midway, and at Iwo Jima, and at Normandy, and at Bastogne. Their children and grandchildren are heirs to this legacy. They answered the question in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Lt. Col. Trent J. Lythgoe, is a US Army aviation officer and an assistant professor at the US Army Command and General Staff College. He is pursuing a political science PhD at the University of Kansas.

The fighting spirit of American was underestimated by the Japanese government. That alone makes me proud to be an American. Along the way they also found out that we as a Christian Nation also have a forgiving spirit for those who trespass against us.

I feel another reason we remember Pearl Harbor is because we were attacked without provocation or warning. So now we remember, to honor those who fought & died that day and to remember as not to allow such an attack to happen again.

The Battle off Samar, when Halsey left the San Bernardino Strait barn door open, and at great cost TF 3's destroyer escorts, destroyers, and all the TFs' aircraft beat off the main Japanese battleline.

The articles and other content which appear on the Modern War Institute website are unofficial expressions of opinion. The views expressed are those of the authors, and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense.

The Modern War Institute does not screen articles to fit a particular editorial agenda, nor endorse or advocate material that is published. Rather, the Modern War Institute provides a forum for professionals to share opinions and cultivate ideas. Comments will be moderated before posting to ensure logical, professional, and courteous application to article content.

LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Learn more in our Cookie Policy.

As we commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor on December 7, it is vital to reflect not only on the devastating blow dealt to the United States on that fateful day in 1941 but also on the remarkable story of recovery and triumph that followed. The attack on Pearl Harbor, a pivotal moment in American history, stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of the United States in the face of adversity.

December 7, 1941, dawned like any other day in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. However, the tranquility was shattered as Japanese warplanes descended, launching a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base. The devastation was catastrophic: in less than two hours, four U.S. Navy battleships were sunk, and four others were damaged. The attack claimed the lives of more than 2,400 Americans and wounded over 1,000 others.

The images of smoke billowing from crippled ships and the sounds of explosions and cries have been etched into the national consciousness. This assault galvanized the United States, transforming its trajectory in World War II. The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation, declaring December 7th "a date which will live in infamy."

One of the most remarkable aspects of the recovery was the speed and efficiency with which the United States repaired and returned many of its damaged ships to service. The West Virginia and the California, both sunk during the attack, were raised, repaired, and rejoined the war effort, symbolizing America's resilience.

The U.S. also expanded its military capabilities at an unprecedented rate. The nation's industrial complex churned out planes, ships, and armaments, transforming the United States into the "Arsenal of Democracy." Women stepped into roles traditionally held by men, epitomized by the iconic figure of Rosie the Riveter, and played a crucial role in this industrial surge.

The response to Pearl Harbor was not just about physical reconstruction; it was also a strategic and psychological counteroffensive. The Doolittle Raid in April 1942, though of limited tactical significance, had a considerable psychological impact. It demonstrated that Japan was vulnerable to American air attacks and boosted U.S. morale.

The Battle of Midway, in June 1942, marked a turning point in the Pacific War. The U.S. Navy, despite being outnumbered, inflicted a devastating defeat on the Japanese fleet, sinking four aircraft carriers. This victory halted the expansion of the Japanese Empire and shifted the momentum in favor of the Allies.

Subsequent campaigns in the Pacific, such as in Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, were characterized by fierce fighting and high casualties. Yet, the determination and bravery of American forces, coupled with superior resources and industrial capacity, eventually led to the capitulation of Japan in 1945.

The story of Pearl Harbor is not just a narrative of tragedy; it is a profound lesson in resilience, unity, and the indomitable spirit of a nation. It reminds us that in moments of dire crisis, the United States has the capacity to overcome adversity and emerge stronger.

Today, as we face new challenges, the legacy of Pearl Harbor continues to inspire. It teaches us the value of preparedness, the strength that comes from unity, and the importance of turning setbacks into triumphs. The response to the attack serves as a powerful example of how a nation, when galvanized by a common purpose, can achieve extraordinary feats.

As we honor the memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, we also celebrate the resilience and strength that define the American spirit. Their sacrifice and the subsequent triumph over adversity serve as enduring reminders of what we can accomplish when we stand together as one nation.

Pearl Harbor, a day of infamy, became a defining moment in American history. It exemplifies not just the capacity for endurance and recovery in the face of devastation but also the ability to turn a moment of darkness into a prolonged period of triumph. As we look back on this day, let it continue to serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the resilience and strength that lie at the core of the American identity.

Let me express my thanks to the historic slate of candidates who accompanied me on this journey, and especially the one who traveled the farthest - a champion for working Americans and an inspiration to my daughters and to yours -- Hillary Rodham Clinton. To President Clinton, who last night made the case for change as only he can make it; to Ted Kennedy, who embodies the spirit of service; and to the next Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, I thank you. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night.

3a8082e126