Pearl Harbor Day Remembered (2012)

Today is Pearl Harbor Day, commemorating an event that took place 71 years ago, 7 December 1941—in the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, "A Day that will live in infamy."

There are local connections.  The picture below is of Election Commissioner Tom O'Brien's Uncle, Sergeant Alfred Francis O'Brien, who was stationed at Schofield Barracks.  The Japanese attack on our military facilities on Hawaii reoriented his life.  He was due to soon return to the Mainland.  That morning he had just come off duty and was about to go to the Mess Hall when he heard the attack and looked out his barracks window to see a Japanese aircraft flash past as it was attacking nearby Wheeler Field.  The attack changed the trajectory of Sergeant O'Brtien's life, as his Regiment, the 35th (25th Division, "Tropic Lighting"), soon went to Guadalcanal to relieve the Marines fighting there.

Today is a day to honor all who served during World War II, and all who supported our Service Members by serving on the Home Front.

It is also a day to remember that yesterday's enemy can be today's friend.

UPDATE:  I have updated the geographic description above.  Also, while attending the Pearl Harbor Ceremonies at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium I thought about the fact that the attack on Pear Harbor was not the only attack at the time.  From the point of view at Clark Air Base, in the Philippines, Hawaii is seen as being eight hours ahead, but a day behind.  So, early on 8 December, Philippine time, the Japanese attacked Clark Field and other Army Air Force and Navy facilities in the Philippines.  The result from the early attack was that half the force of 107 P-40 fighters and 35 B-17 Flying Fortress bombers were destroyed and 90 personnel killed.  While the numbers killed were lower than on Oahu, the impact was to open the Philippines to invasion, resulting in the loss of the Territory to the Japanese.

Regards  —  Cliff