It is a Sunday afternoon on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1941 It is a Sunday afternoon on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1941. You are a 19 year old radar operator, working for the U.S. Navy, happily stationed on a peaceful, tropical island far away from the war in Europe. As usual, your Sunday shift will last only a few hours; the radar waves lacking activity with almost all planes are grounded and ships docked for the weekend. While you have heard reports of the Japanese expanding in the Pacific, your commanders inform you that they are nothing to worry about, and you have gotten used to the daily routines of inactive duty. Your mind drifts as you think about meeting up with your friends later, planning to surf before dinner. Then, something shows up on the radar…

The U.S., Japan, and Pearl Harbor Collision Course The U.S., Japan, and Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 Targeted the US Pacific Fleet Anchored at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii Surprise air attack at dawn (fighters/bombers) 1st wave = 300+ planes 2nd wave = 150+ planes The attack lasted just under 2 hours (7:55 – 9:45am) US Fleet was nearly wiped out

A Day which will live in Infamy The Aftermath of Pearl Harbor: 4 Battleships sunk 4 other Battleships damaged 11 other ships sunk/damaged 180+ aircraft destroyed 150+ aircraft damaged Approx. 2,400+ killed 1,100+ wounded Of the dead = 1,177 USS Arizona But all Aircraft Carriers survived

Before Pearl Harbor Japan wanted to control/expand in the Pacific Invaded Manchuria – 1931 Invaded China - 1937 US stopped trading oil and steel with Japan (Embargo) Japan got 80% of oil and steel from U.S. US wanted to continue trading with China and wouldn’t tolerate Japanese expansion The US mobilized their Naval forces in the Pacific The US moved their fleet from the West coast out to Pearl Harbor US also stationed forces in the Philippine islands War was inevitable: Japan knew their expansion would lead to a war with the US Japan decided they had to strike first

The US Declared War Next day = FDR asked Congress for war Declared Dec. 7, 1941 would be “a date which will live in infamy” US Congress declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, 1941 Dec. 11 = Germany declared war on the US America was now on the Allied side GB, Rus, US vs. Ger, Italy, Jap