"December 7, 1941--a date 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.
At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II." -- President Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941 as he appeared before a joint session of Congress.
So many of us read those words in our History books as children. For years the men and women who lived aduring that time wept uncontrollaby as the anniversary came and went each year.
As we step into the early stages of the new millineum, the men and women who fought and died during WWII are slowly leaving us to find their peace and tranquility not of this earth. On this day, Dec. 7, 2002, 61 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, let us remember those who lost their lives, those who were forever changed and those who continue to fight and die for the freedom of our country.
I cast my eyes upon a photo of a stoic looking Admiral Chester Nimitz, arguably the one person most responsibile for the defeat of the Japanese nation. As pride welled in my chest, I couldn't help but wonder, who had the foresight to pluck the submariner Nimitz out of the Bureau of Navigation?
-- Modified on 12/7/2002 3:36:06 PM
An admiral by the name of Ernest J. King, then Chief of Naval Operations, saw Nimitz's talents and promoted him over 5 more senior men for the job.
Thanks fortitude, the name Ernest King sounds familiar. Also a submariner, I wonder ?
Wasn't it rumored King shaved with a blowtorch?
Correct about the submariner background of both men. What he saw in Nimitz was a calm, but determined outlook on command. As a retired officer (Army, not Navy, but some principles are the same), I can say that what he saw was a guy who wouldn't gamble for the sake of a qucl victory, but someone who was the ultimate in calculating the odds and taking calculated gambles when necessary. And for the most [art he did that throughout the war. BTW, the 2nd in command on 12/07/41 in the Pacific was Adm. Halsey, and I don't think anyone wanted to have in in command of the whole show for fear that he would just take what was left of te fleet and sail to Tokyo Bay to slug it out (Halsey's first order, when taking command in the Solomons read: Kill Japs! Kill more Japs!). Nimitz, IMHO was far and away the best theater commander in WW2 (over Eisenhower, Mountbatten, Stillwell, and especially MacArthur). But I digress. This subject matter is my favorite, other than TER reviews!
Insofar as the blowtorch is concerned, it has never been documented, but if youread his biography, you wonder.......
I would not mention MacArthur in the same breath as the likes of Nimitz, the 'ferocious gnome' Marc A Mitscher, Ike, Bill Slim, Vinegar joe Stillwell or Monty. These were all true leaders who brought out so much in their subordinates. The fact remains though, war is a team effort. I must confess having read more about Nimitz having delegated responsibility to his local commanders and taking such chances as placing Ray Spruance in charge of his first carrier group at the critical Battle of Midway, when Halsey got the shingles. And the chances taken to get Yamamoto, the unrestricted submarine warfare, conducting a fight with unproven (to the US Navy) aircraft carriers.
Plus, I feel humbled to resemble Mitscher; although these would all be great choices.
-- Modified on 12/9/2002 3:26:00 AM
-- Modified on 12/8/2002 8:31:28 AM
...............Thank you!!!!!!!!
POW, Silver Star winner ..........fought on Omaha beach....
God's speed Harry!
Will miss you!
We must use this date to remember all of the men and women, who over the years have manned our walls for freedom, and fought and died to preserve our way of life. Regardless of how you may feel about American politics, and the antics of our governments past and present, these are the people who have kept America free.
at least that's what George Bush the First said ten years ago, one of the few (and last) times the puppeteers let him speak unprogrammed.
Good thing his son is a lot smarter.
I thought George H. W. Bush had distinguished himself and served this country really well in WWII. I guess that is not as important to someone as a little mental mistake.
-- Modified on 12/8/2002 2:25:11 PM
I am sure that since George Bush served in World War II as a pilot and was shot down he actually knew the correct date. He simply misspoke much as Al Gore did when he claimed to have invented the internet or Bill Clinton when he claimed not to have inhaled the smoke from the joint he was smoking. Come to think of it the bit about not inhaling was probably just another lie - one of many. Gee I like playing this game don't you - how stupid!!!
And let's not forget that during a national televised press conference explaining why the U.S. was involved in Kosovo, Bill Clinton said, "Two World Wars have started in the Balkans." WWII began with the Nazi invasion of Poland. Either bad in history or poor at geography wasn't he?
But please everyone, let's leave the F'ing politics out of this!!
I find it amusing that you continually inject politics into these discussions, and then plead to stop and desist political discussions. Maybe you should get that bipolar thing looked into.
Actually, I enjoy watching you guys go off the trolley tracks.
I'm sure there are many who have disagreed with some of my posted views in the past...that's all well & good, but I don't think I've been accused of being a hypocrite before.
I'll admit to many times having stated my disdain for the lengthy threads on political subjects, but beyond that it seems that you are far more guilty of "continually" injecting politics to otherwise unpolitical subjects than I have ever been...unless that is, you confuse statements regarding patriotism with those of politics.
I appreciate your post as it's always as good to know who your "fans" are, but other than that I don't give a rat's ass what you think.
Thanks for the post Lass! I've been disappointed with the lack of media coverage..it seems to be less & less with each passing year.
As one who belives in the influence of the past upon the present, I can't imagine how the day which plunged the U.S. into a war that took over 55 million lives..ushered in the atomic age..gave impetus to the rise of Communism, thus playing a part in the armed conflicts in both Korea & Viet Nam..& was a major factor leading to the creation of Isreal, can be ignored the way it has been.
The world was forever changed by that war, & yet the media gives it scant coverage. What a shame that is, & what a sad commentary about that industry.