The 76th Anniversary of The Attack on Pearl Harbor

Today marks the 76th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Naval base in Hawaii. The date of the attack was December 7, 1941. The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the nation at a joint session of Congress. He famously stated that it was “a date which would live in infamy.” That event led the U.S. to enter World War II.

Over 300 American airplanes and nearly 20 naval vessels were destroyed in the attack. Worse, over 2,400 people died and another 1,000 were wounded. Few Pearl Harbor veterans are still alive.

Today, however, two men will be awarded posthumously for their bravery in saving the lives of their fellow sailors. Lt.j.g Aloysius Schmitt was a Navy chaplain who gave his life in order to save his shipmates. He will receive the Silver Star. Chief Boatswain's Mate Joseph George, of the USS Vestal, died in 1996. He will receive the Bronze Star. He is honored for saving several sailors aboard the USS Arizona. Additionally, six Pearl Harbor survivors will meet with President Trump to mark the occasion.

Today, the USS Arizona Memorial, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, stands to remind us of both tremendous loss, but also of tremendous bravery. We honor the legacy of freedom that these and others who also served have helped safeguard for us, their fellow Americans. We are indebted to them on this Pearl Harbor Day.