President Roosevelt called December 7th, 1941, “A date which will live in infamy.”
Today is the anniversary of the surprise Japanese attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. Sadly, we no longer even hold ceremonies commemorating that day. We have raised generation after generation who take what we have for granted and vilify the sacrifices of our forebearers.
As our greatest generation passes on, let us honor their sacrifices to keep America free.
I’d also like to take a moment of silence for the 2402 Americans who were lost on that day, along with the hundreds more, who were wounded during the attack.
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
A day that will live in infamy. . .
At nearly the same time (simultaneously, but over the international date line so on 12-08-1941) the Japanese attacked Wake Island in their confirmed belief that it was cut-off from U.S. support. The U.S. MARINES stationed there, supported by U.S. civilian construction contractors (and some indigenous people) had the ONLY successful repulsion of an amphibious attack of WWII (there were more than 3 major assaults), and the MARINES and contractors managed to sink several ships. Calls for help were ignored as it was believed that Wake Island was lost, so all help went to Pearl Harbor, HI, and 20+ days later, Wake Island finally fell.
The civilian contractors stationed on Wake were “unarmed” because the Dept. of Defense thought that would prevent the enemy from treating them as enemy combatants. Japan removed ALL persons on the island to internment camps in Japan except for 100 who were essentially worked to death to rebuild the island fortifications and airfield.
When it appeared that the U.S. would retake Wake, 98 of the remaining 99 were killed by firing squad, one escaped to carve:
98 US PW 5-10-43
(“98 U.S. Prisoners of War [killed] May 10, 1943”) on a rock near the water, before also being captured and killed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:98_rock,_Wake_Island.jpg].
The Department of Defense, in the aftermath of Wake, created military-trained and heavily armed Naval Construction Battalions (CBs) (“SEABEES”), and our fight song (march) recites “And we promise to remember, the 7th of December” NOT because of the attack on Pearl Harbor (also a day of infamy) but because of the U.S. civilians that fought and died like dogs on U.S. soil.
HOORAH SEABEES
Never Ever Forget
Never forget and remain ever vigilant.