E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Getty Images
Smoke pours from wrecked American warships after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Updated at 5:54 p.m. ET: More than 2,000 people at Pearl Harbor and many more around the country are marking the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into World War II.
The USS Michael Murphy, a recently christened ship named after a Pearl Harbor-based Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan, sounded its ship's whistle Friday to start a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., marking the exact time the bombing began in 1941.
Crew members lined the edge of the Navy guided-missile destroyer in the harbor where the USS Arizona and USS Utah, battleships that sank in the attack, still lie. Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 fighter jets flew overhead in a special "missing man" formation to break the silence.
"Let us remember that this is where it all began. Let us remember that the arc of history was bent at this place 71 years ago today and a generation of young men and women reached deep and rose up to lead our nation to victory," Rhea Suh, Interior Department assistant secretary, told the crowd. "Let us remember and be forever grateful for all of their sacrifices."
About 30 survivors, many using walkers and canes, attended the commemoration.
Edwin Schuler, of San Jose, Calif., said he remembered going up to the bridge of his ship, the USS Phoenix, to read a book on a bright, sunny Sunday morning in 1941 when he saw planes dropping bombs.
"I thought: 'Whoa, they're using big practice bombs.' I didn't know," said Schuler, 91.
Schuler said he's returned for the annual ceremony about 30 times because it's important to spread the message of remembering Pearl Harbor.
Ewalt Shatz, 89, said returning to Pearl Harbor "keeps the spirit going, the remembering of what can happen."
Shatz, who now lives in Riverside, Calif., was on board the USS Patterson that morning when the alarm sounded. His more experienced shipmates were down below putting a boiler back together so Shatz found himself manning a 50-caliber machine gun for the first time. The Navy credited him with shooting a Japanese plane.
"That was some good shooting," said U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Cecil Haney who recounted Shatz' experience in the keynote address. "Thank you for your courage and tenacity — our nation is truly grateful."
Online, Pearl Harbor became a popular topic on Facebook and other social networks, trending worldwide on Twitter and Google Plus as people marked the anniversary with status updates, personal stories of family and photos.
Eugene Tanner / AP
Taps are played during a ceremony commemorating the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Friday, at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The Navy and National Park Service, which is part of the Interior Department, hosted the ceremonies held in remembrance of the 2,390 service members and 49 civilians killed in the attack.
Friday's event gave special recognition to members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, who flew noncombat missions during World War II, and to Ray Emory, a 91-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor who has pushed to identify the remains of unknown servicemen.
The ceremony also includes a Hawaiian blessing, songs played by the U.S. Pacific Fleet band and a rifle salute from the U.S. Marine Corps.
Related: 'It was a terrible day. It just engulfed us in flames'
President Barack Obama marked the day on Thursday by issuing a presidential proclamation, calling for flags to fly at half-staff on Friday and asking all Americans to observe the day of remembrance and honor military service members and veterans.
"Today, we pay solemn tribute to America's sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu," Obama said in a statement. "As we do, let us also reaffirm that their legacy will always burn bright — whether in the memory of those who knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and women in uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and free."
Daniel Inouye, Hawaii's senior U.S. senator and a member of an Army unit of Japanese-Americans who volunteered to fight in World War II, said the Pearl Harbor attack evoked anger, fierce patriotism and racism.
"Our way of life has always, and will always be, protected and preserved by volunteers willing to give their lives for what we believe in," the Democrat said.
The Navy and park service will resume taking visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits atop the sunken battleship, after the ceremony.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- 2012 warmest year in US? Odds rise to 99.7 percent
- Buzzkill: Feds fire warning shot over pot legalization
- Abortion mandate costs Planned Parenthood a few affiliates
- Contest to kill Burmese pythons in Everglades includes $1,500 grand prizes
Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook
Leave a Comment:
a toast to my seagoing brothers both past and present may your seas be forever calm.
Just a Short story.I was at the Arizona memorial just prior to the 50th anniverary.It was the last trip of the day and i was thrilled to see the time honored lei being tossed into harbor.(i waited most the day for this moment)When we were told to stand to render honors a couple of Japanese tourist refused to stand.At that moment a couple of young off duty Marines quickly and simply grabbed th tourist and threw them overboard.I was amazed to see the Marines jump overboard and swim to shore as easy as cake.Being a Young Army officer at the time i had a very difficult time keeping a straight face while the SP's went about trying to question us as to the identity of the Marines.All i can say is that i did'nt snitch.
Was stationed in Hawaii when the Memorial was dedicated in 1962. Named after an Uncle who still resides in the Arizona. Just what is wrong with you Yhaoo's trying to do your political B.S. on this site?
i don't think i was being political.however what those Marines did could be considered as RAW politics i guess.
That doesn't exactly represent the Marines well. If they are Japanese tourist, is it not possible that they don't have a perfect grasp of English, and might have misunderstood the call to stand, or not properly understood the ceremony due to cultural differences? And even if he hadn't, a United States soldier is taught to be above such petty acts of revenge. Even if he was being rude intentionally, doing that only guarantees that he will dislike and have even less respect for our military men.
B.S. it has always been so .....google days to fly your flag at half staff and you will find this;
doesn't anyone in his entourage EVER check facts?
Not sure that's accurate. Do you have a link?
http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#36 doesn't name those days.
try flagandbanner.com or numerous others. however flag and banner lists not only halve staff but ALL other days as well. or simply call your local VFW or American Legion, They would be happy to help. or just ask ANY navy vet.
Scooter, while those sites may cite customary days for flying the flag at half-mast, the official code according to my link cites only circumstances when the flag is flown at half-mast. It also says the president can make a "proclamation" (sound familiar) to add a specific day to fly the flag at half-mast.
The distinction is subtle and really meaningless in most respects, but apparently you are wrong.
so mark go with whatever link makes you happy, that's what fighting for freedom is all about after all. as well as freedom of expression. but as you stated from your choice of sites.
HE didn't ADD anything. the date was already there and "proclaimed"
Seriously, we are arguing about a president asking people to honor the war dead? Seriously? Hate him as much as you want, I really could care less, but he is FROM Hawaii. I think he knows what he's talking about here. Just lower the flag and remember the service men and women and forget, just for a moment, your utter disdain for the POTUS.
IA.ScooterTramp
Excellent reply - - Some of us who fly our flags everyday don't need to be reminded but, sad as it is today, some people think it is necessary. The president does not need to remind me of anything - - but on the contrary --.
Who in hells name could ever forget this day?
A Korea and Nam vet.
Talk is cheap. Look at the V.A. ssd article the other day for just ONE example of incompetence. Or ask the QUALIFIED midshipman who got shoved aside for the sole purpose of being able to afford Joes Biden's boy a commission for his resume.
Still crying and whining IA.ScooterTramp????
It will be 4 interesting years to see you crying and whining to lose another election in between.
Than you for the fond memories.....
facts are scary things, huh. or do you believe eveyone should be just thrilled as a lemming?
"As we do, let us also reaffirm that their legacy will always burn bright — whether in the memory of those who knew them, the spirit of service that guides our men and women in uniform today, or the heart of the country they kept strong and free." Yea, he sounds like a real commie, muslim to me. Dear "Scooter", whatever you do, please don't say anything positive about the administration.
facts scare you? ... i did not engage in name calling....you did... .i just posted facts from articles on here and the simple FACT that he didn't proclaim nothing. period. it has been that way for years.
its like if he proclaimed the sun would rise in the east and set in the west....hence that's what caused it. and is the only reason for it happening.
just more spin baby spin.
IA.ScooterTramp - Please stop politicizing this most solemn of military remembrance days.
Find a veteran and say 'thank you' and don't ask him what his political party is first please.
If you actually study the facts surrounding these remembrance days you would know that the sitting president always 'declares' the days in official proclamation. It's part of government and military history.
As much as you might like to think otherwise, active service members (and actually most veterans such as myself) aren't nearly as politically extreme as so many posting on the vine seem to be.
biker4life'
found one in the mirror this morning. and i didn't politicise it obama did.
oh and BTW i disagree with vets aren't political rant as well. or don't you agree to other opinions?
but in any case i am certain it will be collapsed by the "free thinking" vine people soon...(in the name of free speech of course)
VFFV
Sorry, Scrat, but you did politicize this discussion. The President is acting as the President and Commander in Chief. Issuing proclamations are a duty of the job. He is not campaigning or fund-raising, those are political actions.
Get over it man, the election is over...
I agree with NB820 ...
The President is doing what every president has done on this day ever since the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It had nothing to do with the President's political party, nor his agenda, nor him as a person. It is his DUTY, as the President of the United States, to officially mark this day every year.
You, Scooter, are the one trying to turn this into a political conspiracy. If you hate the President so much, you are free to move out of the country. Don't let the door slam you in the arse on your way out.
Back then whe we were attacked all americans and both political parties were united in fight against our attackers. Noone tried to blame the commander-in-chief of being incompetent because of the attack. Today every single day there seems to be something that the oposition party tries to make into a national scandal or to accuse someone or another of not being patriotic or caring about the country. We should learn from the fallen and thoses that carried the flag after the attack.
This has been going on at least since Walter Cronkite covered the Tet Offensive.
It the US government some doing but they finally goaded Japan into attacking.
It's unfortunate that so many Americans don't know why Japan attacked. They just assume, as with all the other conflicts that the other side are the evil-doers.
If by goaded you mean cutting trade with Japan, then yes. If you mean by trying to secure their assets in the Philippians and Indonesia then yes.
Basically once Japan sided with Germany, the vital trade that Japan needed was cut off be it trade from the US or the countries align with the US in the Pacific. I wouldn't actually call that goading though.
Also, why don't you ask the Chinese about what Japan did to them when they invaded.
I love Japan, great place to visit, wonderful people, but they did some rather horrific things back then and instigated their conflict with other nations of the Pacific. It's unfortunate that there are people who like to mitigate history...or outright rewrite it.
Our recall our current President making the keynote speech at the Democratic convention in 2004. He spoke of one America, defended by American men and women under one flag instead of a country divided into blue or red states. He was still a candidate for US Senator then. The fact is, those words still ring true today. The foolish attempt to find fault or victory in every utterance is pitiful.
Today is a solemn day of remembrance. We should never forget the day when a sneak attack killed thousands of Americans. Can we leave the sore loser politics out of this discussion, at least for today?
Let's remember Pearl Harbor in the sense that the U.S. entered the last war with a meaningful threat to the homeland. The war may have been to some degree a set-up by FDR to get the country further out of the Great Depression, but we were definitely attacked by Japan and quickly by the European Axis. Every engagement since has been a result of the tremendous profits enjoyed by the makers of war materiel. How many Americans have died for their greed?
Marked as stupid because you have zero clue what happened.
Why is it us Englishmen have a been knowledge of your history than you?
And I bet you wonder why the rest of the world looks down at you...
kountryking Says: "Every engagement since has been a result of the tremendous profits enjoyed by the makers of war materiel."
9/11/2001 comes to mind as another important date that should be remembered.
I saw Pearl Harbor three years ago on a trip with my wife. Even though my family & I didn't get to the USA until the 1970s and we had no stake in it, one is very moved by the Arizona Memorial, by the Submariner's monument and by the USS Missouri.
To me, it's like going to the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington or the Cenotaph in London. The place has presence.
Fair winds and flowing seas to the US Navy. Thanks to members of all branches of the US Military who have served.
That's following seas there Joe:55
If the US flew the flag at half mast every day they were in some stupid war it would never get up.
warrren Says: "If the US flew the flag at half mast every day they were in some stupid war it would never get up."
I say: You have had your little say and I suggest that you spend some time studying our history, or blow it out your barracks bag - - if you even know what one is.
Today Dec. 7th the Fisher Family Honor the Memory of Robert Ray Fisher S2c who was killed on Dec. 7th 1941 on the USS Arizona BB 39 "WE'LL NEVER FORGET". "GOD BLESS".
It took you long enough to even post something about Pear Harbor this moring. What a slap in the face to those there that day. And how sick that a story about William and Kate would be above this one and have a bigger font. What a disgrace.
Visited Pearl Harbor when my son, a 19 year old Marine stationed in Hawaii had just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Nothing prepared me for the rush of emotions when we were at the USS Arizona memorial. I located the name of a great uncle on my mother's side who died on the Arizona and remembered the stories my mother had told me about that day and her memories of it. I thought of all those families who lost someone and remembered my own fears when my son was in Afghanistan. A difficult time in our nation's history but a time when everyone pulled together to fight a common enemy. A day that will live in infamy.
Pearl Harbor is a solemn mystery to me. In WW2, my Uncle was stationed in England, and on his deathbed,
he was still convinced that Japan was not responsible for Pearl Harbor. We are blessed to have some of
The Greatest Generation among us, still. Which will benefit the New Greatest Generation, including our
daughter and our grandson. Some blame the 50's for being too Pollyiannish and the 60's, for rebelling
but who knows?
Um, no offense to your uncle, but pretty much anyone who's done even a cursory amount of looking into Pearl Harbor can agree that it was the Imperial Japanese Navy that launched the attack. Aside from the thousands of witnesses on our side and the video footage, you have Japan's open admission to carrying out the strike, the physical wreckage of some of the 29 Japanese planes shot down, the wreckage of several Japanese midget submarines sunk in the attack, the 65 Japanese casualties, and even one IJN sailor captured (Sakamaki Kazuo). The evidence that Japan was behind the attack is overwhelming. To try to claim otherwise is like trying to claim that the Allies weren't behind D-Day, or the Germans weren't behind the Blitzkrieg. The only mystery here is how insane conspiracy theories regarding it continue to exist despite all the evidence and common sense pointing to the obvious record of events
David, this is probably not what he meant.
The Japanese were negotiating with the US regarding sanctions and essentially a blockade of essential goods to Japan. When the Japanese would comply the US tightened the noose until they had to decide to wither and die or attack. The oil and steel embargos were the worst.
Japan was trying to expand their reach in Asia (like the US has done since the war) and it wasn't going over well with the west.
Senior US officials were quoted as wanting to get Japan to attack first because the sentiment for war in the early 1940s was against involvement. Pearl Harbor changed opinions fast.
"The more you look at the map the more incredible it seems" and I am quoting from
"The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Willem van Loom, paper back, page 491. which is common sense
to me but as I said, a solemn mystery as well because it begs the question, Why did he believe it?
My Uncle was a rational man and he was born in Kentucky and as the saying goes if you want
something done, get someone from Kentucky because he can do two things at once. A man in
a thousand and I believe his version of this infamy secret But I would be remiss if I did not tell you
that I flunked History in high school
PS Trevor, just read your posting, which makes sense
Japan was already on a military conquest of that region before the US began the sanctions. Don't miss that fact Trevor.
I was never so honored to be in a place, where I could look at all the names of those who gave their lives on this Remembrance Day 71 years ago. I was in Hawaii, on vacation at the time.
My father was a career naval man who served this country for 31 years.
I have never been there. My Dad was in the Navy-- in CASU 38 and served from the age of 16. His Mom didn't want to sign his papers (under age 18) but he told her he would sign them for her if she didn't. He was an only child. WWII wasn't talked about much by him until I was an adult and he shared some things with me. I miss him a lot. This is about those who died, those who served after them and remembering them. I hate all of the arguing that is going on here. It is disrespectful.