The Japanese Imperial Navy attacks against U.S. Naval Base Pearl Harbor began at approximately 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Standard Time on December 7, 1941. It is a day that lives on as one of the most tragic attacks on United States soil, and the event that lead to America’s entry into World War II, in both European and Pacific theaters.
The United States’ involvement in World War II was profound, but perhaps nowhere was the war more impactful than in Hawaii, especially on Pearl Harbor. From the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 to ship repair towards the end of the war in 1945, these 13 photographs taken in Hawaii during WWII are extremely powerful.
1. The Japanese Imperial Navy attacks against U.S. Naval Base Pearl Harbor, which began at approximately 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Standard Time, damaged all eight U.S. Navy battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, and anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer.
2. Approximately 2,400 Americans were killed, and another 1,170 were wounded, 1,100 of those who died were stationed on the USS Arizona, pictured below.
3. This Japanese aerial photograph of Pearl Harbor during the attack is quite unsettling.
4. The USS Yorktown receives repairs for damage sustained during the Battle of Coral Sea while sitting in Dry Dock No. 1 at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard in May 1942. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier left Pearl Harbor the following day in order to participate in the Battle of Midway.
5. Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson inspects a regiment of artillerymen during his 1943 visit to Hawaii.
6. A Navy band plays for civil service employees during their lunch break.
7. A first class machinist from Ohio, Andrew S. Horn is photographed working on intricate wiring for a ship’s gun, along with R.V. Presby, a Tennessee native and first class electrician.
8. Japanese-American volunteers on Kauai waiting for their physical examinations and standing for roll call of the Makaweli draft board registrants.
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt, General MacArthurt and Admiral Nimitz at Pearl Harbor in July 1944.
10. Members of the 24th Marine Regiment celebrating the Marine Corps birthday in 1944 on Maui.
11. A photograph of Lt. Gerald R. Ford and LT. W.E Delaney at the Ford Island Tennis Club for the Farewell Party for Air Group Thirty on May 12, 1944.
12. Singer Betty Hutton performs for service members in June 1945 at Naval Air Station Kaneohe.
13. Servicemen at Pearl Harbor repair and check instruments aboard a submarine that has just returned from war in 1945.
Our beautiful island paradise was certainly different during WWII, wasn’t it?
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