1. It is a Sunday afternoon on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in 1941
It is a Sunday afternoon on the island of Oahu, Hawaii in You are a 19 year old radar operator, working for the U.S. Navy, happily stationed on a peaceful, tropical island far away from the war in Europe. As usual, your Sunday shift will last only a few hours; the radar waves lacking activity with almost all planes are grounded and ships docked for the weekend. While you have heard reports of the Japanese expanding in the Pacific, your commanders inform you that they are nothing to worry about, and you have gotten used to the daily routines of inactive duty. Your mind drifts as you think about meeting up with your friends later, planning to surf before dinner. Then, something shows up on the radar…

2. The U.S., Japan, and Pearl Harbor
Collision Course
The U.S., Japan, and Pearl Harbor

3. Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941 Targeted the US Pacific Fleet
Anchored at Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii
Surprise air attack at dawn (fighters/bombers)
1st wave = 300+ planes
2nd wave = 150+ planes
The attack lasted just under 2 hours (7:55 – 9:45am)
US Fleet was nearly wiped out

5. A Day which will live in Infamy
The Aftermath of Pearl Harbor:
4 Battleships sunk
4 other Battleships damaged
11 other ships sunk/damaged
180+ aircraft destroyed
150+ aircraft damaged
Approx. 2,400+ killed
1,100+ wounded
Of the dead = 1,177 USS Arizona
But all Aircraft Carriers survived

7. Before Pearl Harbor Japan wanted to control/expand in the Pacific
Invaded Manchuria – 1931
Invaded China
US stopped trading oil and steel with Japan (Embargo)
Japan got 80% of oil and steel from U.S.
US wanted to continue trading with China and wouldn’t tolerate Japanese expansion
The US mobilized their Naval forces in the Pacific
The US moved their fleet from the West coast out to Pearl Harbor
US also stationed forces in the Philippine islands
War was inevitable: Japan knew their expansion would lead to a war with the US
Japan decided they had to strike first

8. The US Declared War Next day = FDR asked Congress for war
Declared Dec. 7, would be “a date which will live in infamy”
US Congress declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, 1941
Dec. 11 = Germany declared war on the US
America was now on the Allied side
GB, Rus, US vs. Ger, Italy, Jap