A Date That Shall Live In Infamy

December 7, 1941

The Japanese Army attacks the United States at Pearl Harbor

American casualties -

Dead - Navy 2,008 Marines 109 Army 228

Wounded - Navy 710 Marines 69 Army459

Civilians - At least 57 were killed and approximately the same number were wounded

Eighteen ships were either severely damaged or sunk as were 263 planes.

On December 8, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed Congress and the American people:

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

Through the courage of many, many Americans, we did gain the inevitable triumph, maintaining our freedom and giving freedom back to many others who had lost theirs.

...
We are in the same situation again.

Hostilities exist still. The same form of treachery is endangering us again. Three thousand lives were lost on September 11, 2001. And we are once again at war. Not one entered into lightly, not one entered into falsely, but one that needs fighting, lest we lose our freedom, our heritage, our very nation. We need the same resolve the Americans had back in 1941. I fear that too many in our great nation have forgotten what freedom takes.

From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots. - Thomas Jefferson

To all who have served and are serving still in our military, thank you from the very bottom of a grateful American's heart. You are the reason this country is the greatest in the world and, Lord willing, shall remain so. Again, thank you.

Pictures from the Naval Historical Center.