Pearl Harbor attack remembered at 70th anniversary

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By AUDREY McAVOY

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) - The Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor and those who lost their lives that day are being remembered Wednesday on the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack that brought the U.S. into World War II.

About 120 survivors will join Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, military leaders and civilians to observe a moment of silence in Pearl Harbor at 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time - the moment the attack began seven decades ago.

About 3,000 people are expected to attend the event held each year at a site overlooking the sunken USS Arizona and the white memorial that straddles the battleship.

The Pearl Harbor-based guided missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon will render honors to the Arizona and blow its whistle at the start of a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m. - the same time 70 years ago the first Japanese planes began to attack.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20111207/D9RFKVF00.html

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In this Dec. 7, 1941 file photo, the destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Wednesday marks the 70th anniversary of the attack that brought the United States into World War II. (AP File Photo)

[Auggie]

1. USS Henley (DD-391):

The Henley (DD-391) was launched 12 January 1937 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California; sponsored by Miss Beryl Henley Joslin, a collateral descendant of Captain Robert Henley; and commissioned 14 August 1937, Lieutenant Commander H. Y. McCown in command.

After shakedown in the Pacific and Hawaiian waters, Henley joined the Pacific Battle Force, Destroyer Division 11, at San Diego 12 September 1938. She departed San Diego 14 April 1941 to join the Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941, Henley was moored in East Loch with battle stations manned, a green sailor having sounded General Quarters instead of Quarters for Muster. This fortunate mistake gave Henley, under the command of Lieutenant Francis Edward Fleck, Jr., the opportunity to fire the first destroyer shots as the initial wave of enemy planes swooped in.

A bomb exploded 150 yards off her port bow as she slipped her chain from the buoy, and, as she cleared, she received a signal that a submarine was in the harbor. Henley maneuvered through the smoke, fire, and confusion and sped out of the channel. Her gunners shot down one dive bomber with her .50 cal. guns and shared credit for another. Conned by Fleck—both her commanding officer and executive officer were ashore when the attack began—Henley dropped depth charges on a sonar contact, possibly a midget submarine, outside the harbor, and continued to blaze away at the enemy with her guns.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Henley_(DD-391)

On December 7th, 1941, my cousin was serving on this ship as Gunner's Mate. This story has always fascinated me.

:patriot:

[Rebubula]

2. OK....

...is it a coincidence that you have Bluto as your avatar???


Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor???


On edit - just saw your tagline. Very nice and appropriate.

[Auggie]

3. Perceptive

and funny observation -- I hadn't thought of that.

:hi:

[krucial]

4. NEXT

The way I see things moving and the "Iran is threat to the world' mantra being fanned and cultivated, Iran might just be the next one to be incinerated by our war loving sector

[Bosonic]

5. Original AP newsflash of attack (pdf)

http://t.co/HG9jPf4c

[SoapBox]

6. Such a tragedy.

And again, another incident where the warning signs were every place but arrogance and ignorance let it all happen.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Surprised we haven't heard more about this today, since it's the 70th anniversary...

:patriot: