Resident remembers attack on Pearl Harbor
'What I learned made me want to fight back.'
By Cyrus Kamkar
December 7th, 1941; the date that changed the course of world history. The Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor, a U.S. Naval base in Hawaii. This attack prompted the U.S. involvement of WWII. What would be normally expected as a typical Sunday in America was instead a surprise attack that would result in over 2,400 dead servicemen, and a steadfast shipment of soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors to various islands of the Pacific. To provide an idea as to just how treacherous the war in the Pacific was, over 12,000 Americans were killed in the single battle of Okinawa. That number is greater than American soldiers killed in the entire conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan combined.
It is crucial that we as Americans never forget this day, as it was a devastating attack on our nation. For this anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I feel it would be best to share the thoughts from local WWII veteran, and friend, James Peterson (JP).
I spoke with JP about Pearl Harbor, and asked him what he remembered from that day.
“It was a Sunday in Detroit, Michigan. I was 14 years old. My brother was 11 years old. My mother was 34 years old and ran
a tailor shop. Being 14 years old, I didn’t have the view in life beyond my family. Hawaii? What is it and where is it? Why is the President so mad and excited? President Roosevelt gave his ‘infamous day’ speech. We were now at war with the ‘Axis.’ Our whole world exploded.”
JP spoke of the personal influence that the attack had on him: “What I learned made me want to fight back. The next three years went by so fast. The Gold Stars started to show up in windows. On my
birthday, August 6, 1944, I turned 17. I told my mother I went and joined the Navy but that she has to sign on my enlistment. Her response was ‘NO NO NO.’ June of 1945 was a good time to ask my mom again, and this time she signed the document.
I then discussed with JP the importance of remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor: “December 7, 1941, is a day to remember. Today, December 4, 2020, gave me chills thinking about what happened on December 7 and what it cost. Let me give you an example: newspapers cost three cents; a B-17 cost $37,000. We were building
one every hour. Where did the money come from? It was scary then, and still is. We never thought anyone would touch us. The attack on Pearl Harbor was like driving to church and getting into a car crash. You’re heading for something beautiful. Your whole life is planned for you. You could visualize your life and all of the happiness; a bright sunny Sunday. Then all of the sudden, something terrible happens. It was like you walked out of heaven and stepped into hell.”
In spite of the sorrow and fear that JP expressed in his memories, he never hesitated to share his gratitude: “There was a feeling of fam
ily, being all together with all of the beautiful aspects of life in front of you. Beautiful Godly things; strength, commitment, love, welcoming in open arms.” This was part of the reason JP joined the Navy to serve his country, as he was doing it for “a good people.”
When I asked JP what it would mean to forget the attack on Pearl Harbor, JP gave a short but true response: “If we forget this day, good-bye America!”