INFAMY

...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.

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

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Approximately 6,500 of the 77,000 surviving Pearl Harbor veterans are still with us to tell their stories.

Retired Lt. Gen. Louis W. Truman was an aide to Gen. Walter Short, Army commander on Hawaii, when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Two months later, when the Roberts Commission issued its report holding Gen. Short and Adm. Kimmel responsible for Pearl Harbor not being prepared for the attack, Truman hand-delivered a copy to President Roosevelt.

The next morning he went by the office of Sen. Truman, who, he remembers, "wanted to know what the hell everybody was doing over there [at Pearl Harbor the morning of the attack], all asleep and drunk?"

The senator said he thought Short and Kimmel were guilty of dereliction of duty and they ought to be court-martialed.

Louis Truman responded as only he could to an indignant senator who was attacking the credibility of his commanding officer.

"I don't think so, Cousin Harry," he said.

Historically speaking, peacetime commanders in the US military have rarely lasted beyond the opening salvos.

The Shreveport Times reports on a small group of survivors:

But the handful of survivors who gathered at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5951 just outside the north gate of Barksdale Air Force Base focused almost as much on current events as they did their brush with history. And they hoped that lessons they paid for with sweat and blood will not have to be relearned by the current generation or its children.

In fact, that was why Bob Matheny almost missed the ceremony, staged by Fleet Reserve Association Chapter 98 to honor Pearl Harbor survivor Phil Serio for his 30th year in the organization. Matheny honored a prior obligation to talk with youngsters at Sci-Port Discovery Center in Shreveport, and he walked away from that hopeful.

"It was real good. They asked a lot of questions, and the right questions. You can tell when kids are interested in what you're saying - they stand real still."

But no mention is given as to what exactly was said about current events. If the good folks in Shreveport are typical (and I have reason to believe they are) of most vets of that era, then the Houston Chronicle's coverage of the reunion of survivors in Hawaii offers insight:

Saturday's memorial featured a flyover by World War II airplanes, music, speeches and a wreath presentation.

Mainly it honored those who gave so much so long ago.

Luke Trahin, of Beaumont, who was at Kaneohe Air Station on that day, spoke for the veterans and for those who died.

"If we are willing to always stand up for the U.S., they will not have died in vain," he said.

And, at least in some places, that message is being passed on.

More information on Pearl Harbor here.

The full text of president Roosevelt's speech is in the extended portion of this post

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT'S PEARL HARBOR SPEECH
(December 8, 1941)
To the Congress of the United States:
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

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.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.