Remembering Pearl Harbor..... 1 1

[707comics]

Today is the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. We remember and pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 individuals lost on that day and salute all who have served and/or continue to serve this great country.  

I recently discovered this Sam Glanzman story regarding the battle that ensued on that "day of infamy" and thought it was fitting to share (the story was originally published in Dell Combat #2 - 1961).

 

Edited December 7, 2019 by 707comics

[comicjack]

Everyone should have a chance to visit the sight in their lifetime.As a nation it was not the best of times but we all came together for a common cause . 

[Robot Man]

5 hours ago, 707comics said:

Today is the 78th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. We remember and pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 individuals lost on that day and salute all who have served and/or continue to serve this great country.  

I recently discovered this Sam Glanzman story regarding the battle that ensued on that "day of infamy" and thought it was fitting to share (the story was originally published in Dell Combat #2 - 1961).

 

Thanks for posting this...

[mec3437]

I was stationed at Pearl from 2011-2014. I was on shore for 2012 and 2013 for Dec 7th.  The mood in the days leading up to it are very somber and the day itself is very heavy.  You definitely feel it.  I'd recommend for anyone to go to the memorials out there.

[fastballspecial]

When I taught high school back in the last 90s I got the privilege of bringing in 
3 WW veterans to talk to the kids. One was in D Day, One walked into a Holocaust 
camp and the 3rd was a flame thrower on the island hopping crew.

I regret to this day not video taping them. Ive done a lot of stuff in my life I am proud
of, but I will never forget the effect those veterans had on those kids. One kid stood up
and thanked them at the end of class. It was all I could do to keep from crying till they left.
It was by far my greatest moment as a teacher.

 

 

Edited December 8, 2019 by fastballspecial

[jools&jim]

 

On December 7, 1941, my dad hopped onto a bus to visit his girlfriend (later to be my mom) across town.  He was 18 years old. 

On his way back home, the bus driver said to him:

"Hey Frank, didja hear that the J@ps bombed Pearl Harbor?"

My dad said: "Where the hell is Pearl Harbor...?"

A year or so later, he was working for the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, DC; and a year or so after that, he shipped out to the South Pacific, where he and his shipmates fought at Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Mindoro, Lingayen Gulf, and eventually at Okinawa, where he was nearly killed during a kamikaze attack. 

He witnessed (through binoculars) the surrender of the Empire of Japan on the deck of the USS Missouri, and escorted his ship's photographer around Hiroshima (just a few months after the bomb was dropped) during the post-war occupation.

He died on December 8, 2010, nearly 69 years to the day after he heard the fateful news that would change his life forever. 

He was buried in the presence of a USN honor guard, and there wasn't a dry eye among even one of those strapping young lads from Annapolis when they laid the old man to rest.

My dad had his faults, and his war service (along with the Great Depression) scarred him forever...but he was still the toughest and kindest man I have ever known.

I miss him every day, and dearly wish, fool that I was, I'd have appreciated him more while he was still alive. 

So, yes...thanks very much to the OP for honoring this day and, by extension, all those who served during WWII. 

 

Edited December 8, 2019 by jools&jim

[Jaylam]

My father also served in the Pacific in 1944 and 1945. Later in life, he would tell me of having dreams that were just as real and vivid as when he was there 50 years before. No doubt he too was scarred by the things he experienced and would almost express guilt that he was one of the lucky ones to make it back alive, while so many others had died. 
On a side note, it turned out that the uncle of my best friend from high school was one of the last 4 combat casualties of the war. A book was just released this fall detailing the final mission that cost these 4 airmen their lives.