December 2015, Issue 64 See all issues at the 503rd PRCT Heritage Battalion website: Contact: [email protected] http://corregidor.org/VN2-503/newsletter/issue_index.htm ~ Photo of the Month ~ "a date which will live in infamy” December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. (web photo) 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / December 2015 – Issue 64 Page 1 of 86 Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five The Attack on Pearl midget submarines lost, and 64 servicemen killed. One Japanese sailor, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured. The attack came as a profound shock to the Harbor American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. Domestic support for non-interventionism, which had been fading since the German attack on France in 1940, disappeared. Clandestine support of the United Kingdom (e.g., the Neutrality Patrol) was replaced by active alliance. Subsequent operations by the U.S. prompted Germany and Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day. From the 1950s, several writers alleged that parties high in the U.S. and British governments knew of the attack in advance and may have let it happen (or even The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military encouraged it) with the aim of bringing America into strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United war. However, this advance-knowledge conspiracy States naval base at Pearl Harbor, in the United States theory is rejected by mainstream historians. Territory of Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, There were numerous historical precedents for 1941. The attack led to the United States' entry into unannounced military action by Japan. However, the World War II. lack of any formal warning, particularly while Japan intended the attack as a preventive action to negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December actions the Empire of Japan planned in Southeast Asia 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy". against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Because the attack happened without a declaration Netherlands, and the United States. There were near- of war and without explicit warning, the attack on Pearl simultaneous Japanese attacks on the U.S.-held Harbor was judged by the Tokyo Trials to be a war Philippines, Guam and Wake Island and on the British crime. Empire in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The attacks - from troop landings at Kota Bharu, Malaya, to the air attacks ranging geographically from Hong Kong to Pearl Harbor - took place over seven hours. The attack commenced at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time. The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk. All but Arizona were later raised, and six were returned to service and went on to fight in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Important base installations such as the power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the Rest easy Sailors intelligence section) were not attacked. 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / December 2015 – Issue 64 Page 2 of 86 President Barack Obama's 2015 Veterans veterans and to the very cause for which they served. This day is not only about gratitude for what they have done Day remarks at Arlington National for us, it is also a reminder of all that they still have to give Cemetery our nation, and our duty to them. And that’s what I want to talk about briefly today. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. We’re in the midst of a new wave of American veterans. Thank you so much. Please In recent years, more than a million of our men and be seated. Thank you. women in uniform — many of them veterans of Thank you, Bob, for your Afghanistan and Iraq — have completed their military service to our nation as an service and returned to civilian life. Each year, at least Army Airborne Ranger and another 200,000 do the same. Our 9/11 generation of your tireless work on behalf veterans are joining the ranks of those who have come of your fellow veterans. To Command In-Chief places wreath before, including many of you, our veterans of Korea and Vice President Joe Biden; at tomb of the unknown Vietnam. General Dunford; Major at Arlington Cemetery Our tributes today will ring hollow if we do not ensure General Becker; distinguished that our veterans receive the care that you have earned guests; to our outstanding veterans service organizations and that you deserve. The good news is, is that in recent and their leadership; to our men and women in uniform; years, we’ve made historic investments to boost the VA and most of all, to our proud veterans and your families — budget, expand benefits, offer more mental health care it is a great privilege to be with you once again. And to and improve care for our wounded warriors — especially Captain Florent Groberg, as Bob just mentioned, those with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain tomorrow, it will be my honor to present you with the injury. We’ve now slashed the disability claims backlog by Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military decoration. nearly 90 percent. We’re reducing the outrage of To all our veterans here today, and to veterans across veterans’ homelessness, and have helped tens of America, whether you served on the beaches of Europe, thousands of our veterans get off the streets. the jungles of Asia, the deserts of the Middle East; Still, the unacceptable problems that we’ve seen — like whether you served here at home or overseas, in wartime long wait times, and some veterans not getting the timely or in peace; whether you served proudly in the Army, care that they need — is a challenge for all of us if we are Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard — you are part of to match our words with deeds. And my message to every an unbroken chain of patriots who have served this single veteran, to veterans all across this country is that I country with honor through the life of our nation. am still not satisfied, and Bob McDonald is still not On these sacred grounds, where generations of heroes satisfied. And we are going to keep investing in the have come to rest, we remember all those who made the facilities and the physicians and the staff to make sure that ultimate sacrifice for our nation. And today, we gather our veterans get the care that you need when you need it. once more to salute every patriot who has ever proudly That is our obligation, and we are not going to let up. worn the uniform of the United States of America. Our tributes today will also ring hollow if we don’t This year, as we mark 70 years since our victory in the provide our veterans with the jobs and opportunities that Second World War, we pay special tribute to a generation you need when you come home. That’s why we’ve helped that literally saved the world. We’re joined by several of more than 1.5 million veterans and their families pursue those heroes, including our oldest known female World an education under the Post-9/11 GI bill. That’s why we War II vet, Army Lieutenant Colonel Luta C. McGrath, who worked to make sure that every state now provides this month turns 108. There she is. And I would ask all of veterans and their families with in-state tuition. It’s why our veterans and families of World War II, if you can stand, we’re fighting to make it easier for our veterans to get the please stand or raise your hand so America can thank you licenses and certifications to transition the outstanding one more time. skills they gained in the armed services to civilian jobs. It’s Today, in big cities and small towns across our country, why we’re helping more veterans and military spouses find there will be ceremonies around flagpoles and parades jobs. And today, the veterans' unemployment rate is down Main Street to properly express our gratitude, to down to 3.9 percent — even lower than the national show our appreciation to men and women who served so average. that we might live free. It is right that we do so. But our But this can’t just be a job for government. We all have tributes will ring hollow if we stop there. a role to play. I realize that with less than 1 percent of If tomorrow, after the parades and the ceremonies we Americans serving in uniform, the other 99 percent of…. roll up the banners and sweep the veterans halls and go back to our daily lives, forgetting the bond between the (continued….) service of our veterans and our obligations as citizens, 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / December 2015 – Issue 64 then we will be doing a profound disservice to our Page 3 of 86 ….folks don’t always see and appreciate the incredible idea, hire a vet.