It was 70 Yeas ago today when Japanese war planes deliberately bombed US military forces based in Hawaii. Immediately following the attack American forces fleet commander wrote this first official communique. -
AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL. 12/7/1941.
City Islanders Robert Branizza and Russ Schaller remember it all too well. Both men were in their late tens and happened to be playing ball in the playground on the island, when they first heard of the attack. They said they had no idea where, or what Pearl Harbor was. However, both enlisted to fight for their country. They are two of our local heroes.
Meanwhile, more than 2,300 Americans were killed. The U.S.S. Arizona was completely destroyed and the U.S.S. Oklahoma capsized. A total of twelve ships sank or beached in the attack and nine additional vessels were damaged. More than 160 aircraft were destroyed and more than 150 others damaged.
City Islander Schaller continues to re-live this fateful day because December 7 also happens to be his birthday. Happy 88 Sgt. Schaller.