Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste commemorated the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. | repugaste.com
Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste commemorated the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. | repugaste.com
Representative Dan Ugaste emphasizes the importance of hearing the stories of veterans’ who witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years ago.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii. The Japanese attack killed over 2,400 Americans and wounded another 1,000, including civilians, as well as destroying or damaging 20 American navy vessels and more than 300 airplanes. The day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, then-president Franklin Roosevelt declared war on Japan.
“It’s estimated that there are fewer than 100 survivors alive today from the attack on Pearl Harbor," Ugaste said. "One of those is Illinois’ own Sterling Cale. Today is the 80th anniversary of the bombing, making his life and legacy that much more important, because in his words, ‘When we’re gone, there will be no one to tell the story.’”
The day after the attack, Roosevelt delivered an address to the nation.
“As Commander in Chief of the Army and the Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense" Roosevelt said in his address, according to Time. "But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premediated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that 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 it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.”
Dozens of Illinoisans were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of them was 21-year-old Lt. John Dains from Mount Olive, who some believe shot down the first Japanese plane in the war. After his death, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
William Arbuckle from Marshall was working at a Woolworth in Champaign when he enlisted in the Navy in 1941, and was one of the 58 men who died on the USS Utah when it was bombed. Seven boys in the Conlin family from Decatur served in the Navy, two of whom (ages 18 and 19) died on the USS Arizona. All total, 57 Illinoisans died on the ship.
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