Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary
December 7, 2016
It was an idyllic Sunday on the Pacific Island of O’ahu on December 7, 1941. My parents, like
many military families, were at church. An interruption of the service occurred as a man ran into
the building shouting that Pearl Harbor was under attack by the Japanese. Per my mother, dad
declared that “they – meaning the military officials - were going to cry wolf once too often!”
He soon found out that it was not another drill. My dad received the only free taxi ride in his
life to where his ship, the destroyer USS Dale, was docked at Pearl Harbor. But, having the
ready duty, the Dale was already out of the harbor. My father caught a ride to the Dale on
another ship. My mother stayed in Hawaii for a short time before being evacuated to San
Francisco where she worked for an insurance company. The Dale and my father spent the rest of
the war in the Pacific, participating in every major battle except one. The Dale received 12
Battle Stars for its service in World War II. A researched account (as opposed to family stories)
of the ship’s activities can be found in Olson, Michael Keith (2007). Tales From a Tin Can: The USS
Dale from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay.
Like my parents, most survivors of “a day that will live in infamy” are no longer with us. Earlier
this December, I was pleased and touched to see the crowds lined up at the Hilton Hawaiian
Waikiki Village to meet survivors of the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor survivors from other
venues bombed on December 7,1941, such as Ford Island, Hickam Field, Wheeler Field,
Barber's Point, and Kaneohe.
As a member of The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors (SDPHS), I felt compelled to
attend – along with one of my sons - this emotional 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, as well as
the meeting of the SDPHS. My parents, as members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association,
were present at the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor – attended also by former President George
H. W. Bush and Mrs. Bush. The SDPHS banquet was a notable event recognizing several
remaining survivors in attendance, including individuals who were children on O’ahu at the time
of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Participation in the ceremonies organized by the U.S. Park
Service and U.S. Navy was an honor. Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial and the battleship USS
Missouri were educational and solemn experiences. A memorable journey that I will never
forget.
Ellen Nau
The USS Arizona Memorial
A 1961 benefit concert by Elvis Presley helped to complete the memorial which is located over
the sunken Arizona. Oil can still be seen bubbling from the Arizona 75 years after the attack on
Pearl Harbor. Known as the “tears of the Arizona”, the U.S. Navy declined to let the U.S. Park
Service stop the slow leaking of oil. Prior to their deaths, two recently deceased survivors
requested that their ashes be buried in the Arizona with their fallen comrades.
The USS Missouri
Site of the signing of the treaty for ending World War II, the Missouri has a wonderful tour
explaining all the details of this event. General MacArthur signed the treaty with various
representatives of the Japanese government. MacArthur had American General Wainwright and
British General Percival flank him on either side during the signing. Both Generals had been
prisoners of the Japanese.
The USS Missouri watches over the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.