On December 7, 1941, a nearly perfect Sunday morning in Oahu, HI was turned into a horror as 353 Japanese aircraft from 6 aircraft carriers about 230 miles north swooped in to attack Pearl Harbor naval base and the airbase Ford Field killing 2,403 unsuspecting Americans.
The next day Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander in Chief of the army and navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. 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 premeditated 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.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding [sic] determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941 a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.
Thirteen-year-old Leon Buttermore (my Dad) joined the family beside the crystal set on the little farm in north-central Kansas to hear the news. In the coming years, five older brothers joined the military to fight in Europe and in the Pacific. The oldest brother, well over 30, stayed home to help on the farm and work in a military support role. The youngest brother, too young for WWII, joined the Marines and fought in Korea. Grandma sent six boys into WWII and they all lived and had successful and long lives. Jesse’s six boys sent to war gave her the Kansas record.
Leon graduated from high school in May of 1944 having just turned 17. They would not take him into the military at that age so he worked for a year and in May 1945, just as Germany was capitulating, he joined the Marines as it appeared an invasion of Japan was nearing. As he was finishing boot camp in CA, the two bombs were dropped which brought out the white flag from Japan. Leon served a year and was then mustered out. Never deployed, yet a WWII veteran.
This Sunday morning (12-5) Leon is booked to board a plane in Omaha for Pearl Harbor to join the 80th remembrance of that horrible attack that ushered us into that terrible war. Being a WWII vet, he will be seated as a guest of honor. May he be richly blessed and be a blessing to the many he comes in contact with.
He had COVID three weeks ago and is yet weakened so prayers are needed; but, being a Marine, there is no retreat from the plan – FORWARD!!
[Dad did not go. The Lieutenant in charge of the memorial event called my sister and suggested they not come due to inclement weather and airline delays, so it was decided to postpone the trip. Due to Dad’s on-going recovery of Covid, this was a relief to us all.]
a PK Musing 
Leave a comment