The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor lasted about 90 minutes, killing and wounding more than 3,000 military and civilians.
Hit first
The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor lasted about 90 minutes, killing and wounding more than 3,000 military and civilians.
The first targets were U.S. airfields, to prevent a U.S. counter-attack by air. T
The first Medal of Honor awarded in World War II went to a sailor who defended one of those airfields.
The U.S. declared war on Japan a day after the attack.
U.S. airfieldsThe first bombs fell on airfields in Oahu.
1. Wheeler Air Field2. Hickam Field3. Bellow’s Field4. Kaneohe Naval Air Station5. Ewa Marine Air Station6. Ford Island Naval Air Base
At least 181 Japanese planes started bombing and strafing airfields and ships in Pearl Harbor around 7:48 a.m.
A second wave began an hour later with 170 more Japanese planes.
The attacks ended just before 10 a.m.
There were 402 American aircraft in Hawaii.
Eight U.S. pilots managed to get airborne during the attack and six were credited with downing at least one Japanese aircraft.
Kaneohe Bay was home to 33 American Sea Planes (PBY-5s). Only three of those planes were fit for patrol after the attack.
Eighteen sailors and three civilians died protecting the base.
Costly day
Totals for the Dec. 7, 1941 attack
Total killed: U.S. 2,341, 49 civilians Japan: 64, 55 in aircraft, 9 in mini-subs
Aircraft: 188 destroyed, 159 damaged Japan: 29 destroyed and 74 damaged
Ships: U.
