Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, and special envoy Saburo Kuruso smile as they
leave a brief meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull on December 7, 1941, just after the surprise attack on Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. Journalists regard them with hostility as they pass.
A captured Japanese photograph taken during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hawaii, December 7, 1941.
Wrecked Navy Destroyers
Original caption:Mass of Destruction After Jap Attack. Pearl Harbor: This jumbled mass of
wreckage (foreground) is all that remained of two U.S. Navy destroyers, the Downes (left), and
the Cassin, after the treacherous attack by Japanese bombers on Pearl Harbor
USS Nevada
The USS Nevada burns following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military.
Ford Island Naval Air Station During Attack on Pearl Harbor
Airmen at the Ford Island Naval Air Station watch smoke and flames billow from the USS Shaw
which had just been blown up by Japanese bombers during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Crew abandons USS California during the Pearl Harbor attack.
It's crew is forced to abandon the USS California during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, December 7, 1941. Silver print, Navy photographer, 1941.
A burned B-17C aircraft rests near Hangar Number Five at Hickam Field, following the
attack by Japanese aircraft. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. December 7, 1941.
President Franklin Roosevelt Addressing Congress About Pearl Harbor
Original caption:President Franklin D. Roosevelt is pictured during the dramatic moments before
the joint session of Congress, December 8th, as he asked Congress to declare a state of war
against Japan for its "unprovoked and dastardly attack." On the right is his son, James Roosevelt.
In the background are Vice-President Henry A. Wallace (left) and Speaker of the House Sam
Rayburn. Both the Senate and the House complied with his request almost immediately.
Congress During Vote for War Against Japan
Original caption:This is a general view of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., as President Franklin D.
Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress and pledged that we will triumph-"so help us, God"--in asking for a
Declaration of War against the Japanese empire. Within a half hour after he spoke, the was was declared by both houses.
The Senate vote was 82-0 and the House of Representatives 388-1, with the lone dissenting vote being cast by Jeannette
Rankin, Rep-Montana, who voted against entry into World War I in 1917. Seated behind the President are Vice President
Henry A. Wallace, (L), who was also President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives Sam Rayburn of
Texas. Seated to the left of the President is his son, James, a Marine Corps Captain.
President Roosevelt Signing War Declaration
Cabinet members watch with mixed emotions as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, wearing a
black armband, signs the United States' declaration of war against Japan at 4:10 p.m.
Washington time on December 8, 1941. On December 7, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii in a surprise attack that destroyed a large portion of the fleet there, prompting the war
declaration. | Location: Executive Office, White House, Washington, DC, USA.
Sailor Retrieving Dead Pilot
A service man uses a rope and winch to bring the body of a soldier killed in the attack on Pearl
Harbor aboard a ship.
Mass Grave of Pearl Harbor Dead
Military personnel pay their respects beside the mass grave of 15 officers and others killed in
the bombing attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A U.S. flag is draped over the coffins.
Cook Third Class Doris Miller, USN
He subsequently manned a 50 caliber
Browning anti-aircraft machine gun
until he ran out of ammunition and
was ordered to abandon ship
Killed in action about 2 years later
Casualties of Attack
• Army: 218 KIA, 364 WIA.
Navy: 2,008 KIA, 710 WIA.
USMC: 109 KIA, 69 WIA.
Civilians: 68 KIA, 35 WIA
• Battleships
USS Arizona (BB-39) - total loss when a
bomb hit her magazine.
USS Oklahoma (BB-37) - Total loss when
she capsized and sunk in the harbor.
USS California (BB-44) - Sunk at her berth.
Later raised and repaired.
Aircraft
188 Aircraft destroyed (92
USN and 92 U.S. Army Air
Corps.)
USS West Virginia (BB-48) - Sunk at her
berth. Later raised and repaired.
USS Nevada - (BB-36) Beached to prevent
sinking Later repaired.
USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) - Light damage
USS Maryland (BB-46) - Light damage.
USS Tennessee (BB-43) Light damage.
Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, in a good mood on hearing that he was to be appointed Navy commander of the U.S. fleet
at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, on January 18, 1941. Kimmel would be relieved of duty after the Japanese attack on
December 7.