The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, by Japanese bombers launched the United States into World War II and resulted in the deaths of 2,403 service members and civilians. Efforts to identify those who died in the attack continue to this day. The event also led to President Franklin D. Roosevelt invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, resulting in the imprisonment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens, in concentration camps.
The photos from the attack show the destruction and chaos that ensued, with ships on fire, aircraft carriers launching bombers, and sailors standing amid wreckage. The USS Arizona and USS Shaw were among the ships heavily damaged during the attack. The aftermath of the attack showed the USS Oklahoma sunk and the salvage crew working on the deck, while the USS West Virginia needed rescuing after being hit.
The attack on Pearl Harbor left a lasting scar on the American psyche and marked one of the darkest stains in American history. The images captured during the attack serve as a reminder of the devastation it caused and the lives lost. Efforts to commemorate and honor those who died in the attack continue to this day.
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